I am not known for my cooking abilities, I stick to family tried and tested recipes but that is changing. We are not a wasteful family by any means but there are some inevitable's that end up in the bin that I always feel guilty about. I have vowed to put an end to that where I can and now I have more time, I plan to save money but also make sure we are cutting down on waste. Therefore I decided to get creative with the leftover bread and … [Read more...]
Car boot sales and tips.
Yesterday saw Chloe and I loading up the car ready to do our first car boot sale. We have a target of 2K to raise over the coming 18 months in order for her to go to Canada on sports tour after her GCSE's. Chloe won't be able to get a Saturday job as she dances most of the day and that is important to her and I think it is good for her to have that time to enjoy her dancing. Here I will share how we are going on the save 2K plan. My top … [Read more...]
Cutting costs on food.
Now my stay at home life has started I need to get focussed. Gone is the reliable monthly wage swapped for freelance work. One area that I know we can cut costs is food. I don't meal plan, I don't shop clever for food. I am good with holidays, clothes and presents. I have always made good use of those types of offers. Yet food shopping is something we have never really budgeted over. Well not since the days of food shopping at … [Read more...]
Comping – a way of life and winners update!
I first discovered the joys of entering competitions (or comping) five years ago when I was off work on maternity leave. I was on bed rest and was fidling about on the laptop when I stumbled across websites dedicated to entering competitions. I started and soon discovered I was lucky. The prizes were dropping through the door at a good rate. Mostly small prizes but soon enough I was hooked on comping. The past few years have seen me … [Read more...]
Cbeebies Kids go free
Kids go free - now that is a phrase I like to see! Now that the school term has ended I have packed away my teaching resources and the new life begins. The new life that promises more quality time with the family but a lot less pennies in my pocket. Therefore I need to start as I mean to go on. Cbeebies is Erin's favourite channel and I often pick up the magazine as a treat for her if she has had a hospital appointment or achieved something … [Read more...]
What I’m doing now
My life is at a real crossroads, I have turned off the path I have been travelling for the past 14 Years and I am taking the narrow road. Going around the corner a bit, walking into the unknown. Ruth at Dorkymum tagged me in this meme which actually I really liked, so humour me! Currently I am: I'm actually being a bit naughty because I am sitting in my classroom. I have three days left and today is a planning day. Yet for the first time … [Read more...]
Disneyworld Holiday Planning #holidayplannermums
I am the queen of holiday planning and we are currently on countdown until we jet off to Florida. This holiday has been two years in the making and was booked over 16 months ago. It is planned as the holiday of all holidays and will include mum, dad and uncle Sam aswell as the five of us. My dad and me have enjoyed the planning and if you are heading to Disneyworld planning is needed to ensure that you get the best out of the dream … [Read more...]
Kitchen Tales
Our kitchen really is a hub of activity from baking cakes with Erin to be where I chat with the teen when we are preparing dinner. It all happens in the kitchen and I always find when we have friends over that I spend time in the kitchen chatting. I love how the kitchen has been personalised to represent our family. This month Fairy platinum have teamed up with Britmums to ask bloggers what are their kitchen tales and this post is an entry … [Read more...]
Thrifty supermarket fashion
I am a label snob, I know that. I have always spent quite a bit on Erin's clothes, I have thought nothing of wondering the designers at Debenhams ranges and just picking up sets of what I like. I also have a habit of buying a whole range. Frequently in Next I would fill my arms with a complete set if I liked the print. I think it makes sense as it can all be mixed and matched together. Dyl is quite happy to wear whatever is on his bedroom … [Read more...]
Free Tennis this weekend
We are lucky to live surrounded by green spaces and parks. My children are spoilt for which park to play in. In addition to parks we also have a tennis court that is open to all. My older two spend many an hour playing tennis together especially now the evenings are light and warm. Last week they came home excited as both have pestered me for tennis lessons but in reality we can not fit them into our already hectic diaries. They were … [Read more...]