Trying to Save

I think that was a quick month. I was definitely more conscious of my spending. I said goodbye to impulse buys at the checkout (sweets and cola, usually) - they were replaced with a bag of nuts that I got from Poundland, and I drank the water I had with me.

We also didn't get a takeaway at all, despite Pizza Hut regularly texting hubby and the Indian texting me. My only eating out was 7.40 and that was with J.

For the first time ever - except for when we were really struggling - we made an effort to eat what we had.

Now, my totals might be a bit off because my spending app was playing up in the beginning and I uninstalled it - which meant I lost my data. But I spent 154.24 on groceries (less than normal), 34.24 on repairs, 7.40 on eating out, 50 on utilities (will be more next month when the 140 we got in November finally runs out), 67.40 on bus fares and 46.22 on kiddy stuff. All in all, I should have an extra 112 to put towards the catalogue on Friday (I'm just going to pay it on payday as normal).

I'd love to continue another month of uberfrugalness but I have to start getting organised for SG's birthday and I know we're going out for lunch for my birthday next month. Either way, I'll still be paying attention to my spending because I've got goals I want to reach.

I've been at home all day. I baked raisin biscuits with SG then made a fruit loaf. There's rice pudding in the slow cooker for later. We had butter bean and vegetable curry for dinner. I'm going to use the last tin to make butter bean dip.

I've started an online food shopping order to arrive after payday. I want to make the pinto beans and rice recipe that Ceejay gave me so I've ordered a bag of those, and chickpeas too. I've decided that they're cheaper so I'm getting those from now on.

Last night we finished watching Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. I think I want to read the books now. Suits is back tonight so we'll probably watch that.

I think that's all.

I woke up this morning to find that our heating wasn't working. I was getting ready for work so I text hubby about it. Later, he said that he'd fixed it. So, crisis averted.

I had a long day at work. Bought a couple of frozen pizzas and garlic bread for dinner. Only spent 2.xx. Way cheaper than a takeaway. We're having peach crumble for pudding (homemade)

I have to total up what I've spent this month. I do have to get a few things on Tuesday though.

I'm not sure if this will work. The blogs weren't working earlier. It looks like they are now though.

Here's some meals we will be having, in no particular order:

-lentil meatloaf recipe with potatoes and veg http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/5969/lentil-meatloaf.aspx?o_is=LV
-belly pork strips in barbecue sauce http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/collections/barbecue-recipes/belly-pork-strips-in-barbecue-sauce
-falafel with pitta bread and salad (uses up chickpeas)
-cottage pie/lasagne (ragu in freezer)
-butterbean and veg curry http://www.thriftylesley.com/butter-bean-and-vegetable-curry-24p-a-se/

We had a leak on Sunday. Luckily, we got a plumber out via the council at no cost to us.

What I did have to spend money on, however, was a new pump and filter for the washing machine. Spent 34.42.They tried to charge me 9.xx for next day delivery but I noticed and changed it to standard.

I haven't read Frugalwoods' email yet.

Had leftover soup for lunch. I feel like all my posts this month have been about food. I guess that's one area that I can control.

Not much going on. Still trying to be Uber Frugal. I made creamy tomato soup yesterday rather than buy a tin of Heinz. Everyone loved it. Kids are eating it for lunch today. I also made tomato and bacon spaghetti - we've got a full tub leftover!

I'm making us salmon and rice for dinner tonight. I need to start making more dishes using lentils again, I've still got a bag of red and green lentils to use.

I need to buy some baby wipes this week, and some fresh stuff.

I'm going to attempt to make apple pie for pudding later. I bought a shortcrust pastry mix for 38p so I want to try it out.

Hmm, I don't think there's much else.

Snafu asked about making scones. I found a recipe here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/scones_1285

It's basically the one I've been using. I'm sure a few of you have baked scones before - I'm thinking My English Castle, CJ and Brenda? - but I could be wrong.

Yesterday I felt as though I was losing some of my motivation for UFM. I was just not feeling it. Then I had a bad sleep - thanks J! I woke up absolutely shattered this morning...

This sounds as though this is leading somewhere (like an insane spending spree) but it isn't. I remembered that one catalogue will be gone soon - fingers crossed - and that I have other stuff I need to put money aside for (SG's birthday, weddings,gifts)

We're having leftover chicken and rice for dinner. Tomorrow I'll cook something from scratch. I spent 11.26 on groceries today - we're at 100 or so spending so far. Next few weeks should be minimal - they will be.

Well my Monday morning is officially going well: I just signed on to check hubby's catalogue payments for next pay (they always update about now) and one catalogue is in the three hundreds!! I never expected that! It's obviously because I just paid off the final ever Buy Now Pay Later item, and they've deducted the interest that was already added to the account. I'm so happy. It's a couple of hundred less to pay off.

In other news, I have to come up with a meal plan for the rest of the week. Yesterday I had to buy milk and I ended up spending 7.xx on reduced stuff too (including salmon for 1.25 and a cheesecake for 62p). We're having soup or leftover lentil casserole for lunch.

