Saturday good stuffs!



Bamburgh Castle 

Busy busy! We headed out to look for princesses at Bamburgh Castle then hit the beach for a picnic, a plodge and sandcastles! Despite wearing her fairy princess dress the weeny girl was mad keen on a sword!!! She looked ace prancing about as a warrior type princess. Got a bit scared in the dungeon - it has dummy people being tortured - I said they were wicked witches and trolls so she got over it and swung her sword in defiance!!!  She also lusted after a princess figurine. I asked if she wanted  a prince to go with it but she plumbed for a dragon! That's my girl - own sword and no need for a prince! I indulged despite my frugal leanings this month! The beach was a bit windy but we got changed and wrapped up  and so armed with picnic blanket, bucket and rake (couldn't find the spade) and picnic off we trotted or rather climbed up and over sand dunes playing ''We're going on a bear hunt!''. We munched then indulged in sand drawing, sandcastles and race the waves! She was brill on the way back over the sand dunes carrying the bag with the  bucket and rake in! Popped up to the village ( Bamburgh)  to check out the Grace Darling Museum - local heroine who made a daring sea rescue back in 1838 in only a rowing boat. Popped to St Aidens church - which is set on the spot where St Aiden died and is very old and lit a candle for the dearly departed and said prayers! She was very respectful in the church and I was most pleased. Also indulged in ice cream- tut tut tut

Waiting on Biggles return from getting new tyres for his bike  before starting  the barbecue- that's if the neighbours take their sodding washing in soon- been out since this morning before we left.  I even washed the car and found my glasses!!! SO have spent more than I planned as well as charcoal as I was out . The bag should do for summer however. Burgers, sausages, salad and buns for tea!

We are off to visit Mother Biggles next weekend. this interrupts weeny girls visit with her other family but hey ho such is life she would only be sent out into the concreted garden to play at her gruesome grannies house. Easter my family return from overseas so that's out to. Next time will be  the weekend of the Royal wedding. Biggles is working that weekend so I really do not care if she goes or not. I start full time work again from Tuesday so time I have with her is precious. The SD is not that bothered re access so I shall not be either.

Will post pics when I have facebooked them lol.

Cragside House tomorrow and the Alnwick Museum then messy church to make Easter bonnets.  Oh and yes fuel costs - but its free weekend and it would have cost £8.50 for the castle and £6.00 for Grace Darling or there about and Cragside is about the same. She loves it and is worth it!!! And also very tired.....  great!

Biggles bringing Beer!!!!! yay Biggles!!!

 

Sand Drawings!!

A new really useful frugalling site!

A new really useful frugalling site!!!
Chose the option to find alternative tel numbers to the 0870, 0845 numbers that you cannot ring from your mobile without being charged for them - IE they won't come out of your minute allowance.I am assuming this would also be useful for landlines that have free calls and only charge for certain tel numbers!!


http://www.saynoto0870.com/

Some frugal finds and some financial meanderings...

Ok couldn't resist! More clothes for the future - for the weeny beautiful one who has been unceremoniously put to bed due to bad behaviour. 99p for a dress!  Blue, floaty, embroidered bits also in blue - size 3yrs.
I actually spent 9.42 or something like that - She who shall not be named snuck in a cuddly puppy thing as well  which I thought was 99p but was actually a Ty baby thing and was £1.99 !!!!!!!!!!!!!however I didn't go over my two pound rule per item! two sweat shirts, one long cardigan, one fleecey jumper, one t shirt, one dress and a top for me! Cheapest was 59p most expensive 1.99. All to be put away (bar the dress) for next years play clothes ( ages 4-5).   We indulged in lunch out as well - Ok a large plate of chips, one juice, one coffee and a parking fee - all in all £5.20!!!! OMG OMG She enjoyed it however and felt very grown up.  And it was payday! Won't be happening again for a while!

We had jobs to do - financial ones - made an appointment to open a new bank account, gave in docs for council tax benefit, got CAB number - couldn't make appointment as was too late, emptied car of old wooden bits  that used to be a chest of drawers at the dump. ( Falling to pieces and nothing could be done with them) Good news on the council tax benefit - should be entitled to something taking my payments down next year to £45 per month. Am not relying on this till it happens and I hand in next months pay slip.   That could potentially be another £20 !!! To share between savings, creditors and car............ lol

Am waiting on electric company getting back to me re some readings - I like to monitor usage and make sure I am on track. Not a bad day - reasonably productive, also made enough shep pie for 2.3 people ( she is the .3) and enough for the freezer for 1.3 people.


I have a whole list of jobs for tomorrow as well! Joy of Joys! Then back to the horrid job on Thursday and Friday! 


Speak soonish! Keep penny pinching! Financial freedom is on the horizon .............its just that I keep walking backwards!

Shopping, court and other stories!

Monday comes around again all too quickly! I only work three days at present. I am applying for full time jobs. Not necessarily better paid jobs will consider those that are of a lesser hourly rate than what I am on now  ( and much lower than what I was on BD) however for five days more than three in totals - Am I making sense???? I don't think I could cope with full time doing this particular job - its vacuous.
I do my job because I have to - much of it bore me senseless - I like the people/agencies I work with but not the target driven crap I have to do. Today I was in court as a witness - only  magistrates but nonetheless not pleasant. I felt pity for the defendant - he clearly has mental health problems and I hope he gets the help he needs. I also felt really crap giving evidence against him - yes he was wrong but given his issues and mental health I felt guilty. Well tis done now - don't know what the outcome was. I just hope I never have to give evidence in those circumstances again.


Afterwards I treated my self and went for a look around the posh Oxfam in Jesmond aft- just looking as the prices are  high  ( jesmond for those not in the know is a very nice inner type trendy burb area of Newcastle) and I really do not need anything nor can I justify it. Quite a few designer names in Jesmond Oxfam. It was pretty much on my way to the office so was justified. Charity shop window shopping!!!  Its an indulgence just looking at the pretty sparkly things!!!
Didn't go over budget on the shopping either however did pay for parking £1, a cup of tea  £1.20and a 5litre bottle of oil so that came to  12.20 or just under. Sigh..... always something.

Shopping - Tried out home bargains  - a cheapie shop I do not get to inudulge in as its not local and  got cheap cat food - 99p per box (2) Sugar 69p, PG Tips tea bags 400 for 3.99 so 1p a cup!!! (I drink far too much tea and coffee to buy own brand - I need a small indulgence!!!!) High lights 99p, frying spray oil 99p and four choc bars for a £1.

Then off to Lidl - Forgot yeast for breadmaking and icing sugar but neither are essential this week. All in all  have stocked up and only spent  25.55 + 9.54 =    35.09  That's is for the week - ok maybe some yeast and milk but that should be it. I have more than enough food in the house to last and to make some rather scummy meals with. Need to start meal planning properly at some point but I think 1£60 per month is pretty good going all in for everything household you can think of.  - will maybe see if I can do £30 a week! £40 off the debt at the end of the month!! Or going towards the new second hand car........... First things first - I am monitoring spending on food and other such items all in my handy fugal notebook!

I also bought seeds! to grow ones own - out with the nancy flowers in with the vegetables!!!! I have pots to grow stuff in as I have a cat turd issue in the flower beds! Nuff said will keep the further adventures in gardening for the spring.

PS - have been in bed since before 8pm - house in darkness bar telly, PC and one lamp - only one night storage heater turned down to half way. Conserve tconserve conserve.