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

missymoo81

Wow @debtfreewannabe321 thank you so much for taking the time to post. And it’s so very helpful! I didn’t realise recruiters would do that. I will definitely put my cv onto indeed! Thank you, and I will advise OH to do the same. 

debtfreewannabe321

missymoo81 said:

Wow @debtfreewannabe321 thank you so much for taking the time to post. And it’s so very helpful! I didn’t realise recruiters would do that. I will definitely put my cv onto indeed! Thank you, and I will advise OH to do the same. 

I didn't realise either until one contacted DP. They found several good roles he was suitable for and helped throughout the process and DP didn't pay any money so I assume the businesses pay the recruiter on successful retention. 
His last job was found internally at his old job- he put feelers out he was looking for a change and the JD was basically made to tailor DP's skillset. It is always worth chatting to everyone and anyone (aside from the boss maybe 😆🫣). You never know what might come from it.

Spendless

You seem to be trying to put out a lot of fires missy.

Glad to hear OH does have counselling.

How old is May and what school year? I possibly wouldnt pay for tutors yet when you have other things on your plate to deal with financially. 

joedenise

You have said you plan to turn some of the bolognaise into a chilli, could you take some of it and use to make some pasties with a bit of HM or shop bought shortcrust pastry?  Could even add in some extra veg to quite a small amount of the mix.

Another low meat option I make is a Spanish chicken.  Just fry off some finely chopped onion, once softened a bit chuck in some paprika and a splash of water to coat the onions.  Chop some chorizo into pieces (I only use 50g) and fry off until fat starts to run, add a couple of chopped chicken thighs or one breast and fry to seal.  Then add some risotto or paella rice (can use long grain if that’s all you have) and stir to coat.  Add some stock and stir until absorbed, keep adding stock gradually until the rice is cooked.  Serve and eat.

dawnybabes

We have spag bol or chilli one night then I make the remaining into a lasagne to make it go further, if it’s ’chilli’ lasagne I top with some some crushed tortillas 

fionaandphil

I love thrifty Lesley too. She has some alternative pesto recipes on her site which I always use at this time of year as we have gluts of herbs to use up. Makes a nice change from the basil one we normally use.

Lots of salad going into recipes this week as the lettuce and cucumbers are growing so fast. I'm trying to convince family that they will love cucumber soup or that we can have some of @joedeniselettuce recipe - uphill battle with that 😆

Hope you've had a better day

mumtoomany

Morning missy, how are you today?

TV licence, I think the payments are £15, six monthly payments, £14 something five monthly payments and then one payment that's much smaller. Don't know why. Never pay quarterly, they charge extra! 

Tips:

Save on fuel, electric gas oil.

Put a timer next to the shower, save on electric and water.

If you don't have one, get a water meter installed. You can change back within a year if it's not cheaper, it should be.

Write the word "lights" or "electric" on pieces of card, (cut from cereal packets) attach a piece of string/wool. Drawing pin these to door frames at head height. Nobody will forget to turn off when leaving the room.

Keep the tumble drier for emergencies only. Huge use of electric.

Always fill washer, dishwasher. Never run part full. 

Lined curtains in every room, close at dusk every day. Save heating. 

Door snakes, made from old tights stuffed, keep the drafts from under the door.


The best way to start your emergency fund. As soon as you get paid, put a set amount into a savings account. Pay yourself first. Every time you don't buy a coffee or chocolate bar, add a few pence. It will add up. 

I'll post more when I think of them, hugs, mumtoomany.xx

missymoo81

Hello,

Sorry for being quiet. Have had a very busy couple of days at work, it’s been so hot too!

@Spendless May is in year 7, so first year of high school. School still hasn’t replied! 

Hi @joedenise I do love it when you come along with recipes on here. I’d never have thought about pasties, I’ve made them in the past but the Shep pie mix would be lovely in them! And Spanish chicken sounds right up my street. I wonder if Lidl do some
cheap chorizo.

@dawn@dawnybabes what an amazing idea! My children would LOVE chilli lasagne with crunched up tortillas on top! Definitely going to give that a go!

@fion@fionaandphil i wish I’d planted some things this year, we go through tomatoes and cucumbers like nobodies business! Maybe when things settle down I can think about planting next year. I absolutely need to make pesto, I’ve never made it but I happen to have a basil plant that I’ve managed to keep alive for a month or so now and I bought some nuts ages ago that I could use. Need some olive oil though. Will see if I can afford it this month.

@mumt@mumtoomany I am loving the tips. We do a lot of these. No one has long showers, we don’t have a tumble drier. I do need to line the curtains for winter though.

So I have been very good! I have not bought any food, despite desperately wanting a sandwich today. I have stretched out my bulk cooking! We had chilli last night and Shep pie tonight. I have enough for burritos and then I will make a lasagne with what’s left. Very happy with how cheap it was! 

fionaandphil

I think we've tried it with just sunflower oil and it was fine. This was one of the inspiration recipes but we also did the lemon balm one too. Just use what you have in rather than buying anything extra.

https://thriftylesley.com/sage-lemon-pumpkin-seed-pesto-2-99-huge-jar/

I would get in touch with school again, you might be able to get some extra work for over summer that she can use to catch up. Try the head or their secretary perhaps? Have you looked on the school website under curriculum to see if there are resources on there. Our school has it broken down into years and gives an idea of what it covers by subject. Reading and phonics are really big areas they push at DS school so if all else fails maybe get her to read some of those books? Books like Wonder, Rooftoppers, The Boy at the Back of the Class. Good luck

Spendless

missy - I agree go back to that email and send another saying Can I have an update please?. If theres an email address for HoY or you can work it out copy them in too. When you do speak/meet school ask them what they are going to do to ensure May is at the right target. For now Id leave private tutoring because youve got jobs at risk, a mortgage, bills, debts to pay.  Over the school hols find some free resources let May work on them. In the new school year ask school for an update on where she is say a month into the new academic year. At age 12/yr7 theres plenty of time for things to turn round.