Ways to save money for the new year

As we go in to the new year, lots of us will be thinking about ways to save money and spend less. I for one am looking forward to saving some pennies and reducing some of my outgoings. I have worked out a few different ways of doing this and thought I would share them with you.

1. Meal Plan! Work out what you want to have for dinner for that week and write it down before shopping.
2. Shop from a list! 

Doing these two things alone will save you more than you think!! If you stick to your list, and shop wisely, using up anything you may already have at home, you really can cut the price of your grocery shop.

    3. No more Coffee shops! Invest in a nice travel coffee cup like I have. This will save me at least a fiver a week! Mine is from B&M and it is a colour in one. It was a Christmas present, and so fun to do.

  4. Use coupons where possible. In America couponing is big business but in the UK it isn't as huge. I have however found these websites that allow you to print off coupons each month. Any savings a saving right? 

Super Savvy Me

Ex Coup UK

Victoria

5. Switch companies! So far I have switched my broadband and also cancelled my SKY tv subscription in favour of NOW tv. This is another big saving each month. Shop around, use compare websites and find the best deal for you and your family.

This is just the start for me this year but hopefully these things combined will make me a good saving and I'll be on my way to being debt free!

Mrs H x

Top tips to keep sickness bugs at bay!

Having 3 children, and volunteering in a school, I deal with my fair share (and more!) of the dreaded sickness bug. Along the way I have managed to swerve catching it a few times even when the whole family are dropping like flies. Some people may think my ways are a bit extreme BUT if it stops me or someone else from catching it then so be it! This mama bear needs to be fit and healthy for her cubs!

1. Quarantine! This is a big thing for me. If one of my family members start throwing up, the first thing I do is confine them to one room. (Usually their bedroom)
2. Clean like mad! Each time said family member is sick put bleach down the loo, dis infect the toilet seat, flush handle and things like the light switch and door handle. Dont forget the sink and the taps.
3. Wash your hands at every opportunity. Mostly these bugs get transferred from hand to mouth so wash with hot water and soap and then use anti bac gel afterwards.
4. Do NOT share towels.
5. As soon as symptoms subside wash all bedding on a hot wash.
6. Dettol Spray! This is a must for me. Once I have cleaned everything, I spray the dettol disinfectant EVERYWHERE! Sofas, walls, bedframes the lot!
7. Treatment - with a sickness bug the only thing I find that helps is not to eat and take SIPS of diarolyte. With children i syringe a few mls at a time every 10 mins or so. This is amazing stuff and really rehydrates the body. (I am not a doctor, please read all labels before using)

Sickness bugs are absolutely awful but unfortunately very common. Good hygiene is key but sometimes they are really powerful and with very young children its hard to confine it. I hope some of these tips have been useful to you.

Mrs H x

Lets get organised!

Since I became a mum of 3, 16 months ago, my life has become chaotic and unorganised. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't change my little family for all the neat filing systems and empty washing baskets in the world but I do always wish my life was a bit more organised. Purely for the fact that if everything was planned in advance and in order, then I would have more time to spend doing the things that my children and I love to do. Somehow though, every time I try to get order in my life I always end up back where I started. I have enlisted the help of some fellow bloggers to make myself ( and you!) a list of tips to keep on top!

• So, firstly, from Jen over at Just Average Jen "Write coffee at the top of your to do list and then it is easy to do at least one thing."
• Rebecca, over at The everyday mummy says "get things prepped the night before"
• Mummy Gummie Blog's Lisa says "write a list with only three things a day, that way it isn't daunting and you get the satisfaction from having a completed list"
• Birthdays and parties are always sorted last minute in my house. When I say last minute, I usually mean a mad dash to the supermarket half hour before the party starts! Hannah from The Amphletts buys cards in bulk, including a variety of aged and plain ones so that she never gets caught at last minute like I always do!
• When working or getting important stuff done, Louise over at A strong coffee to go says " don't have Facebook or twitter on! So easy to get distracted!"
• Lastly, Hollie from thrifty mum says "Before bed, visualise the next day and write a list, get out anything you can prepare in advance and then get a good nights sleep. You'll feel mentally and physically rested that way and therefore more able to take on the day."

With all of this in mind I have made packed lunches and laid out uniforms and bags and coats for tomorrow morning. Here's to an organised week!

Mrs Hx

Teeth Whitening at home

Recently in Superdrug I purchased this "1 Week Tooth Whitening Kit" by the brand Brilliant

It was on offer with a 1/3 off the original price, so I thought I would give it a try. As someone who suffers with weak enamel and dull coloured teeth I thought it was worth a shot! On the box it states that the "Enamel friendly formula" can get your teeth "4 shades whiter in 1 week", so as of today (Saturday 22nd April) I will be giving this a try. Next week I will do a full review, with before and after photos and my honest opinion of the product and how it worked. Keep an eye on this blog and my Instagram page.

Mrs H x

Dieting for a fussy eater!

