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

Sarahwithlove

It's frustrating when you have to spend from pots and it seems like you've overspent but you paid a good amount off the card and put back into savings. Hopefully you can refill your pots soon. 

FootyFanDan

I also hate seeing money from pots going down ha, I have slowly come to terms with the fact that eventually the money from the pots has to go down. The only pot that stays consistent is the car repairs, last year I was totally unprepared for a very costly car service/repair bill and I vowed never to be in that place again. I think you are doing so well with how your dealing with things

Bluegreen143

Thanks both! You’re right, it is super frustrating stealing from pots but I know our budget will get more accurate the more I stick to using it.  

Perfect weekend here. The party was utterly fabulous. Around 40 people ended up coming, nearly half of whom were children (youngest 9mo, oldest nearly 10). So it was busy and hectic, but as the sun was out we could use the garden and it didn’t feel too busy or cramped. We got a lot of compliments on the pizza oven which was lovely. All the kids played together so well, despite some not knowing each other/anyone (as I’d invited friends from different areas of my life who hadn’t met before) and they loved the piñata and the giant bubbles which Red had put out. 

We are all feeling tired today (the kids were up past 10pm which is very unusual for them!) so it will be early bedtimes for all. 

Moneysavingly we had free tickets to the local football club today for their women’s team match - we went with a friend, six kids in all (they had all been at ours the day before so were also tired 🤣). Monkey REALLY enjoyed it but Bambi thought the football was a bit boring (though she enjoyed seeing her friends). Not bad for being free though! Red bought some sweets and juice for us, not sure if he paid himself or put it on the joint card so will check. 

debtfreewannabe321

Love it when a plan comes together it makes all the effort (and spends) worthwhile. Glad you had a good party 🎉 

Bluegreen143

Just been doing a bit of reflecting on August. In August we had:

- a big fancy date night dinner out 

- a week away on holiday (in Scotland) 

- car trouble

- Bambi started school (and of course, Monkey went back to school)

- the random Friday after-school seaside trip with my MIL

- my actual birthday (as well as the birthdays of my mum and sister, though I didn’t see the latter on her birthday)

- MIL’s mastectomy 

- the trip up north last weekend, including a night of garden camping

- we lost our oldest chicken 

- and we had our big party this weekend. 

It’s been full, and busy, and a whirlwind of a month. I’m not very surprised that the budget was strained. I think it’s actually a miracle we didn’t spend any more money than we did! 

There were some challenges this month (MIL’s ill health, our car issues, a poorly chook) but most of what stands out is how many happy memories and milestones we’ve crammed into 31 days. Red and I are tired this evening but we agreed we’re good tired; our social tanks are full. After 18 months of our extended family shrinking through multiple bereavements, having so many friends in one place yesterday felt absolutely magical. 

Onto September now, and we have a quieter month planned. At the moment, we actually don’t have anything planned any of the next four weekends, except that Monkey is going on Cub camp one weekend (the first time ever, and he is VERY excited). Red and I are agreed that a very quiet weekend is in order next weekend (a walk or taking the kids swimming, playing at home, reading and cooking). But I think I will try to keep September as free of obligations (and spending) as possible. 

Bluegreen143

When I was saying we didn’t have anything planned the next four weekends I forgot I’m going away with my mum and sister the 13th-15th 🤣 woops! But definitely a quiet month apart from that. The accommodation is paid for so it’s just spending money for that, and I’ve saved up for it. 

Sarahwithlove

Still a fairly quiet month though and hopefully Red can have a low cost weekend whilst you are away. 

Life is for living and it's good to make these memories whilst the kids are young. Sounds like you have a good balance. You could always look at having a summer pot for next year to pay for any extras that may come up. 

Bluegreen143

Thanks @Sarahwithlove.

Worked in the office today. I was saved from myself as I went to the vending machine and it was broken!

But I did end up getting some pastries and blackberries for the kids after school at Lidl so it evened out in the end. 

I’m normally quite strict with them about keeping treats and sweets to the weekend, but 1) I’m feeling like I’m coming down with a cold again which always makes me snacky 🙄 2) I had to get us all treated for threadworm today as Monkey has picked them up since going back to school 🤢 and then 3) we all got a fright (especially me) when Monkey nearly got hit by a car - his fault, not the driver’s, as he dreamily & uncharacteristically stepped out at a busy crossing without waiting for me/the green man/it to be clear 😨 and after all that I just wanted a treat tbh! 

Made a veggie & chickpea curry for dinner with rice and leftover naans from the party on Sat so at least that was healthy. Really tasty too. My lunch was leftover beef, tomato & bean stew from yesterday’s dinner so also very tasty. 

I’ve arranged to have one of Bambi’s besties from nursery over for a playdate (with her sister, who is ages with Monkey) after school tomorrow. Really pleased about this as Bambi has been moping about missing her two nursery friends since starting school. She was jumping up and down and squealing with excitement when I told her this evening 🥰

Also planning to go for an outdoor swim with two of my friends on Friday evening - possibly the last one of the season, as I’m not into going when it gets freezing! Nice frugal fun for a Friday evening. 

Spending (this is since the 1st, but not inc bills)

Sun 1st
£57.70 - Tesco - Groceries 
£9 - Football stadiums snacks & drinks - Leisure & Entertainment
£37.89 - artisan yarn from independent yarn shop - Personal (books & hobbies) - this is more of a yarn I already have as I don’t have enough of it to knit as big a cardigan as I want, plus delivery as it was easier than making time to get over there this week…

Mon 2nd
£35 - Kids pocket money - Kids Fun & Education
£16.20 - Stick on name labels for school stuff - Kids Fun & Education
£26.35 - Tesco - £12 Home & Garden (water bottles for kids) ; £14.35 Groceries (things I forgot to order!)

Tues 3rd 
£3.56 - Lidl, pastries & fruit - should this go under groceries or leisure & entertainment since it was snacks to eat out 🤷‍♀️? Leaning towards groceries but open to ideas! 

Sarahwithlove

Groceries as you would have to take from home otherwise and it wasn't lunch out or meal deal etc. 

beanielou

Hope you & Monkey are not too shaken up.