Another end of the week and boy has it been a week. I have still been careful with my money and it is good to have that money saved for emergencies which we did need this week. We did fix the gate on our living room door but Henry managed to brake through it. Definitely going to be stunt boy when he gets older. So we are now going to have to think of Plan B. What that is, not sure yet but will have to get something sorted for the living room door ASAP.

I managed to find my running buzz again as I hadn't had the same vibe to run as before and stopped for a few weeks. Getting back out there yesterday morning at 5am felt good. Then walked from Epsom to Ashtead then got the train back and then later walked to meet Elv after work. so my legs are aching a bit today.

Ashtead is quite a small place but as some little business shops, charity shops and local stores. It was about 2.4 miles from where we live and was nice. Good weather yesterday to be out. ​

Who else loves the film You Got Mail, I love that film with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, I never get sick of the film they had that on this week. Such a great film, then I wanted to watch more of our films we have indoors to discover our Xbox isn't working. It won't turn on. It has not been a good year so far with technology. Hopefully some good luck will come my way some point.

Looking forward to today when my hubby gets home, we are planning to go out somewhere today for a change. I think we can all do with a fresh environment for a few hours or so. It is going to be the first weekend with no football or tennis, but we do have the Olympics in Rio coming, so looking forward to that. Come on Team GB.

I have a new Haul video up ready to be published, so once it is I will add to my website and let you all know.

Anyway going to leave it there for today. Have a fab weekend and see you next week.

Many thanks for reading,


Carrie X ​​​​

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End of another week and I really want to go for a run, but I know it isn't wise as I am still bunged up and running tends to aggravate me when I have a mixture of Hayfever and a cold, that is still lingering. So because I really wanted to do some exercise, and because I had a good workout yesterday, and wanted to keep the momentum up I decided to go for a long walk instead before heading back home after dropping Henry off at nursery. I took Henry out yesterday to walk the same route, Henry loves being outdoors and it was really nice to just go for a leisurely stroll in our local common.

When I walk that is where I start to get most of my ideas from, for my blogs, books and videos. ​It is the best therapy to help clear the mind and help the creative side of my brain working.

I got say it was really nice to just be with nature in the mornings not having to rush anywhere else.​


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​Following on from my previous blogs see links to these above (Monday Check-in, Blog Tuesday and on this page Friday Feeling page) where I have been talking about finding the girl who was a super saver. I have been really careful this week. It has really made me count and be cautious with every penny. I am really having to hold my self back from splurging and making sure I keep to my budget as much as I can. If you haven't read my other blogs then I have been writing about being more responsible with my money. I want to be the girl again, who was once a proper Savvy person and who saved like it was the most important thing in the world. Since doing a proper budget which I have been doing this week has really started to get touch with the good feelings of saving, rather than spending. Breaking it down, doing a spreadsheet on things we have purchased this year, has really been an insight and opened my eyes to the fact that I can now see where I have been wasting my money.

​It is nice to see amount go up instead of down.

I am not saying it isn't ok to have a splurge but now I will save to have those and not splurge all the time. I will admit I do hoard, but there are times when this has worked in my favour. I always have a receipt should I need to return an item. Or if we need a set of instructions for something I know I have it and all household items instructions are all together in a folder.

It is things like clothes, using up toiletries before I go out and purchase more and food making sure that, that all gets used. I know I don't need so many of everything and focusing on what we do need. Minimal I have come to see does help to make rooms clearer, rather than have them jam packed full of stuff. Well I am getting there, still need to work on this, but I don't need to keep 100's of magazines anymore or items that I may use one day.

Part of my super savvy side I had when I was young is still there a little, but it is those times I am bored and think mmm, I'll just have a look on Amazon and  have a browse or I just pop into TK Maxx for a browse, and there have been times where I have had the willpower to walk out without buying something but then I will get that rush of adrenaline and before I know it I am at the till and buying again.

Now I will purposely walk around town after I drop off Henry to nursery so I don't go into TK Maxx or any other shop as most of the shops in Epsom don't open until 9am. I loose the urge to go to the shops once I have got home and once I picked up Henry. ​​​

I did have to get a few extra items this week, so did go over my budget, but I know there will be times that I will, due to running out of items. That is ok. I am still monitoring what I buy, and already even though I have gone over my budget still saved more this month already by being more careful about what I buy and how much. 

