Category: budgeting
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Kids budget birthday party (in a small house!!)
This year, my daughter keeps asking for party. She’s in year one now and last year she went to more parties in six months than I did in six years. Honestly, those kids have a better social life than us parents. Something seems to have happened between the 90s and now. Kids seem to expect…
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Cheap Christmas with kids — is it possible?
Cast your mind back. You’re eight, nine, ten years old. Think about your best moment from that year… Can you even remember what you got as a gift for Christmas? Do you remember the presents or do you remember how you felt? I remember feeling warm and cosy with the glow of a light up…
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Cheap party bag idea
With three little ones, I go to lots of kids parties. We leave most of the parties with a bag full of goodies. We’ve had some great loot in some, and some plastic stuff that breaks on the way home in others. These party bags can add significant cost to the party shenanigans. With a…
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Gift ideas for 5 year olds
I’m in the thick of it. Class parties. My eldest started school in September and there’s been plenty of party invites rolling into her book bag and my WhatsApp. Five seems to be the age when kids start asking for parties. Ida has has whole day planned, and I’m sure she’s not the only one.…
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Christmas Budgeting Hacks
There’s so much pressure at Christmas. Have to see Santa somewhere. Have to buy the teacher a Christmas gift. Have to cram the diary full of activities for the kids. Have to book in Christmas drinks with everyone you haven’t seen all year. Add in buying Christmas gifts and cards and December quickly becomes a…
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How to budget for statutory maternity pay
It’s no secret that maternity pay in the UK isn’t great. You’ll get 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) then £184.03 or 90% of your weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for 33 weeks. Norway’s parental leave is very generous. Covering 49 weeks at full income, or 59 weeks with 80% income. When I…
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What I learned from my trip to Disneyland Paris – and what I’ll do different next time
In August 2024, me, Matt, Ida (4), and Martha (2) went to Disneyland Paris. We had the most incredible time. You can read my thoughts on: Now I’ve had a month to digest Disneyland Paris, I’ve thought about the things I’d do different next time. I’ve also thought about ways to save money, have more…
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Butlin’s premium dining vs budget dining
I’ve been to both Bognor Regis Butlin’s and Minehead Butlin’s. At Bognor we opted for Budget dining, at Minehead we went premium. Budget Dining / Basic plan at Bognor Regis Butlin’s The price difference between them in 2024 was quite steep, so we opted for the cheaper dining plan. The menu seemed okay, and £174…
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How to eat cheap at Butlin’s
Choose the right week, and a Butlin’s holiday is a bargain. Sometimes £150 all in. But, you have to factor in food when you’re there. If you’re on a tight budget and are heading to Butlin’s for holiday, here are some hacks on how to eat cheap at Butlin’s. Choose a dining plan Dining plans…
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Big family, small house. My tips
We’re currently a family of four, soon to be five, with a small dog and a cat. We live in a two bed house. The house has a living room / diner, and a separate kitchen. The rooms are good sizes, but I know we will outgrow this house soon. However, with mortgage rates as…
Fromthemotherside 