I'm not here anymore....

Thanks to Metro.co.uk for featuring my story I really appreciate the attention being brought to the blog. I see a lot of you are being directed here when my website is infact  www.hardupandhappy.co.uk where if you subscribe there you will be kept up to date with the latest recipes, tips and more! Also I've got a channel on youtube if you want to subscribe. I'm on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Please don't miss out as I will be closing the blogspot soon. Thanks for reading. P.S Here's my latest vlog just for you.

Just How Many Kids Has She Got Now?...

There seems to be a growing trend at the moment with 'mummy and daddy' bloggers and I suppose I'm included in that title. I think it's great that mum's and dad's everywhere have a chance to vent to the world how hard, rewarding and bloody frustrating it is at times to be a parent. Most of all, l I think it's great that there is so much 'real' advice out there now for parents. When I had Olivia, a.k.a 'The Teenager', there was no 'Unmumsy mum' to tell me it was normal to feel shit, when I had just done the most amazing thing in the world, by pushing a human out of my vagina- when phrased this way is there any wonder you feel shit? No Man vs Baby to make me laugh, with the truthful but oh so funny accounts of parenthood. In fact the closest thing to a 'blogger' was good old Emma- she still writes that diary you know, she must have had hundreds of children by now! For those of you that don't know, Emma's Diary was written for mums-to-be and would be given to them by the midwife. It has of course, progressed into a great website, full of useful information and has been on the go for many years. That said, nothing quite beats hearing advice from the horses mouth, the real, normal, average Joe. There are blogs that relate to all types of parents, single, working, hard up- shameless plug- and I think it's great that parents everywhere have all this real information readily available. I suppose the question is do you use it? Have you felt anything other than sheer joy when you gave birth? Have you felt so guilty because you've missed their school play because of work? Have you been so skint you didn't know how your money was going to make it to the end of the day let alone the week? Has it helped any of these problems, knowing you weren't alone in feeling this way? I would love to hear your views on how bloggers have helped you- and no it doesn't have to be mine.

Life Through Rose-Tinted Glasses

Are you sick of reading horrible stories in the news? Have you had enough of hearing about negative things that happen? Fed up with seeing nasty images or videos on-line? If the answer is yes, then maybe you need some rose-tinted glasses. My dad always jokes to me that I wear them all the time. I can help you get yours! Okay, I understand it’s easy sitting here in the sunshine with the birds tweeting to see things from a happier perspective, but that’s not always the case. In present times where we are having such doom and gloom rained down on us by the media how can we avoid it? There’s a well-known saying I love and it’s that a ship can’t sink unless it lets the water in. We have to let the negativity in before it can affect us. I’m not saying turn your back on things you wish to change because they are negative, because helping the cause that concerns you will help you feel accomplished and therefore make you happier. I find having a good clear out on social media sites helps, we all have those friends who moan about their lives when in reality their biggest problem is what to do for tea. Cutting out toxic people is a big step forward, people that make you unhappy or hold you back in any way are best out of your life. Refrain from commenting or reacting to horrible videos on-line, as all this does is pass it on like a disease, spreading around the internet for everyone else to see. Life’s much better when you focus on the positives, and believe you me I’ve had a lot of negativity to block out, however I have managed to focus on the good and life is rosy.

Summer Survival Tips

As parents stock up on headache tablets, sugary bribes and copious amounts of alcohol, this can only mean one thing, it’s the summer holidays. I know this strikes the fear of dread into a lot of parents, as they wonder how they can possibly keep their children entertained without going bankrupt and keeping their sanity at the same time. It’s not impossible to do with a little imagination and a bit of effort….and some wine. Just remember to keep to a budget of what you can afford, don’t be spending money you haven’t got on days out that cost a fortune, just because you know that everybody else will be taking their children. Watch out for offers and coupons for money off family days out. The main thing is don't be afraid to let them get bored, in fact I encourage it, it’s when they are bored that they will show how creative they can be. Sticks become guns, daisies become chains and that blanket becomes a fort. Stretch things out as much as you can. I refer back to my Easter Holiday post How to Fill Three Days With One Picnic

Have a family sleepover one night in the living room, build a den and enjoy some old movies together, the children will love it and most likely remember it forever. Enjoy a 'no media day' where you and the family are forced to actually interact! Interview each other, you might find out a few things you didn't already know about one another. It could also come in handy for present buying in the future. Set a loose plot line and characters for a story and give everyone a part to write. Either the beginning, middle or ending and at the end of the day read it together and see who has the wackiest imagination.  Tune in to BBC TEES breakfast show with Neil Green and Amy Oakden for more tips on how to have fun with your family for free, or very cheap...It doesn’t cost money to create memories.

