Single, six kids and going to be debt free!

Mumoffourkids

Oh and I have managed to reduce my electricity DD to £57 monthly. It was at £120 per month! So I am very pleased with that. And now the heating has gone off so I am hoping my gas DD comes down a little bit as well!

Mumoffourkids

wishingthemortgaheaway wrote: »

You sound like you are well on the way to the 4 present method:
Something they want
Something they need,
Something to wear and
Something to read.

We've employed this with Pickle since he was born, makes life a lot easier. (Although we have done a dvd as well as a book for his next birthday)

That sounds like an amazing idea for presents. I do things like that at Christmas anyway. The kids always get socks and pants and a new outfit. I also tend to get them a new duvet set so they aren't swamped with toys.

DD3 is so hard to buy for though, she seems to be at an in between age. She wants to be grown up like her older sisters but still likes playing. My friend was getting rid of some bracelet and necklace making stuff the other day and I gave it to DD3 and she spent a few hours making bracelets and necklaces so I might get her some more bits like that. Other than that she really doesn't need anything so I think maybe a few more bits of clothes and she will be done.

enthusiasticsaver

wishingthemortgaheaway wrote: »

You sound like you are well on the way to the 4 present method:
Something they want
Something they need,
Something to wear and
Something to read.

We've employed this with Pickle since he was born, makes life a lot easier. (Although we have done a dvd as well as a book for his next birthday)

We used to do this with our DDS when they were younger. Now it is just money as that is what they need like most young adults. LOL. We will employ that with our grandchildren though as they get older.

wishingthemortgaheaway

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

We used to do this with our DDS when they were younger. Now it is just money as that is what they need like most young adults. LOL. We will employ that with our grandchildren though as they get older.

My parents do it for the grandchildren too.
Although, that means 4 gifts from them to Pickle, plus gifts from hubby's family and my brother's family and then that means he still ends up with mountains.

enthusiasticsaver

wishingthemortgaheaway wrote: »

My parents do it for the grandchildren too.
Although, that means 4 gifts from them to Pickle, plus gifts from hubby's family and my brother's family and then that means he still ends up with mountains.

Yes I can see that happening with our granddaughters too. At the moment I tend to buy little things DGD1 needs through the year as she is too little to appreciate birthdays, Christmas. That means just one present from us. My DD and her husband are quite good about rationing the presents for our GD1 though so she is not overwhelmed. GD2 has yet to make an appearance as due in next few weeks. In the early years it will be mostly needs to help out our DD and son in law. Kids are expensive

wishingthemortgaheaway

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Yes I can see that happening with our granddaughters too. At the moment I tend to buy little things DGD1 needs through the year as she is too little to appreciate birthdays, Christmas. That means just one present from us. My DD and her husband are quite good about rationing the presents for our GD1 though so she is not overwhelmed. GD2 has yet to make an appearance as due in next few weeks. In the early years it will be mostly needs to help out our DD and son in law. Kids are expensive

Kids can be expensive... or you can have mse children!

enthusiasticsaver

wishingthemortgaheaway wrote: »

Kids can be expensive... or you can have mse children!

Indeed. There are always ways to save on clothes, equipment, toys etc.

Childcare costs though are another matter. I think my DDs childcare bill would be higher than their mortgage if we and other grandparents did not help out.

Mumoffourkids

Kids are expensive! My childcare bill is almost as much as my rent a month and that is only for three days!

Mumoffourkids

So today I was planning to get loads done but as it was I only had four hours child free because ex husband decided that he wanted to meet at half four for the drop off of kids. He hasn't seen them for six weeks and he can't wait to get rid of them! :mad:

[STRIKE]Tip Run[/STRIKE] - although got another one to do on the way to pick up the kids
[STRIKE]Put up shelves in the garage[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Take clothes to Cash4Clothes[/STRIKE] Done
Sort out bag on landing
Go to gym twice - only been once and didn't go today as I am still not feeling 100%
List 10 things on ebay/FB (this needs to be done as I have been really slack lately!)
File Paperwork
Iron school clothes
Tidy Conservatory
Move dining table and chairs to conservatory
[STRIKE]Go shopping for gym clothes[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Start getting presents for DD3 and DD1 - I have one for DD3, and know exactly what I am getting for DD1.[/STRIKE]

So oldest decided to disappear off to town with her friend so I had to tackle the garage by myself. It looks really good and once a big unit goes in a couple of weeks it should look even better. I have put everything I need to sort in one place so I will carry on doing that this week. It does mean that I haven't got round to doing anything in the house this afternoon but I will make my eldest help with that when she gets back from town!

Right I am going to do a tip run and then go and pick up three of the kids. Will drop them home and then pick up the youngest two. Tonight will be ironing school clothes and eBay/FB listing.

I also think I may have got to the bottom of the washing basket! :j However, the kids will be bringing some washing home with them today so that can go on tonight!

Right off to the tip for the second time today!

Chrystal

Don't know what to say really about ex OH... I'd be calling down lightening bolt on him if it was me!
Maybe next time you can say you're going out and won't be back till XY time?

Does he work away? Can't imagine why he hasn't seem them for 6 weeks, and if he can't cope with them for a few hours how the hell does he think you manage? :mad:

Definitely get DD to help when she gets home.... sounds as though it's time for everyone to realise that you're not a robot and it's time they started to give more thought to you. ((hugs))