Back to full time work from tomorrow!!!

Ok I start my new temporary maybe permanent job tomorrow - I look forward to it!!! Today was horrible - rain and dull and cold till late afternoon. We spent the day inside - still tired from the weekends adventures - Weeny girl had an afternoon snooze as did I - we ventured forth at half four! Forgot about the bank and didn't get to town until after bank closing time so will have to try and fit  that one in again - oops. Also forgot the library books but did manage to take the glass to the bottle bank and  vacuum out the car as well as take Biggles stuff to the alterations place. Other than that accomplished zilch - no frantic cleaning of the house no ironing and cannot be bothered to start now - We did watch Harry Potter  2 from the sofa and have a leisurely lunch and the obligatory lie in this morning particularly so as the weather was pants pants pants!!!

Lunch was baked potatoes with cucumber, tomatoes, grated carrot and cheese coleslaw ( home made)  for me and plain cheese for weeny girl.  I have left over colesaw for to tomorrows lunch. Tea was lentil soup and homemade bread- Weeny girl got her 3-£1 sweets from the pound shop earlier so twix it was for pudding for her!The other evils are in the cupboard for another day (smarties and frutellas I think).


We will take  the Easter crafts to Mother Biggles house to do on Saturday. Hopefully the weather will be nice and we will be able to play outside in the garden. I do need to purchase Weeny girl some cheap summer sandals! I go for cheap - around £7 I think I paid last year as they only have to last the season! I do not buy Clarke's sandals just shoes- so we may fit in a small shopping trip in Sheffield.  I have an Easter bonnet for her to decorate and also some eggs - plastic ones.

Will be early to bed tonight and will not forget to charge my phone or set my alarm . Weeny girl needs to be at nursery for 8am sharp to enable me to get to work for 9am. I should make it with plenty time to spare. Its a trial run kind of although have travelled this way many a time before.

Pink Cowboy boots and an over payment but not in a good way !!!

Good news or bad news first....??? hmmm
Ok when I was signing on they over paid me by £420. Boo - I have it and can pay it. Such is life- No arguing with HMRC/ benefits agency. Just puts debt plan back a bit.

As regards money I need to contact tax credits on April 1st ( fools day and contacting HMRC.... This has to be funny) change details for job, update claim to to be judged on what I am earning this year and take account of change in wages,hours and child care. Will wait with baited breath as per the outcome!!!

Have put notice in at work and start new job in a fortnight!!! Eeek back to full time!!!! but maybe in time If I do not go to uni I can wrangle 30 hours a week or term time only with a bit extra in order to do the job properly.

On a lighter note..........

Perusing the Whitley bay charity shops supposedly only for a look I came across my stockpiling kiddies clothes bargains - not breaching the £2.00 rule and all for 4-5yr olds (- I collect a year in advance)

Shirt dresses  for £1.25 each ( x2 ) one 'ecru/stone whatever' and one a wine purple colour, a funky M&S top for 50p and a brand new never been worn purple and lighter purple style dress for 50p. The best bargain of all were Dusky pink cowboy boots - brand new never been worn perfect size 8 for £1.00.

Dresses - Primarni - I wouldn't pay full price for Primarni, Funky Top M&S, Other Dress unknown!

She loves them to bits. I wouldn't ever have considered purchasing these full price as they are incredibly impractical and a silly design and colour for children's shoes but for £1.00!!!!!!! And she so does enjoy dressing up!!!  Mummy got a ring to make up for the stress of the repayment issue.

Dusky pink suede type cowboy boots!!! My ring - just plastic  and cheap tin but I like the chunky green /black swirly bits!

  Watching Scooby Doo!

Well even the RSPCA Charity shop is catching onto the vintage thing - More miserable children seen - a set of four at £4 each!  Not likely!!!  So not just fashion but home wares too are victim to the Charity shop book. Vix I do believe you will have a veritable miserable children antique collection in a few years- highly sort after and worth much more! 

XXX

I cannot help myself..........tales of a waistcoat, jelly mould and barbie!

Have managed  one of the things on my list so far! But did nip out after dropping off the Weeny Roo with her 'other family' to help a chum with an application form! On the way back drove through Morpeth and told myself would only call in at the charity shops for a perusal  if I could find an easy peasy high street parking spot!!  not easy in Morpeth High Street on a Saturday. I Kind of did just as I was on my out of the main shopping drag opposite the Relate shop!!! Now I can walk away from most goodies but not a waistcoat - Black fitted, plain (- not the leather or special variety but a cheap one in good nick from the high street), a small jelly mould - just enough for 2.3! and a winter coat for 2.99 for Roo aged 4-5!! Full length, very pink made by........ barbie  - boooo (Am not a fan of the out of proportion plastic moulded thing with a waist the same width as her neck!)  Couldn't turn it down though -  in too good  condition! It has barbie written on the back and on the front. I have a cunning plan however to tart it up ( as if it needs tarting up with that name on the back!)  Daisy, flower and other style girly  patches!!!!  I have a goodly while to find said customising items at a reasonable price - very very cheap other wise could have bought a coat from primarni new!!! And if I don't it will be fine for playing and daycare and getting grubby!!!!

