Making money make sense

Blackcats

Hi Fran. What is a sew along? Well done for getting ahead on next week's lunches. I made some soup yesterday for lunches using odds and ends of veggies. It tastes a bit "earthy" but it will be fine with a nice piece of bread and butter.

Franalamadingdong

Ooh lovely. I asked if I could buy a microwave for my office, using my own money, and was told "no". Annoyingly it was said so that all the offices are the same, but I know two definitely have one. It means I'm stuck unable to use leftovers for lunch during the week.

We're taking it easy today. Next week is going to be busy at work and the boy needs to rest still.

A sew along is when you sew a pattern at the same time as other people and you all share your progress. Not great when you're not progressing. Haha!

No spends expected today. I shuffled this month's birthday budget into savings yesterday. It's £90+ as my boy's birthday is in March, but it will drop right down soon, and by the end of the year I'll just be putting £35 away each month, but still covering all the birthdays.

I'll be popping £200 over later in the month to go towards car insurance and MOT at the end of March.

I have calculated amounts for birthdays, car stuff, etc and things like laptop, flooring etc gets differing amounts depending on what's going on. I've found slipping the savings over here and there keeps me away from shopping online.

Franalamadingdong

It's Monday! Start of a new week and tomorrow the boy will be back at school. He's at the childminder's today while I'm at work. Both our packed lunches are ready, but when at school he's on school dinners, which are bought and paid for until half term. It's £2.50 per day, but given he usually has seconds and sometimes thirds I'm happy to pay it! They also use locally sourced ingredients and it's proper cooking.
I don't have any bills due out this week (gas and electric and TV/phone/internet come out next week).

Franalamadingdong

My £50 auto payment into savings went through today so figured I'd put across £150 to clear the car savings for this month (insurance etc due end of March).
No spends for myself, but have booked in the weekly shop for Friday.

After work I picked up my boy and booked him in for Monday-wednesday in half term. I've cleaned the downstairs loo, bathroom, my bedroom, vacuumed the landing and my son's room, put away a set of laundry. My son has stripped his bed, brought down a basket of laundry and filled a small bag of rubbish from his bedroom. I've learned to ask only for 3 tasks and he does it with no trouble, add a 4th and it's meltdown. I can, however, ask for 3 then another 3. Haha.

Just got to cook risotto, using leftovers from yesterday and wash up and do a set of laundry then I can prepare my next block for sewing

I'm so boring. Hahah

Blackcats

Wow Fran. You've been productive. It seems that many people are energised for 2020! I wish some of the people I work with were as energetic.
Great idea to get your son to help. I always dreaded asking my children to do anything around the house when they were teenagers. They would have a right strop about the perceived injustice of being asked to do household chores. I was often tempted not to ask just because it was less painful to do it myself. Sounds like you are getting your son into good habits from a young age.

Franalamadingdong

Well earlier, whilst cleaning the bathroom I asked him to bring the vacuum up, which promptly fell down the stairs because he'd not put it up safely. After he threw a tantrum he brought it back up and apologised. He's far from perfect (aren't we all) but I do expect him to help especially as it's always just been the two of us. When the boyfriend is here he pulls his weight too, but I don't have to ask him.

I remade the boy's bed while he was in the bath and went through his drawers for outgrown clothes. He's only 8 and I'm pulling out the 9-10 clothes he's so blinking tall! I put away some of his Christmas gifts as he didn't know where to put them.

Franalamadingdong

The boy went back to school this morning and work has been crazy today! Glad I've taken my lunch break so that I can just breathe. Brought my lunch but I must remember to buy some butter after work so it won't be a NSD today unfortunately.

Franalamadingdong

Oh my goodness that was a day and a half! Thankfully I cleaned our bedrooms yesterday. Just put a wash on and having a cuddle with my boy. I also prepared today's dinner yesterday so a relaxed afternoon for us for a bit.

I spent £4.08 on food. Got the butter (on offer) reduced to clear celery, 2 packs of reduced to clear pancakes for the boy (31p) and some sweeties. I also spent £1.26 on a pack of 20 and 10 cards and 20 bows all for Christmas 2020 I always pick up cards for Christmas after it's over and pack them into the Christmas boxes, so I never forget and re-buy.

I am pleased that despite having to pop to the shop my food bill has gone down. I was spending 60-80 a week at the supermarket for just my son and I, although did include cleaning and shampoo etc. The boyfriend tends to want lots of meat and snacks so I try to keep him happy too.

I managed a few surveys this morning before work. PA is at £1.38 with £1.03 pending and OP is at £6.50

Hopefully no more spends until Friday's shopping delivery. I'll have the dog by then too.

Blackcats

Sounds like a busy day. Good shopping haul.
What's your current craft project?

Franalamadingdong

Thanks. I'm most pleased by the third meal from Sunday's chicken with a fourth one from it for tomorrow. No chance we could do that with the man around!

I'm currently sewing the seedlings quilt, but I do want to make a make-up bag for my friend's birthday in February and a cushion or two for the boyfriend for Valentine's Day. I'm endlessly adding projects onto the list! Haha