Counting the pennies

I’m trying hard to keep to a budget this month because of not having an income of my own, so I’m trying to be really careful what I spend on groceries. And of course, this is the hardest month to cut costs !!

Most christmas presents are taken care of, and have been for a while. I only have the girls’ and Dave’s to sort out now. Most people have hampers, filled with favourite foods. toiletries, books, wine etc. I found some lovely boxes at Ikea which come complete with lid, so they’re reusable by the recipient after Christmas. I need to get some cellophane from a florist to wrap them up properly.

We finally got a holiday for next year sorted out yesterday !! 12 days on the Oriana in September going to Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Madeira. It will be lovely to go back to Madeira again, and we have the luxury of an overnight stay there too. It’s a beautiful ship, and the girls will be well catered for.

The best thing about it – it only cost £600 !! I saved up clubcard points with Tesco and used them all towards the cruise, and for four people for 12 nights……£600 is one hell of a deal !!!

We’d reserved a cruise for May next year, which we were really looking forward to, but we lost it because some of my vouchers hadn’t come through…but this time it’s booked, and vouchers sent off !!

Roll on September !!!