ThelittleladyandI

Singlemumwithplans

Feeling pretty pleased with myself lol

I had a look through my shiny new file of household bills to see where else I might be able to make some cuts.....

I've cancelled my home insurance at £53.26 (seemed expensive)
I got on the compare websites and got a new policy out for £17.22

It's like a third of the cost, really pleased at this saving as I won't even feel like I'm cutting back!

Honeysucklelou2

Well done, you're doing really well.

Singlemumwithplans

Really pleased with how productive I've been today, achieved all my to do list including the cupboard of doom. It's so organised. I think when I'm feeling stressed I might just open it up and look at it, bringing me a wonderful sense of calm. Also cleared out my toiletries and make up. I Now have a lovely little box with the things I actually use!

Little lady has been more like little madam today but we have her music and dance workshop tomorrow so hopefully getting out and about will improve her mood. It's a definite spend of £3.00 and then I'm out with friends in the evening so that will be another few quid. I'm not going to set a budget because it might be awkward if everyone is putting money in but I will try my best to keep the spends to a minimum. At least today was a no spend day.

Singlemumwithplans

Wednesday to do list

1. Take the little lady to her dance and music workshop
2.do one load of laundry
3. Renew car insurance (see if I can make a saving)
4. Walk doggy
5. Cc payment

Singlemumwithplans

Good morning,

We had a lovely time at the dance and music workshop. 3 quid well spent! I have done everything on my to do list apart from walk the dog but that's for this afternoon.

I sorted new car insurance. I made a saving as it was 49.04 and it's now 36.96 so all good!

Unfortunately my phone bill was a lot higher than expected. I checked and it's all the calls I've been making to the council, insurance companies, trying to sort out better deals so shouldn't be as much next month!

I made a small payment to the cc. I love a payment a day. It really keeps me motivated!
I've worked out all the bills that are yet to go out and it's all a bit tight to be honest! So it needs to be a frugal rest of the week!

I was doing a load of 'research/fantasising' about a cruise next year with the little lady. I don't want to give up holidays just because my marriage has broken down and cruising seems like a really good option. No horrendous flights, lots of entertainment for dd, kids club so some child free time for me and generally a friendly atmosphere. That's what I'm getting from the forums and the websites anyway.
It's daunting going away just the two of us. Will I be lonely and wish he was with me? Will I be surrounded by happy families? Will it be exhausting and will little lady struggle without her normal routine? Will I have to eat alone? Will people judge me? I would really just like to spend some fun time with the little lady and have her go to kids club sometimes so I can sunbathe and read a book! She would be 2 and a half by this point as thinking for next summer. It gives me plenty of time to save up (I have no intention of getting into any more debt) it would be a nice thing to look forward to. But there is a tiny bit At the back of my mind that just says it won't be the same without 'him' there with us. It's a lot of money to spend if it's going to make me sad.
Something to think about!

Evening out tonight so I'm off to paint my nails whilst the little lady naps!

Singlemumwithplans

Well this evening didn't go to plan. I'm not feeling very well so I cancelled going out the evening. At least I've saved the money that I would have spent on dinner and drinks....every cloud....

I had a lovely morning with the little lady and she had a brilliant time at the workshop, well worth £3. Since I redeemed the old scratch cards I found for £3 I'm not even really counting it!

Tomorrow I'm going shopping with my mum. I need to get the little lady's feet measured and if she has gone up a size like I suspect a new pair of shoes. Other than that I'm hoping to keep my spending under control.

I've been looking at my list of outgoings and trying to find spaces for more savings.
Mortgage - can't be changed
Council tax - got the 25 per cent single person discount ��
Home insurance - got a new cheaper deal
Oil - use boiler juice website to get the best deal
Tv license - paid for the year and can't get it cheaper
Car tax - paid for the year and can't be changed
Car insurance - got a new cheaper deal
Nursery - can't be changed unfortunately (unless I change her nursery for a cheaper childminder but I want to keep everything as normal for her as possible so won't be doing this any time soon I don't think)
Sofa payment - can't be changed
Union subs - can't be changed, got it cheap at the beginning of the year
iTunes storgae - it's 79p and keeps all my pics of the dd safe!

This leaves...

Now tv - could cancel
Mobile phone - I think I'm tied into the deal (as usually you are) perhaps something to investigate
Electricity - could look into changing this? Any suggestions? Do you usually have to pay to move? Might ring them ummmm
Phone/internet - again perhaps I could get it cheaper??!! I'm with bt at the moment.

I am of course concentrating on not spending too much on groceries and petrol.
Then it's just leaves the spending on 'stuff' which I'm working on by writing it all down and doing the no spend days.

X



Not sure if there's much else I can do.

monz

Opinon Outpost if good for surveys and Valued Opinions - single mum like you and seem to love us this way can save up amazon vouchers and get her presents for xmas wihout spending and prolific academic is brill survey pays cash xx

Singlemumwithplans

Thanks monz, I will check those out. I already do swag bucks and hog receipt!

I had a very spendy day today but really nice to hang out shopping with my mum. I got the little lady some new shoes (needed, as she had gone up a size) these are doodles In the sale in John Lewis, should have been £20 and I got them half price for £10! Also a really pretty dress from oasis which has 20 per cent off. It's was 36.80 and I really love it! Also got a couple of Xmas presents in Elc which were reduced. I paid parking but mum drove so no petrol and I bought a drink for 60p. I ate before we went and packed a packed lunch for the little lady. Oh splashed out on some hair clips for little lady too as her hair needs taming!

I need to nip out later and get something for dinner tonight as I have a friend coming over and doubt what I have in already will be good enough! I will also grab some bread and milk to tide us over!
A good day despite it being very spendy!

Singlemumwithplans

I had a good night last night with my friend. Spent £15.00 on food and wine. I haven't spent anything today but went around to visit a friend for lunch, which was nice.

I'm a bit disappointed with how much money I have spent this week as I think it's the most I've spent in a week since I started this diary at the beginning of August. So the plan is to be super frugal for the rest of the month. 7 days to go including today. I'm hoping to eek out the food and use frozen. My only worry is the fresh fruit and veg I like the little lady to have. I have some but not sure if it's enough. I will have to see. I do have frozen stuff and also some tins of sweet corn. Next week I having some friends coming for dinner. I'm going to see if I can find a joint in the freezer to save the money on meat. I will try and make this a cheap meal.

I don't have many other plans for the next week. I need to pencil in some cheap/free things to do during the days and evenings.

Today has been a no spend day ��

Singlemumwithplans

Today has been a no spend day :j

I went to a family bbq today with the little lady and it was lovely! Tomorrow should also be a no spend day as its another family birthday! That's pretty good going for a weekend!

I am extremely worried I haven't got enough money to last until pay day. There are still dds to go out and I will need to buy petrol. I think I've gone a little overboard with paying off the credit card and left myself too little to cover everything else! So silly really! Anyway I'll see how I go and spend as little as possible!

That's eveyrthing for today, early night for me again.....