Saturday, 12 March 2011
My Maths!!
I must have done a bit of a calculator typo on my blog explaining how much I had saved because it should have added up to saving £480 not £380. Anyway, have corrected now and also remembered another £20 saved so a lovely round figure of £500 a month.
Pregnancy and family life do not always mix
After hobbling around yesterday and taking my first day off in this pregnancy, I am feeling more mobile today - thank goodness. Not sure what I did but yesterday my back and pelvis was agony and only relieved by lying on my side on the sofa. This morning, I am able to move around a little quicker, which is just as well as I have four children here and no husband (as he is at work).
I also need to be able to drive today as have three children who have to be in the same place at different times - why couldn't they have arranged it with their friends a little better?! So a fun afternoon driving around, dropping off children and picking them up again. And this is my weekend. Um, no. This is why I only work four days a week to give me that one day a week that is mine (and Hannah's) and not constricted by my older children's social lives.
Today, I suppose I also ought to do some housework as lying on the sofa for a day meant that no washing up, hovering or tidying was done. If I can do the housework and baking before the running around this afternoon, I may have the evening to do my school work though. Then I can have Sunday off! Well, as off as a day is with four children to look after.
I am not complaining - after all, I would be bored if I wasn't busy - but every now and again, I wouldn't mind a housework or taxi fairy to help out so I could do something for me. Then again, I am not sure what I would for me if I did have the time. In the meantime, I am just trying to get my head around the fact that I will have another baby in ten weeks (give or take a few days either side). I still don't think it has sunk in yet and ten weeks isn't that long to go really. Will fit in sorting things out for our new arrival at Easter.
Right, well off now to tidy up, do the washing up and get a cake in the oven.
I also need to be able to drive today as have three children who have to be in the same place at different times - why couldn't they have arranged it with their friends a little better?! So a fun afternoon driving around, dropping off children and picking them up again. And this is my weekend. Um, no. This is why I only work four days a week to give me that one day a week that is mine (and Hannah's) and not constricted by my older children's social lives.
Today, I suppose I also ought to do some housework as lying on the sofa for a day meant that no washing up, hovering or tidying was done. If I can do the housework and baking before the running around this afternoon, I may have the evening to do my school work though. Then I can have Sunday off! Well, as off as a day is with four children to look after.
I am not complaining - after all, I would be bored if I wasn't busy - but every now and again, I wouldn't mind a housework or taxi fairy to help out so I could do something for me. Then again, I am not sure what I would for me if I did have the time. In the meantime, I am just trying to get my head around the fact that I will have another baby in ten weeks (give or take a few days either side). I still don't think it has sunk in yet and ten weeks isn't that long to go really. Will fit in sorting things out for our new arrival at Easter.
Right, well off now to tidy up, do the washing up and get a cake in the oven.
Friday, 11 March 2011
How I have saved £500 off our bills in the last two weeks...
Like a lot of people at the moment, I have been looking closely at our finances due to our outgoings increasing while our income is static or even going down very soon due to being on maternity leave. As this is my last baby, I am determined not to return to work earlier than 9 months due to finances as I know I will never get this time back again. I guess part of me is feeling rather pigheaded about that - why should I lose time with my baby because of the country's poor economic state which I didn't cause and have been paying enough taxes to try and help.
Chatting to a friend the other day, she suggested that I posted my savings and ideas on here in case it helps other people too, so here goes.
The first thing that I did was start an excel spreadsheet with everything on it for the next year. I had to do a year budget as my maternity income will change over that time and so will our outgoings (e.g. more childcare costs and bus fares in term time). Then I looked at where most of our money went. Most of it wasn't on luxuries, but essentials but even so, I have managed to save money, so here's what I did:
Water bill
We got a bill through the other day increasing our bill by 10% from £110 a month (yes, that is a month!) to £120. I rang them up immediately and explained that we simply couldn't afford that payment especially with our income going down shortly. She read off a list of benefits and asked if we got any - No. Typically, we have always earnt too much to get any help yet not enough to afford foreign holidays etc. Then, I remembered that I would be on less income and probably be eligible for Child Tax Credit/Working Tax Credit while my income was only going to be a third of the normal amount for 2011. With three children under 19 (or five in our case) and tax credits, we could go onto a scheme that would reduce our annual bill from £1200 to £600. It will be just for that year but that is a £50 a month saving.