​Henry this week finally worked out how to open our doors, and can now open the door that leads out to the hallway from our living room. Once they begin to learn a skill they keep on opening up the door, closing it, slamming it if you are not careful; so can lead to trapped fingers and so not able to relax now until little dude is in bed in the evening or when he has his afternoon nap. So even though it is another milestone in Henry's development, NOW NOWHERE IS SAFE.

I have bought some safety catches and door clips, for our cupboard doors, our fridge as he has learned how to open this and has worked out that, this is where we keep the yogurts. I realised he had worked this out when I saw two pots of yogurt at the top of the stairs, as if Henry was saying "Please I want these, open them up if possible so I can have them".

Also we will be putting either a gate or a lock on the living room door, because there are times when I will be cooking in the kitchen or cleaning, where I want him to be where I can easily see him. Not possible when he is opening and closing the door, running upstairs to cause mayhem to then slide back down and cause more mayhem downstairs.

So been a busy week and with parenthood no week is the same really as I am sure Henry will be doing more new things come next week. So glad the Tennis and football are on. I know some can't wait for these to finish, but these two sports seems to be along with SpongeBob be the only things that will have Henry sitting down for a bit.

I will do an unboxing video of the items I bought from Amazon, I have one other item to come. In terms of money, things are looking up already, don't want to tempt fate but having taken control and be more savvy I do see a positive end.

Anyway have a good rest of Friday and weekend. I will blog again next week.

Many thanks for reading,


Carrie X ​​​​

 Hello it is Friday once again. I am full of cold, I thought it was Hayfever at first as I did keep getting itchy eyes. However I am so blocked up from the back of my throat (sorry for the TMI) to the front of my nose and it is so irritating. 

If you read my blog on Monday Check-In. Sorry this is a mistake meant to say Blog Tuesday page I wrote about how I am really budgeting my money and was giving myself £10 a week to spend, and on myself I spent just £1.50, which was good. In total, on food for Henry, snacks, bread and milk total was £16.79 pence. Not bad. I need to buy more nappies but going to use my Boots points to pay for these. It has been £30 to £40, so has made a massive difference. 

What it has really made me see is where most of my money goes. You may think well that's obvious, but sometimes we can be reckless and become unaware of how much we are spending a week. We become in denial at times, or think we have to reward ourselves as "We can't take it with us when we go" i.e: die. Sorry to being morbid, but how many of us have had that attitude or have said that. I can definitely put my hand up. 

However when you have bought those pair of £60 shoes knowing you now going to go further into your overdraft or credit card, which is high anyway and got your childs nappies, food and baby wipes to buy, you have to think what is important?
Do you want to be paying this debt off for the rest of your life?

It has made me look at the little things we spend our money on. for example I could see that being more cautious with our money our food packaging draw has become less clogged up, and haven't got a food bag blocking us from opening it up, and we can see what we have got and what we needed to buy.

It made me think about alternatives on how we can still store our food without spending lots of money on food bags and packaging. We have plenty of plastic tubs so any leftovers can be stored in those in the fridge, so don't need clingfilm or a food bag for those. If it is a fruit or vegetable or cheese for example, then use up our blue freezer bags we already have got. They can be used for storing food in lunchboxes or in the freezer, so it made me see I don't need the fancy food bags with the zipper across. They are nice but do I really need them. NO.

It also made me address the cost of how much to spend on food packaging items and where. The Poundland shops are good on some items when it comes to spending and saving money, which is one of my joys, but it isn't if you go to the pound shop and still blow your budget for the week. It's defeating the object of saving. You can get items for lower cost in stores like Wilkos. So Instead of spending a pound each on Clingfilm, kitchen foil and food bags, why not go to Wilko's and purchase it for less than a pound. Ok you may not get as many bags, but I find at times, the more you have of something, the more you use. When you have less of somethings it makes you be more cautious on how much to use, to make it last longer.

