The thriftyish way to debt freedom

Honeysucklelou2

Beetroot brownies are quite moreish!

thriftyish

@Honeysucklelou2 I think the difference has definitely been eating from the allotment and freezer, rather than planning and buying specifically and shopping the y/s selection - it will be interesting to see how sustainable it is long term, just because although the freezer is full, its full of a rather random selection of stuff now!  I've stopped buying 'too good to go' boxes as they were sometimes mostly bread, with potatoes and onions, and they haven't had a lot available recently. I can buy reliably buy y/s bread for 6-8p, and the allotment is full of potatoes!

@missymoo81 I think we are going to plan a takeaway night once a month, it will be something to look forward to, and if we have one planned I think we are less likely to have weak moments! (hopefully)

@Bluegreen143 The bottles arrived and are fab, so I feel a lot happier now, the kids love them too, so everyone wins. We lost a stainless steel one too, and replaced, I had forgotten about that! They were fab to start with, but the bottle flip craze was happening and I am sure that DS's bottle was 'flipped'. We also used bikes or scooter to get school each morning, and they were dropped on the way. We managed to hammer the dints out, and they lasted a couple of years, but now they won't even stand up and all the lids leak (when they inevitably fall over) 

If you cook the beetroot, it really freezes well, you can cut it however you want to serve (grated/sliced/cubed) and just take out what you want to use. My favourite way to eat beetroot is in beetroot relish, I've had some in my sandwich today, but I also have with crackers and cheese, yum! I agree with @Honeysucklelou2 too, its delicious in brownies

@Fortune_Smiles I love the sound of the curry, thanks!

Well. I've had a horrible day today!

Yesterday was fab, I headed to the allotment and picked all my sweetcorn (Almost filled the wheelbarrow!), some more courgettes, some purple sprouting broccoli, some green tomatoes and cucumber. I came home to find the chicken coop almost complete, just needs a roof attaching, which is already cut to size and is reclaimed/salvaged corrugated perspex we found behind the shed. SIL dropped off a bag full of plums (they are tiny and quite sour, might be damsons, not sure what the difference is!) In the afternoon/evening I made five jars of chutney in the ninja, using 1kg of courgette, 1kg of green tomatoes, onion and plums. DH made fish & veg dinner while I baked a chocolate courgette cake, I spent some time with a teary and hormonal DD1 and then read to all the kids.

Today started off with the very best of intentions. I had breakfast, loaded the barrow with compost scraps for the allotment (mostly the sweetcorn leaves), made my flask and was just about to head out of the door when I realised I couldn't find my keys.

12 hours later, we have all turned the house upside down and visited the allotment 3 times to hunt (and on one visit taken a window out of the shed so DS could climb inside and check) The last time I remember having the keys was to open the shed. I didn't need the gate key - the allotment site gate was open when I left and DH was in the back garden when I returned and let me (and the barrow) in through the gate. I thought they were in my pocket on the way home and so should be in the house, but we have looked everywhere, at least three times.

Nothing has been achieved today (except we have eaten, and folded and put away all the washing - just in case the clothes were lurking in the clean washing) We have even checked the bins, the chicken coop and the sugar jar. They have vanished. 

I can get another house key cut (and we have two front doors, so are still fairly secure), I can get another allotment gate key cut. I can cut the lock off the shed and replace, all for a relatively small  (rather annoying) cost. But I have the only working car key. And I cancelled the key cover on our car insurance policy in February. Its the bank holiday weekend, and I imagine replacing is going to be a HUGE pain and probably huge expense. 

I also had a key to my Grandparents house on my keyring, the house where I grew up. It was bent, and obviously no use as the house was sold nearly 10 years ago when my Gran died. But it was my way of keeping her close, and I couldn't bear to part. 

I am both mentally and physically exhausted, hormonal and teary. Not a good combination. Tuesday is the anniversary of my Mum's death and Grandads (who I grew up with) funeral, so it's usually a hard time of year.

Looking for the positives, searching for keys has kept everyone busy (DH promised chocolate to the finder) and we have spent no money today. I am passed 'key finding' stress, and onto replacement plans. But that will have to wait until Tuesday. 