Eleven years ago today I started this blog. Crazy!

In other news, Thursday and Friday were NSDs. I baked some more, then today I took some of it to work with me.

SG got a party invite this week for next Saturday. If I ever book a party for my kids, I won't send the invites out that late. That's just bad, isn't it? Ten days before the event? I'm just going to buy this girl a colouring book.

It should hopefully be a NSD. It's snowing here so I've just made a batch of lentil, veg and bacon soup. I'm making cottage pie for dinner tonight instead of bolognaise to use up some potatoes that I bought with shopping.

My loan updated today: it's now at 5947.01. Slowly getting there.

Nothing else to report. Pretty boring really.

I mentioned at the start of the month that I had to buy a couple of birthday presents for a birthday party this month. Yesterday I bought two gifts from the nearly-new baby and kids shop. I bought two cards too from the local card shop. Total spent: 6.82.

My shopping was delivered yesterday too. Total spent was 58.32.

We had leftover lentil bolognaise (from the freezer) last night because I was too tired to make toad in the hole. I'll be making it later though.

My only spending today was 4.70 on my bus fares. It's quite nice finishing work then not having to buy anything.

Tonight we had leftover tuna pasta and veg. The rest of the week looks like this, roughly:
-toad in the hole with veg
-peanut butter noodles
-bacon, veg, tomato and soft cheese casserole
-bolognaise or chilli
-leftovers

I bought some groceries yesterday and today. Today's ones were all reduced. I bought more bread to freeze. Grocery spending is now at 22.45 for the month so far; I've got shopping arriving on Tuesday late afternoon.

I found a bag of wholegrain rice in the cupboard. Everyone likes it, so that's good.

Tomorrow won't be a NSD because I have to pay for SG's snacks at nursery.

Today I'm baking some biscuits with SG. We can have them as snacks for a few days.

I broke a rule: I ate out. Hubby wanted us all to go to the local pub for lunch. I said I'm trying to spend as little as possible this month, so he suggested I take J to the local cafe for some one-to-one time instead (we're going to the pub next month for my birthday). I spent 7.80 total and that included bringing some food back for hubby and SG.

I also spent 1.40 on reduced naan breads (froze those), reduced mince pies and bread (half in the freezer).

I'm defrosting some hummus to have on a sandwich at work tomorrow, and I'll defrost some fruit for breakfast.

Spending:

Groceries:9.84
Transport:9.40
Utilities:20.00
Eating Out:7.80

NSD: 3/21

Tomorrow should be better.

That works out quite nicely, since that's what I've been doing. Today I used up the last of some sad veg to make a soup (that'll be our dinner) plus I made pancakes, scones and flapjacks - although I must have used too much golden syrup because they fell apart. We're going to have them with milk now, like granola.

I think we've used up most of the good stuff now, which is why I did some baking today. I need to think about what I can put together for work on Saturday.

I spent so long in the kitchen today. I've been nowhere.

NSD: 3/21

My bank balance, that is. It's really bad. Payday is on Friday so it'll be better then.

We ran out of bread so I bought a few essential items today to last: eggs, pack of rolls, yogurt and fruit.

Now spending is:
Groceries:8.44
Transport:9.40
Kids:3.50

NSD:2/31

Hmm,more on transport than food. Interesting.

I was working today. I bought a few groceries afterwards. Spending is as follows:

Groceries:2.94
Kids: 3.50
Transport: 4.70

No Spend Days: 2/31

For a change today, when I finished work, I didn't buy an energy drink or chocolate. I usually buy this most days.

Yesterday I ordered shopping online from Tesco. I found the cheapest delivery slot (2.00 next Tuesday). Came up with a meal plan for next week too (I'm roughly copying from a meal plan I found online from another blogger: thrifty Lesley)

Had a quick look at how much dried pinto beans cost. It was easy enough, there's only one brand. I'll be trying Ceejay's recipe at some point.

Yesterday went well. Although, I have leftover steak pie and potatoes because I made too much. We'll have them today.

I'm going to make some rice and beans today. I've never made it before. It can be lunches during the week after work. I found some recipes that I might try:

http://www.thekitchn.com/budget-but-not-boring-8-fresh-ways-to-eat-beans-rice-for-dinner-201467

I'm also going to make some soda bread. I found a packet mix in the cupboard. Again, I've never made it before.

We're out of porridge and onions now. I'll need to replace these because I use them in so much.

Not much else to report. I'm not going anywhere near a shop today.

I only got the daily email from Mrs Frugalwoods half an hour or so ago. Never mind, I'm still attempting the challenge.

Today has been a NSD. I've making lentil soup later today, and a steak pie for dinner later. The soup should do us a few lunches.

I found some quinoa in the cupboard that I forgot I had, so I'll need to remember and use that. I'm basically trying to use what we have in the cupboards.

I need to decide on the rest of the meal plan for this week.

Happy new year everyone!

