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

joedenise

We're having chilli for dinner tonight but only making enough for tonight as not enough freezer space to get any spare portions in.  Will only use half tin of kidney beans and squeeze the other half tin into a very small space in the freezer veg drawer where I took half a tin of new pots out!

dawnybabes

I’ve just booked 3 full body massages at our local college for £10 each ! Bargain …..

themadvix

Yes, I am a fan of our local training college's beauty salon - the prices at real places are horrifying in comparison!

Bluegreen143

Oooh, good tip!

Spendless

I'm guessing the chunk chilli uses beef chunks rather than mince? It sounds lush. Do you have a recipe.

The most expensive facial I ever had was last year and included an arms, front shoulders, and décolletage massage. It was a whacking $220USD (approx £175) but it was a freebie. I accompanied my husband on a work trip to the States, we stayed in  a preminum hotel and this spa treatment was my husband's corporate gift  but he has zero interest in anything like that so I could have it instead. It was the best facial I've ever had, but there's no way I'd have paid that sort of money out for it. 

zcrat41

Bluegreen143 said:

Zcrat, that is where we are going 😅.

Yes, spas are now super expensive though really not something I do often so I’m not going to stress about the cost too much. 

I’m sure you’ll have a fab time! I’d be keen to hear what you think of it as apparently they are doing a big refurb of all the restaurants 

Bluegreen143

Hello all!

Busy, but fun weekend. And not too spendy! 

Friday:
Kids had a play at the school playpark while I chatted to some other mums. It was very nice and spring-like, so much appreciated to get some time outdoors (I had also walked the morning school run, so got double outdoor time). 

Had chicken shawarma, couscous, salads, hummus etc for dinner and then we played a board game all together. 

Saturday:
Took Monkey to his karate grading, where he went up a “half” belt, so he was pleased. I got a good long walk in while he was doing the grading and got back in time for the belt presentation. 

We then (all four of us) went to a friend’s games afternoon - the children played and the adults played a couple of board games. It was lovely and mainly all people I did know, except for the hosting couple and one mutual friend. So nice to get out and meet some new people! 

It was our wedding anniversary too, so we had a nice three course meal & some wine at home while the kids had pesto pasta in front of a movie. Prosciutto wrapped asparagus to start, steak for DH and chicken for me, both with mushroom sauce/broccoli/chips, and a bought chocolate melting middle pudding with ice cream after. 

Sunday:

Chores in the morning, then we had a family afternoon out at a local country park, again featuring a good walk, so I’ve had plenty of steps this weekend! 

Finances
Spending over the weekend:

Wants: £24 / £50 (so £26 rolled over to next week’s budget)

£9 - ice creams at the country park 
£15 - garden supplies at the garden centre 

Groceries: £61.14 / £120 (so £58.86 rolled over to next week’s budget)

All savings pots currently on track - balances below (bearing in mind I’ve not been paid yet this month so they will go up further):

Emergency fund: £1,514

New kitchen: £556

Holidays: £3,427 (this includes money my MIL has sent us for her portion of our weekend away at Easter so not all our savings)

December: £420

Bills: £132 (most monthly bills have been paid this month - though this pot includes petrol and home/car maintenance too but we have a full petrol tank and just had work done on the car last month)

zcrat41

How are things @Bluegreen143? You’ve been unusually quiet! 

fionaandphil

HI @Bluegreen143 hope you are keeping well. I was just thinking about you today as I'm sure you will be on with school Easter holidays and will have something fab planned.  The sun is shining here so we are making the most of it just doing outdoor things and had lunch on the patio today it was so hot.  Still having cold nights though so not quite summer weather yet 

Wishing you and the family a Happy Easter x

angela110660

Hello long time no updates - do hope all well and we hear from you one day soon. Best wishes.