A new royal start

QueenJess

Happy Monday!  My brain is definitely resisting the fact everyone is definitely back at work. 

Bit of a spendy day yesterday.  Ordered DS's party bags, bought a book 2nd hand for DD as it's her favourite and I cannot renew the library book any more times (she would be distraught if it disappeared)!  Only £3 with postage though.  I also bought her a new book (rare for me!) as she has become obsessed with a TV thing I recorded for the kids over Xmas, so got the original story for her.  I remembered I had some leftover book tokens from last year (or the year before?), so it was free and I just had to pay postage.  I also ordered more reusable paper towels that I can use in the house anyway and will be enough now for DS's party.

Back to reality today, although I spent this morning doing mainly work related admin instead.  Downloaded all my payslips, enquired on the tax rebate for a change made to our benefits from 2020/2021 and reclaimed some expenses that have just come out of my account.  I also checked on Prolific and I'm at £8 there... will wait until £10 and cash out.  I've also checked my YouGov account and I am £4.40 away from cashing out.  All good for trying to maximise my savings this year.

DS is off to his first Beavers session later.  Quite exciting - I hope he enjoys it (although obviously that will be an additional expense if he does and I forgot you have to buy a uniform as well ).  Lunch today will be fish finger sandwiches and sweet potato chips to cheer me up on a Monday.  Dinner is cheat mackerel kedgeree made with ys smoked mackerel from the freezer (instructions are throw mackerel, packet of microwave vegetable rice I had hanging around, frozen peas and sweetcorn into pan and heat.  That's it!).  I will boil some eggs and may fry some onion as well to jazz it up a bit.  Dessert is the last of the apple and blackberry crumble and custard although DS will have bananas and custard.

Better go and do some "real" work now.  Nothing planned for the rest of the day, but I might turn some of my xmas cards into new xmas cards over lunch and patch up DS's trousers in front of the TV this evening.  Not yet forgotten anything important after the to do list has been canned, so watch this space!

Bluegreen143

Hope your DS enjoys Beavers Jess! My DS goes, he loves it. 

On birthday parties, I’ve never provided anything for the adults except cups of tea/coffee, nobody else seems to either at their parties. So I wouldn’t go to great expense to cater to adults. 

Love how eco and low plastic you’ve managed to be! I did low plastic party bags - the bags were paper. For Monkey I printed off lego challenge cards and gave everyone a cellophane cone of mixed Lego (sourced from his Lego collection!) to use with the cards. For Bambi, I made different colours of HM playdough (the tubs I put it in were plastic but they can reuse them) and put a playdough printable in each. Cheap and not much plastic. They got cake and sweets too.

MagicCat

Hope DS enjoys beavers @QueenJess, my son loves it. He has some additional needs and we've found other activities haven't been great, but beavers have done so many fun things and been really nice, it's great value for money we've found.

There's some great ideas for party bags here, thank you both! My DD is 4 next month and beyond hiring a hall I've not got anything organised 

QueenJess

Thanks @MagicCat and @Bluegreen143 DS absolutely loved Beavers.  I've never seen him so excited! I'm pleased as I think it'll be good for him to do it and branch out from some of his very specific interests.  It does make pick up tricky though and not quite sure how to make it work if one of us is stuck at work.  Will have to give that some thought.

Popped into the dreaded ASDA this morning.  DH told me we "only" have 8 days of Weetabix left, but as I am expecting next week and the week after to be awful workwise for both me and DH, I won't be doing any shopping then.  I checked the ongoijng list I keep on my phone and generally stuck to the list, although I spotted something I kept looking for that is now back in stock and so grabbed a box.  Whilst I was there I also got the biscuits and the jellies for DS's party, so one less thing to worry about.  I was going to make the jellies, but I realised they would be sitting around for a couple of hours and the one I make tends to melt out of the fridge.  Just need to get sandwiches/veg sticks, cake and crisps organised now.  Spent £44 after all that, but not too bad with the party food included.  I do also need butter, but it's twice the price there so I will venture to the land of Sains later this week to get it and also investigate if my localish one sells the beloved bran flakes.  Other than a possible bread purchase I am hoping that's it for this month.  I'm sure I'll find something else I've forgotten at some point, but cupboards and freezer are rammed with food still.

Updated my Riverford order to take account of realistic eating habits over the next week and what we have in stock.  Sneaked in at just under £20.

Yesterday I successfully upcycled a xmas card into a new xmas card.  I'm going to do them slowly one by one.  A few years ago I made a promise to myself that I would not buy any more wrapping paper - I reuse it, reuse gift bags and am using packaging paper.  I can't see myself running out possibly ever to be honest.. there's always something that can be used.  Plus without the use of sellotape, it is easier to use the same paper again and again.  I'm now going to give cards a go.  I already make all birthday cards and don't send many xmas cards (although DS does).  I'm pretty sure it'll be easy to reuse, use up my dwindling card making stores and then be more creative with old cereal boxes etc.  I'm sure I'll have to buy the odd thing like pretty paper to cover the card or something, but I think that is a long time off.

