Missy’s family of 4, paying off debts, saving for a house and just trying to survive!

joedenise

That's good that you know where I'm coming from with SW!  So you've said you like some of the recipes could you perhaps make some of them (most are for 4 portions) and then divide into the 4 portions and freeze in single portions and then you'll just need to lift from the freezer each morning for the evening meal.  That way you can have something "diet" friendly and DH and kids can have whatever they have.  If you're just reheating it's certainly not a lot of effort.  I would suggest that you all have the same carbs, eg all have something with mash (I mash mine with egg rather than milk and butter, if it's a bit dry add a splash of milk); all have something with roast (use a spray oil or just a very little oil and you can all have the same) - in fact a roast dinner can be very diet friendly.

The slow cooker could come into its' own - cook a big batch of bolognaise sauce and freeze in big enough portions for a family meal - you can then have it topped with mash (cottage pie); with spaghetti or pasta (spag Bol/pasta Bol) or layer it with pasta sheets, topped with a cheese sauce (lasagne).

Hopefully a couple of these ideas could work for you.

missymoo81

Really randomly I found some old body measurements from 2015, and apart from my back which has grown 2.5 inches (all the lats), and my bum measurement has shrunk 1.5 inches, everything is exactly the same!!!! V weird! I could swear I’m way bigger now! I weigh about 5kg more!!!!! Have way more muscle. Very strange! Happy though. Will still look at small weight loss though. 

dawnybabes

I use BOB milk, it’s skimmed but tastes like semi skimmed. 

missymoo81

Thanks for that @dawnybabes I will have a look! And thanks @joedenise love the batch cook idea! I don’t know why I haven’t thought of it before!

missymoo81

Hey I’ve been MIA life is crazy and I’ve spent money and am back with my tail between my legs.

things that have happened to throw me off is we got the green light to reopen next week which is great but lii ok as of things need doing which meant no time to cook. Roo has to isolate as someone in his class is positive for COVID. I’ve been ill so had to cancel work, it’s been a tough old week! 

I’ve spent on work uniform as was on offer I’ve bought food I didn’t need and trainers I really didn’t need. All will come off the tax return but still.

But in good news spoke to the account who thinks we may be in a position to buy our house, it’s so hard though. Calculations are going backward and forward and sometimes it adds up and sometimes it doesn’t! So need to seek the advice of a FA and a mortgage broker. 

I need to send back 2 pairs of leggings as I feel awful about it so that’s £40 back and the trainers I don’t know..... I love them and would wear them every day.....

Need to go shopping as although I have spent more than I wanted I still haven’t done any sort of big shop. 

Need to get things in order money wise. Am seeking advice re ex not paying maintenance you’ll be pleased to know. 

dawnybabes

So pleased you getting advice.  Tbh I’d just Chuck it at the CMS service so it’s automatic - I know it costs more but he’s shown he’s not to be trusted. 

missymoo81

Ok need to pay off £2k by the end of December to make mortgage possibly doable etc... so very much in need of a tiny budget again. Need to sort sending back leggings my dad is giving me £90 for the children foe  Xmas too so hoping I don’t have to spend too much more than that to finish off that. 

Going to have a look at Tesco and see what I can get for my money again! 

missymoo81

Ah have worked the longest of days today. Am just back, have stuck a ready meal in the oven, and have showered, Had to feed the cats and do the dishwasher before anything else, OH did the litter tray and sink and worktops.which was helpful. Just waiting for OH to shower then we’ll have dinner. Exhausted. Got to be up in 7 hours for work 🤦🏻‍♀️. Not having the best of times at the minut,  have lost £100 of work due to clients being ill etc, ex is being an !!!!!!, and worked 5 more hours than anticipated today. Being on sleep, will he in bed for 12. NSD today. Hope you’re all ok x

missymoo81

Hey everyone hope you’re ok. Have just caught up with diaries and everyone is so quiet?! I know it’s a very busy time of year for most people with budgets going out of the window, I’m sure most people will be back with avengance come January.

ok soooo change of plan, and update, landlord wants waAAAAAAAAY too much for the house so we’re not in a position to buy it and have done lots of research and house prices are likely to go down next year. So buying this house at a premium is not clever. Have seen a perfect house, a mere £55k over budget 🙄. But it’s something to work towards. If we can save up lots more deposit next year, get all loans etc paid off and literally save every penny, we will be in a much better position. 

Sooo budgets are still super tricky. Going to have a look at things tonight again, I’m trying to place a sainsburys order as we just keep nipping to coop as our Tesco’s is super busy and stressful at the moment. So going to do a big sainsburys shop and hope it lasts us a while. Hoping to only spend £50 though. 

Have some washing in the machine and am going to hopefully do the last of the Xmas shopping if I can figure out what I still need to get. 

Need to try and bring things down as much as possible. 

missymoo81

Managed to get my sainsburys order for £50. I was very happy about that and the click and collect is free. 

Meal plan:
chilli
chilli
bolognese
pasta
beans jacket
carbonara
curry
curry
fajita
pizza

also managed to do a bit of work and hang up 2 loads of washing.