In other spooky news;
DS slept downstairs last night. He insisted he was 'tapped' on his arm a few times in the night recently, which has woken him up. He said it happened during the day on Saturday which really spooked him. He asked if he could move the dog's bed to the living room and slept curled up on the sofa with a blanket. He wouldn't go to his room without his sister first thing this morning but has been fine since. I have been through rational explanations, but his fear has spooked me a little too.

f0xh0les

OMG how many of us are there with only one key?   DH lost my car key, so I was using the spare, but ended up having to have the barrel changed and  I really need to get the one working car key I have cloned, but can't find the stupid owner manual with some magic number I need in it.    DH only has one keycard for his car, which he 'lost' for a few days (and did not notice)  and refound in a box of electronic bits after a manic 2 hour search on Wednesday.

That does sound spooky about the  ghostly Finger.  Do you think it is one of those times when you wake up with a jolt, and he has put it down to being poked? Have a nice smudging ritual, burn some sage  or incense and blow it in all the corners and get the kids to bang some drums or pots all round his room, and tell that ghostie to give you back your keys before he Fiddles off.  Ghosts can't legally drive anyway.    Make it a family affair.

Joking aside, you need to reassure poor ds before it gets too big a thing in his head.  A nice cleansing ritual used to sort my kids out when they were afraid of things under the bed or bigger brothers telling them about ghosts.   The lingering scent of protective incense seemed to soothe them (ghosts do not like the smell - she said nodding wisely). 

That and telling them I was scarier than any silly old ghost and I would definitely win in a fight with one.     It is lovely that ThriftyDog is such a comfort for him.  He must be terribly fierce.

thriftyish

@f0xh0les Oh no, I hope I don't need a magic number!  We have 4 keys in total, it just so happens that none of the other three actually work, and we have done zilch about that. We bought the car in Feb, and then lockdown happened and it vanished from my mind. I had my driving licence posted back to me before I realised it was missing last month, so my luck is all out.

DH joked it was the ghost, he says he hopes the keys turn up tomorrow in someplace obvious. It would be the cheapest option, but also the creepiest. I joked it was my Gran trying to stop us from driving the car today, or digging up my potatoes, both have been successfully prevented. I am not sure if he has just been half asleep, or it has been a muscle spasm. He is in bed tonight. DH has set up a web camera recording in his room (DH suggested, DS thought it would help him sleep) His bedroom is on the second floor, its the only room on that floor. Not expecting to see anything, but hope he is okay tonight. DH tapped my foot in the night when his foot spasmed and I almost hit our ceiling.

Funnily enough, I did some reading last night. I chatted to DS today, we have tried not to make it a big deal, reassured and given him possible explanations. I've told him if he feels it again, he should say 'Go away' or similar (as per the limited advice I read). He told me he would like to believe in ghosts but he doesn't. I am not sure I believe in ghosts, the last time I saw anything I couldn't explain I was about the same age as DS. I also read about the sage, and to burn in a seashell, and waft around with a feather. That's plan B, following your instructions because I have no seashell or feathers. Might do some extra banging too. The clean sort with pots and pans and the kids - Id better go clean my mind 

thriftyish

Thriftydog is about as fierce as a mouse.   The chickens made him jump last week, and I swear all four legs left the ground. He refused to come back into the summer house where the chickens are so we had to reassure him for five minutes! He was also acting odd yesterday. He's not allowed upstairs but has been sniffing all around the garden, whining inside and sat staring into space. I suspect he's smelt a rat/mouse/hedgehog that's come to investigate the chickens. Something else to watch! He also tried to dig his way into the new chicken coop, he was caught after less than 3 seconds by the eagle-eyed kids who grassed on him, and he was taken back indoors. I am not sure if he wants to eat a chicken or wants to eat their food. It could be either, but I want the chickens to free-range, and the dog to free-range with them. Micromanaging both would be a nightmare. So I need to convince them to be friends.

evebeme

It's possible that the 'finger poke' was a form of sleep paralysis. I had it once, not terribly nice.  It can be caused by insomnia or anxiety. Once you understand the reasons, it takes the fear away. 

f0xh0les

I just remembered!  dh made a dream catcher with one of our kids when they were ghostie-phobic.  Just a few bits of garden weedage and some twigs.   They loved their 'monster net'.  Bet you are not short of feathers.

thriftyish

Crisis averted, the keys have been found. At the allotment, under the apple tree on my neighbour's plot. I spent less than 60 seconds there on Saturday as I went to look for windfalls (with permission), and most I found were already well rotted on the floor so I gave it up as a bad job. At least they are found - that saved me a small fortune.

