A busy start to a busy month

I've got lots planned for this month but I have also got it all accounted for , time and money. This week has been busy but fun. I've seen lots of people and had a good time socially but managed to keep spending down to a minimum.

Wednesday , my daughter was off school due to the strikes. We spent the day together, firstly we went for a long walk then we went into town. We had a pizza buffet, my daughter ate free with the voucher downloaded off the Internet. It cost me £6.99 just for my buffet, her food and drink was free. In the afternoon we went to see the new film 'Arthur Christmas', for free ! This was due to a friend kindly giving me two tickets as they had no use for them. My daughter was delighted as she wanted to see the film and we had a nice day together. Afterwards we went to visit relatives.

Thursday , I went to meet a friend which was a longstanding arrangement. We went to the cinema again, this time to see ' My week with Marilyn'. Despite me insisting otherwise, my friend wanted to pay for me so I enjoyed a pleasant afternoon in the company of my friend and didn't spend any money. I also refrained from sharing her popcorn so was I being good too !

Friday, after school club for my daughter then we went to a Church Service. This was in respect of thanks giving for recent building works & improvements which was followed by a lovely buffet afterwards. No cost involved and a pleasant evening socialising with other people.

Saturday, the three of us went to the cinema again. This time to see Cars 2 which was released earlier in the summer. I always try to wait to see these films at the kids showings when they are drastically cheaper. We paid £1 each to see the film. After the cinema, some friends popped round to see us, then some relatives so we had a nice afternoon with a house full , drinking tea.

Today, cinema again !! We took my daughter and a friend to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2. A kids showing at another cinema, £1.25 each. Afterwards we went into Birmingham to see the German Market. It was really busy but we didn't buy anything, just window shopped. We did have a meal at Pizza Express. My husband was given some time ago two £15 gift vouchers that we decided to keep for a rainy day. I also had an email voucher for £5 off a £20 spend. Then this week they emailed me a voucher for a free bottle of prosecco as a birthday treat and upon enquiring they said I could use both vouchers together. The bill should have come to £66.65 but minus the email vouchers £24.95 then the £30 gift vouchers, I only had £11.70 of real money to pay. The meal was nice but not worth £66.65, but the wine should have been £19.95 which I find hard to believe, I'm just glad it was a birthday treat ! Its not something I would normally buy. My daughter and her friend had a great time and the meal and cinema came to £16.70, not bad for 4 people.