Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  OH and I are having a quiet night in eating leftovers and playing scrabble.  Might watch a little tv.  What are you doing? Staying in or going out.  We have decided to stay in.

New Year, New me!

So









Having been through further health problems lately I do not know what the next year brings.

I know I shall continue to go to silver class, slimming world and crochet club.  I shall try and use what I have.  I have used vouchers in the sale and should have enough clothes to see me through at least 6 months.  I have plenty of food in which should last me through January.

My daughter is getting married in September and I am paying for the dress which will set me back.  We have booked a holiday to Egypt for May which isn't cheap but should be paid for by an investment which matures in March.  My GD is one in February I cannot believe how time flies! I spent Christmas Day with DD and GD. Had such a lovely time.

Happy New Year all!!


MY GD!!

Merry Christmas to all my readers!

Thanks Frugal Queen!

I recently won £60 of Amazon vouchers on Frugal Queens's blog.  Thanks to those that contacted me to let me know.  It isn't very often I miss reading her blog (as I learn something for it every day)and I hadn't on this occasion but you never know.

Thanks to those that still follow even though I haven't blogged.  I have had so many issues on at the moment health wise and trying to carry on working is hard.  Very little time for anything else.  I hope to be back soon, so please bear with me!

Giveaway at my little piece of England

http://mylittlepieceofengland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/my-first-giveaway-yea.html


I have been following this blog for a while now.  Check it out and enter her giveaway!

Look what I won on Facebook with Debenhams BeautyClub!!

Weekend away part 2

We took our own lunch on the way out, a sandwich from boots and crisps and pop from The Pound Shop.

Got to our destination and it was half an hour walk from the car park.  £6 to park and once in its too late to change your mind!  Then it was an hour to queue!  Got a two for one voucher but only applied to the castle and grounds.  So that is what we paid for £20.80.  For dungeons and Merlins Tower it's £30.60.  Even that doesn't include archery, painting a shield, face painting etc.   Most families had vouchers imagine the cost if not!  We did see a reenactment, the launching of a trebuchet and birds of prey.  The castle itself was fab!  We got value for money.  We went off site to eat and had a cooked lunch instead of our pack up which we had for tea given how far away the car was.  We were going to have dinner out anyway. There was a building with wax work scenes off the past but on our way out there was another shop selling souvenirs and photos of children taken on site and parents desperately scrambling for them so more money.  I was open mouthed at the further charges for learning how to be a knight at another £8.

I guess that the average family without a voucher  is looking at a good £150 plus for such a day out!  Food was about £6, they sold everything but usual day out prices!

What I am saying is just be careful when you have a "day out" make sure you don't get sucked in.  Check parking charges, see if you can take a pack up or eat off site. Take your own photos and get an icecream on them way home.  Failing that go to the park or the beach!  I did have a great weekend away but we are Wiley!!

Weekend away on the cheap part 1.

We are currently in Coventry. We came up to go to Warwick Castle.

We searched on Trivago for a value for money hotel, i.e breakfast included, free wifi and free parking. £80 for two nights, my previous record for two nights is £100 including breakfast, free parking and limited wifi. When we choose our bargain break we choose basic and value for money.  In the past we have stayed at posh places but everything is extra and we were left disappointed!  We have less expectations when we spend less knowing we only have to stay somewhere for a night or so.  No need to stay in a high end hotel with high end prices.

I admit petrol cost a bit £65 however the break was paid for by underspending on our Spanish break last month, which was planned and saved for.

We took a salad from the supermarket, could have made sandwhiches but we wanted something as a treat, bought a few sweets and took crisps from home and had bought water from Aldi.  All cheaper than the motorway!   Also took some breakfast bars from snacking on over the weekend.

Luckily the hotel had everything we needed including soap and shower gel but I took a few samples I had in my sample box at home!

Ill give you some tips about getting value for money when you are out and about by giving examples from our day out!

M and S tops 1 pound!

http://www.marksandspencer.com/M-S-Woman-Pure-Cotton/dp/B002F6IKHC?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_10&nodeId=2976728031&sr=1-10&qid=1374780866&source=affwindow&extid=af_a_Communities_47868&comgp=47868&awc=1402_1374782489_1091e69bc945de21ca9b8ab05082da1a&affwin&extid=af_a_Communities%20%26%20UGC_47868

Copy and paste.  Free delivery I have ordered 4 for next year!!

