I’m an advocate of – Not Buying It – where home-made options are available (and within my skill set)…
Within my home-made skill set is baking bread and pizza, composing gifts and greetings cards. And I prefer my running shoes to a gym membership.
One of my newly developed skills is baking and decorating cakes. I encourage everyone to try and bake a home-made Birthday cake. It’s frugal and personal. There’s nothing quite like your very own unique Birthday cake that no-one else will ever have, well, I don’t think so anyway (but I am a bit of a cake fanatic).
So, as my little-man’s 4th Birthday approached I started planning. There was a cake to bake for his party (not on his Birthday).
But then there was also a cake to bake for the meal we were having later on party day as well. (I probably need to explain….we share our birthday, so we tend to do a mixture of kid and adult based things on party day, hence the heart-shaped cake for later! Suitable for all!)
Okay, so 2 cakes done.
The actual Birthday, however, is today. Which meant another cake to bake and decorate. He’d been promised a Moshi Monster cake for his actual birthday. No problem. Design planned out in my head.
Then, life got in the way. My window of opportunity to do the cake – shut – with a bang.
One mercy dash later and I’d grabbed a Moshi Monster cake from the local supermarket and adapted it slightly to make it a little more personal. Easily done with 4 figures, a badge and candles.
Do I feel that I’ve compromised my simple values?
No, I feel relieved that my Son woke up today to his Birthday table and his Moshi cake.
As with much of life, even a simple life, moderation is key.
I work to the 80/20 rule. Stick with it 80% of the time and you won’t go wrong. But allow yourself 20% contingency – because life, motivation and everything else in the middle can change your course temporarily.
Some purchases just make sense.
Don’t forget I am now updating on Facebook. Pop on over and see my Birthday cake (which I’ve just eaten in one-sitting), baked by a dear friend.
And your son was probably soooo happy! I think it’s good for our kids to see that we make exceptions along the way in life. Otherwise they feel that they have to live up to some sort of perfect standard. Happy birthday to both of you!
Thank you Lili – in fact he was very impressed with his cake! Kids are easily pleased! Thank goodness!
And your son was probably soooo happy! I think it’s good for our kids to see that we make exceptions along the way in life. Otherwise they feel that they have to live up to some sort of perfect standard. Happy birthday to both of you!
Thank you Lili – in fact he was very impressed with his cake! Kids are easily pleased! Thank goodness!
Happy Birthday! I usually like to bake the cake for my daughters’ birthdays but this year did the same as you. I directed my energy to creating fruit fairy wands (cutting out stars and hearts from the fruit with cookie cutters) and preparing other healthy foods. I was then able to relax and enjoy the party with her friends and their parents.
As an aside – I have attempted the homemade yogurt. After a few trials I think I have it figured out. I’ll try to take pictures next time and write up a post for it. Only part I’ve found complicated is planning the timing right so I am home when I need to add the yogurt starter. Have you had a chance to try it yet?
The fruit lollies sound lovely…I’ll have to give them a go. Well done on the yoghurt. I haven’t tried it yet, but will. I’d had a heads up that someone had got me a kitchen thermometer for my birthday and I did indeed unwrap one yesterday. Feeling a little more confident about giving it a go now!
Great gift! The thermometer is a must. Good luck!
Happy Birthday! I usually like to bake the cake for my daughters’ birthdays but this year did the same as you. I directed my energy to creating fruit fairy wands (cutting out stars and hearts from the fruit with cookie cutters) and preparing other healthy foods. I was then able to relax and enjoy the party with her friends and their parents.
As an aside – I have attempted the homemade yogurt. After a few trials I think I have it figured out. I’ll try to take pictures next time and write up a post for it. Only part I’ve found complicated is planning the timing right so I am home when I need to add the yogurt starter. Have you had a chance to try it yet?
The fruit lollies sound lovely…I’ll have to give them a go. Well done on the yoghurt. I haven’t tried it yet, but will. I’d had a heads up that someone had got me a kitchen thermometer for my birthday and I did indeed unwrap one yesterday. Feeling a little more confident about giving it a go now!
Great gift! The thermometer is a must. Good luck!
I have just read through 2 months worth of your post’s inspirational if i do say so. A lot of good ideas that i shall be using. I am fairly new to this scrimping stuff, but am learning quickly. Its surprising how wasteful we can be. So thanks for the blogging. Interesting stuff.
Thanks Claire – I love to get feedback, I’m so pleased it’s of help to you.
Stick with it, it gets easier and dare I say it, it’s actually fun scrimping! 🙂
I have just read through 2 months worth of your post’s inspirational if i do say so. A lot of good ideas that i shall be using. I am fairly new to this scrimping stuff, but am learning quickly. Its surprising how wasteful we can be. So thanks for the blogging. Interesting stuff.
Thanks Claire – I love to get feedback, I’m so pleased it’s of help to you.
Stick with it, it gets easier and dare I say it, it’s actually fun scrimping! 🙂
How special that you share a birthday with him! Best wishes to you both. I like your 80/20 rule – makes perfect sense.
Thanks Jo – I feel honoured that my little man arrived on my birthday. I have a birthday buddy for life. He took me for lunch yesterday!
How special that you share a birthday with him! Best wishes to you both. I like your 80/20 rule – makes perfect sense.
Thanks Jo – I feel honoured that my little man arrived on my birthday. I have a birthday buddy for life. He took me for lunch yesterday!
Best Wishes !!! I am a silent reader of your blogs, but cant resist to wish today !!!
Thank you! And thanks for breaking the silence. It’s great to meet those who are visiting the blog!
Best Wishes !!! I am a silent reader of your blogs, but cant resist to wish today !!!
Thank you! And thanks for breaking the silence. It’s great to meet those who are visiting the blog!
Now, Jo, a perfect mother would have got up at five in the morning, and sacrificed herself to bake a handmade moshi monster cake for their son! How will Daniel grow up now having had to celebrate with a shop-bought cake! 🙂 🙂 😉 🙂
Maybe I told a porky and said I made it myself….. Hmm would they know? 😉
Now, Jo, a perfect mother would have got up at five in the morning, and sacrificed herself to bake a handmade moshi monster cake for their son! How will Daniel grow up now having had to celebrate with a shop-bought cake! 🙂 🙂 😉 🙂
Maybe I told a porky and said I made it myself….. Hmm would they know? 😉
Many happy returns to both of you!
Thanks Laura! p.s don’t know if you’ve visited Anfield yet, but Sharron offered for me to forward her e-mail if you need any info etc…
Many happy returns to both of you!
Thanks Laura! p.s don’t know if you’ve visited Anfield yet, but Sharron offered for me to forward her e-mail if you need any info etc…