Waistcoat - 3.49. Cheaper than the ones I saw on ebay with postage which were nonetheless equally plain and black and nowt to shout about. Dinky knobbly jelly mould 1.49 and coast 2.99!!!  Put away for next year.

Have managed one of the work tasks, have a few more to do - OK 2 items to put onto a database online and then an article to read and make notes on and a skeleton job application to draft! (I have a hand written application to complete! Boooo much prefer online.) 


My left leg is missing, my heart beats slower with a dull thud- I miss her lots. She didn't want to leave me this morning and has been saying that she does not like her dad's girlfriends son. He is about 7, her half sister is also there and is 7 as well. She has an older cousin 9ish who often goes over as well. The entire crew were there today which is nice in a way but they are older than her and I think they get a bit tired of the small one spoiling their grown up games. I know that the kids will be left to amuse themselves while the adults do adult stuff- watch telly and smoke fags. I hope she is OK. Time will tell. She comes back tomorrow at 5pm. Sigh
I know he was going out to work and leaving her with the entire crew of kids and his girlfriend. He  was outside with his work van and in work clothes. Shame - he only sees her every other weekend for approx 30 hours and she spends 12 of them asleep ( OK closer to ten as she sleeps light)


OK I look for excuses not to work!!!!!!!!! Biggles back tomorrow afternoon. Mother Biggles liked her birthday pressie from us and from Roo and the cards. All good. Now I really really must get on!!!

Todays fun..........

Was unable to make the phone calls due to that other thing called work getting in the way. OK  day however- have cleared the family loan with the relevant people so good good!!! Putting the super frugal plan into action asap after Easter. Easter will be an expense. I am going to the old country  (Scotland) to  collect my dear ole Mum from the airport avec big sister and take her to her new home - care home- she has advancing dementia/Alzheimer's. I will then spend a few days making sure she is settled. I have chosen Ayr as I really do not know how long I am going to be here and I would not want to move her again. She is from Ayr and other relatives will be able to visit her. I am just not sure how often I will be able to visit. Train may be cheaper mid week - leave on Monday night after work or Tuesday morning and come back Wednesday - will have to investigate . Weeny girl Roo will be joining me. These things always cost extra money - coffee, food stops  etc etc but cannot be avoided.  Not part of the financial plan and def not one the folks from CAP had budgetted for. Am looking forward to seeing mum interact with Roo - last time she responded very well to her and was smiley and happy. It will break my heart having to leave her so far away with strangers and not her familiar carers and in a new routine but its got to be done.

The  rest of today....... no charity window shopping just a quick trip to Morrison's for essentials!!

Look at my food booty!!! For only £10!! approx  Essential lasagna sheets  x4 - 23p each,  fruit and veg essentials - onions, carrots, broccoli, apples, pears, apple juice, 56p,  milk , yoghurts 44p, butter for baking, 55p, lower fat spread on special offer 62p!! Yorkshires - as I am pants at making them, I think they were a pound and last for three meals for 2.3 of us!! Bargain of the day -five jars of curry sauce 9p yes that's a whole 9p each!!!  45p Enough for five curry meals for two and a bit if needed or one and some for the freezer. We tried some this evening with some chunky homemade in their skins  oven chips and naan -Its  much like 70's school curry but spicier with a few raisins - fry up some chook and onions and its not half bad. (Curry powder would only last for 5/6 meals and cost more. Think it was about 80p  last time - Makway mild curry powder - bright yellow stuff) This way I also get jars for jam making!!! Large ones!!!

I will have to call in at Lidl next week for bread flour ( its only 69p)  light mayonaise and Salad stuffs but that's about it really. Apart from fresh produce should be an easy one on the budget for a while.  I always figure that if I want a proper Balti I will go out to a restaurant or takeaway - last one was new years eve with Biggles ( My birthday) and it was great, oh and a takeaway with Mother Biggles!!!! Who was  a big Goa fan  for many years but has now moved on to Kenya!

I don't have my camera software yet I uploaded photos to fb from my mobile then downloaded them to the lap top and uploaded to blogger from there!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't really do anything for comic relief - Weeny girl had to do something funny for nursery. We went for the Mr Tumble look - Those with kids and a TV will know Mr Tumble!!! Here she is in her glory: We had lots of random sticky out plaits which she is sleeping in so she gets frizzy hair tomorrow!She was very impressed with her look and couln't wait to show off!!

I also had some pics on my phone of childrens clothes finds which I will add too!!!

 99p Marks and Spencers floaty blue dress!!!
Has bed head hair in this pic - but she wanted to put it on!!! Good sign she likes it!!

 For age 4-5 - nothing over £2 mostly below as I recall - love the flowers and the colour of the cardighan!
A sweatshirt is missing from the haul!

I just like this one - looking out to sea!!! Can't wait for summer!