Sometimes the "Less is more" approach does make sense on certain things.

I almost had an impulse buy in Wilko's, because as I approached the queue for the tills, I could see they were doing Nivea Shower Gels for 95p and I got that urge, "Ooh should I get some just in case it goes up in price?" I really had to hold myself back and think "No, use the ones I have".   

It does take discipline, making the choice between need and want. There is a difference between the two. Do you need another pair of shoes to add to your 16 pairs you already have? 
No, they are a want item. 
Do you need to buy more nappies for your toddler? 
Yes, if you are running low. I have found that bulk buying of nappies does save you a lot more, than buying them individually, but if you have a points card and have enough points to cover the cost of a packet then that is also a great way to save. 

So when buying something, sometimes making association with if it is a need or a want item, can really help make that correct decision. 

The difference between the girl who was a saver when she was a young girl to who I am today, was that with money I had a more respectful caring attitude towards it, and it was a good relationship. Then I began to choose between having a lot of clothes to having a lot of money, going out every night or weekend, to saving money and the relationship with money began to be a rollercoaster relationship, not being able to get to grips with it. 

Attitude I have come to learn, now I am 37, going almost onto 38 years old, does make all the difference in relationships, whether they are with an object, lifestyle choice or with a person. Having respect and taking control, working on your own personal demons, why I couldn't get to grips with money, is the starting point for me to start building a good relationship with money again. I know this will be helpful to others, as sometimes you can fall out with money, but it is about having the right attitude to put right again. 

No life isn't as, Jessie J, sings, all about the money, but having the right attitude does. 

Here I have linked my two new Youtube videos which you can watch on my channel now. 

New Monthly Mother and Baby Chat Video 
Charity Shop Monthly Challenge- May 2016
Days in a life Video- Saturday 20th May 2016


Many thanks for reading, 


​Carrie X 

So yep it is Friday. I did wake up this morning, took Henry to Nursery then did a run, wondering about the EU result, whether the UK are in the EU or not. I did have a feeling it would be out, as I had a suspicion, as we had some person driving around in a, what look like a Jeep on a microphone convincing people to vote to stay in. Like a last minute persuasion knowing it was going to be the other way. 

I got to say I did get a bit fed up of every time I went into town I had someone in a logo T-Shirt, EU Vote in or EU Vote out, handing me a leaflet. There was some guy arguing with one of them, and I was more wanting this all to be done with. There is only so much leaflet bombarding that one person can take. I know they are just doing their job, but I think it was a bit too much at times, as it seemed every time we turned a corner there they would be. 

Now the results have been coming in, I don't really know what to think. I to be honest could not make up my mind, and I am not going to say if I voted or not, or which way I voted, I think when it comes to voting it is your choice and should be kept private if requested. I know there are many disappointed people with the vote, but there has to be a good reason why people have voted us out the EU. You don't get a majority on a vote without a reason. People want change, and whether it is good or bad, sometimes changes occur for a reason. 

What is important to me is the poverty in this country. I know there are many countries who have people starving, being terminally ill and homeless, living in refugee camps, but we do have to focus our attention to the people struggling in the UK. I remember a report in the news of more families in the UK having to rely on food banks, and being someone who only had £4 and pennies left from my month wage I can understand why. I am lucky I do have husband who can support me. I have a good family and parents, who have helped us out, but there are those who aren't so lucky. They are the ones we should be looking after. 

So what ever happens, I want the poverty rate in the UK to go down. It is tough to see people living on the streets, especially in winter, and families living in a bedsit, because they can't afford even a one bedroom flat or house. 

Also Taxes. I do wonder a lot of, where does our money go?
Why are the NHS struggling?

I hope that whatever happens from today, that good things will come out of it. Whoever is becomes Prime Minister, of the country as I lost faith in all politicians a while ago that, the NHS do get help and support they need to not be struggling, and the poverty in the UK goes down, helping people to be more well off. 

Many thanks for reading, 


Carrie 

Hello, it is Friday once again and going to keep this short and sweet as possible. Trying to get as much done before I pick Henry up from Nursery. Already time is catching up on me. 