Hot Weather!

Do you know it has been the hottest weather in 7 years.

Fancy an icecream or a ice-lolly when out and about.  Look for your nearest supermarket you can usually get a pack of 10 for around the same price as one in an icecream shop or kiosk!

Here is Bournemouth Beach near where I live:

Our first strawberry.

PPI

I was initially turned down by my credit card company.  However, I wrote a letter before action pointing out that the basis on which they made their decision was incorrect.  I returned from holiday to find they have now upheld my complaint and will send a cheque out to me shortly.

So to those of you thinking of claiming PPI do it yourself just google PPI questionnaire. Some banks etc haven their own.  Also if they initially turn you down and you disagree with their decision then write back asking them to rethink giving your reasons why.  I am getting a small amount returned to me but it is mine.  They usually take the tax off at source, as they are in my case but they don't always.

Has anyone else had an experience of claiming PPI good or bad?

Saved up every penny for this!! Hot weather at last!!

Baby blanket done at last!

First item I have made!

Took me a while but never mind!

Quickie!

What with work, moving home, grandchild, allotment ( I shall post pics soon) and about to go on holiday I haven't been posting!  I will try and improve this.

I have also been testing several items for Buzz Agent. Veet Wax was the best it's so easy to use an no mess!  I am also testing their new Sure which is quite goo it on a hot stressful day it's not quite up to the job.  Lastly, I am testing free from at Tesco,  I was given ones off coupons but could only find Mrs Crimbles Macaroons!  Yummy!  We have three Tesco's near me well four including the  corner sop ktype one and none have many of the free from items I have been given coupons for!!

Free Breakfast Box

Graze are doing breakfast boxes and I believe they are by invite only. If you want a free box then go to Graze.com sign up but then cancel further boxes if u like. Then enter code Y5QWJR7. Yummy!!

I in return get £1 off my next box.  Try if you like!

My daughter and Olivia!

I know I tried to post a picture of my Grandaughter before - here she is this was taken just over a month or so ago.  It appears that it was happy to be posted unlike the others!!

Mental Health!

Doesn't time fly.

I have been in my new job for six months.  I have not had any days off sick.

It is a much nicer place to work, hard work though.

Some days it is still hard to get up in the morning.  I push myself.  Some days I am still really down.

But I will not give up!!

My flat is almost ready to move back into.  Took longer because the building company tried to cut corners.  Broke our fittings at times!  No coverings down and even lying! I found that stressful - OH dealt with this mainly. We have had to pay double our household bills at times although this will be paid back to us, work was busy - unbearably so at times,  our allotment has required attention - will post about that in due course.  Had problems with insurance company arranging for fitting carpet before we move back in but I am still not letting my mental illness beat me because these issues would test anyone!

Despite this mental illness I can get up in the morning, I can get through a whole day without crying, I can hold down and job and pay my bills!

The way I manage is by just thinking about one issue at a time and dealing with it. 

30 ways to save £1 - Moneysupermarket

Moneysupermarket are challenging bloggers to give them 30 ways to save a pound.  You could earn £30 or win £1,000.

Here's mine -

1. Grow your own vegetables even without a garden you could grow chillies and Tomatoes.
2. Meal plan.
3. Use vinegar instead of cleaning products it's great on a shower screen!
4. Do a clothes swap.
5. Borrow books from the library.
6. Swap books and magazines.
7. Test products and review them.
8. Walk more instead of driving.
9. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
10. Make do and/or mend.
11 if you need an item just now and again borrow from a friend.
12. Don't go shopping when you are hungry as you will spend more.
13  sign up to quidco and get cash back through spending.
14 compare grocery shopping at moneysupermarket.
15. Use the supermarket value ranges.
16. Shop at the pound shops.
17. Download vouchers for entertainment and restaurant meals i.e 2 for 1 bowling or two mains for £12.95.
18. Use less washing or dishwasher powder.
19. Bulk buy items that you usually purchase.
20. Car Share.
21. Take it in turns to hold entertainment nights and all bring some nibbles.
22. Shop at charity shops.
23. Track your spending then if you spend impulsively pledge to reduce that.
24. Buy Christmas and birthday presents in the sales throughout the years.
25. Compare the costs of products using a shopping robot.
26. Buy BOGOF items and share the cost with a family member.
27. Don't upgrade your mobile when the time comes chances are you can get a better tariff and keep your phone and number.
28. Take cuttings and seeds from plants where you can.
29. Make quilts from old material.
30. Use old tea towels and tshirts as cleaning cloths.

