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

Kakiste

When i meal plan I shop in Aldi and anything that Aldi doesnt have I walk round the corner and get it from Morrisons. I think Aldi and Lidl are gamechangers for money saving shopping. 

missymoo81

@kakiste yes I think I’ll end up doing that. Tesco and lidl are next door to each other. And I drop May off next door to sainsburys every Saturday so I can def shop around for weekly deals etc. I have a Morrison’s, b&m and Poundland all next to each other in the city, I wonder if it’s worth a visit. Is there anything decent there to stock up on?? 

Finished work early today. Made packed lunches, so saved  £8 there on meal deals. Just going to have a little nap x

missymoo81

Good morning!

I’m having a lovely morning. I’ve not been up long. I’ve fed the cats and have put the washing on (again, as I forgot to take it out last night 🙄) hopefully I can put it on the line. Im behind and have around 3 loads!

I’m watching beechgrove the gardening program, I forgot how much I used to love it. We have a tiny (new build) garden, but it gets full sun. I’d like to plant some things in pots so may well go to Homebase later. Littlies would love to plant tomatoes and courgettes. Best cheapest place for seeds
and compost. I think actually lidl may have had some. 

Feeling a little pleased with myself. When I used to get a bit of time on a Sunday morning (like today) I used to sit and eat chocolate biscuits. And would treat myself to expensive biscuits. But that isn’t happening. 1 because 3 biscuits = 400-500 Cals later. And 2 I’ve just had one of the children’s chocolate digestive bars, so 10p and around 80cals! Yes I could eat 2 or 3 but weirdly because they’re in packets, I don’t! And I don’t eat them mindlessly through the day like I would do biscuits.

So the children are at their dads today,
so the plan is to chill until 12.30, hang the washing out. Hopefully I can get 2 loads out.  Then we’re going to the shooting range
for an hour. Then after that just going to pop to Sainsburys to get a couple of bits I haven’t managed to pick up for the meal plan yet. Also need to get my friend a present for Monday. Think I have a card. Was thinking of getting a mug and some
Coffee and chocolate, or something similar. 

From 1430, I’m going to try and actually sort the spare room, which is mostly clean washing and tidy up a little whilst OH works. I have a call at 1600 about my nutrition. Employed a coach months ago. Obv eating less meat and training less and sitting on the sofa more needs including! She’s amazing but wish I hadn’t spent the money on it now, as could have been spent better elsewhere, but hey ho. TV is now on the pioneer woman. I used to always watch this. 

1630 we’re off to friends for the amazing bbq. I need to leave room for that! 

Won’t be home too late as do want to tidy.

Tomorrow I’m up and out early to go and see friend for birthday, train and then a little bit of work, email accountant, and finish washing and cleaning!

ok need to get my bum off the sofa the WM has just finished!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hi @missymoo81, 

I've just been catching up on your diary and picked up some good tips. I love the BBC good food website but not used the app so will try this and I should also get the lidl app as this is where I normally shop. 

Loved the comments on side of salmon... I have bought this a couple of times when they were a good price. I paid something like £9 but managed to get 5 portions out of it and frozen them individually so I think its worth it. It wouldn't be a normal buy though. In the past year I have got more and more used to buying family size packs of meat and splitting them before freezing. I love my chest freezer. Best buy ever! Has been a complete game changer as I normally buy meat and freeze it straight away and then defrost as needed. 

I love cookery shows and magazines. When i lived near asda I would love picking up there free magazine. I don't do that anymore but as a tip the websites of most supermarkets have a recipe section and I find these are good because they give an indication of price per portion. And not all recipes use too many ingredients. 

Good luck with house purchase - stressful at the moment but sooo worth it. 

Baileys_Babe

Queen_of_the_Hive said:

 a tip the websites of most supermarkets have a recipe section and I find these are good because they give an indication of price per portion. And not all recipes use too many ingredients. 

If it is a Waitrose or Sainsbury's recipe but you buy the ingredients from Aldi or Lidl your costs per portion can be significantly less 😉

missymoo81

Thanks so much @Queen_of_the_Hive I love the store magazines I forgot about those! And @Baileys_Babe that’s a great tip too. Just sat outside Costa as OH treated me
to a coffee and cake after the range and we’re just about to pop Sainsburys. OH will fill car whilst there also. 

missymoo81

Afternoon! Well yesterdays bbq at friends was lovely, such nice company and food was amazing! Ended up spending £29 in sainsbury's though, on beer and present for last night and present and cake for friend for today. The positives though, I only spent £2 on  cake and then added some decorations at home as knew I wouldn't have time to make one. And I found the shampoo and conditioner i use for £2 off. So was only £3.50 each. Feel bad about spending this much on shampoo etc. but to be honest it's £7 for shampoo and conditioner and I think it has lasted me around 3 months maybe.... And its amazing for my hair!

So back to today, went to see my friend and wish her happy birthday, which was lovely. Was meant to be meeting OH for a workout and we were going to
meet at the gym as he had been on a lesson, but he was in a right state. Lesson didn't go well, doesn't think he's good enough, instructor told him he needs to switch on. Trouble is he's so over full with work stuff, he was up until 2 saturday night sorting the online system. He's not able to switch off from work to concentrate on anything else. He feels like a failure and was in tears today. I think he needs a lot more structure, so i think it is partly the instructors fault, but OH also needs to get there earlier and switch on and be ready! He's gone off to bed for a couple of hours. I don't think he's tired, I think it's more of a coping mechanism.

So jobs for today. I've got a wash load in the machine, just on its spin, then I'll hang it out and hope it dries before the rain comes. I need to unload the dishwasher too. I absolutely need to sort the washing TODAY without fail, you can't see the floor in the spare room!!! Oh and program!!! But for now Motherland is on and the cat is asleep on me.

missymoo81

Ah OH didn’t get out of bed until half an hour ago! He’s not very happy at all. He’s got some work to do now so I’m just trying to keep out of his way. I’ve made him a cup of tea, given him kisses and cuddles, but he’ll stay like that for however long. His work tonight is just programming but he’ll be doing it for hours until at least 9.

So I hung the washing up, Inside and on the radiators as it started to rain, I’ve put away all of my clothes and unloaded the dishwasher and made us both beans and cheese on toast. I’m so tired, I really want a sleep but I’m not sure whether OH would be even grumpier if he’s working away and I’m sleeping..... struggling with dinner. I don’t know what to make as I’ve obviously concocted my menu plan of all veggie meals adding in stuff for OH but I’m not sure I have all of the ingredients of anything yet! Really do need to pop to Tesco!

How has your bank holiday been? Bit of a washout isn’t it!

[Deleted User]

You sound fed up! I had one of those days last night. I need to start at the beginning of your diary. I might do it tonight in bed. Sending a hug your way x 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hi Missy, 

Beans on toast sounds lush  - i'd be sprinkling cheese and adding tabasco sauce. I made mash last night and steamed some veg with a couple of fried eggs and it was yummy. 

You have my sympathy with grumpy OH - best to just leave him to it. 

Today I took myself out into central London and just walked, took photos and ba'ht 'ech its cold out there and windy too. Took the bus and read a book without kids disturbing me! They too are with their dad this weekend. Must admit I was happy to be home with a good cuppa to warm up!