Stampeding through a sensible, scrimping September!

[PeoniesforMissAnnersley]

Thought I'd do the honours

With kids back at school and autumn weather drawing in we all need a very sensible September. I'm putting up my thermal curtains and refusing to put on the heating until October. Who's in?

Mmmm... I would check. As I said, things might have changed, but, as far as I was aware, primary school children are entitled to a half term/term of swimming lessons?

Yep, we always get a 'voluntary contribution'. There's some reason why, but it's been a long day, I will remember

No, I might be wrong actually. I think the national curriculum has an expectation that primary age children should be able to swim at least 25m or something, but maybe the school doesn't have to actually provide the lessons free.

Is the swimming lesson charge to pay for the cost of transport to get them there? I wouldn't be surprised if they provide the lesson free but charge you for the other bits.

Swimming is free at dd's school. They have their own under cover pool though.

Ds1's school is covering all charges for swimming, as it is part of the curriculum. Other things that are "extras" will have a fee (voluntary contribution).

Yesterday £21 in Aldi and £8.15 in the shop whilst ds3 was at choir. The £8.15 was all for "reduced to clear" items which originally came to £24.60 so a good saving.

Today NSD except for ds3's piano lessons but that's budgeted for and tomorrow tesco online shop £23 as I have a £20 voucher to use.

east glad you found someone who needed your clothes.

Read through this thread and think I'm going to join you if that's ok!!

Budget wise I'm reasonably strict but still find myself dreading the last 2 weeks before pay day, eeking out the petrol and scrimping on the food shop. I have a main account for bills, savings, swimming lessons and Ds's sports club subs then have standing orders going out to other accounts for food shopping, Xmas, holidays, car expenses etc then another separate account for general day to day spends.

So 10 days to pay day, 1/2 tank of petrol left which should last, down to £8 for food (but just spent £45 in aldi and £20 tesco) so will be running down the cupboards and freezer (needs defrosting anyway!). Took some trousers back to tesco today which was £16 back to the credit card.

Had to pay £35 for this terms dance classes for DD last night and £1.60 for a drink and some crisps for her. I normally only take enough for the crisps and she will have tap water to drink though. She's also got 2 competitions coming up in the next month so need to save for those too.

oneofthosedays welcome I still haven't defrosted my freezer, I have been meaning to do it for ages. Dancing is expensive with all the costumes and shoes.

£6 in asda on fruit, milk and bread.

NSD day today
Unexpected vets bill coming of £41 and counting as DDog has an infection in both ears

£40 on school dinners
£3 for art equipment
£19 school swimming costume
£12 something top ups earlier mentioned

£74

On the plus side, found showergel, shampoo i'd stashed away

£1.60 on necessary travel.

I might be for travel? But dd2 at a different school with own pool and they charge too!

Really nearly had another NSD but took dd out on a dragon hunt (don't ask) and passed a chip van which smelt so good so ended up buying a portion of chips for £1.20.

Tomos is shopping day, am aiming to get the bare minimum but need toilet rolls and dishwasher tablets.

£1.50 on a drink at book group.
£35 at aldi which has stocked the kitchen nicely, should be able to manage for a couple of weeks now only buying fruit and veg.
Great frugal win, had a £5 discount voucher for WHSmith if you spend £15 on books. I bought 4 books, all on special deals, £14 after the discount. All hidden away until December.

The fundraising committee fund the swimming lessons at my dcs school...think its £1.5k for 6 weeks...and they have their own pool? ?!!

And another £15 on top up shopping. DDs are off school next week, major national holiday, and I am not going in the supermarket with them in tow.

Hope the dog's ear infección cleares up quickly, sounds horrid.

£4 in tesco on a big bottle of Milton steriliser and bread and cakes

The cakes definitely not needed but very much wanted

Thanks adora. Hope so too. At the vets again today and tomorrow for drops and antibiotics. Bless him. Feel crap for not noticing sooner.

Also us budgeted spending today for a funeral outfit for spending. Have borrowed as much as poss but need a top. At least I can wear it for work as need more work clothes though. The funeral is an hour and half drive away too so extra fuel in the car.

Unbudgeted that should say

I've been bad at keeping up with this thread but here's a tip or a reminder I discovered this week.

ASDA has a Christmas Savings Card (like a gift card). You put money on it when you're at ASDA and on "bonus day" which is apparently in November, they'll add a bonus. 1, 3 or 6 quid depending on how much is on there. So if you plan to spend 144 quid at Asda over Christmas (and beyond) then if you put that on and leave it there, they'll add six quid. It's free money if you plan to shop there anyway - just don't lose the card or you've lost the moneyy on it!

Dp gone grocery shopping so will wait and see how much it will be.
On positive note, he got his contract and the salary is really good and quite more than we could have hoped for so very pleased and also very proud of him landing a good paid job a week after arriving in a new country ??

When reading about all these school expensive I really am happy that education is free here...

40p parking

Cut and colour FREE

Oh and...

Entertainment for ds today FREE massive grab lorry outside making a delivery