The Best Is Yet To Come

debtfreewannabe321

I quite like the spontaneity of an unplanned holiday day have a great day. The castle sounds great, I love exploring places like that! And bonus the kids loved it too!

slm6002

Well yesterday we went for a walk around Woodhall Spa which was lovely, but the kids decided that they would not participate in the treasure trail and no would not be stopping while I did, so it turned into just a walk.  We stopped off for ice cream roll ups which were made fresh in front of us.  Seen them being made on the internet before but never in real life - Grandma treated us to those

We then came home for a while and in the evening we went to the local ish brewers fayre as DS is awkward to feed and they had things he would eat.  It was very nice even if service could be improved and we were charged for things we didn't order (refund also put through once I realised).  It was the most expensive thing that we have done but the money is there and its creating memories.  

Today is results day and to be honest DD1 is very disappointed.  She had been working at an A the entire time for one and got an E.  Not sure if the school had been over estimating or if she really did do that badly.  Another grade was a D instead of the C the teacher said she had marked her at.  She also got a Merit and a fail.  Thankfully he job is not dependant on grades but she would have liked the opportunity to go to uni at some point if she changes her mind.  For now she will see what this year at work brings.  So far not 1 of her friends is happy with the results that they have had.  Week until DS's results

We have been playing games this morning as we are all off to the local kinema.  DS & DD1 are going to watch 1 film, while DD2 and I go to watch another as DD2 not old enough for the other one.  When we get it will be time for dinner and then to tidy and get packed ready to leave early tomorrow.  They are looking forward to seeing friends and the cats and getting their own rooms again.  It has been relaxing but always good to get home.

debtfreewannabe321

I've messaged you slm 😁

dawnybabes

From an A to an E is harsh - can she have it regraded ?

slm6002

I did suggest this to her.  I think she should also have some allowance for her dad being rushed to hospital that week having just had a big stroke, as we didn't know what was going on at that point - still don't to be honest as he (or his girlfriend) hasn't contacted any of them for months.

slm6002

Yay we are home and already have first load of washing on the line and another in the machine.  Quicker getting home, but I think it always feels quicker as you are heading to places that you already know.  Still a little money left in the holiday budget but DD1 has asked to go to a carvery before we go back to school,  so that may disappear.

The food shop will arrive between 4 and 5, but we did bring some bread and cheese back with us so if nothing else there can be a cheese sandwich / toasty for lunch.  

My mind automatically went to birthdays as I was hanging up the washing - holiday now done so next events are bdays - all 3 in a row.  I have already asked them to have a think, and picked up some bits for DD1 who has her bday first.  DD2 already has some show tickets, but needs a few little bits to go with it, and I think DS may have an idea too, so this year maybe fairly easy to sort.

After lunch I need to fill in some paperwork for the kids visit to the dentist and then look at the bank to see what is what

slm6002

It is a sunny day from the looks of it so will encourage all washing to be completed today.  DD2 has the library volunteering at 10 and DS has haircut at 10.30 so need to get them moving very soon.

I looked at the money last night and things are getting tighter, and I think this months benefits will drop due to DD1 now having finished school, so will be even tighter.  Having paid for the bathroom I no longer have the back up money I once had.  I am sure things will be ok and we've been worse off before, but its the unknown of how much less it might be, and new costs of college and winter coming up. It is just making me a little anxious, well quite anxious.  I need to go back 5 years and see how I coped.

We decided we would not have a carvery yet, but save this as the treat for DD1's birthday instead.  DS will have pizza which I have vouchers for and it will just leave DD2 to have a treat meal.  

I need to keep up with the surveys and get that extra cash is.  Last year I had managed to save lots of amazon vouchers for Christmas, but I don't have half as much as yet.  They saved me quite a lot of money.

Right I will stick my thinking cap on today and get a plan sorted for the worse case scenario, but for now its time to wake everyone up

slm6002

I have done some low paid surveys, taken meter readings and submitted.  I have some money I can claim for the solar energy I have sold back to octopus.  Will leave it there until really needed.

Told the kids that big treats (not that we have many) now need to be planned / reduced.  Dad has asked me to sell my nans old hostess trolley and I can keep the money - he just needs it out of the way - will research how much I can get shortly.

Currently going through lots of the budget meals online that we will eat and trying to make a cheap meal plan.  The main meals we eat are not too bad, it is the extras and snacks that make the money disappear quickly.  DD1 will need to make her  packed lunch for work while the other 2 will still get free school meals.  She would like some rolls and I have suggested that she makes them once a week and pops them in the freezer so they stay fresh as well as no need to forget.  She will also sometimes make pasta / soup to take instead once she has seen what happens at lunch time.  She is aware that buying lunch each day is very expensive, so it will be a case of how much money she wants to save.  DD1 likes baking and most things come out ok, so maybe I will get her to bake some bits for us all.  Sure we have ingredients in to make quite a few things.  If we make them and portion them up, they too can go in the freezer.

The council have given everyone on benefits (from what I can see) £50 off our council tax bill.  This is very needed as this is one of the costs that has gone up from me recently (£90 to £175 per month).  I still need to speak to them to see if I can get any reductions as they all seemed to have stopped recently.

joedenise

I assume you've signed up for the free electricity for tomorrow from 1-2pm.  Would be a good time to get some baking done so you can get some stuff in the freezer for the coming week.

slm6002

Is that with Octopus?  We only sell them our electricity, but use British gas to buy it.  It works out better for us for some reason.  Although must look into that again to check that it is still the case.  I have signed up for the half price electricity tomorrow between 9 and 5 though so will make sure dinner and some treats are cooked in these hours, although it will be me cooking them as DD1 and DS are at work.  Will try to get DD2 involved.