Sky
Our Sky bill includes the broadband, telephone (evening and weekend calls free) and TV package, but not the line rental. We pay on average £70 a month for this plus BT line rental of £12 so £82 in total. Then I found out that BT were offering a better, as in cheaper, deal so rang Sky to tell them we couldn't afford their bills so were moving to BT for the broadband and phone. Amazingly, within 30 minutes our average £82 total bill was down to £42 a month. This was due to agreeing to paying Sky the line rental, matching BTs phone and broadband offer and giving us free calls all day (which costs an extra £5 a month but they said we were spending around £16 a month on calls). So £40 a month saved from a 30 minute phone call.
Car tax, MOT, insurance and petrol
We currently run two cars and need to due to working in two different places and having our children in three different places. However, the childcare pickups and work will not be a problem for nine months, so we have decided to SORN one of the cars and this will cut out £29 insurance a month, £150 (approx MOT), £170 tax for 6 month and approximately £15 a week in petrol. Plus, my husband gets to be fitter by cycling to work! So, that works out to be a £80 a month saving. If you can't get rid of a car (as we can't when we both work), try reading this article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12664047 for tips on saving - features parents of a student of mine.
Mortgages
This is a bit of a drastic one but unfortunately one we have had to look at for the short term as I know other people have had to do. I rang up our mortgage company (Nationwide) and asked them how we can reduce our payments while on maternity leave. Unfortunately, we can not take a mortgage break due to being 2% short in their equity limit, but they suggested extended our term by a few years and changing three of our four mortgage accounts to interest only. Now, this isn't ideal as we have taken on debt over a longer period and we will have to find the capital at the end for the shortfall in the capital due to only paying interest only. But, having looked at our pension forecasts, we have worked out we can afford it more in the long-term than the short-term and once I am back to work etc, we can move the term back down and the mortgage accounts back to repayment. But for the next year, we will be making a saving of £250 a month.
Public Transport
Food
At the moment, quite a few of the supermarkets are offering discount vouchers so keep an eye out. For example, Sainsburys do a spend £50 get £5 off next time voucher. News of the World had a spend £30 at Co-op and get £5 off voucher.
I managed to get two weeks groceries (including washing tablets and cat food) to feed six of us for £95. How? Well, I go in the evenings when it is quiet - Wednesdays at around 7pm or 8pm is a good time as this is when they start reducing the fresh food but there aren't a lot of customers to fight over it. I also go with paper and pen in my hand, which I have written down the basics we need. Firstly, I go around the fresh food aisle and see what is reduced or on a good deal and then work out if I can make a meal out of it and write it on the piece of paper next to the day - it is not a good deal if you need to buy lots to make a meal. For example, a pack of fresh meatballs were reduced from £3.30 to £1.45, so I bought them, knowing that I had some long spaghetti and a tin of spaghetti sauce already at home and that will be a meal for six of us - spaghetti and meatballs.
So, get the bargains and make sure that you have all of the ingredients for a meal. Do not buy anything else on a 'just in case' I need it. You won't need it as you have your menu in your hand. If you shop in this way, you will be surprised of how much you will save. Bear in mind though that sometimes it is cheaper to buy one already made up than make your own (I know this isn't the PC way to do things but sometimes true) as if you need a lot of ingredients to m.ake a meal, it can cost you far more.
Martin's Money Tips
If you are not already a subscriber, please join up. It is free! He emails every week with tips on how to save money and vouchers. Well worth a quick read as I have saved a lot through him and it won't cost you a penny.
Freecycle
If you have not already signed up, then do it. It is a place where people post things they want or don't want for free. We have got rid of stuff that we haven't wanted to people that have needed it and equally, we have received some very useful things. Recently, I got a baby bouncer and in the past we have had bookcases and even shower cubicles. It can save you a lot of money although you sometimes have to wait quite a while for the thing you need to come up and you need to email people back quickly as things are snapped up.