I can't believe another shooting has happened again, how are these people getting hold of these guns.
My heart goes out to Jo Cox's, the Labour MP, family and friends, can not imagine the heartache and sadness they must be feeling. I feel for her two children who will now be without a mother, and no death is nice but to happen in the way it did, is horrific.

However as continuing on from my Monday Check-In Blog, we can not allow these sorts of acts of evil to another human being, to make us live in fear but to continue on. The one thing from this incident, you can take from it, is you just never know what is around the corner so you do, especially when you have children is make every day count.

My week with has been good, we have all, including my husband been enjoying the football. Particularly the England and Wales game. I do think Iceland national side were surprising, they came out attacking as if to say "We may be the under dogs but we have nothing to lose" and good on them. 

The new Apps I have been trying to help plan my week and days, is one called the Business Calendar APP (BIZ) I couldn't find a link for it, but I have provided a picture below, it is in the Playstore and you can link this up to your google calendar, and one called the SplenDO, again hooks up with your google Calendar and available from Playstore. I use this to schedule my YouTube videos.

The annoying thing about them is the constant notifications, as I have put reminders on them, but some automatically come up, and so my phone is continuously going off to remind me of what is coming up in my planner. 
I suppose that is the point, but can become annoying after a while. 

Have had to turn off notifications at night as it will not stop. Also I still have to write it down to get it into my brain. I do think it is important to keep notes written down because if your phone or computer breaks, and I used to say this at work a lot, where everything was internet or intranet based, once it all goes down, your b***ocked and so I do still find the old fashion way still better in that fact that I don't loose everything and it is in my filofax should I need to see it. 

The advantage of going more digital is when out and about you don't have to keep writing lists on little pieces of paper or in a notebook you have it there on your phone. So it does have it advantages to go digital. 

It is Father's day this weekend and I have card and prezzie at the ready for Henry to give to his daddy. It is my Husband's third father's day and he has been a great support, as a husband and a dad. He will change Henry's nappy at night and in the mornings, help with feeding Henry and bath times, so I do think as much as I can strangle him at times, he has earned his father's day celebration on Sunday. 

Good weekend everyone. 

Many thanks for reading, 


​Carrie X 

So lost track of time today, and soon I will be off picking up Henry again from Nursery. I have completed some of my to do list today, doing the most important tasks first. I still got bits to do, so thought before I do anything else I will write my Friday Blog. 

Tomorrow I return to my Part-time job so Friday's are getting bits done like any laundry that I have left to do, washed as I like to have any washing that needs to be done by the weekend. Sorting bits out, like today I want to sort out my wardrobe, as I got this hanging clothes organiser but it isn't working for me, they sink down as soon you put something in them. I keep looking at it, thinking "No, not working". I think I am going to go for hanging everything again, in my wardrobe, until I think of another method. The issues is I need more hangers. 

The one thing I have begun this week is to go more digital, in terms of doing my to lists, shopping list, using youtube to play some tunes whilst I workout. Did this, this morning whilst running on the treadmill and love it. I have downloaded an APP Called Cozi it's a family organiser APP, and you can keep your shopping list on there, keep list of recipes, to do lists, connect your existing phone planner to it and it will show up, as soon as you go into the APP any up and coming events you have in your planner. 

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I have also been trying some other APP's for my photographs as my mum told me about one called MySketch but with that one you have to pay for it. Costs £1.12 on the playstore. I don't really want to pay for the APP so tried some of the free APPs which was similar such as Photo Sketch but was no good at all, and couldn't get out of the image once I took one. It kept coming up saying the APP has stopped working, only 2 minutes from when it had installed. 

After trying a few of the photo sketch APP's I gave up and installed a free APP for my phone, which was Photo Editor. It's goodish, not as good as want I have seen MySketch do, so I may still download this APP, but it still gives them a different look and can make it look like a portrait rather than a photo.

I now even use the 7 minute workout APP, there are quite a few but the one I have is free, of course, and is called the 7min Full Workout, and it gives you a set of exercises that you can do in 7 minutes. So if you are like me can't afford the gym then why not try this out. You don't need a full half and hour or hour to work out. You just need to get up and get going. 

