Earthgirl's Final Battle

earthgirl

Yes I am looking forward to it, I have some salad things I need to prep so I'll do that when kids are asleep later. It's a great week to do it budget wise, as I have spent £50 on bbq food and top up shop (including replacement cereals as we have Airbnb this weekend) , but as oh is away wed to sun and I'm away fri-sun, Im Challenging myself to use up what we have and not buy more actual grocery shopping this week.

Today is our local gala day and it might be quite expensive as weekends go. They do a £10 all rides for kids wristband. I'll take snacks and drinks.

I'm also going to get the veg patch weeded and more planted.

I'm enjoying having loads of things organised for the kids. Yesterday they just picked things they wanted to do (make playdough, make a tray garden, foil jewellery and draw) and they could just access the things themselves and were happy, so was I!! Hopefully I can keep it going through summer.

Lodger on holiday so we have an Airbnb couple for 2 nights, so £62 in extra this weekend. Did a tutoring client this week so £25 in there.

Unfortunately spent £10 on works night out deposit for meal, but it shouldn't be too expensive overall.

beanielou

All sounding good

themadvix

The activity list sounds like it's working really well

And a good week moneywise coming up by the sounds of it too.

earthgirl

Bbq was great I really enjoyed seeing some friends. One family pulled out at the last minute, so I have lots of leftovers to last me the week and to freeze. Hope to catch up with that friend soon.

Moneywise two days of spending. Yesterday took the boys for a foot measurement. DS1 needs new trainers and he is into brands for the first time really - aged 8. I didn't buy him the ones he wanted - I'm considering it. They are only £8 more expensive than non branded though. I have the added problem of 'if ds1 gets something ds2 wants something' and I need to resolve this.

I bought a friend a present - £10. I don't normally spend this much but its for a good friend of ds2, and his family helped me a lot with dropping off ds2 at nursery for about a year! I also bought the kids a football too. No need really - Excuses I'm making for myself spending I think.

Today I bought an academic diary and 2 cards, £1.90 spent, so back to bargains

Still trying to work out how to have a cost effective party for the boys. My first choice of venue is closing. My second choice is an option if the weather stays nice and we can have a picnic outside (no food on the astro pitch) - cost £32. If I do it at home again I'm at the mercy of the weather for football but I could do something in the house if I needed to. Not as good as playing on a proper pitch though.

earthgirl

So for the party, I think I'm going to go for a hour on the Astro pitch for £32. Both boys can invite friends so it will be a joint party. I'll do a picnic afterwards, cake and games in the grounds. If the weather looks bad, I'll message the parents to say collect from my house, and I'll somehow transport the children back from the Astro to mine for the cake/ party games bit.

I'll design the party invites using pixab@y and canv@. I should be able to do it for £45 for both boys.

I decided to get the branded trainers for ds1. I got them for £22 - way over half price from a discount sports shop. He needs them for a school trip, a sports day, summer hols etc. This brands thing feels uncomfortable for me as I know it makes no difference.

Held firm with ds2 about not getting some because he didn't need new ones. As I've said before he is very inflexible with his thinking but I have to teach him this. (He's still upset about it!).

themadvix

Sounds sensible re the party and very good value!

DS2 will learn once he discovers that big bruv won't get new ones when he gets new ones

earthgirl

Yes he will learn and is almost over it now!!

Had a great few days. Not sure where I read about life coaching podcasts but I've been listening when driving a tinkering a bit with my goals.

It's made me realise how far I've come -I've hit lots of goals already. And how much I still need to put into health and having a decluttered home.

I have been doing a yoga cool down after my workout and it feels so calming and indulgent -love it!

I'm going to visit my SIL st weekend and have lots of free things planned to do. Also going to mil for tea on Sunday.

Thinking of doing a freestyle weightw@tchers meal of an evening, ones that we can all enjoy and that are cheap and easy. Going to try a few new recipies.

museumworker

Ooh, be interested to hear which podcasts you've found most useful!

museumworker

Just caught up properly, you are doing so well even with all the challenges around health and OHs business. Not long at all til mortgage neutraldom!

Be interested to hear the what to visit when list, and also the activities idea list. I'm trying to devise a short and long days out wishlist so when we have a spare day or even a few hours we don't waste time scratching our heads on what to do (like we did this weekend just gone!)

Let me know if you need any tips for cheap, free or just fun in London.

earthgirl

I was going to get in touch about coming to London, thanks museum worker. I'll dig out my lists and type them up.

Podcast was by Brooke Castillo recommended somewhere on mse but I'm not sure who the op was, very sorry.

Its a course. Ive done 3 podcasts and I'm doing the exercises. It's thought provoking on my boring drives.