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

Bluegreen143

We don’t have one LittleGem, but they already have a decent collection of Audible books (and the ability to listen to these on an echo dot) so I’m reluctant to switch platforms now and have to buy story cards. I sort of wish I’d started with Yoto but I hadn’t heard of it til after I’d sunk too much money into Audible books! 

What a nice day we’ve had today - we’ve really given some extra love to Bambi since Monkey is away. 

I walked to Lidl with her this morning and she really wanted to make fairy cakes to decorate on her playdate and I suggested making playdough too, which I don’t think I’ve done in at least a year! So after getting ingredients we made pink and purple sparkly playdough and fairy cakes together. 

She then had an absolute ball with her little nursery friend, who she doesn’t see as much now they go to different schools. Sooooo heartwarming to see them reunited!

One of Red’s friends then came over for pizza with his little girl (nearly 7; Bambi is nearly 6) which was great as he lives quite far away so we don’t see him often. Despite not knowing each other, the girls got on really well and played together brilliantly and Red got a good chance to catch up with his friend. Bambi didn’t get to bed til 9 tonight which is very late for her as she’s normally a 7.30pm girl! 

We’ve had some pictures sent over by the scout leaders and it does look like Monkey is having a really wonderful time away camping. I think he will come back really proud of being independent and away from home. The Cubs were apparently at a moonlight funfair tonight on site and all trusted to go off in pairs to explore it which will definitely have been very exciting for Monkey. 

KeepOnKnitting

Sounds like a lovely weekend. I want to go to cub camp now, a moonlight funfair at camp sounds amazing!

Bluegreen143

Yes, it was really lovely. On Sunday I went for brunch with friends - one kindly gave me a lift so I didn’t have to get a taxi. It cost about £13 for the brunch and a couple of soft drinks (we were there for a quite a while) so pretty cheap. 

Then Monkey came back and we got to hear all about his camping adventures ☺️.

In the evening I met a different friend for a comedy gig. I did offer to pay for the ticket but she wouldn’t take the money as the ticket was going spare before she offered me it this week. AND she gave me a lift home too, so I only spent £2.40 total on the night out (my bus fare). The other good thing about her driving was I wasn’t bothered to have a drink since she wasn’t so it also saved money there. The comedy was brilliant and I feel lucky to have such lovely friends! 

Bluegreen143

Quick “3/4 of the month gone” spending update:

Credit card £329.90

FIXED/NEEDS £1,725.79
Mortgage £528.86
Gas & electricity £241
Life insurance £73.46
Internet £25.90
Council tax £170
Groceries £511.70
Petrol & parking £111.90 (inc public transport & taxis)
Subscriptions £62.97 (Netflix, TV licence, kids’ activities) 

WANTS - family £280.16
Leisure & entertainment £9
Home & garden £23.99
Misc/unknown £21.34
Christmas £23.99
Kids’ birthdays £52.95
Gifts & celebrations £73.69
Kids clothes £8
Kids fun/educational £67.20

WANTS - personal £245.74
Subscriptions & phone £15.99
Weekend away £109.25
Books & hobbies £85.27
Socialising £14
Misc £21.23

TOTAL SPENDING inc CC £2,581.59

Looks alright, I don’t see anything too glaringly ridiculous in there, except that groceries are a bit high (we’ll have another weekly shop before month-end, so this will definitely top £600 this month…). 

Personal spending is higher than last month, but only because of my weekend away, so I’m fine with that. The money was budgeted and saved and I still have over £450 of personal money in my account just now. 

The total is going to jump by over £3k if my car is fixed before the end of the month though 🤣. 

wannabedebtfreemum95

The Cubs camp sounds amazing! What a great experience for Monkey and I bet Bambi enjoyed some only-child time too. My wee one is starting Squirrels in a few weeks and am slightly dreading adding another expense to the monthly list but I’m sure any cost will be outweighed by the fun. Do you find it an expensive club?

Bluegreen143

No, ours isn’t expensive at all compared to other clubs. Ours is a one-off £100 payment a year plus the uniform, but you could maybe get that second hand. It did cost £70 for the camp but that was optional as to whether you chose to send them. 

It’s definitely money well spent, and in comparison it’s £20 a month for his karate, when he did violin it was £10 a week for a shared lesson, and the climbing club he’s interested in is £15 per session. So under £9 a month for scouts is definitely good value.

fionaandphil

Hope you're little one enjoys squirrels, a great adventure! If you're buying for your squirrel don't be tempted to buy trousers, caps etc,they generally only need a jumper and sometimes a polo shirt for summer. Most groups let them wear jogger trousers and school trousers when on parade. If they are going to camp, buy kit for that which will be tough, but we've got a lot from Aldi which has lasted years. I also save clothes which he is just about to grow out of as they often come back filthy. We still use the same cups, cutlery etc - grown out of the sleeping bag as he is now an explorer!

Bluegreen143

Yes agreed, we just buy the polo shirt & jumper and he goes in joggers or shorts. 

We luckily didn’t need to buy any kit for camping except a big backpack, because we have all the camping gear already from going camping ourselves. Monkey did Beavers too (not Squirrels) but they didn’t do any camps when he was there so this was his first one. He’s had an amazing time and it’s so good for their confidence. 

Floss

My younger son (36) has acquired the family canvas rucksack which my 63 yo brother took to his first Scout camp... I have my enamel plate, mug & bowl from my first Guide camp in 1975 and my DiL (35) still has her camp blanket with all her Brownie, Guide & Ventures badges on 😊

wannabedebtfreemum95

Ah well then, £100 for the year is great value! I was a Girls Brigade/Brownies girl so never made it to Scouts but think it’ll be good for my wild children. Getting outdoors and getting muddy can only be good for them!