Coming home

So that's us, we are back from our little family holiday to Italy. It's such a nice feeling when you realise your house isn't just a house, it's your home. I got that real warm feeling when we walked in last night. The hubby and I both said it wasn't coming home we were sad of, just that it meant back to the old routine and back to less time together. But...

It also means back to my blog which is of course a big positive!

The Gallery – Our Easter

Our Easter was so much fun this year. On Sunday morning when I wished her happy Easter she straight away asked if the Easter bunny had been. So cute! He left her a note in the lounge to say due to the rain he had hidden 5 eggs in the lounge. I wish the age of believing could last forever!!

This is my entry to The Gallery for the theme Easter... make sure you go and have a look at all the other wonderful entries.

My week in tweets

Slummy single mummy is running a link up 'A week in tweets' – love this idea! I've been meaning to join in but when I went to write my post last week I found I had a goldfish brain and couldn't remember a single thing I had done. Clearly I need to get out more! This week riding high on too much sugar after Easter I'm hoping I can do better, so here we go...

Monday – Talked into KFC for dinner by bad influence husband, why am I giving up choc for lent again?

Tuesday – Bump into old friend as I pop out the office. Have lovely chat. Forget what I went out for. Go back into office.

Wednesday – LO completely hyper & not at all sleepy when I pick her up. Cop out & cuddle up watching entire Pingu DVD #guiltyconscience

Thursday – Plan all day how I will tidy the house that night so we can relax on Good Friday. Fail.

Friday – Lovely lunch with the neighbours & their kids, Squiggle tells their boys that girls are best. #fastlearner

Saturday – Manically buy the last available Easter eggs in Sainsburys. Forget to tidy the house again.

Sunday – Find letter from Easter bunny saying due to the rain he has used his magic carrot key & hidden the eggs in the lounge #nicesave

Money saving alphabet

a,b,c,d,e,f,g... I'm as thrifty as can be! I feel like since having my little one my mind is constantly on money saving mode – it doesn't always work and it's hard to stick to the rules I set myself but it still helps to have them. I'm more thrifty now than I've ever been and I know it doesn't have to mean misery! Here is my money saving alphabet – it's my entry for the Britmums piggy bank tales competition which is sponsored by Virgin Money.

accept

Admit your financial limits and accept what you have got;

even a little, can then feel like such a lot.

barter

Be never bashful... barter for bargains; 

and be sure your purse is cash full.

cashback

Click cashback sites before you buy online; 

clock up cash for another time. 

Chi ching!

debts

Don't ignore them... 

dig deep, divulge, and do consolidate them.

eat together

Everyone eating the same family dinner; 

saves on expensive different portions – an easy saving winner.

friends

Friends are free!!

green

Get green and turn of lights & sockets; 

get saving polar bears and gain savings in your pockets.

home-made

Hundreds of dishes can be home-made yummy... 

with a small hoard of key ingredients – hurrah for happy tummies!

ice ice baby

Invest in itsy bistsy freezer pots and store portions as you cook; 

mine is full of ice surprises and always worth a look.

justify

Just before you buy it; 

stop and justify it.

kiddie kino

We know with kids you're always up and awake; 

so kick start your day at the cinema – at weekend morning showings, £1 tickets are at stake.

library

Lots of books and lovely activities for little one and me; 

look shhhhhhhhhh listen, it's all for free.

make

Make gifts and cards with your mini makers; 

mine even decorates plain wrapping paper.

natter natter

Now if you natter unlimited on your mobile do you need a landline too? 

when at home skype is a great option and at no cost for me or you!

over-budget

Over estimating and realism with your budget can only leave you with spare;

otherwise you'll only end up spending extra pounds elsewhere.

plan

Planning meals and making shopping lists help food budgets stretch longer;

less waste, less haste, still lots of taste... and a bank account that's stronger.

quick fix

For a quick cash fix rummage baby clothes and old CD's;

there's money to be made at car boot sales, to buy things you really need. 

rewards

Reap rewards with free points cards, when you're out and ready to shop; 

reward cards can bring days out and shopping discounts at a pop.

surestart

Super savers surely see... 

you can do all the same baby activities for free!

travel thrifty

Take note of group discounts and advance travel fares; 

always ask for the cheapest tickets and ring direct to compare.

understand

Understanding your personal money traps is a great first step to helping savings grow,

write down every little thing you buy one month and underlying problems will show.

vouchers

The web is full of vouchers to spend online and in store;

always search before you spend to leave yourself with more.

wait

However much you want something, if you can't afford it wait;

the stress of debt or monthly payments will far outweigh the treat.

X marks the spot

Give your savings account a name that reflects it's end goal;

it makes adding to it so satisfying and will get you on a roll.

zippity doo dah

Celebrate you luck with some lovely family treats and fun;

be in it to win it and enter great fun comps on blogs for mums!

Share your savings story for a chance to win £500 towards a Stocks & Shares ISA