Good news and bad!

Car got through MOT with no advisories but while at the garage someone hit it.  I am worried as the car was on double yellows as that is where the garage parked it.  Will look at CCTV tomorrow.

I am selling it as I don't need it now I work five minutes away too much of a luxury to keep just for now and again. Will pay off loan and keep the rest in case I need a car in the future.  I want to keep this one but I cannot justify it.

Had a good week up North.  Didn't rain but didn't do much went for a walk around Corbridge and a down out at Belsay House.  Usually pop to Durham or the Newcastle shopping but I have out myself on a clothing ban as I have too much.

Pics of time away sorry not many:

Happy Easter!

I will be travelling to Northumberland soon so thought I would wish you a Happy Easter early.

I am off work next week and am looking forward to the break.

I shall take some pics to show you.

Brings back memories!

Last night I stayed over to get up in th night for GD.  I didn't really sleep at all she was unsettled.  I gave her a feed about 1.30 then she woke up at 4.30 crying having made unsettling noises throughout!  Then she needed feeding again at 5.45.

It's okay for me I am back home in a few hours my DD on the other hand is knackered.  At least she had one night off.

Rain Rain go away!

Hi to my new followers!

Here are some pics of my allotment -ours is the wet one at the front here! The worst bit is where my fruit bushes were planted - might be ruined!  arghh.  This was last Sunday and it is still raining!




Someone to a sundance please!!

Quick pic of my little granddaughter!

Aged about a month here.  Lots been going on with flat, granddaughter and work.  Been working for four months nearly no sick days!


Thanks for staying around x

Olivia!

Just a quick message to say I am a nanny!! Olivia was born at 6.59 am.  I stayed with my daughter until 1 am but there was no sign.  I have had cuddles for an hour tonight. I also need to finish the blanket.  Then I can make something else.

Ill try and post pic tomorrow.

New life.

My daughter is in hospital.  Her waters have broken but no labour yet. I cannot wait to see my new granddaughter but she will be a little early.  I have just learned to crochet.  I'm not very good tho and I am making my new GD a blanket!

So lets hope Olivia my new GD likes purple!

Sorry been absent!

I won't bore you but I have had a few problems including my lovely aunt passing away.  Has made me feel depressed. I am trying to stay optimistic and will try hard to post more in February and try and keep happy thoughts!!

Hope you are all well and not spending too much in all the sales!!

Weigh in!

Well having put on 6 and a half pounds over the festive period - I weighed in on Boxing Day arrgghh!!

I have tried hard to stick to the the Slimming World plan since a week yesterday and I weighed in last night and I had list 6 and a half pound.  I am going to try and keep it up as much as possible!  I shall give this week all I can then I shall back off a little and lost a little weight each week!!

Les Miserables was wonderful

It really was nearly all singing barely any dialogue!

Do see it if you can!!

My swapee hasnt updated her blog re the items I sent.  I am hoping that it is because like myself she has been so busy.

I am reluctant to post the items that remain without knowing whether she has opened them - although I realise that is unlikely so if by this time tomorrow night she still hasnt posted I will do the update.

I am especially hoping that she liked her main present.

Over Christmas we were so busy we went to my sisters Christmas Day which was lovely and then on to Chris's brother's in Liverpool then back to my sister's for new year, then back to work this Wednesday just gone so as you see there has been no time for blogging.

Oh yes and then there was the sales its the one time when I will treat myself but I will only by wear and use.  I went to Cheshire Oaks outlet centre and bought some bargains - a wool billabong dress at 70% off and an ANIMAL hoody for £7. reduced from £45.

What bargains did you manage to get over Christmas?