I just found out about this yesterday from Debt-free-by-33, so, unlike her, I haven't really had time to prep but I'll be giving it my best shot.

I've got a couple of challenges, namely a joint kids birthday party so I'll need to get a gift, eating out (spent 99.xx this month although that does include treating my mum on Christmas Eve and eating out in Edinburgh when we were there) and I desperately need to buy a washing machine filter.

Other than that, I'm going to do my best to have an Uber Frugal Month

I need to make these more specific, but right now, I'm thinking:

1. Payoff BOTH catalogues (1303.50) - I'll be ECSTATIC!! even though they're not in my name

2. Continue to pay credit cards and get another balance transfer

3. Save up for a holiday

4.Cash only Christmas (and birthdays too)

Also, work out how to kit us all out for two weddings next year. And buy J his first bed.

I can't believe it's nearly the end of the year! I still have presents to wrap!

Things have been busy here. We took the kids to Edinburgh's Christmas last week. We impulsively went on the ferris wheel. Hubby wanted to since he'd never been on it before - me either, actually. I saved 20% off the ticket price thanks to showing some ID. Next year, I'm booking the rides in advance.

I spent a lot on food. In the end, the kids were exhausted so we never went to see Santa. However, I had seen him the day before we went (didn't go well - lots of tears) and he is visiting SG's nursery tomorrow.

I baked brownies to give to SG's nursery staff. I handed them in today.

My mum's dog was put to sleep last week. I wish I had seen him recently,but it has been a few months. She had to borrow money from her friend to pay for it.

In other sad news, I found out that one of my neighbours died. I'd heard that he had cancer. I seen his wife shopping herself, but I wasn't sure if anything had happened, and it's not the sort of thing you can just bring up. Anyway, it was confirmed that he died a few weeks ago. I'm going to post through a Thinking of You card. Originally, they were getting a Christmas card but I can't send *both*

I better head to bed soon. That's all for now.

It's been over a month now, I think, that I've been withdrawing cash for shopping. I think it's working out.

Speaking of cash ruling, it's my answer to everything when hubby suggests we need something. "We need to save up for it"

My phone has gone AWOL. It's been a week. I know I lost it at home but I can't find it anywhere. I'm ready to give up.

Told hubby I want to be done with one of the catalogues by this time next year - really I meant halfway through the year, ideally both will be gone by December 2017 - so I can focus on my credit card debt. Both 0% offers end next year.

Trying to get everything organised for Christmas just now:

-asked hubby what he wanted for a starter (prawn cocktail) so I bought in a bag of frozen prawns with my shopping
-want to take the kids to see Santa this year since we didn't last year, and we want to go to Edinburgh's Christmas market. We're just going to combine the trip and take them to see Santa in Edinburgh
-used the high street vouchers my mum gave me in return for me buying SG's present from her. Was 2.16 out of pocket for 52.16 worth of food
-have to start wrapping soon. I only had to buy in a few rolls of wrapping paper.
-haven't bought Christmas crackers yet - I'm wondering if we'll miss them?
-arranged an uplift to get rid of some unwanted items before Christmas. It's getting picked up on Thursday.

I think that's all.

Don't think I'll be sleeping anytime soon, so thought I'd quickly update.

Things are going well, I think. A few weeks ago I ordered SG's Christmas present from my mum and she gave me the equivalent in high street vouchers. I'll be using them for food shopping next week probably.

I'd say my Christmas shopping is basically done- just need to sort out a picture gift for my mum.

I'll be baking gifts for SG's teachers this year. I just need to order some bags.

Hubby is going to take SG to the cinema at some point, she's not been yet. They'll probably go to a matinee I think once we down the day.

I'm well into the habit of using cash for shopping. I had a few days of feeling under the weather when I didn't update my budgeting app, but it wasn't hard to catch up. Especially since I finally cleared out my purse and put the old receipts in the shredding pile.

Got our warm home discount of 140.00. It's in the electricity meter just now. I'm hoping it'll really help our budget. It's already good not having to worry about it.

Hope you guys are having a great Thanksgiving!

I'm pretty thankful for SA. I'm so glad I started this blog so long ago.

I'm way behind updating my sidebar, so I did that now. It's nice to see the figures going down.

I'm doing quite good tracking spending. Well, at least I have been for the past few days. Today's spending should only be a pound for SG's nursery for Children in Need. I also need to hand in the form for nursery photos. That's 17.00.

Have a good day everyone!

Today is payday. I need to figure out how much I actually spend each week on variable expenses. I'm still sticking with cash - except for my Tesco order, which comes on Monday.

I only have 37gbp left to pay on the last bnpl item from the catalogue.

I dont think we're going to visit my friend in Feb, it's looking expensive.

I'm basically done Christmas shopping - just need SG to pick something. She picked a toy for my mum to get her today. I also need to get my mum something, so I'm not really done, but I'm not stressing.

I need to buy a filter for the washing machine and a phone charger this pay. I've been putting off buying the filter.