Let me know of what APP's you have tried that have been useful in scheduling, getting fit or photo editing. It would be great to hear from you. 

Anyway I am going to leave it there and I will blog again next week. 

Have a great weekend everyone and see you next week, 


Carrie x  

Yes this weekend my husband and my niece celebrate their birthdays. Ruby is having a party, and I am taking my husband out, whilst my son is celebrating Ruby's birthday too. Then on Sunday he is off to another party, to see more children, so he will definitely be having a good time. 

Today was his second official day at Nursery. I am due to pick him up fairly soon. He did cry a bit when we got there, but when I called to check on him just after 9 O'Clock he was fine. If he is anything like he was on Wednesday as he had no nap during his nursery session, he will be shattered by the time I pick him up and will have nap when I bring him home.

My next Charity Shop Monthly challenge is up on Youtube. Here is the link if you wish to see it straight away on my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nQaKL99aNc

This will be added to my Charity Shop Challenge page on my website once I have published this blog,

I have been checking out some voucher codes for tomorrows visit up Oxford Street, and find quite a few, for Body Shop, Bella Italia, Pizza Express, and many others. Check out Vouchercodes.co.uk  
Do check the Terms and Conditions of each as there are restrictions on them. 

Anyway going to see what else I can get done before I have to pick up little man. Have a good weekend everyone. 

Many thanks for reading, 



Carrie X 

It is Friday again and we have now reached another transition in our lives whereby Henry has now started nursery. Before I continue, please no asking me where through my websites and social media he is going to nursery and the name of it, as I am not going to share that information, for child protection. I know sometimes it is done innocently, but please respect myself and my families privacy in disclosing such information. The thing about social media is that anyone can read what you put out there, and so, as much I like to share my world, at the same time I do like to keep some things private. I will tell friends when I see them, but until I see them details of where my son is going to nursery is going to remain private.

Yesterday he had an induction, which is where Henry starts to get the feel of the place and plays, and joins in with the other children. I give details to the nursery nurses about Henry, his loves, loathes, food and his development. What areas do they need to help support which our son has not grasped yet.

He did play well outside and climbed the little climbing frame, which he wouldn't even attempt before. He still is learning when he needs to sit down and listen but being in a nursery environment like we all did when we first went to nursery or play school we ​​​soon picked up on how to do that.

Today was his first settling in session. So went in with him and, as soon as I saw him run off and in the children's bathroom, I then went off and aloud him to start building his confidence in his nursery. I didn't want to hang around as I think sometimes that can cause children to get upset and not want you, the parent, to leave,

Henry did really well. I was so nervous today to the point I couldn't really eat anything this morning. I have no idea why, but as soon as I left Henry at the nursery to settle in, I was fine, but usually I have loads of tasks to do. Today I felt lost and was checking the time every 5 minutes. When I picked him up though he was smiling and full of excitement, and I was shown some pictures the lady at the nursery took of his first settle in day and he had a way of a time. He even today sat down and listened to the story being read without kicking up a fuss. He didn't eat anything when they had snack time, but sometimes they won't in a new environment as they can be so excitement that food doesn't interest them at that point.

It was a good day and I am so relieved and glad to get that day out of the way.

With the weekend ahead I was supposed to be going out to celebrate my friends birthday but with lack of funds it is not possible until pay day next week, However my husband is driving my son and I for the first time tomorrow in the morning to Iceland's to get the rest of the months food shopping and then probably take Henry to the park. So I have Saturday off but working on Sunday.

Henry does have two more settle in sessions at nursery next week for a bit longer and is going to spend lunch time there, so be good to see how he does then. It is a massive change because they go from being with you all the time to then going off and ​​​being in a new environment to start their road to independence. I can appreciate those mums and dads who avoid taking their child to nursery until they are a bit older, because it is a big leap and can be for the parents, siblings aswell as the child. You know it is going to happen at some point whether it be nursery or straight into school, but it can be a difficult transition to take at the same time. I would say to all those mums and dads, who are thinking about taking their child to nursery but having doubts. Do what you feel right. Not what everyone else would do, but what will work for your child and for yourself.

