Family of 4, paying back £50k in 4 years whilst trying to live eco friendly

missymoo81

Thanks guys haven’t been to the shops again so hoping to last all weekend. Will go again Monday, hopefully not before. I’ve had a productive day, I’ve been to work and I’m now in the children’s bedroom, putting jungle stickers up. I’ve washed all of their bedding but I think it’s getting rained on outside. I need to order a desk as May sits and draws in the morning and she’s been leaning on the floor! Cue a rather coloured carpet! Cheapest I’ve found is Argos so will order that today. Just need go sort out the books etc. Play room will have to wait until tomorrow! How is everyone? 

missymoo81

Ok so, still haven’t been to the supermarket. So as only spent £44 last week will carry that £6 over to next week as it will be slightly higher as the children are back and I need to buy coffee, tea and fabric conditioner, oh and cat biscuits so budget is going to be tight. Have been productive today and cleaned the children’s bedroom and washed the duvets! They really smelled bad! Am currently sat in the play room where I have achieved very little in 2 hours as can’t quite find the enthusiasm! But haven just eaten my toast and I have my tea, and I will get on! Running v low on tea, think I may have an emergency stash somewhere, just can’t remember where! 

missymoo81

Need to come up with a meal plan for next week. I’m thinking lots of pasta and jacket potatoes with the odd meaty dish thrown in. Going to have pork, sweet potatoes and mange tout tonight as it’s what I’ve got. Going to make stew tomorrow, not sure if I’ve got enough veg actually,..... might have curry instead.... will see what I can find in the freezer. I am not going shopping until Monday!

joedenise

If you want some cheap meals have a cook at the Jack Monroe website (cookingonabootstrap).  I like her mixed bean goulash, I just use a tin of mixed beans but she uses a tin of kidney beans plus another tin of beans but I just the one tin of mixed beans makes plenty for 2 of us for 2 meals as long as I do some rice with it as well.

missymoo81

Oooh I used to love Jack Monroe! I haven’t looked at her website for years, I think she has a new book! I’m going to have a look on the website later. I’m still trying to sort the children’s playroom, it’s v slowly getting there  🙄

missymoo81

Argh I’ve written so many replies then not pressed send and they’ve timed out! Ok so I had a massive house clear and sort out over the weekend! The children’s room and the play room are pristine! But the spare room is now full of unwanted children’s furniture! That I’m not sure what to do with! So that took up a huge amount of my time! I’ve got the wonderful Children back but consequently I haven’t stopped! Home schooling is tough! Especially when I’ve got to fit it in between work. I’m super tired too but trying to just grin and bear it as it’s so nice to have the children here. Tomorrow I’ve got to fit in 5 zoom meetings along with home schooling, so unsure how that will work!

Anyway in other news, I spent a whopping £71 on shopping, but that did include over a months worth of tea and coffee over 2 weeks worth of crisps, cat food and kitchen roll. Unfortunately I will need to go back for 2 more milks and 2 more loaves of bread. And bananas and burgers probably. I’ll try to only buy those things but I think in total the week will be around about £80!!!!!!! I’ll try to stick to £60 next week as £50 obv isn’t doable whilst we’re on lockdown and I’m shopping at the COOP. But I will try my best as the more money I save the less I’ll have to delve into my savings to pay for day to day things!

Children had crumpets for breakfast and me and OH had toast and porridge.

Children had ham sandwiches, raisins, crisps and a choc bar. I had cereal and I’m just making OH some Pate on toast. 

I made chilli for dinner last night and there’s enough for OH to have tonight. Children have got pasta with some cut up ham and some left over pasta sauce and I’m probably having something on toast. 

Hope you’re all ok. X

Suffolk_lass

Lots of toast for you - Don't leave yourself out of meals or you will feel extra tired. I have redeployed some unwanted bedroom storage to potting shed with cup hooks and string on handles of hand tools deployed to try and be a bit tidier out there.

missymoo81

Thanks Suffolklass. I do have a lot of toast and cereal, I do need to make more of an effort to eat better. Had a v hectic day today. Really need to get bread and milk tomorrow as we’ve almost run out. OH has hurt his knee, so I’m working on my own which means I’m doing 2 workouts a day! And poor OH can’t drive or do anything at all around the house as he’s on crutches, so I’m a rather busy girl! 

Suffolk_lass

Just re-read my post and sorry if it sounded like I was having a go at you. I realise you have got a lot on your plate and sometimes a slice of toast is just what you need or a "meal on the go". I suppose I was clumsily alluding to the fact that shop bought bread can make you feel lethargic and a bit creaky (it does me). Here's hoping your OH can pull his weight (no pun intended) soon

missymoo81

Hey Suffolklass, don’t sorry I took it in the way you intended. Really struggling today for many reasons. Got some essentials in COOP and ended up spending £30. So that’s £100 this week on food. Desperately don’t want to have to buy any more!

We don’t know whether the business is going to survive or if people’s expectations will be too high, or if it does, we’re going to have to work a 90 hour week between us as we can’t afford to pay the staff. Depending on restrictions at. But we just don’t know how things are going to roll out or how we’re going to cope, and OH is so much more than stressed with it, and keeps ranting and crying.

But on another note, home schooling has gone ok today.