First saving was the car MOT – the autocentre’s deal was 40% the official rate.

While the car was being checked, I walked into the town centre for a coffee and some bits of shopping. When I presented my loyalty card at the coffee shop the assistant told me I was due a free coffee for registering on line. So that was another saving.

Then I went to Waitrose and got a free tube of toothpaste. Well, the actual product was irrelevant – I had money off voucher that coincidently was worth the price of a tube of toothpaste. The assistant tried to fob me off by telling me I needed a Waitrose loyalty card to use the voucher, but I soon put her right. She was probably a temp.

Of course, if I did have a Waitrose loyalty card I could have got a free cup of coffee there too.

With all that money I’ve saved we’re going on holiday to the Seychelles. Not really, we’re going to The Trossachs. But as the sprogs have never been to either they might not notice the difference. Yeah, right.

“Can’t we go abroad?”
“Well, we’re going somewhere with its own banknotes, its own laws and legal system, education and churches, and a fair bit of its own government. How much more abroad can you get?”

Car passed the MOT, but I need to replace the front tyres and brakes in the not-too-distant future. Oh, and apparently the rear indicator bulbs are opaque – funny, but I thought they were supposed to be orange.

Quote for brakes was more than I expected – I’m sure I didn’t pay that much for pads last time I had them changed, but that didn’t include the discs. I had a quick look at other autocentres on tintnent, but they sneakily don’t give you prices – just offer a free brake check. I don’t need a free brake check – I know the brakes are falling part.