DS has been fine too, no more prods. We checked the video footage (it records on motion detection) and found zilch (as expected) other than my DS appears to practise gymnastics in bed. How he ever slept in a single bed I don't know. It might be worthwhile me finding a soothing essential oil, or wax melt to see if that helps him sleep more soundly. Or it might just be him, I move around a lot in my sleep, thankfully DH sleeps like he's dead so it doesn't disturb him! He hasn't said anything else @f0xh0les, so I haven't said anything either, but all ideas are noted in case he receives any more prods. We are surprisingly short of spare feathers. I thought we would find them everywhere, and also the down from the chicks but the chicks are keeping all their down and feathers for themselves and not sharing at all!

@evebeme We will keep an eye on him, that doesn't sound nice at all!

Today
New shoes
Has been unexpectedly expensive. I had planned a quiet day, but we ended up visiting my aunt and sitting in her garden. We were close to a Clarks outlet, so instead of going home for lunch -  I took the children for school shoes. I had planned on just two pairs, as I wanted to eeek a few more months out of DS' and DD2s. They have both have grown more than I expected, so we bought four new pairs. It looks like the govt are attempting to keep schools open at all costs, and if they are wearing shoes all week I don't mind spending £113 on ones that fit them well, it's just a bit of a shock all at once! 

Fast food
My uncle kept joking about Mcds, to the point it would probably have upset them not to go, so although I was slightly railroaded into this one, they all had a happy meal. In fairness, they had all been really good all day, despite queueing for longer than expected while hungry and not having lunch until past 2.30pm.

New plates & a kettle
For the last 3 weeks, we have been using our camping kettle. Which has worked, but takes an age to boil, and only makes enough for two cups (or a hot water bottle). I also spotted a deal for a set of 4 plates, 4 side plates and 4 cups for £6 at Asda and available with their grocery deliveries. So I ordered 3 packs and now have 12 of everything for £18 and a new shiny kettle for £9. Then topped up the order to £40 to avoid the extra charge.

And some shopping.
I also headed y/stickering. And spent another £15, mostly on reduced food. Then I remembered I needed to get my prunes drunk with brandy, and needed vodka for my plums, so headed to Lidl and came away £34 lighter. 

This morning I sat myself down to do all the end of month jiggling, and promised myself a quiet, low spend month. And it feels like this afternoon I have gone out of my way to do the exact opposite! 

The Orchard.
I joke. I decided to spend some of my birthday money, and bought a selection of dwarf fruit trees for our garden. It will be nice to watch them grow and as they are dwarf we stand a chance of picking the fruit  I also bought some rhubarb varieties and a lot of garlic bulbs to plant for next year (6 varieties, yum!). I am hoping that all these provide us with food for years to come, and don't all die over the wet winter months.

Last months totals:
Food: £272.30 (lower than my last total as I forgot to minus for some underwear I bought at Mr T!) (including over £10 in alcohol and £63.50 in takeout/eating out)

Cleaning/ Toiletries: £20.31 (a pack of 16 toothbrush heads, and a pack of 3 wooden dish brushes that will last over a year)

Pet: 112.46 (includes hypoallergenic dog food, allergy tablets and 6 months flea treatment for the labrador, and grit, food, feeding equipment and treats for the chickens, mostly bought in bulk) Most expensive eggs ever? I am going to separate the one-off costs from the regular costs at some point so I can see how much we will spend going forward!

