Stopping the backsliding… a family of four no longer living beyond their means

redofromstart

Given the current price of olive oil I would certainly be bringing it back! 

There's nothing quite like fresh caught mackerel though, deeply envious and hope they catch some for you. 

Bluegreen143

Good thoughts Spendless but we’re getting a Morrisons delivery direct to the accommodation so normal ice lollies are fine as we can bung straight in the freezer. There is only a small spar type shop there, no supermarkets within about an hour’s drive, but the spar is at least handy for topping up milk or bananas or bread.

It’s the sort of relaxing holiday where we’ll be hanging out at home a lot of the time so don’t need to take things on picnics - the garden of the holiday accommodation merges into the beach, and we spend most days kicking about on the beach, playing/walking/fishing/making little campfires and we have the kayak this year too. We’ll probably buy a nice ice cream out once or twice either at the nearby holiday park or on the one day trip to a town we’ve planned. We take a 1000 piece puzzle, some games, books and drawing stuff for the kids plus Disney movies on DVD as there’s no TV signal or internet (a major plus in my book!!).

Should be cheap once there, it always is. On the day trip we’ll take a picnic and we’re going for a walk - will visit local shops too no doubt for a toy or book. The other expensive thing is boat hire one day for fishing. Apart from that we will genuinely be hanging about on the beach, going to the forest for a walk or going to the holiday park to use their playpark, swimming pool and amusements (the latter two having a cost, but not an overly large one!). Plus one cafe lunch out over the week. Maybe a small top up shop of fresh stuff. Usually we only use one tank of petrol.

Floss

Bluegreen143 said:
Drinks
The children obligingly only drink water rather than being fussed with juice - but the tap water isn’t drinkable so we need to get some big 5L bottles. 

I'm  intrigued about this comment, as all tap water in the UK is drinkable. Is it that it is an unpleasant taste, as that is a regional thing dependent upon where the water comes from?

Bluegreen143

Floss said:

Bluegreen143 said:
Drinks
The children obligingly only drink water rather than being fussed with juice - but the tap water isn’t drinkable so we need to get some big 5L bottles. 

I'm  intrigued about this comment, as all tap water in the UK is drinkable. Is it that it is an unpleasant taste, as that is a regional thing dependent upon where the water comes from?

It’s a little wood cabin on the beach that’s not on mains water Floss. The water comes untreated from a spring and is fine for washing/showering but not safe for drinking. It’s a bit like camping but with comfy beds, a real kitchen and a shower 😜 

It’s not uncommon where houses aren’t on the mains tbh, you can’t drink the water at my mum’s house either, she’s also on water fed from a spring (she lives very rurally) though it’s on their list to get their water sorted out by getting on the mains supply as it’s a pain buying bottled all the time. They also have issues in that their water kills their appliances (eg dishwasher) due to sediment getting in. I think with hers though the water is safe but just unpleasant in taste and colour, whereas we’ve been warned in the holiday home not to drink it

Sarahwithlove

That sounds like a lovely little holiday you have planned. Hope you have a fabulous time 

Floss

Ah, that's OK then - and not worth the risk!

beanielou

Happy holidays.

zcrat41

Sounds like a beauty of a place,  enjoy 

Bluegreen143

Quick round of spending the past few days (and I am actually rounding rather than exact to the penny here, but don’t worry, it’s accurate in YNAB. Just in a rush just now):

Date night out £74
My half of dinner + taxis

Bottle of vodka £20
For drinking at home/on hols - personal budget 

Underwear/socks for kids £25
Didn’t have enough for going away for a week with no washing machine! Obviously useful once we are home too! 

Groceries £28.19
Various top ups and stuff to take on holiday, possibly including any I’ve already mentioned on here as this is the total since Sunday. I think I accidentally categorised the chicken bedding in here too. 

Car maintenance £20
A valve needed replaced on a tyre 

Disposable BBQs £12
To take on holiday 

New feed dispenser for chooks £14
Old one cracked and was unfixable. 

An expensive few days! All budgets up to date on YNAB now and still got the appropriate amounts in the holiday and car pots. 

Oh and we are at £240 for our holiday grocery delivery but this includes about £50 of alcohol, not all of which will get drunk while away but so we have a choice. We had to get some store cupboard items like olive oil, vinegar, breakfast cereal etc which I’d normally take from home, because we’re running low at home. And obviously more treats & convenience food than we usually eat. 

Bluegreen143

Woke up much earlier than intended this morning - Red is asleep, and the children are watching The Lion King, so I thought I’d pop here for a quick update before putting my phone away.

We arrived at the holiday accommodation yesterday - this is now the fourth year in a row we’ve rented this same cabin and it feels lovely to be here with the familiar view and house. 

Yesterday was VERY rainy but it obligingly stopped for a couple of hours just as we arrived, so Red took the kids out on the kayak - I’ve not been out yet, but I’m looking forward to doing that today. The weather is beautiful now so our plan is to stay close to home for beach walks/playing, paddling and kayaking the whole day. 

Spent £5.50 on a knitting pattern yesterday (a lovely cardigan for myself) as I wanted to start a new project using the local yarn I brought back from Iona in July. I have brought the kids’ jumper I’m knitting with me too to finish up. 

We had such a lovely evening last night. I spent ages knitting while the children played chess and built Lego quietly after dinner without fighting or getting hyper and running about. Red and I had a game of chess once they were in bed, inspired by the children playing it! A reminder that the best things in life don’t cost much money! 

Dinner was all sorts of bits with salad and a baguette (sausage rolls, pork pies, cold meats, hummus etc). 

This morning’s view - really sunny but misty at the same time - you can usually see the opposite bank of the loch as it’s not very far away but it’s hidden in that bank of mist.