Birthday's on a budget

My son Chase on his 1st birthday

Nobody likes to think they're having to budget for someone's birthday, especially their own children's. Unfortunately in this day and age we haven't all got the funds to be buying our teenager, or indeed our 6 year old, the latest gadget. So how can we combat the feeling of guilt for not spending as much as the 'Jonses' up the road? Well, it's simple really, the gift of time is the one they will remember more than the latest fad, (that will probably be forgotten when replaced with the shinier newer version they year after.) I remember when my eldest, Olivia, was 6. I planned a cinema trip, something a lot of people do on a weekend for fun, however I told her we were going for a girly night out, just me and her. We spent the afternoon getting dolled up, doing our hair, putting lippy on and got in the car.

Olivia on her 6th birthday ready to go out

She was so excited, not knowing where she was going and that she was on a 'girl's night out'. I took her to Mcdonald's, which she was very happy with and then onto the cinema. We watched Shrek the 3rd, actually that's a lie, I watched Shrek the 3rd. Olivia thought when the adverts had finished it was time to go! She played musical chairs and asked constantly is it finished yet (maybe not the best of ideas!) But the point being, she still to this day (she's 14 almost 15 now) remembers our night out. Would she have remembered getting the pink Nintendo D.S she really wanted that I couldn't afford? Does she remember being disappointed she didn't get it? No. She just remembers the fun night out she had with mummy. I can guarantee you any moment you make special will be remembered and even carried on for generations to come. Try it when you are stuck for something to buy, even if it's because they have too much and you don't know what to buy them. You don't have to be skint to make memories, rich people can be happy too.....

My daughter Neve on her 4th birthday

357 days to go!

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and New year with your family and friends, I know we certainly did! We overindulged, argued over games, partied too hard and are now sick of the sight of each other. Operation Christmas success! Now to do the dreaded thing and mention Christmas 2016. I know it doesn't bare thinking about just yet, but with a bit of forward planning you can take some of the stress away from next Christmas. I understand money is tight enough in January, but if you can spare any at all, then I would advise shopping in the sales for next years gifts. It's fun to go and see what you can get. If grandma likes bath stuff for then get it now, or you have an that aunty that loves candles, these things don't go off find a bargain! If you can't stretch to gifts, then get your cards and wrapping paper. Sainsbury's were selling boxes of cards off for 25p each box! The main thing is, to be careful not to buy rubbish. There's no point buying a gift that is falling to bits just because it has £20 off. If it's a gift box that is damaged on the other hand, the contents will still be fine, just re-box them yourself in a box you have left over from a gift set. I always think personal presents are much more exciting as you don't know what's going to be in them. My daughter loved her girlie box I made up from an old Johnson's baby box. Most importantly don't forget to ask for money off, even if it's already in the sale just try it and see after all they can only say no.

Olivia and her girlie box 

Neve excited to death

Chase with his Iggle piggle

Chase and grandad

How to pocket more pounds

I thought I would share some more tips with you on saving a bit of money, after all Christmas is sprinting towards us now! If there are any of you with young kids and they like the tins of spaghetti shapes for their lunch then you will know they cost quite a bit if you're buying a few at a time. I can save you pounds, instead of buying a few small tins, or even large ones to portion up, buy the basic brand spaghetti. It's around 20p-30p in most supermarkets, and get a jar of the cheap tomato sauce for bolognese, this ranges from around 30p-80p. Then simply cook what you need each time, it lasts longer than an opened tin and you can portion the exact amount you need. As spaghetti takes about 10 minutes to cook it's not much longer than heating up a jar in a pan. If your little one likes you can grate cheese on it or stick some chopped sausages in for a more filling meal or serve with garlic bread for a cheap, easy and tasty lunch. My children love it so does my step-son who is quite a picky eater and he gave it a big thumbs up! The same went for my cheesy pasta which is as simple as the tomato pasta. Instead of buying tins of macaroni cheese buy the basic brand pasta, very cheap for a bag 29p in Lidl! All I do with this is serve it with my home-made cheese sauce (recipe on my vegetable lasagne post) literally cook the pastas and then add the sauce to the drained pastas and stir. Very simple and very tasty, also you know exactly what you're feeding them when you've cooked it yourself and can't stress how cheap they are!