mummypinksparkles - becoming a thrifty mummy once and for all!

mummypinksparkles

I’ve been following so many DFDs for so long and find them so motivating, so I’ve actually signed up for an account and decided to do one too.

My lightbulb moment came very recently, just before Christmas. I live with DF, and 3 gorgeous children, DD who is 10, DS (7) and littlest DS (15months). I’d taken a career break to spend some more time with our long awaited as, at the time we had the means to do it, Mr Pinksparkles works incredibly hard running his business and I have a little sideline that makes me some pin money (especially during holidays) so all was well. I’d made enquiries about going to back to work a few weeks ago as I have debts but was in complete denial about them, thinking I’d pay them off when I went back to work.
I say ‘I’, not ‘we’ because these debts are a result of my silly choices, putting things on a credit card because I thought I would pay it off when I went back to work, or my biggest customer in the business places a big order.

The thing is, it’s getting out of hand and seems to have snowballed and the debt is bigger than I though. I don’t want to live worrying about how I’ll pay my credit card and loan back, just covering the minimums from month to month. My biggest supplier contract has temporarily stopped (as it’s a quieter than expected for them time of year), so no money coming in from that, and I can’t go back to work as planned as we’ve just found out, against all odds, that baby number 4 is on the way, due in August.

Of course we are both delighted (DF is beside himself with happiness), but there’s a constant undercurrent of worry in my mind. If we’re bringing another baby into this family I need to become far thriftier and not use a credit card like it’s free money (the credit card is being cut up). I have to say, we are incredibly fortunate and have everything we need a some of what we’d like. We don’t have fancy cars or holidays, but it’s the little things I’ve been buying for the kids, the house or myself that has built up.

Wow I’ve ranted on (I’m so sorry, I do like to talk :rotfl: ). I will pot an SOA soon, but for the purposes of starting out my debt as of today is £8593.67. To me it’s a very large amount of money with not much coming in but by being thrifty and keeping to my budget I know I can clear it. I actually really like being thrifty, I just became a bit of a magpie, buying lots of shiny things we didn’t need but that I wanted but no more.

If you’ve read this whole post thank you (and sorry it was so long :rotfl: )

MPS xo

redofromstart

Happy new diary, congratulations, and good luck with your plans!

mummypinksparkles

Today little DS and I took my granny to do her groceries and then met friends at soft play. I spent £3 on lunch for DS out of some survey money I got this week (£10) and brought a drink from home instead of buying a coffee. My oldest two are staying with their Dad tonight and little DS is tucked up in his cot, so I’ve just done our meal plan and shopping list for the week. I used to claim to do a shop for £50 for all of us, but I actually did at least 2 top up shops in the week that would amount to £20 each for not very much. Now the budget is £35, which will do fine for us as long as I’m very careful with meal planning and sticking to my list. I think I have a spending handover and buying new things doesn’t tempt me any more at all, like binge eating Easter eggs and not able to look at chocolate for weeks!
Anyway, our meal plan from tomorrow to next Thursday will consist of:

Friday - cheesy potato bake with veggies and baguette
Saturday- Tomato and cheese pasta bake
Sunday - Chicken Quesadillas (wraps for DD who doesn’t like melted cheese!)
Monday - Omelettes & veggies
Tuesday - Puff pastry Pizza & veggies
Weds - Sausage & mash
Thursday - Homemade Chicken pie (from the freezer)

As I’m feeling nauseous and don’t eat some things, I can always have scrambled eggs and tomatoes (which I always fancy at the moment!), we have plenty of tins of toms and eggs so no need to buy extra.

Snacks and treats will be fruit or homemade flapjacks/rocky road that I’ll make this weekend (I love baking so we don’t buy biscuits or cakes )

Will update after the shopping trip tomorrow

MPS xo

mummypinksparkles

Thank you redo!

Honeysucklelou2

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Meal planning is a good idea.

missymoo81

Hey pink sparkles! I did t realise you had your own diary! Congratulations on baby number 4! I’m so excited for you. I’m loving your meal plan. I’ll
Keep reading with interest. We can be scrimpers together! X

mummypinksparkles

Hi missymoo! :wave:

Yes lovely, I’ve been inspired to start my own diary after reading yours and others
Hooray to being super scrimpers together! x

mummypinksparkles

Honeysucklelou2 wrote: »

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Meal planning is a good idea.

Thank you so much Honeysuckle

mummypinksparkles

Hello all

Well what a busy day! Took little DS to his ballet class at our local village hall which he loved, then did the food shop armed with my list. Found some bargains on things I was going to buy anyway (all the bread was half price) and came in just under budget at £34.96.
Rang by as they sent me a letter saying our contract is coming to an end. It’s £52 a month, far, far too expensive for us so did some researching on MSE and found 2 very good deals, £18 for the same package! BT said they can’t beat it so told them we’ll be switching.
Listed a pair of shoes on eBay while waiting on the school run
Took DD and big DS to the opticians and turns out DD needs glasses. She has been getting headaches recently so hopefully the glasses will fix that, and DD got to choose two lovely pairs free, thank you NHS
DS is staying at a friends and DD has a friend over. Now she’s older sleepovers are no trouble, all they want to do is play on the laptop and chat! Little DS is tucked up in bed and It’s the time of night when the nausea and tiredness kick in, so I’m having a sit down and catching up on everyone’s diaries

MPS xo

mummypinksparkles

Hello everyone :wave: hope you’re having a lovely Saturday,

We’ve had a busy morning so far but all good DD asked if she and her friend could go to town as they have Christmas money so packed everyone up and heade there. DD is naturally thrifty and found a set of books she’s been reading for 60% off so she’s delighted DSs and I went to the library to kill some time as there was no way I was buying anything! Went to costa for hot chocolates and cakes to share for the kids, all paid with saved costa points so no money spent
As for this afternoon, I have cleaning to tackle! DP is at work until 6 so the cleaning will have to be made into a game for little DS or he’ll see mummy busy as his cue to go and cause all sorts of mischief :rotfl: My aim is to:
Pay £10 to cc
Complete 5 surveys (during DS’ nap time)
Unload dishwasher
Put out washing
Polish rooms
Clean en-suite
Clean kitchen

Will update later if I don’t collapse under the laundry pile :rotfl:

mummypinksparkles

The tiredness hit me last night so didn’t update!
Did all my jobs except clean the en-suite, DF has taken the baby for a walk so I’m tackling it now!
Was going to send £10 to the cc yesterday but ended up sending £28 to get it under the £3,000 mark!
This week should see a good few NSDs as everything has been paid for and meal plan done
Today’s jobs:

Clean en-suite
Do 5 surveys
Clean kitchen floor
Put out washing
Put clean washing away
Bake for baby music class tomorrow (I bake for them every week and it gets us a heavy discount off the class )

Hope you’re all having a lovely Sunday x