I have been dieting now since the start of January, and so far I've lost a stone. (yay go me!) I go to a slimming world class on a Monday eve and mostly follow this plan. However, I am fussy. Not ridiculously fussy with meals but when it comes to snacking I'm not a lover of fruit so sometimes I'm not 100% on the SW plan. I have swapped a fair few things in my diet that have definitely helped me so far though. These being:

• Instead of having a chocolate or biscuits with my evening Tea I will have one of these NAKD bars. My favourites being cashew cookie, and the bakewell tart that is A-MAZING!
• In the late morning between breakfast and lunch I have swapped biscuits or sugary cereal bars for a banana with a cuppa. (try it! it surprisingly tides you over!)
• I have a massive sweet tooth and have found a new love for dried fruit and nuts. A small bag like this from sainsburys is much better than a chocolate bar or a few biscuits.

• I'm trying to not drink fizzy drinks but when I do I have Sugar Free versions.
• Swapped my 2 sugars in a cup of tea to sweetner tablets.
• Limiting bread to once a day.

All of these are just little changes but added together they are definitely making a difference. That alongside slimming world and I have lost a stone since start on January, which isn't bad going right?

I'm learning that everything can be enjoyed in moderation, and just because you may "fall off the diet wagon" with a cheat meal or treat, it doesn't mean you have to stay off. Enjoy the treat, and jump straight back on that wagon. Everything in moderation!

Mrs H x

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Im turning in to my mother

Its true what they say you know, as you get older you morph in to your mother. The moment i had my first child was the moment it started to happen! You see, my mother is an absolute panic ridden sweetheart. She worrys about everything and so now unintentionally so do I! Its irrational sometimes but it cant be helped. That aside there are things that I say everyday that is like my Mum is talking. Here are some examples....

• Take that coat off or you wont feel the benefits outside.
• If I come in there and find it there will be trouble! (That was a favourite of my Mums, trouble never ever followed, even though she always came in and found it)
• I may aswell be talking to a brick wall!
• Who is "she" the cats mother??
• If the wind changes you'll stay like that.
• Dont pick your nose your brain will fall put!
• Sometimes I really wonder about you.
• Were you born in a barn?? Shut the door!
• Practise makes perfect.
• If at first you dont succeed try try again.
• Money doesnt grow on trees.
• Dont make me come up there!

Its crazy because some of these I really hated (especially, the sometimes I really wonder one) and yet they still flow out of my mouth, like some inevitable family trait. It happens to us all!!

So because this post is all about mums......heres a pic of me and mine ☺

Mrs H x

First weigh in at Slimming World

Tonight was my first weigh in at Slimming World. I was so nervous but I knew I'd been good and was definitely going to get a loss of some sort. I lost 4lbs which isn't bad going at all! I will admit I wanted a bit more than that but its better than nothing at all. Its a start. Have you seen what 1 lb of fat looks like!?

How gross is that! I've lost 4 of those in a week!
Roll on next week, I want to do the same again!!

Mrs H x

2017 bucketlist

I don't think we will afford an abroad holiday this year. We already have a camping trip booked and maybe we will squeeze in another short caravan holiday somewhere, but apart from this it will be days out for us instead over this year. Places I would really like to visit are

• Richmond park to see the deer.
• Chessington World of Adventures, the older kids love it there!
• London Museums.
• Bournemouth Beach.
• West Wittering Beach.
• To take the kids to see another show of some sort as they loved Disney on Ice at the 02 arena.
• Longleat zoo.
• Hyde Park.
• Battersea Park.
• Box Hill Nature trail.

These are just a few I can think of. As you can tell I love to be outdoors with my children and we all love a nature trail! so much fun to be had and I cant wait for some warmer days.

Mrs H x

This was us last year at our local ecology centre on rold dahls BFG dreamjar hunt!

What weekends were made for

This weekend we have no set plans. Just pure family time. Priceless. So far the kids have been swimming with their dad whilst I caught up with college work and some chores and other then that we have just chilled out! Tonight has been an old school Saturday night with a yummy dinner and Saturday night telly. We love ITVs Ninja Warrior in our house so we all sat down to watch that together and then the new series of The voice started!
Tomorrow I think I'll take the kids to the local park and take a power walk with them around the fields to get some exercise in and hopefully boost my weightloss this week. My goal is to be able to run around that park one day! I'm gonna cook  a yummy Sunday dinner and play with the kids Christmas toys all afternoon.

Weekends were made for family! How have you spent yours?

Mrs H x

Argos Chad Valley Tiny Treasures Doll review

This year for Christmas, Santa bought my daughter the Chad Valley Tiny Treasures doll from Argos. It has been her favourite present this year.She got the boy version and has named him Charlie.

As the advert states he smells just like a newborn, like a baby powder type smell, and is also heavier than a regular doll. His trunk is soft and weighted while the limbs are made of  Pvc and are soft and look just like a newborns. (although the toes are a bit strange!) When you lift him his arms and legs flop just like a real baby. When you lay him flat his eyes close, and then re open when he is sat up. Under that hat is a head full of soft hair! He comes with a birth certificate and hospital tag around his wrist which my daughter loved. She also loved the packaging he came in so much that she has kept it to use as a car seat, as it has a harness clip and straps in it!
Argos sell this and the girl version (which my daughter wants next!) for £39.99 and a range of accessories to go with it.

Overall my daughter gives this a 10/10 even with the strange toes, so I'm one happy mummy!

Picture from http://www.argos.co.uk/product/5286032
I bought this doll myself and all comments are my own.