So far a total of £500 a month saved!!!!
There are probably other savings that I haven't considered yet but am still thinking about ways to save and will post more as I think of them.
Chatting to a friend the other day, she suggested that I posted my savings and ideas on here in case it helps other people too, so here goes.
The first thing that I did was start an excel spreadsheet with everything on it for the next year. I had to do a year budget as my maternity income will change over that time and so will our outgoings (e.g. more childcare costs and bus fares in term time). Then I looked at where most of our money went. Most of it wasn't on luxuries, but essentials but even so, I have managed to save money, so here's what I did:
Water bill
We got a bill through the other day increasing our bill by 10% from £110 a month (yes, that is a month!) to £120. I rang them up immediately and explained that we simply couldn't afford that payment especially with our income going down shortly. She read off a list of benefits and asked if we got any - No. Typically, we have always earnt too much to get any help yet not enough to afford foreign holidays etc. Then, I remembered that I would be on less income and probably be eligible for Child Tax Credit/Working Tax Credit while my income was only going to be a third of the normal amount for 2011. With three children under 19 (or five in our case) and tax credits, we could go onto a scheme that would reduce our annual bill from £1200 to £600. It will be just for that year but that is a £50 a month saving.
Sky
Our Sky bill includes the broadband, telephone (evening and weekend calls free) and TV package, but not the line rental. We pay on average £70 a month for this plus BT line rental of £12 so £82 in total. Then I found out that BT were offering a better, as in cheaper, deal so rang Sky to tell them we couldn't afford their bills so were moving to BT for the broadband and phone. Amazingly, within 30 minutes our average £82 total bill was down to £42 a month. This was due to agreeing to paying Sky the line rental, matching BTs phone and broadband offer and giving us free calls all day (which costs an extra £5 a month but they said we were spending around £16 a month on calls). So £40 a month saved from a 30 minute phone call.
Car tax, MOT, insurance and petrol
We currently run two cars and need to due to working in two different places and having our children in three different places. However, the childcare pickups and work will not be a problem for nine months, so we have decided to SORN one of the cars and this will cut out £29 insurance a month, £150 (approx MOT), £170 tax for 6 month and approximately £15 a week in petrol. Plus, my husband gets to be fitter by cycling to work! So, that works out to be a £80 a month saving. If you can't get rid of a car (as we can't when we both work), try reading this article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12664047 for tips on saving - features parents of a student of mine.
Mortgages
This is a bit of a drastic one but unfortunately one we have had to look at for the short term as I know other people have had to do. I rang up our mortgage company (Nationwide) and asked them how we can reduce our payments while on maternity leave. Unfortunately, we can not take a mortgage break due to being 2% short in their equity limit, but they suggested extended our term by a few years and changing three of our four mortgage accounts to interest only. Now, this isn't ideal as we have taken on debt over a longer period and we will have to find the capital at the end for the shortfall in the capital due to only paying interest only. But, having looked at our pension forecasts, we have worked out we can afford it more in the long-term than the short-term and once I am back to work etc, we can move the term back down and the mortgage accounts back to repayment. But for the next year, we will be making a saving of £250 a month.
Public Transport
Do some research. We currently use a bus for our children for the days when I don't work and they have just doubled the fare so that it will cost us £7 a day for two children (or a massive £35 a week). Checking out the train fares, we can save £4 a day (or £15 a week) when I am at home. So a saving of £60 a month
Electricity and Gas Bills
Try ringing up your supplier and ask for their range of tariffs. Often they do a reduced tariff for combined electric and gas, especially if you pay by direct debit. We went on to special tariff that saved us £20 a month. We did have to commit to stay with them for a set period but they were the cheapest anyway so wasn't a problem, plus they fixed the prices so no hidden shocks later.Electricity and Gas Bills
Food
At the moment, quite a few of the supermarkets are offering discount vouchers so keep an eye out. For example, Sainsburys do a spend £50 get £5 off next time voucher. News of the World had a spend £30 at Co-op and get £5 off voucher.