Clothes £296.01. A lot. But I have bought
- 6 winter coats for the kids (extra coats in bigger sizes for subsequent years, one arrived damaged and was refunded)
- 6 x garden clogs/shoes for everyone.
- 2 pairs of shoes for DH
- 2 pair of boots
- 5 pairs of trainers.
- 3 pairs of slippers
- 1 x wellies
- 4 x dressing gowns
- 2 x  pairs of Jean for me
- 1 x xmas party top for DD1
- 1 x large bundle of tops/jumpers for DD1
- 14 x fleecy jumpers for winter! (We will not be cold at least)

Our budget for clothes is £120 per month, but due to lockdown we spent £34.74 from Feb-April - so even with this spend, our average monthly spend £103.79. Pre MSE, we would have probably spent more, I wouldn't even like to guess by how much.

Emergency fund: £700 - Whoo!

The McJiggery
I sent an overpayment of £550 to the loan, which should take the balance below 2k, and keep us on track to be debt-free before 2021. We also received our solar panel payment for summer, and I think that will go towards the 3D printer fund - meaning it can be ordered this week - DH is in his element looking at all the different models/options and its really nice to see him so happy. His work is quite full-on and stressful at the moment, and If I am honest I am probably a bit full-on with my weekend plans and that's without taking into account the four kids so he really does deserve a medal   

Happy debt busting!

thriftyish

The loan updated! We saved £18 of interest and the balance is now £1982. If I can stick to budgets, we should be debt-free before Xmas. It will take some real determination, especially when school resumes. DD2 moves to KS2 so will need an packed lunch, and DD3 wants one too(which might be a good idea to have better control of her dairy intake), so 10 extra meals a week. The fuel bill will rise too, and the car will be necessary again. It lit up like a Christmas tree last week with the warning lights, but has been fine since. All the car budget has been thrown at the loan, so is completely empty at the moment, it's not allowed to break down.

I planned a productive day, but ended up having a nap on the sofa while the children had an hour on their screens. Then I played a few games with bored DS, so in reality, the only thing achieved was a lot of caravan window shopping and some sweetcorn soup. The sweetcorn soup managed to explode out of the ninja and went everywhere, which was my fault as I blended while hot.

I cannot afford a caravan or a B&E test that I would need to tow a caravan. It isn't in the budget. I just wasted an hour pondering if it would be a good & cheap holiday compromise as DHs back doesn't enjoy camping - but we would have nowhere to store a caravan. DH reckons we could fit it down the side of the house (under the carport) and into the back garden. He says he would like to see me try anyway as he isn't taking the B&E test  I usually drive as I get awfully car sick as a passenger, even in my 30s!

We are in limbo. We have a huge overpriced inflatable tent, all the equipment, and a rather large (but not waterproof) trailer in our garden. We have no tow-bar on this car either. Either we pay the £300-400 for a tow bar, seal the trailer and attempt another camping holiday that DH probably wouldn't enjoy and may cause him pain in his back (He would prefer somewhere all-inclusive, who wouldn't!) or we sell the whole lot and find another holiday back-friendly holiday solution - which is looking like the best option. To give an idea of cost, in 2018 we camped for two weeks in Cornwall for less than £500 in August. Just one week in a static caravan would probably be over £700 on the cheapest site, probably over £1000 elsewhere. I think holidays in the UK will be more popular next year too, so that might raise costs further. Our original plan was to sell everything this spring, but c19 had other plans and we are still limboing along. A caravan might be a good compromise but would require significant outlay, the whole thing is just giving me a headache! I think I need to just sell the trailer now, and sell the tent next spring, but having them gives us more options.

I am waffling, so I am off to make some tea!

f0xh0les

There are plenty of people who would love your trailer, and tent - all those people without kids or without kids of school age yet, who want to get away right now.  If you can't use it, don't have a tow bar, or a car to borrow with a tow bar, then get shot of it. Right now while people think there is going to be an Indian Summer in October.  People have been cooped up for so long, I think it may well be very popular.  Just my tuppence worth, please feel free to file it in the bin.     DH's back does not sound like it is going to start behaving! 

Congratulations on the sub £2K debt.  Just keep on doing what you are doing and you will get there.  But make sure you put some money in your 'car blowing up fund'.  Every girl should have one.