We are about to pull the purse strings soooo tight!

yummymummy2012 · 10 November 2011 at 10:58AM

Alice, well done for the NSD's and taking control so you dont get late payment charges. Let us know how you get on with Sky as I may give this a go, asked OH if he could do without the sports and did not get a positive response so need to do something.

mothsinmywallet_2 · 10 November 2011 at 12:41PM

A quick suggestion re packed lunches - I have loads of flapjack (just costed this at 6p per piece) and cake in the freezer which defrosts by lunch time, meaning it doesn't all get eaten in one go. I have also done this with pizza slices - Jamie Oliver's pizza dough recipe costs about £1 for what I made into 10 medium sized pizzas (8-10 inches across). With a tomato sauce (onion, two tins of tomatoes, tomato puree, herbs - £1) and some cheese (call it £2) and a couple of other cheap toppings (Aldi pepperoni is 80p a packet, peppers and mushrooms are often in the bargain bin) you could add a quarter of a pizza to each packed lunch for about 15p a time (and I am being very generous with the costings!). Much more filling and better value than crisps etc and the kids will be pleased!

Alice_in_Poorland · 10 November 2011 at 8:45PM

Well I didn't have a NSD (as I knew I wouldn't) but did only buy the essentials which is good for me

On the plus side have just called Sky and have got £15 per month knocked off the bill which is great (I know is should go altogether but!!!).

mummytogirls · 10 November 2011 at 9:05PM

Hi Alice,

Just caught up with your diary! Well done on reducing Sky, ive done this a couple of times one after the other!!!
I know what you mean about it should go but more often than not its your only luxury isnt it!!!

Well done on starting your journey :T xx

Alice_in_Poorland · 11 November 2011 at 2:05PM

Nearly the weekend :T

Looking forward to getting some bits and pieces on Ebay this weekend. Haven't had any calls re the furniture I put in the local paper which is a pain. Oh well I will put it in again next week, slightly different description and my mobile number instead of home. you never know!!

The food cupboards are looking a bit bare but I have had lots of great tips on here so hoping to keep the food bill.

Oh back to work, just nipped on during lunchtime. So far another NSD.xx

Alice_in_Poorland · 12 November 2011 at 5:27PM

Well didn't manage a NSD yesterday.

The boys were 'starving' after football training so we called in at the chip shop on the way home and got 2 portions of chips to share when we got home. So chip butties all round. Not ideal I know but although things are very tight I feel I shouldn't let the kids feel the pinch too.....and anyway it's not like we get fast food every week.

We've had a very busy and productive day. The boys had football matches this morning, have cleared all the leaves (what a job!!), housework done (nearly), all the washing has been done and nearly all dried, the dog has been out for a good run and have written a food shopping list.

I've checked the cupboards so I will only get exactly what we need, and have meal plan for this week. I'm off to the supermarket in a bit so hopefully will get some bargains.

On the finance front I contacted the loan company today as I cancelled the DD that should have gone out on Thursday and apparently as long as I pay it in the next 10 days that should be OK. I have still got to speak to the car finance company but they weren't open this afternoon when I tried. Hopefully after this month we will never have to miss a payment again (fingers crossed).

Oh and the weight front have lost 3lbs this week only another 3trillion to go.LOL xx

CharlieWaffles · 12 November 2011 at 5:36PM

Hi Alice,

Really enjoying this diary - Thanks to all for the tip about Sky - I will call them on Monday and give it a go myself.

Thanks
Lee

Alice_in_Poorland · 12 November 2011 at 5:48PM

Thank you Lee and good luck with the Sky. Apparently to new customers Sky are offering broadband, telephone and TV for £27.50 per month so I'm thinking I will give them another call next week.........cheeky or what but I'm on a roll at the minute.xx

rising_from_the_ashes · 12 November 2011 at 6:23PM

Alice_in_Poorland wrote: »

Our petrol costs are not as easy to reduce, but on a good note the work mate my OH gives a lift to is going to give him £10 per week which will help.

Great start - I've given lifts to people before .... they seem to come in 2 bunches - those who straight away offer money and those who just think you'll happily take them all the time & don't even offer.

I find it hard to broach the subject with the latter group but, at the end of the day, they are saving £x amount (say £30/week) on the bus, so it's entirely fair (IHMO) to give you say £10 for fuel.

Alice_in_Poorland wrote: »

Well I didn't have a NSD (as I knew I wouldn't) but did only buy the essentials which is good for me

On the plus side have just called Sky and have got £15 per month knocked off the bill which is great (I know is should go altogether but!!!).

Excellent - how long does this last?

If 6 months, make a note to mark it on next years' calander (when you get it) to call them a couple of weeks before this runs out.

Alice_in_Poorland · 12 November 2011 at 10:03PM

Thank you rising from the ashes. Yeah I agree with you with regards to people chipping in towards the petrol costs, like you say not easy but has to be done and £10 will certainly help.

With regards to Sky this reduction is for 12 months but I think I am going to call them again just to see if I can get any more taken off. It is our only 'luxury' item at the minute.

The trip to the supermarket went OK, spent a little more than I wanted to but did only get the things on the list.

We've got somebody coming to look at the furniture tomorrow so fingers crossed, and I'm going to have an ebay morning tomorrow. I have't put anything on ebay for ages, I always find it so stressful, fretting about feedback etc. lol xx

We are about to pull the purse strings soooo tight!

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