A few things I want to get round to this lunchtime... need to complete some emergency surgery on a cuddly toy before I pick up DD, contact the council about parking charges proposed near the school where there is no where else to park (they at least need a 15 mins grace period otherwise it is going to be absolute carnage) and contact the council re: bins where I see them quite often just throw food waste straight into the landfill bit of the lorry (so annoying...).  I will go for another xmas card upcycle later tonight although I will have to make some envelopes for some of them.  Since I have some coloured paper that I haven't used for 10 years, I plan to use this.  I've looked up some videos and sites on how to make envelopes without glue, so will give that a go.

DH is out, so lunch today will be cheese and pickle sandwiches and carrot sticks (these need using up), followed by grapes (also need using up).  Dinner is a slow cooker chicken thigh stew with suet balls I can put on at lunchtime.  I've got lots of odds and ends of veg (e.g. cabbage stem) in the fridge that need using up.  Should clear out almost all the veg before my new box arrives on Thurs.  Pudding will be vegan mince pies and cream, ice cream or banana and chocolate chip flapjacks from the freezer.

Right, better do some actual work now!

QueenJess

Not much happening here. Next week will be a horrible work week with lots of travel and I’m dreading it and trying to pretend it isn’t happening. Need to organise myself though and make sure I have a lunch to take in rather than spending money. So if I go quiet next week it’s because I’m working. Looking forward to this time next week when it’s all over, but it is also DH’s birthday on Tuesday 😬. I have already made the card and just need the kids to do theirs and wrap a present from the kids. We agreed given the silly week that I will make him a cake on Friday and then we can all enjoy it over the weekend. I have cake ingredients already, so nothing needs to be purchased. I will definitely be using the cottage pie, fish pie and any other easy meals I have ready in the freezer for next week. No need to make it harder than I have to!

Not much to say really. I still need to organise the rest of DS’s birthday party (food and cake) and start thinking about half term activities. I also need to sort a cars/present for my mum’s birthday and a card and wrap the presents I already have for DS’s birthday. Will have to do that after the nightmare week unless I can get anything done this weekend whilst DD is napping.

Today’s lunch will be crumpets, mushrooms, scrambled/poached eggs and beans. Dinner will be veggie sausages, mash, carrots and leaks. For pudding the kids have ice cream cones and we have some tropical muffins (pineapple, coconut and mango) that I made Thursday to use up the coconut and dried mango that have been languishing in the cupboard. I still have a few packs of coconut though 🤷‍♀️

No plans yet for the weekend, although thinking of going out for a walk, feed the ducks and maybe have a cheap ish lunch out tomorrow. Oh - this week I also went back to the gym, but annoyingly work means I can’t go next week. Was fun, but quite quiet. I might plan myself a list of things to work on each week in my head as you can get a bit lost with thinking of what to do quite easily.

TallGirl

I am always impressed with how much you do and then I read you're also going to the gym. Superwoman. However it's great to hear you're doing something for yourself. 

Birthday party sounds great mine was always different from everyone else's. Not in fancy hall or play area but at home with cooking over a bonfire and home made treasure hunt. Everyone loved it and yes very 1970 lol. 

QueenJess

Wow... what a week.  I'm absolutely shattered, but also relieved that it's all over.  After the second day of travelling to work and being stuck in terrible traffic (4 hours a day!), I found myself unusually emotional when driving to work and just thinking that this is the opposite of what I want.  I want to spend more time with the kids and feel more under control, but this was the exact opposite.  I feel grateful I am allowed to work at home almost the whole time as I can be on top of washing and some bits and pieces compared with having to travel to work all the time.

I also asked someone at work about their 4 day week and how it is working out for them etc.  It sounded great and what I want, but also sounded like 3 days are unlikely to be approved (not that I asked for anything, but we were discussing it and I had just met someone else from another business that did 3 days).  I suspected that might be the case, but there's no harm in asking and I will settle for 4 days a week and see how that goes.  It's definitely the right thing to do, but scary to think I am purposely reducing my income.

I delegated some of DS's birthday party tasks to DH as I was sick of doing everything and I don't have the mental space for it.  We already had words a couple of weeks ago, so I think he's trying.  I think it's mainly sorted and just need to follow through with things like sorting out party bags etc etc that I will deal with next week.

The house was starting to get slightly messy again, which always means I need to declutter.  I like drawers/cupboards etc to be half empty and perfectly organised.  If they aren't I would rather put things on the side rather than away.  As I am the person doing all this stuff, I need things to be as decluttered as I can.  I've done 60% of my desk, but then realised the main stress is kids clothes and toys and switched over to this. I dislike DD's room - it's quite a big room, but the position of the doors and the windows make it really awkward to furnish.  I spent ages deliberating and researching and I've found a way to better use the space and have less furniture.  Discussed with DH and got him to agree, so I now have two carcasses arriving from Ikea next week (I am reusing other stuff I already have for feet, shelves, drawers, doors etc so cost is minimal) and hopefully I can get rid of some older carcasses.  It's quite exciting as it'll make the room much bigger, but overall there is a bit less space so it'll force me to keep things decluttered, so a bit scary to give yourself less space overall for stuff.  I've already decluttered all the clothes and toys in her room (books are more difficult as I love books) and they are all ready to go next week. 

