I got a bonus from work:144. I transferred 140 to savings to cover the hotel in April, so that's 290 saved now. I left the 4 in my account. I'm pretty sure that last year I had to use my bonus for daily expenses, so it's nice to use it for something different for a change.

I've been handwashing clothes. I'm hoping hubby can fix the machine though. He looked at it yesterday, tried it but it stopped with two minutes left in the cycle. Then he mentioned something about a ball... I'm hoping it's fixable anyway. He's checking again later.

I'm dropping off a couple of bags of donations soon. It's so nice to get rid of stuff. I've been doing my best to find a bag a day, which Creditcardfree talks about in her other blog. We have so much stuff.

The washing machine isn't working. Hubby is taking another look at it today. I had to buy the kids some new pyjamas in the meantime. Found some in the sale: 11.70

I've been thinking about upcoming expenses. I still need to buy an outfit for the weddings (although, we found out the kids aren't invited to the second one. We're all still staying in the hotel anyway.) I need to give both couples money and have money to get there and spend on the day. Also, SG's birthday is next month. I'm so glad I put the money for her dress aside earlier.

Yesterday we got another letter from the council. It said that they had made a mistake sending the last letter, so we were to ignore it.

On my birthday Swagbucks emailed me. I went to my account and seen that I had enough to redeem two 5GBP PayPal rewards, which were on sale. I transferred the money to my account today, then to savings for the hotel.

I booked an activity for SG's birthday, although it'll be a surprise for her. The day after her birthday we're all going bowling and then for lunch (she's at nursery on her birthday). It's called Bowl and Dine, you get two games of bowling and a two course meal. I made sure to go during off-peak times so it's cheaper. I also need us to be home at a reasonable time, too. All in all, it'll be 48.00 (excluding drinks).

I had two butternut squashes to use up, so I roasted one with red onion and feta, and I made the other into a curry for tomorrow.

This month is depressing me. So far, less than two weeks since payday, I've spent 143.09 on groceries. I did include the money DH spent on snacks for the kids today while they were out. Tomorrow I actually need to buy a few more groceries, but it'll be the bare minimum.

Tomorrow I need to buy a new jacket for SG and jeans for hubby.

On the plus side:
-I've paid 209 to the catalogues this pay (less debt)
-I've put money aside for SG's birthday present (dress) next month (we might be going out for it too, but I don't want to splurge too much...)
-we have food to eat

I made saag also and lentil tomato Dahl for the first time tonight. I'm freezing the leftover dahl, I really don't want it tomorrow.

Crisis #1:
At work, the system for holidays is this: fill in the form, give to your supervisor or manager, get the form back which tells you whether it's been authorised. I did this, a year in advance. I have the slips.
Last week I left work knowing I was on holiday. The next day, there was a phone call from work. I had to call them back. It rang out. When I finally did get in touch I was told that they didn't know I was on holiday (therefore, no pay). I told my supervisor I had the slips right here. Luckily, she was fine with it and it's now been sorted (and I don't have to withdraw a week's pay from savings)

Crisis #2
Got a letter this morning saying we're no longer getting Housing Benefit (aka rent paid) because we had ignored other letters asking for details. We never got any other letters. I'm still going through this one, we're waiting on somebody phoning us back - probably next week, I'd guess.

Had a birthday. We went our for lunch. Spent 28.xx. The plan was to have tacos that night for dinner but we were all really full, so we're having them tonight instead.

Hubby got invited to a stag weekend in England. He can't go because we don't have enough money for both. It's still nice to be invited.

My shopping arrived today - all 80.63 of it.The fridge,freezer and cupboards are all full.Its the first timr that shopping has arrived and the salad drawer has been empty - usually we end up throwing some out. Im feeling a bit bad about all the spending though. But we did need the stuff

I booked us two nights in the hotel for the wedding. Almost 300.Sigh. Ive got money set aside from the current account transfer last year,and im getting a small bonus soon.

It's SG's birthday next month. For J's birthday I ordered him a waistcoat from a girl who has a small business designing clothes, amongst other things. I've asked the same girl to make a dress for her birthday. She told me that it'll cost 25 so I transferred the money to savings for when I get the invoice. The money is essentially spent, right? I even input it into my app. I figured it made sense to transfer it now. I should really do things like this more often. If I don't, it really upsets my budget.

Speaking of budgeting, I'm a bit annoyed at myself because my online food shop is more than last month. This one is 78.xx and last month's was 58.xx.i have added extra because hubby is baking me a cake for my birthday.

I got in touch with hubby's friend about hotels near where he's getting married. I'm waiting on a reply. I want to get it sorted soon. I also need to decide how much money we're giving both couples...

Not much to report as I've only just paid the catalogues. I paid 147 to the smaller balance. Catalogue Debt is now 819.06. I'm looking forward to getting rid of this!

Almost all of us are ill. I went to bed at 8 last night and I'm still shattered today. Took kids to the doctors and let SG pick a meal for dinner. This is the worst she's been.

I got it wrong. I have 105 in my bank, so I must have miscalculated.

I have to finalize my meal plan for next week - probably not today though...

Payday on Friday. I'm not planning on going anywhere tomorrow.