No one knows their own child like a parent does and so you will know when they are ready and if they are ready to interactive with children on a more independent basis. Never feel rushed, or pressurised as that can lead to anxiety and worry, which your child can pick up on and cause them to be anxious. As a parent many of us do a lot of worrying as it is, without ​needing to put the worries of should I or shan't I take my child to nursery or not. It is your choice and there will always be those who say you should do it, but it is your choice and about the needs of your own child.

Anyway, going to end the blog here as I want to see if I can get on with some more cleaning before bubs wakes up and then later I will be doing a run on the treadmill, as I need to run my stresses and cobwebs away.

Have a great weekend.

Many thanks for reading,



Carrie X ​​​​

 Another week closing and glad that this week is over. It has been a weird week, and I know for some it is has been a tough week. That is why when you are going through some tough time in your life you find out who your friends really are. 

They are the ones who will instantly message you to ask if you are ok, who have popped around not to give you a lecture or the third degree, but for a cuppa and a chat, and may even help around the house for you.

Loyal friends may not be those whom you see all the time, but you know they are there, should you need a shoulder to cry on or just someone to let out all your stresses to and just listens. I have friends whom in the passed have told me all their troubles, but then when it comes to saying my own I get cut short and I wish I had never said anything. These are the ones I have cut out of my life, because there is a difference between a friend who is just having a bad day to someone who is continuously negative and wants the friendship to be one way. 

Friendship to me works both ways. A friend doesn't steal from a friend, they are honest with you and will help you out if you don't have change for the bus, as long as they know they can trust that you will give it back, or they'll say "Don't worry about it" and you know they mean it, but you know not to use this to take advantage of this kind gesture. They know that you'll do the same for them in return.  

A good friend is never negative, they just know if there is something bothering them they can tell you without being afraid to, and it goes both ways. There is no conversation when it is one way traffic but when one speaks and listens, and then the other one speaks whilst the other one listens, you know you have a good friend. 

They will always have your back no matter what and will say "Hey you put your chin up you have me for a bit to talk to forget everyone else" or you can be totally honest with by telling them they have upset you if they have thrown a hurt your way but they didn't realise it and didn't mean for it to offend you. You know neither of you will walk away and resolve the issue without having a massive argument. 

No matter what, wherever you are that friend will not be your friend for 5 minutes but a friend for life. 

So if you know you have a friend who needs your support give it to them, and be there not to bend their ear necessarily but to help pick them up should they fall. Remember if someone doesn't do that for you, who you see as a friend then if they are a true friend you can tell them and ask why, to let them know you want them to be there for you. If they are a true friend they will do so without question. 

Have a great weekend peops and I will blog again next week.

Many thanks for reading, 


​Carrie X 

Hello once again, it is Friday and whilst many are looking forward to a long weekend, I am looking forward to getting my days work done on Saturday to then enjoy my Bank Holiday with my In-laws who are coming down this weekend to see us.

This evening we are having a BBQ, that's if it doesn't bucket it down, like it did on the way back from the shops earlier. We had house stones and they were bloody cold too.

I will be filming part of this weekend for my Days In My Life page and my Easter video will be coming up soon. My Boots haul I have uploaded will be up today at some point and trying to finish one of my books so I can do another book review for April.

I filmed a new Self Confidence video to help those going through their Teens and having self esteem issues of their own at school and with life changes you go through from a child to a teenager. I am talking more about in this video about Finding Your Voice, as I do think as a teenager it is important you speak up, and if you are struggling at school or even in general with life, than speaking to someone will help even though at the time you may think that no one understands, as it can appear like that at times. It can be a confusing time of life. Too much can change, which can lead to feeling overwhelmed.

I am also going to film my fitness video for 2016 and find another run to do this year, and I will this month ahead (May) create my fundraising page for when I take on the 25KM walk I am doing in September.

So I wish everyone a great bank holiday and I will sharing my bank holiday weekend with you next week and filming it too, so watch this space. Plenty more to come and to share you parts of my world.  

Check out my new Gallery page I will adding images after writing this blog so do check this out aswell.

Many thanks for reading, 


Carrie X