I managed to get two weeks groceries (including washing tablets and cat food) to feed six of us for £95. How? Well, I go in the evenings when it is quiet - Wednesdays at around 7pm or 8pm is a good time as this is when they start reducing the fresh food but there aren't a lot of customers to fight over it. I also go with paper and pen in my hand, which I have written down the basics we need. Firstly, I go around the fresh food aisle and see what is reduced or on a good deal and then work out if I can make a meal out of it and write it on the piece of paper next to the day - it is not a good deal if you need to buy lots to make a meal. For example, a pack of fresh meatballs were reduced from £3.30 to £1.45, so I bought them, knowing that I had some long spaghetti and a tin of spaghetti sauce already at home and that will be a meal for six of us - spaghetti and meatballs.
So, get the bargains and make sure that you have all of the ingredients for a meal. Do not buy anything else on a 'just in case' I need it. You won't need it as you have your menu in your hand. If you shop in this way, you will be surprised of how much you will save. Bear in mind though that sometimes it is cheaper to buy one already made up than make your own (I know this isn't the PC way to do things but sometimes true) as if you need a lot of ingredients to m.ake a meal, it can cost you far more.
Martin's Money Tips
If you are not already a subscriber, please join up. It is free! He emails every week with tips on how to save money and vouchers. Well worth a quick read as I have saved a lot through him and it won't cost you a penny.
Freecycle
If you have not already signed up, then do it. It is a place where people post things they want or don't want for free. We have got rid of stuff that we haven't wanted to people that have needed it and equally, we have received some very useful things. Recently, I got a baby bouncer and in the past we have had bookcases and even shower cubicles. It can save you a lot of money although you sometimes have to wait quite a while for the thing you need to come up and you need to email people back quickly as things are snapped up.
So far a total of £500 a month saved!!!!
There are probably other savings that I haven't considered yet but am still thinking about ways to save and will post more as I think of them.
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Hannah's 2nd birthday
I can't believe how busy a weekend it has been but so worth it. I have been looking forward to Hannah's 2nd birthday for quite some time now - not because we had a particularly eventful day planned but simply because I was looking forward to seeing her face when she saw her cake and opened her presents. That, to me, is far more special than expensive parties. And, let's face it, there will be lots of years ahead when she will want the expensive parties so I was more than happy with the simple one today.
While Hannah was having her afternoon sleep yesterday, I decided to bake the cake. What I hadn't realised was that the baking of the maderia cake was the simple bit. The fun bit came to sticking it together, trying to make the castle turrets stay up, make butter icing, get the icing on the cake and not everywhere else, and stick the sweets on without knocking anything over. I started at 1pm and finally finished at 9pm - 8 hours of cooking and cleaning - shattering but rewarding.
The other problem was where to store the cake and no boxes were big enough so it ended up in the oven. An easy solution I thought, until I forgot where I put it and had the great idea to bake banana muffins while I had a spare minute this afternoon. Of course, I had to pre-heat the oven, so on it went while I casually started weighing and mixing ingredients. After ten minutes, it suddenly dawned on me what I had done and I raced to the oven fearing the worst. Fortunately, only the turrets had melted (along with the butter icing on them) and had started slipping off. It didn't look perfect but at least Hannah didn't mind and I managed to get a photo of it before the melting accident.
She loved all of her presents too although got a bit upset when she realised that there was nothing left to open and proceeded to say, "Pres gone." Trying to explain to her that they weren't gone, merely unwrapped was pointless and we had a while of walking around with her head hung low trying to look as depressed as was dramatically possible, uttering, "Gone" every few seconds. Maybe I should enrol her in a drama class already.
So, all in all, a lovely day with one very happy two year old who ate all the wrong foods and got all of the attention. But that's what it is all about at the age of two. On the other hand, her Mummy is very tired and feeling very bloated from the sugary food consumed (in the name of testing her products first and then having to join in eating them later) but Hannah's smile made it all worth while. Back to the reality of work tomorrow and the fact that I have done no preparation for it at all - oops - well, I can't do everything all of the time.
