*sigh* this may take a while

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Yukky day at work, was very glad to get home. I've been taking packed lunches in, but I do miss buying them. Used to be my reward for getting through the morning! Definitely cheaper to bring in food though, so will persevere.
NSD for me, not for hubby though, who went out for a pub lunch, despite the fact I had done him a packed lunch too! Bless him
Going to start going through our loft, there's a certain amount up there that we've stored since moving in 10 years ago. Thinking of doing a car boot sale and then charity :Dshop or freecycle anything left

ohdearhowdidthathappen

The schools are taking the mick at the mo; today I had to send in £4.50 for no.4, £23 for no.1 and £35 for no.2. £62!! Grrrr. Al very fun things and kids will love them, but ouch.

I've agreed to do some extra shifts at the hospital over the summer hols, only 1 a week, but I've roped in a friendly grandparent, so won't have to pay childcare. I've worked it out to be about £1200 after deductions and the extra money will be split 35/35/30 to emergency fund/house fund/fun days out over summer hols. Plus I won't be spending money on the days I'm actually working!

I'd taken 1 day a week annual leave over summer hols, so the extra shifts mean I'll still be doing 2 days a week, but it's fine. I've also agreed to do a bit of childminding, looking after 3 children 1 day a week (£50 a day). The other 2 days each week, will be fun days with the children. They're happy with the arrangement as they get 2 days a week with their Gran, 1 day with playmates (they're friends with the kids I'm minding) and 2 nice days out. Should be cost neutral, so our budget won't get hammered like it usually does in the holidays!!

mark55man

very good plan - looks like your holiday is going to be busy!!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Checking in on YNAB and still seem to be on track. I still think to monitor it properly, we need to stop putting stuff on the credit card to pay off on pay day. Last month, our credit card was £3500 to be paid off in full... this month, we're on track for it to be £2k. Next month, I just want it to be £800 (food & petrol) and then the one after that £0.
Relatively uneventful week, just trundling along

Mumoffourkids

I've just read through your diary and wanted to comment about your food shopping. I have six kids so I know where you are coming from with having a big family. I also have teenagers and little ones. Mine range from 17 down to 2.

I currently do food shopping online and get it delivered as I really don't have time to actually go and get the shopping, but to be honest I did try going to Aldi for a month and I found that I actually spent more on food shopping when I went to a store rather than doing it online. Online I can see how much I am spending and am not tempting by stuff that is on offer or just because I fancy having it that week.

So I went back to online shopping. I have just increased my budget to £110 per week from £100 per week and that includes food, toiletries, cleaning stuff, nappies for the two youngest.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Mumoffourkids wrote: »

I've just read through your diary and wanted to comment about your food shopping. I have six kids so I know where you are coming from with having a big family. I also have teenagers and little ones. Mine range from 17 down to 2.

I currently do food shopping online and get it delivered as I really don't have time to actually go and get the shopping, but to be honest I did try going to Aldi for a month and I found that I actually spent more on food shopping when I went to a store rather than doing it online. Online I can see how much I am spending and am not tempting by stuff that is on offer or just because I fancy having it that week.

So I went back to online shopping. I have just increased my budget to £110 per week from £100 per week and that includes food, toiletries, cleaning stuff, nappies for the two youngest.

£110 a week is amazing! And with 6 children.... I need some tips I think you're right, shopping online is easier to track spending and not get caught out by 'bargains'

Mumoffourkids

Although even with online shopping, I still sometimes end up buying stuff because I think we have run out and then I find we clearly haven't. For example I sorted out my tins food cupboard at the weekend and found we have 11 tins of baked beans. No need to buy any backed beans for a couple of weeks!

Yellow_mango

Although even with online shopping, I still sometimes end up buying stuff because I think we have run out and then I find we clearly haven't. For example I sorted out my tins food cupboard at the weekend and found we have 11 tins of baked beans. No need to buy any backed beans for a couple of weeks!

This is exactly what I do! And I do find it’s worse with online shopping. Easier to buy in bulk as “it’ll keep and we’ll use it eventually”. In store I have the (albeit minor) disincentive of having to physically carry it!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

My eldest son is going on a camp in the summer hols and I was going through his drawers to make sure he had enough clothes/kit.... I was pretty thorough and sorted everything into, 'keep', 'get rid' and 'try on'. When he got home from school, I got him to check; he agreed with the first 2 piles and nothing in his 'try on' pile fitted!! He barely had any 'keep' clothes! I felt a bit bad, but because he's at school all week, he's just been wearing the same things on rotation at the weekends!
I did an on line order with him from sports direct and completely restocked him, plus new trainers and hiking boots. Bill came to £140, which is a bit ouchy on one child, but have got him stocked up and he was so chuffed.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Hair cut for me today, I changed colour a year ago, so I only have to go 5 times a year.... however, was still over £100 a time, so I dropped a couple of stylist levels this time and it was £80 instead. Happy with it, although I'll look around for a cheaper alternative for next time. I always tip 10% and after I did it today, I wonder why we still tip in this country. With the minimum wage, my stylist is probably earning more than I do for my retail job and no one tips me Habit, I guess

Cruising along to the school holidays now, the children are so tired from the busy term, they need the break. Next week at school is a nothing week, it's a shame the fines are so high for missing school, it would be the perfect opportunity