Pulling in our horns!!

[kit-e-kate]

Here's my small and simple tip (I've been doing this ever since i started doing freelance work, and it works really well for me);
Use a piggy bank (a proper one that you don't have to break to get money out of!) to save up "treat money".

Anytime you seem to have a purse full of small change, make yourself up a 'float' to leave in there (eg 4 x £1 coins, 1 x 50p, 2 x 20p, 1 x 10p, 1 x 5p, 2 x 2p, 1 x 1p = £5) and put ALL of the excess change in to your banky.
Its also a good idea to put any gift money, the odd coin you find on the street or down the back of the sofa, or any other small amount of money you are given (maybe someone pays you back that fiver you'd forgotten about... ) into your bank.

Its basically a case of getting into a routine of putting any money you weren't particularly expecting to have into one place rather than just losing track of it!

Now, sooner than you think you'll have enough money in there for a little treat (maybe a few pints down the local, a take-away, or a sale bargain you can't resist!)and your spending will be totally guilt free 'cause you've budgeted for it using your specially saved up treat money!

Another plus is that being aware of the exact amount of cash in your purse will make your everyday spending more manageable.

Ok, it won't make up for your £600 deficit, but it will make the really hard times a bit easier!
HTH
Kate : )

[thesunflowergal]

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND IDEAS

There were some ideas that I had not thought of, I have been busy putting them into practise.
-I have written a monthly meal planner and a shopping list, we are off to the cash and carry and sinsburps on Sunday.
-I bought a load of reduced meat in another shop, thats now in portion packs in my freezer. We where buying from a local farmer, but sadly thats no longer in the budget.
-I have spoken with my Mother and banned her from buying my kids any more cuddle toys , and have asked her to buy them clothes (when they need them)
-Car boot sale is planned for next Sunday, plus baby/childrens bits are going to the NCT sale.

I still have more that I am going to use, so thanks again everyone xx

[liskeardjane]

See my blog and also google 'life after money' for Mean Queen's blog - we have no spare income after paying bills, debts, car payment etc and it's going to be hard until 2012! when half our debts will be paid off - I don't have growing children (just money sucking almost grown up ones) and things like shoes, school uniforms and a good coat might need buying new but everything else can be bought second hand, ebay, car boot, NCT - you can make do with second hand too with the addition of the odd new thing to snazz things up. I buy my make up from Aldi, clothes for work from ebay, only heat one main room (you could do that where the kids play) and have the rads on the second to minimum setting for bedrooms, hall way bathrooms, shower don't bath, bath the kids every other day all in the same water, flannel them down the rest of the time. Use reusable nappies, dry everything on the line or clothes horse indoors, get several of those. shop in poundland for baby stuff, powder etc. Get a water meter - only wash clothes when they smell. Don't eat out, don't buy papers - make the basic list of what you need and not what you want - this is temporary!!!!!! your kids will grow, you will work more when they're older and you'll need less childcare when they go to school, the economy goes up and down too - take it a day at a time - spend the time you can't go out spending with your lovely kids and treasure the time because that's free!

[thesunflowergal]

Just re-reading this thread to see if there are any more ideas that I can use. I got slightly confused with my dates and everything kicks in this month. But the good news was that we did manage to save some money in the mean time.
Thanks again everyone.

[Martina]

Hi Sunflowergal,

I have been keeping an eye on this thread. I had nothing to contribute because everyone else had such really good ideas, but I felt really bad for your situation. I am glad the first month has come and gone, and you made it through o.k. Keep up the good work! I know it must not be easy.

Martina

[Thomzo]

Don't forget to sell any spare eggs you get. Funny how those odd £1 coins mount up.

Zoe

[thesunflowergal]

I would but hubby keeps giving them to his parents, and not ones that are spare either. I was planning to give everyone boiled eggs tomorrow for breakfast, they would have been the first from our own chooks. Thats 7 in a week, we only get 2/3 a day. So he has gone to T****o to buy some . Can anyone tell that I am slightly cross

[Green Aura]

Don't worry, honey. He'll work it out in the end In the meantime

[Milims]

I've been re-reading this thread - it's amazing how many simple suggesting can make a really big difference - well done you guys! And thank you for sharing all your good advice - that's what's so good about this site! I've recently started a new job which brings in lots more money than we're used to - but you know what? ISHYness still has us in it's grip! I've befriended the butcher in the shop next to my office - he saves the plastic tubs that the coleslaw comes in for me. They hold enough stew/soup/curry etc for a dinner for 4 of us - easy evening meals, all made on a Sunday and thrown into the freezer. That's ready meals ISHY style! lol!

[JulieSherris]

Aaahhh.... so THAT was why you were cross! And I don't blame you, either!!

From now on, ban him from messing with the eggs - tell him that you are planning on making quiches, or yorkshire puds for the freezer, anything, just keep his mitts off!!

I sent some eggs over to my daughter last week - it's not a cheap thing to do, but she was totally skint & worried about what to feed the boyfriends kids at the weekend - so wrapped in bubble wrap & snuggled inside an ironing board cover that's too small for my board, then into a makeshift box..... there sat 12 duck eggs & 24 hen eggs - and not one broke!
So they had an omelette/boiled egg/quiche weekend & as I pointed out, she now had a nice shiny new cover for the ironing board..... 'but I haven't got an ironing board' says she....

[Millymollymandy]

I wish I could give my excess eggs to all you lovely Ishers. I have a fridge full of duck and hen eggs and nobody to give or sell them to!

[Green Aura]

Pickled eggs, mmmmmmm...........

Julie, what's an ironing board? I have vague memories of one in Manchester

[JulieSherris]

Pickled eggs, mmmmmmm...........

Julie, what's an ironing board? I have vague memories of one in Manchester

Obviously it's not something I use a lot either - the 'new' cover was one I bought back in Blackpool & I still haven't got one that fits my board.... even though there's nothing wrong with mine, it's just that it's boring grey.....
In fact, it must be 11 years old now & the cover still looks good as new!

[Thomzo]

Julie, what's an ironing board? I have vague memories of one in Manchester

GA, it's a very valuable tool for use in patchwork, dressmaking and embroidery. I have a vague feeling that you can do something with clothes as well, but can't remember what.

Mine gets used regularly, as a handy spare table in the living room or a cat's climbing frame. It's just the right height as a table if you need to stand and do something.

Zoe

[MuddyWitch]

I just noticed mine's got cob webs attatching it to the wall

And I haven't seen the iron since before xmas....

MW