While Hannah was having her afternoon sleep yesterday, I decided to bake the cake. What I hadn't realised was that the baking of the maderia cake was the simple bit. The fun bit came to sticking it together, trying to make the castle turrets stay up, make butter icing, get the icing on the cake and not everywhere else, and stick the sweets on without knocking anything over. I started at 1pm and finally finished at 9pm - 8 hours of cooking and cleaning - shattering but rewarding.
The other problem was where to store the cake and no boxes were big enough so it ended up in the oven. An easy solution I thought, until I forgot where I put it and had the great idea to bake banana muffins while I had a spare minute this afternoon. Of course, I had to pre-heat the oven, so on it went while I casually started weighing and mixing ingredients. After ten minutes, it suddenly dawned on me what I had done and I raced to the oven fearing the worst. Fortunately, only the turrets had melted (along with the butter icing on them) and had started slipping off. It didn't look perfect but at least Hannah didn't mind and I managed to get a photo of it before the melting accident.
The 'before the oven accident' cake shot
She loved all of her presents too although got a bit upset when she realised that there was nothing left to open and proceeded to say, "Pres gone." Trying to explain to her that they weren't gone, merely unwrapped was pointless and we had a while of walking around with her head hung low trying to look as depressed as was dramatically possible, uttering, "Gone" every few seconds. Maybe I should enrol her in a drama class already.
So, all in all, a lovely day with one very happy two year old who ate all the wrong foods and got all of the attention. But that's what it is all about at the age of two. On the other hand, her Mummy is very tired and feeling very bloated from the sugary food consumed (in the name of testing her products first and then having to join in eating them later) but Hannah's smile made it all worth while. Back to the reality of work tomorrow and the fact that I have done no preparation for it at all - oops - well, I can't do everything all of the time.
One happy little girl!!
Friday, 25 February 2011
My two babies are doing great!
Got two of my babies measured yesterday - no it's not twins! - Hannah and the bump.
Haven't had Hannah weighed or measured since she had her year check and, as she is two in less than two weeks, I thought I would see her progress. She is now 22lbs and 81cm. So still a weeny one but is out of the shaded bit on the bottom of the chart and doing well. She is such a character now and so opinionated, which is a bit scary for her age.
Her last funny comment was a couple of days ago after she released wind from her rear end. I said, "Hannah, what do you say?"
She replied with, "Fart!".
Trying to keep a straight face, "No, you say pardon me."
"No, fart."
And so it went on. I think I lost to a two year old. Is this the story of things to come?
My other baby was also measured and checked yesterday too and is doing very well - growing, moving etc. The only thing that I am not as impressed with is that he has decided to turn breech. I know it is still early days (28 weeks) but none of mine have been breech at this point and they all stayed head down for the remainder of the pregnancy. So, this little boy better turn around in the next month. Got to ring up for my blood test results later and hoping that I am not anaemic this time (as was two out of the last four).
Anyway, thought I would do a bump picture update. Here are two photos of me, both at 28 weeks and in the same clothes. They say that the shape of the bump tells people what it is, so I thought of a challenge. What you need to decide is, which one is pregnancy number 4 (girl) and which one is pregnancy number 5 (boy). Please answer in the comment box below.
Haven't had Hannah weighed or measured since she had her year check and, as she is two in less than two weeks, I thought I would see her progress. She is now 22lbs and 81cm. So still a weeny one but is out of the shaded bit on the bottom of the chart and doing well. She is such a character now and so opinionated, which is a bit scary for her age.
Her last funny comment was a couple of days ago after she released wind from her rear end. I said, "Hannah, what do you say?"
She replied with, "Fart!".
Trying to keep a straight face, "No, you say pardon me."
"No, fart."
And so it went on. I think I lost to a two year old. Is this the story of things to come?
My other baby was also measured and checked yesterday too and is doing very well - growing, moving etc. The only thing that I am not as impressed with is that he has decided to turn breech. I know it is still early days (28 weeks) but none of mine have been breech at this point and they all stayed head down for the remainder of the pregnancy. So, this little boy better turn around in the next month. Got to ring up for my blood test results later and hoping that I am not anaemic this time (as was two out of the last four).
Anyway, thought I would do a bump picture update. Here are two photos of me, both at 28 weeks and in the same clothes. They say that the shape of the bump tells people what it is, so I thought of a challenge. What you need to decide is, which one is pregnancy number 4 (girl) and which one is pregnancy number 5 (boy). Please answer in the comment box below.