I'm now starting to consider DS's room and options there.  The furniture is staying as it works perfectly in there, but we have some extra boxes out for all DS's lego and he wants a desk, so I am considering moving the stuff in his room (and decluttering more in it) to make it work.  Nothing needs purchasing there, it'll be a reoganisation.  No decisions yet, although we've already been through his clothes and DS has decluttered some of his extensive collection of cars.  He's very used to decluttering as I indoctrinated him at a young age and he's extra motivated if we remove his big toy drawer to get a desk out of it.

Trying to relax a bit today as I am so tired from so much travelling this week (including a trip yesterday to another office 4.5 hours away!).  Need to gradually remember all the things I need to get on top of (especially with so many birthdays this and next month), but I have changed the beds and done the washing today, so things are still getting done slowly.

Dinner tonight is sun dried tomato pesto pasta with mushrooms, pepper and kale.  Pudding is either vegan mince pie and cream, more of the tropical mango, coconut and pineapple muffins with yogurt or ice cream.  The freezer is now only 2/3 full which is quite exciting!  We are slowly getting through everything.

QueenJess

A quick update on grocery spends.  I did get some fruit in M&S this week, but not going to feel guilty about that given the jam packed week and I did cancel the Riverford delivery.  Not doing too badly given we are 2/3 through the month and I did get some of DS's birthday party food in the below.

Milk £39.60/£100

Riverford £37.40/£100

Aldi £74.60/£100

Other £63.80/£100

Total £215.40/£400

QueenJess

Not much happening here. Work is quiet, so I’ve been using the time to declutter DD’s room and build her furniture. It’s pretty much done now and looks so much better. Sadly the rest of the house is a bit of a tip, so lots of tidying (and probably decluttering to do). Need to switch out of tidying mode and organise myself for DS’s birthday and party next week. Most things are sorted and it’s a matter of putting together party bags and wrapping presents etc.

We have a reasonable amount of food still left, but we are running out of some key things. Will be sorting out my Feb month Aldi order this weekend (to pick up in the week) and I’m going to halve to go to another shop as I’m running out of other stuff I can’t buy in there. I have been enjoying not food shopping so it feels like a bit of a chore now!

I need to check up on the joint account situation in the next few days and see if I’ve managed to save anything at all. I have to build back up the emergency fund first, although we are getting our boiler fixed which needs a new part and we have to get our gutters cleaned as it’s leaking down the wall in the corner. Neither is budgeted for. I also have to buy a Beaver’s outfit for DS and pay his fees for the term. There’s always something. At least I don’t have council tax to pay for two months, so hoping that can help get me back on track. Everything just feels so expensive and there is no wriggle room when all your budget is mortgage and nursery fees.

Off to buy a Beaver’s outfit later (hoping they have second hand as well) and tomorrow DS has another party to go to. No other plans, but will look into going to the park to feed the ducks or something.

Breakfast this morning included croissants as a treat (free from M&S as I had a voucher from surveys). Lunch is leek, pea and cheese orzotto and dinner is spag Bol. There are tropical muffins still to eat from the freezer, ice cream and cones, frozen fruit and yogurt for dessert. May make some flapjacks for DH when DD goes for her nap.

QueenJess

Just checked the finances.  Spent a bit more than expected this month due to deciding to buy DS's cake for his birthday/the party, ordering a bit of furniture for DD's room and going out for dinner when there was a power cut.  Food was ok and relatively under control, but DH went to the shops on his own a few times (including getting extra things I didn't ask for) and bought unapproved items.  I did manage to save a little bit for the EF, but going to need quite a few more months to top that up and I have nothing yet in a holiday fund and need to pay for another term of after school club.  My first scary energy bill is in, so that cost is ramping up next month too.

We are pretty low on food and looks like the Feb Aldi bill is going to have to be over £100 this time, although the only thing pushing it over is the food I am making up for DS's party.  I am shopping also in ASDA tomorrow for a list of things I can't get in Aldi, but it's more of a convenient time.  I'm going to count that one in Feb.  Hoping these two shops will carry me through as much of Feb as possible, if not all.

Jan stats:

Milk £81.05/£100

Riverford £59.90/£100

Aldi £74.60/£100

Other £122.14/£100

Total £337.69/£400

Edit: Forgotten I needed to bulk buy kids snack stuff as well for £38.15.  Still in budget overall though. I think I will save a small amount in a holiday fund as well as saving for the EF build up at the same time.