Tuesday, 13 April 2010

BEING A BIT MORE FRUGAL

money is becoming a bit tight in our house. we are in a period of transition - we are hoping to move into a bigger house - maybe even a new area - before the end of the year, and we need to save some pennies ready for all the bills that entails :) i love my house, but the garden isnt very big, and the childrens room arent really big enough for them to share. in short, we have too much stuff (yes i'm as guilty as the children what with all my craft supplies and general hoarding) and not enough space!
so the first thing i'm doing to save us money is reducing the shopping bill. not to such standards as scrimping on healthy eating as i have 3 small children after all - one with a diary allergy, so some things even though expensive will have to stay. but after checking my freezer out, i have drafted a meal planner for the next three weeks using mainly the food i already have. this means i shall only need to spend about £25 a week on bread, milk, fruit and veg, cheese and juice - the things we go through a huge amount of. i'm still looking at ways of cutting the £25 a week down further (i have been spending around £60 a week normally so it is already a vast reduction) so if anyone has any ideas they would be gratefully received!
i am also potty training the youngest. he is three next month, and we have had several attempts at potty training already - he just doesnt seem to get the hang of it - but i spend a good £8 a week just on nappies and wipes, so now i'm carrying 3 lots of clothes with me wherever i go lol and hopefully if he realises the nappies are gone except for bedtime, it will make something click in him!
on a more crafty note, this is what i have been crocheting the last month or so. i'm quite pleased with it - i just needed something easy to have a go at, and this can nicely hold my balls of wool for me.

1 comments:

A girl in her shed... said...

It sounds like you have a good plan in place there Annie and I'm sure it will help knowing that you are working towards a goal for you and your family. It's amazing how much money you can save by just not buying the everyday bits and bobs (or the crafty splurges that I for one am very guilty of though I continue to try and stop myself).

I think you are right in hoping that something will click with the potty training.

How lovely your crochet wool bag looks. Good luck with your saving - let us know how your more watchful ways are working out.

I was reading a money saving blogpost the other day off a credit expert and he said the best advice was 'to stop spending' lol. Sounds obvious but it's right I suppose.

Another book I have says rather than impulse buying, carry a notebook with you - if you see something that you think you really want, rather than buying it, write it on the list and review it 30 days later - after the 30 days you may find it's not so important to buy it. This one sounds like a good one for my children in particular as they often want things one minute and have forgotten about them a day or two later.

If you come up with any great tips I'd love to hear them ;0)

good luck
Shell

oh - I've posted a batch of bras off to you today xx