Juggling mum/work life, whilst looking after my future self, both financially & healthily

fionaandphil

Lovely to hear from you, return to school is always crazy and expensive and then you have everything else on top.  Good to hear OH has picked up som work to tide him over.  Bad news on the car.

DS has started college this year so it has been a big learning curve for us, deinitely more independent and not always sure when he is coming or going. I am trying to make flexible meals and ensure there is enough in the fridge that he can grab and go, but as my DH keeps reminding me, he is now a young adult and needs to learn all of this for himself! Personally I was working part time and at college by that age.

I know you mentioned that you get reimbursed when you are working away, but can you include in that some supermarket spend like picking up something cooked from their counter? My DH when he worked away had salad and cooked chicken one night per week and also grabbed some drinks and snacks for lunch which did him the rest of the week.  He did have a little fridge in his room which helped.  He also made sure he grabbed loyalty points on hotel and on any of the nearby food places.  If you are able to book your hotels direct, don't forget cashback sites too.

I am trying to use up what we have in the fridges and freezers rather than buy any more and we are having some inventive meals   We have the last of the tomatoes ripening up and the apple tree is very heavily laden so we are having lots of those as fruit with lunch or deserts and we have just picked and stored a few crates this morning.  It will keep us going through winter and save some money longer term.

Glad that you've had a lightbulb moment and hope that it helps with reigning in spending so you can get back on track.  Take care and look after yourself x

jwil

Good luck for getting back on track.  There's always loads to do at the start of the new school year and there seems to be an endless request for money from school!

Spendless

Sadly I am not surprised by the no pay rise or promotion. I suspected as much when you said you'd raised the matter a while back. Back then though you understandably just wanted to keep your job. Nothing to stop you now putting the feelers out elsewhere.

I used to think there were hot spots for school expenses, beg of academic year, Xmas, Easter and in Primary school end of year. 

Both learning instrument and cadets are very good to do, can be an outlet away from academic life, a wholesome hobby, meet new friends, can be put on uni applications/CV. If you can manage it within your budget I would do so.

Chase again re May, they can be hopeless. Copy in someone senior. 

missymoo81

Ah thanks @fionaandphil I am exactly the same with my two, although younger than your son, I seem to do more food wise for them than I had as a child, at 13 I was making most family meals! You’re right I can use my Sainsbugs card for fuel but I was actually away in Europe with no chance at all to go to a supermarket. I really should get on and claim that all back today! 

I love the sound of your tomato and apple glut. I would love that! 

@jwil hi so nice to see you, and thanks for the kind words. Honestly I feel like the school needs an open cheque book. But the opportunities the children get are huge, and I really don’t want them to miss out, being one of those children that literally had nothing growing up and could go on no school trips etc I like to give the opportunity to my 2 when I can.

@s@Spendless thanks for popping in. Yes I too was skeptical of being promoted but as the redundancies are all still going through I guess it’s not really the right time to ask either. I have been looking and have updated my cv and have made lots of connections on linked. And yes I do believe that cadets especially will give Roo so many opportunities, I can’t say no. And he’s wanted to play the sax for forever and they have even given him one on loan for no charge. So I’m grateful. 

Well I managed to go to Sainsbury’s and spend £7, I used nectar points to pay for £2.50s worth. I had to really think, but I got some fruit and cucumber and lettuce and beans, chopped tomatoes and carrots And I think with some imagination I can make some dinners. So dinners this week:

carbonara
bean chilli
bean chili burritos
freezer curry
children are out so I’ll have beans on toast 
hm pizza

I could do with buying some milk and some mozzarella and maybe some more apples and bananas. I will also need wraps and bagels but I would like to see if I can make them. 

I made banana bread and some (if I do say so myself) amazing chocolate chip cookies! They at a like the big ones you get in paper bags of 5 in the supermarket. The recipe made 14, enough for everyone to try and enough for lunches. I also made myself some savoury rice for my lunches, Using up some very old mange tout and carrots and the glut of rice I have. Will also make some porridge.

i think I have sorted out money to put myself back on an even keel as quickly as possible. Work is going to be a bit full on this week, but I just need to get through it! 

in_need_of_direction

With the prep and planning that you have done, you’ll more than get through this week.

missymoo81

I’ve got to work and have forgotten my porridge! Rookie error! So I have my rice and biscuits….. not sure that is going to tide me over too well. Ooh I might have a protein bar in my bag. I won’t really fancy carbonara tonight, it’s more for the children. So I think I will make myself a lentil dhal, haven’t done that for ages. Food is essier as OH is only home some of the time at the moment, I’m hoping he can pick up some work for Nov, as it’s looking quiet. But with him being away some of October, the food bill should be smaller. 

I’m trying to eat less as I really need to lose this half a stone, I WILL go in the garage gym tonight after I drop Roo off at cadets. Do a workout and then dye my hair I think. I may even get OH to cut it when he’s home, I just can’t afford the £100 it costs normally for a dye and cut (I have a mass of curly hair). I’m going to try and eat less meat and more veg to help, and I’d like to cut down on my bread consumption as it really does bloat me. I’m also trying to go 14 hours fasted….. this is easier said than done. 

I’ve been reading the glucose goddess, and what she says really makes sense. So I’m trying to get hold of my glucose levels and hormones. So I’ve had black coffee this morning and that’s all I’m allowed for a bit! ‘Sigh’. 

More money needs to go out, Roo needs material for a hat he is making at school, and he’s super cold so needs some sort of white under t-shirt to go under his shirts, any ideas?

missymoo81

Thank you @in_need_of_direction i appreciate your kind words. I do feel like I can get through the week. I’m going to be mindful of everything as much as I can.

missymoo81

Soooo, I’ve sent a message to my director asking to speak about my role! I didn’t actually mean to send it, just think about it, but I pressed return and off it went… so we shall see what happens with that. Wish me luck…. Have also just emailed the school again re May. So we shall see what they say! 

missymoo81

Erm…. Am yet to get a reply….. wondering if it’s the wrong time 😳. 

peb

Tbh id have been surprised if you had, unless it's a straight no.

Hopefully it will be something more substantive