This year I have a promise that Biggles will spend it with me regardless of the military type things in Libya. Last year he was away  in the land of red dust  and long haired dogs doing war things. I made him promise over his curry that no more this year and no volunteering till ...well October when he is due to be posted anyway!!! He would volunteer for it  eagerly despite doing his over seas bit last year so no expectation on him to do so. Promised me no volunteering!!!!  Like he says its what he signed up for and its his job and he does it well......just give me summer then go answer your call xx

CAP = Highly recommended!

What a lovely organisation. Really understanding and very supportive. Technically I am not behind with payments at all but the savings are significantly depleted and I am not earning enough to deal with emergencies as they present and require savings.  CAP  ( Christians against Poverty) people were brilliant and will negotiate with my creditors (3 of them) on my behalf. I pay CAP and  CAP pays them. I agree to not take out anymore debt and only deal with CAP ( this is not an issue- really its not). Am still sour about things generally -  having to do this and not have choice in my life and that being debt free will take longer than I had hoped ( unless the house sells) but at least its manageable. takes the fun out of  thrifting a bit - as I always went for preloved and new to me on point of principle and green leanings. Will  keep you posted re the progress with CAP. Have a new bank account to open next week - they got the time mixed up today so only got bits of it complete.

Biggles paid for coffee and cake ( nice chap that he is) and Gorgeous one had an accident. I had to buy trousers from Oxfam £2 and socks and pants - not from Oxfam but M and Co which came to £9!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Should have made her put up with being commando and barefoot  in shoes but we had a while to go before home and she would have created big stylee!!! I will put the socks away for next year. No pants a larger size either only smaller or far too big so that was a bit of a waste too. Oh well and she is normally so very very good! And its one of the only high street kids shops in the town!!! ( Sainsbury's, a very posh shop, and a local one with outlets in the wider area - mostly school outfitters but not that much cheaper and closed half day on a Wednesdays!!) I really miss Woolworth's in cases like this! living in a small town this is a draw back not having cheap high street shops at your disposal in cases like this.

Quick tea this evening - oven chips ( they have to be used up and chicken/fish fingers/ beans etc. I may have egg as I am a fan of the family Friday classic of yesteryear! )


Saw a  fabulous blue Edinay Ronay short mac style jacket on sale for £20 in Oxfam - was really tempted and got as far as trying it on - was a bit too tight so I am really really glad!!!!! After yesterdays find I am unable to justify further  expenditure and it was rather lovely............ and another Paul Smith skirt that I refused to pay £15 for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gorgeous Day earlier - bit cold after 1pmish.. can't wait for warm spring days heralding summer!!!

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!

Frugal living!

I have always enjoyed the challenge of being thrifty. I save everything. Food - I hate waste.  Left over veg - into soup. Fruit - frozen to be used in smoothies, pies, sauces, cakes.  I recycle t shirts - They become dusters and cloths. Other items of clothing recycled to charity shops or the fabulous enviro clothes who pay you for the weight of your items. From 11 bags of clothes (bin bags half full) I made £16.  Every penny counts these days so off it went to lessen the debt. (The debt - yes I once had a plan with the end in sight  now it is a distant dream, a tiny whoo ville like speck on the horizon. but keep chipping away I will. )

I free cycle, car boot, charity shop, scan sale rails for bargains and this includes the sale rail at primark! (Don't like to pay full price for their chat).  Focus on frugality  - where shall I start!

Kids clothes - I love hand me downs - who doesn't. Children play, Children get grubby, Play can be grubby.Clothes get grubby. Children grow alot faster than there clothes. Its really quite simple.  The gorgeous one wears Next, has a Little Rocha coat, pumpkin patch and other silly labels. She looks ace. She has play clothes and going out clothes. One thing I do fork out for is shoes - Clarks. I do not begrudge the £30 they cost however they can be sourced form Brantano and ebay for much cheaper once the feet have been professionally measured. The only problem is the upset child who is expecting new shoes! Once the season has got warmer I will cut off the arms of sweatshirts to make t shirts - a simple hem using a sewing machine- takes all of two mins. Hey presto more wear out of an item that would have been destined for the recycling journey (profit making or for charity or the ;duster drawer) or has horribly stained cuffs!

Na na na na na - My carbon foot prints less than yours!

I would do this even if loaded for sheer self righteousness! Being skint - its a bit less virtuous but hey h

Na na na na na My carbon foot prints less than yours!!!! lol

I also buy in advance. At the moment I am working on the 4-5 yr old wardrobe. I buy from sale rails  for a year in advance so the seasons don't really matter. I have a £2 rule for t shirts, long sleeve shirts, leggins etc Jeans, dresses and Coats obviously more. Today's bargains were long sleeved shirts for 75p - I bought 2. Woolen white polo neck 1.50. Woolen thick legging - pinkish colour £2 and a pink sweat shirt  with butterfly pattern also for £2.  All new all from Asda - £7 total.  Bargain!!! Not preloved and not as eco friendly but its not very often  we go new.

Cheers - speak soon
Love
Eeeek (as it eeking it out)