Positive Money Saving

Siebrie

DDs have not been to about 4 birthday parties, all congratulations go through whatsapp now, so that has saved around €60 in total (birthday gifts for primary school friends are around €15/GBP13; an insane amount, I found, but as everyone is doing it, I can't really do less. I do try and shop for discounts and to the particular interest of the child).

We didn't go to my parents' for my Mum's birthday and over Easter, saving 4x McD drivethrough.

We got dd2's Easter creativity camp refunded €75.

DDs' dance performance has been cancelled, saving at least €40 entrance fee; thank goodness, as they don't really wanted to perform, and due to the planning of the event, they were in 2 different performances.

No fuel for my car, and a refund for driving less km's than predicted on the policy of €3.

Maat

Being on benefits you'd think I'd be worse off than most, but my usual money has continued while many have seen theirs drop or disappear. I hardly ever went out before so I guess I'm saving a maximum of £10 a week (the taxis I used to get to and from my mother's). I've increased my donations to charities, though, and not just those helping out with the crisis but those who can no longer raise money because of the crisis. Marie Curie, for instance, would normally be having their daffodil appeal which was their greatest annual fundraiser. Animal sanctuaries across the country have had to cancel their Easter open days - again normally good fundraising events. So if you're looking to help out financially these kinds of organisations could be worth considering. One wonderful thing that has happened is all the local support groups. If you're able to help local people and don't know where to turn this is a great resource: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/18P898HWbdR5ouW61sAxW_iBl3yiZlgJu0nSmepn6NwM/htmlview?fbclid=IwAR1mnm71qzHSvvD1vdcBnOCr6zPj39pEPmxJHpf3ItevVpNpjosv4wi5LpU#gid=1451634215

Stay safe everyone.

Murphybear

We have saved quite a lot since the lockdown, no eating out, drinks and snacks when shopping and days out and most of all reduction in petrol consumption.

Unfortunately  we have had an immediate use for this cash as our elderly cat has kidney problems (very very common in elderly cats) so vets trips and special diet has been costly.

She’s worth every penny!  See picture on Avatar.

(We have found a home for the “old” cat food, a friend with 2 cats who is struggling financially since the lockdown)