Earthgirl's Final Battle

earthgirl

Thanks wannabe had a great holiday

Unfortunately some issues with my brother and Mum, and to an extent me, not getting on the whole time. My brother has a lot going on but it didn't really excuse the way he spoke to us. Never mind, I didn't let it spoil the holiday it was great fun!

We really maximised the free things to do At CP, and spent hours swimming and in the parks and cycling. We cooked every night and made packed lunches for the days and took all our snacks. Planning possibly to go back with OH if we can get a late deal when we have a "local" long weekend off in November. The late deals can be quite cheap. The only thing I don't like is how expensive everything else is there but we didn't need to buy anything.

Grandparents gave the boys money for their holiday, and we had a rebooking voucher, so the boys bought themselves something. I had to add about £6 in.

More money stuff later off to amuse the children!

themadvix

Pity it wasn't all plain sailing with family, but sounds like you had a lovely time nonetheless. I think holidaying with others, however well you know them, can be tricky as adults as everyone has their own expectations. It sounds like you really got your money's worth from the free stuff though!

earthgirl

Thanks themsdvix. Yes a shame we couldn't get along perfectly. My halo is still shiny as I didn't lose my temper and was kind and pleasant the whole time. I tried to have a firm but sensitive chat to my brother. I came out with all of my pearls of wisdom from work though.! He didn't take offence thankfully!

I woke up this morning aching from the kneck down. I didn't feel like my early morning shift on job number 2 but did ok I think, getting good feedback and my schedule was full so I get full pay.

I don't know if I have a virus or I overdid it at the pool, plus unpacking etc. I had a nsd and entertained the kids for free at the park and a party. Also managed a few hours helping parents in law in garden. Probably shouldn't have done that as I feel so achey now!

Off to rest and hopefully come back with some financial musings /plans.

themadvix

Oh no hope you're feeling better soon - take it *easy*!!

Glad your brother didn't take offence at the pearls of wisdom!

beanielou

Glad all went mostly well.

WannabeFree

Glad it went well other than the hiccup, hope you get a good nights sleep and feel better

x

apple_muncher

Families, eh? Hope you feel better quickly.

earthgirl

Thanks so much for the well wishes! Means a lot and cheered me up!

Feeling so much better today. Didn't get a great sleep but at least my aches are fading fast.

When I came home from holiday I felt odd, like I didn't want to get back into my money saving ways and I had no inclination to do job number two. Unlike me as I normally come back feeling like I want to work hard so I can go on holiday again!

Anyway feeling physically and mentally much better now and ready to get back to business.

Health

Need to get back to healthy eating and exercising
Up intake of water
Get kids back on track too


Wealth
Very cheap week. Oh won some cash at golf so he has treated us to a few things so nothing spent this weekend from any budget so far.
Was sent a £10 b0den voucher and spent it on free kids socks
Energy reading meant that our dd has gone down to £12 for 3 months
Need to use up what we have in stores to keep grocery budget down.
Ordered V wine box in mse email - only money saving if we don't drink it quickly!

Need to do quite a lot of work on ohs business (had a week off)

Life well lived
I've got places on quite a few free tennis classes in the area in May for the kids
I've planned out dry and wet activities for saturdays and Sundays that are free and hopefully good fun, keep the kids amused and me relaxed! Also taped some nature documentaries for them to watch when we come home. They seem to enjoy these.

Want to get back to money saving and making to be spent on getting rid of final bit of mortgage debt and having great times with family.

To do:
Cook healthy food for the week and meal plan (broccoli soup for my lunches, hummus, crispie cakes for kids snacks)
No more midweek wine, up water intake.
Exercise
Cancel V wine subscription
Get cheap car insurance and check not on auto renew
Work on ohs business
Save money by planting more veg in garden
Keep on top of cleaning so it doesn't stop me from doing the above.
Fit in a session of helping parents in law with garden.

themadvix

That list is of a similar length to mine - I think the jobs creep up on me!

Maybe the not feeling like getting back into it was a symptom of the 'bug' you had and your body trying to tell you to take it easy. I often find I feel like I can't settle to anything when I'm coming down with something. Hopefully the sleep has kicked it to the kerb and you'll be fine now

earthgirl

Thanks themadvix! Felling much better now.

I am trying to make myself more productive. Last night I didn't really sleep again due to having the lodger here, sleeping on the floor of one childs bedroom and having an alarm in the other. Its just too much for me and I tend to just stay up most of the night if there are lots of sounds - like the wind last night. I have decided to buy a motion sensor alarm (2 pack) for the kids rooms. This will be placed just by their doors, with the reciever next to my bed. £18 spent, but I am hoping it will give me complete peace of mind. When we have no lodger they can be used as burgalar alarms for the shed or anywhere in the house.

I don't like spending money but the kids safety is paramount and I need to rest. Soon the kids will be too old for their mum to be sleeping on the floor as well.

I have meal planned, batch cooked healthy meals and things are generally going well. I am so close to a £20 pay out and £50 payout for surveys so that will more than cover my £18 spend on motion sensors.

The energy direct debit reduction from £77 to £12 for 3 months will also give us some wiggle room in our budget.

Car insurance not purchased yet as OH wants to look at some multi car deals with his work.