Monday, 21 February 2011
Potty training and sickness
Well, I have decided to give it one more day, which is today. If no progress by the end, then the toilet will have to wait a couple of months until I have the energy to have another go. Although I will be eight months pregnant by then so that is a bit of an oxymoron.
While Hannah was still in her pajamas and nappy, I asked her if she wanted nappy or toilet today. She said toilet very firmly, followed by, "Nappy off". So off they came, she sat on the potty and promptly did a wee. So, after praise and chocolate I explained that if she needs a wee, she needs to say toilet. She doesn't seem to be getting this though. Every time I ask, "What do you say if you need a wee?" I get the reply, "Chocolate." Oh dear! She's two steps ahead and I just want a simple 'toilet' answer. Am not holding much hope out.
In the meantime, three out of the four children have had a sickness bug in the last five days. How did they manage to wait until the half-term? And as for me? Well, I have had nausea for two days, which feels better if I eat - a bit like morning sickness - so very odd. To be honest, I am sick of it now (lol) and just wish I would actually be sick so I could feel better within a few hours or just go away. The constant nausea is driving me to distraction.
So, with the sickness bug and potty training, we are off to a great half-term start. Still, it can only get better! Got the dentist to look forward to tomorrow and then blood tests on Thursday!
While Hannah was still in her pajamas and nappy, I asked her if she wanted nappy or toilet today. She said toilet very firmly, followed by, "Nappy off". So off they came, she sat on the potty and promptly did a wee. So, after praise and chocolate I explained that if she needs a wee, she needs to say toilet. She doesn't seem to be getting this though. Every time I ask, "What do you say if you need a wee?" I get the reply, "Chocolate." Oh dear! She's two steps ahead and I just want a simple 'toilet' answer. Am not holding much hope out.
In the meantime, three out of the four children have had a sickness bug in the last five days. How did they manage to wait until the half-term? And as for me? Well, I have had nausea for two days, which feels better if I eat - a bit like morning sickness - so very odd. To be honest, I am sick of it now (lol) and just wish I would actually be sick so I could feel better within a few hours or just go away. The constant nausea is driving me to distraction.
So, with the sickness bug and potty training, we are off to a great half-term start. Still, it can only get better! Got the dentist to look forward to tomorrow and then blood tests on Thursday!
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Potty Training continues....just!
Our first full day of potty training wasn't too bad. Two in the potty and five misses. But she seemed keen to get the chocolate and wanted to sit on the potty a lot.
Our second day started only three hours ago and I am ready to put a nappy on already. Admittedly, Hannah had milk and juice first thing but even so, where does all the wee come from?
When her nappy came off, she ran straight to the potty and did a wee. Mummy was very pleased and lots of praise ensued. I thought we had cracked it. Unfortunately, that thought was far too premature. What has followed is five accidents on my floor. Fortunately all of them being of the watery kind but there seems no attempt to get to the toilet and Hannah seems quite happy to stand there and wee while playing with her toys.
Maybe 23 months is too young. I will see if I can last until the end of the day without getting too stressed or using all my kitchen towel up. If there is no improvement, I am afraid that the nappies will be back on until Easter at the earliest.
Wish me luck for the rest of the day. Think we are definitely staying in!
Our second day started only three hours ago and I am ready to put a nappy on already. Admittedly, Hannah had milk and juice first thing but even so, where does all the wee come from?
When her nappy came off, she ran straight to the potty and did a wee. Mummy was very pleased and lots of praise ensued. I thought we had cracked it. Unfortunately, that thought was far too premature. What has followed is five accidents on my floor. Fortunately all of them being of the watery kind but there seems no attempt to get to the toilet and Hannah seems quite happy to stand there and wee while playing with her toys.
Maybe 23 months is too young. I will see if I can last until the end of the day without getting too stressed or using all my kitchen towel up. If there is no improvement, I am afraid that the nappies will be back on until Easter at the earliest.
Wish me luck for the rest of the day. Think we are definitely staying in!
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