One week till payday

I've completed part one of my resolution, the budget analysis. It needs a bit of fine tuning but does show I overspend every month by about £160. No wonder I can't  get ahead with the credit card, as that's  where the money is coming from.
Part two is now making cuts in the budget it would help if I could increase the income, but I need the OH to get a job. I physically can't do anymore, not enough hours in the day.
So I've added up what bills go out each month, subtracted them from my income & I'm left with £414.64p to live on. That's food, clothes, birthdays, Christmas, repairs/replacements & those things that crop up & surprise you. ( like  the leaky pipe in the bathroom)
I've definitely got my work cut out for me.

My 2013 frugal life challenge

Christmas is over, we're  all back at work and the bank balance is very unhealthy looking. I  don't  want it to be another year of counting the days to the next paycheck. Nor do I want to dread anniversaries, invitations turning them down because I can't  afford to go. So my one resolution is this is the year I finally sort my cash flow out once & for all.

My first nasty shock was to see exactly how much I spent on public transport, I can't avoid using it for work but hopping on the bus for short trips had become a habit. £55 on the oyster card in 3 weeks. I can't blame work as that's outside the oyster zones so a different budget. It's tempting when the joints are hurting, but exercise helps I just have to be firm with myself. This week I've used the bus once, it would've been 6 times by now & my pocket and knees feel better for it!

Hannah

I seem to only write in this blog when I get a new grandchild! So here's Hannah Susan, born 16th June 2009. Little sister to Jennifer and identical in looks at the moment. She's very content as long as she's snuggled up to her mum! Her sister is very enamoured with her and always wants to know where she is if she can't see her.
So the score is 3 boys 3 girls and one more due in August, taking over the world one grandchild at a time!

Sophie

Just for the sake of it, another picture of Sophie with me this time. We introduced her to her brothers and cousin the next day. Adrian and Damian adore her, James still isn't sure but he was the baby.

Cousin Jennifer thought she was a new toy and nearly garroted Sophie, as she tried to grab her by her babygro!

Tammy cat is completely underwhelmed, but keeping watch for an opportunity to hitch a ride on the buggy.( It aint gonna happen puss!)

My family just grows and grows...

After months of anxiety, Sophie Louise arrived to redress the gender balance in our family. Helen has 3 boys all of whom were born without fuss after uneventful pregnancies. This time Helen had a miscarriage that turned out to be a twin, Sophie survived. Spookily, Helen is a twin, the same thing happened to me. Then she developed gestational diabetes and acute fatty liver of pregnancy. The hospital decided to induce labour at 37 weeks as there was a risk to mum and baby if they didn't. Sophie decided to move to an awkward position and a C- section was necessary. For those who think it's the easy way to give birth , Helen says it's not! She can't believe anyone would choose this method. Mum and baby are fine, granny is really busy helping them both but I love it. Sophie looks just like her mum, slightly annoyed at being on the outside but I'm sure she'll get over it.

Almost there.

Christmas is nearly here, as usual everyone's doing a 'headless chicken' impression at the shops,laying in enough food for a siege. I've had a weird year, quite a few crap parts to it but outweighed by the good parts.In particular, the birth of my granddaughter who has been an absolute delight. I have a job to look forward to in the new year which is really welcome after a year of inactivity.So I would just like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a truly fortunate New Year.

Tommy is a ' Tammy'

After being with us a while, I noticed Tommy wasn't developing anything in the nether regions. One proper confirmed he was a she! We still love her, but getting her neutered cost more. Oh well, never mind.