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A miserly May on Mumsnet for the fantastic frugaleers!

865 replies

MissAnnersleyismyhero · 28/04/2014 16:29

Saw April was getting very full so thought I'd start this off early!
Welcome to all who want to save cash, live frugally and pay debts, or just trying to live within our means!
Full of hints and tips on how to save money in the supermarket, meal planning and daily life.

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annielostit · 28/04/2014 16:42

I'm in (again) listed what I've spent today, menu planned and off I go. Got some stuff to pay for this month and want to start saving to pay off house early. Love the tips?

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Gogogodaddy · 28/04/2014 17:12

I'm in! Sorry have been a bit absent, spent 32 on new swimsuit online, tnks for tips all. Found it in the sale at Debenhams. Will catch up lateron

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CoolCadbury · 28/04/2014 19:05

Here I am. Smile

NSD today.

Fluffy Following on from other thread, I always think organic milk tastes like milk should, if you know what I mean? It tastes more fresh I think. My late grandparents had cows and I remember as a child the milk was "milked", boiled vigorously and given to us for drinking straight away. It tastes more like that.

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elvislives2012 · 28/04/2014 19:15

Can I join in? Paying off a laptop and got to do it by September. Going on mat leave in July just to add to the pressure! Doing well though. We've stopped takeaways but have treat nights still just maybe a nice tub of ice cream instead Grin. Also meal planning and got an app for budgeting. Any other suggestions welcome!

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ItalianWiking84 · 28/04/2014 19:30

Im in again, thanks for starting the tread.
My socalled nsd became a very spending day
30 euros on OV card¨
76,98 euros on jacket and vest for DP (but there were 30 % off, so at least a bit of a good deal, and he needs new summer jacket and west)
22 euros on KFC :( - tasted good, lol, but to expensive, but after shopping around we couldnt be bothered with cooking so took the easy solution.
73 euros on stuff for the future DD; summer jacket, sheets for cot ect. Hopefully we are almost there with the stuff, it cant keep going on....

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SpottyTeacakes · 28/04/2014 19:35

Thanks for the thread!

My exhaust has gone on my car Sad looks like our holiday spending money will be going on that....

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AdoraBell · 28/04/2014 19:35

Thanks for the new thread MissAnnersley

I'm still trying to catch up on the last one. I agree, btw, with you complaining about the tomatoes having read your update, well done.

Will be back after shool run to report the day's spends. Hope everyone has a frugal May and welcome to all newbies Smile

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ilovepicnmix · 28/04/2014 19:37

6.53 in asda on a few bits and bobs including pg tips with free mug. Im a sucker for tat like that. 55 on petrol.

thanks for the new thread miss

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FantaSea · 28/04/2014 19:41

I'm in again Smile

I think organic milk tastes better - I sometimes buy it if they have run out of the 4pint size of the ordinary ones. I don't normally buy it as it is more expensive but it is nice.

Italian you must be nearly there with all your baby bits, but I loved getting all the stuff ready Smile. How much longer have you got to go? You will probably find that you are buying loads of stuff now, and some is big expensive stuff, but once your DD is here, you will only need the odd small item.

elvis I count a tub of ice-cream as a treat too!

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ItalianWiking84 · 28/04/2014 19:55

Fanta that is exactly why we buy a lot now, in order for us to not having to chase around after stuff after she is born.
I am in week 36 + 4, so getting close now. Have final consultation tomorrow with cardiology and gynogolog and then hopefully I will now if they let me have a natural birth or not.
But when looking at my list (I am a list person, according to DP) we have all now we need for her :)

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MissMysticFalls · 28/04/2014 19:57

Thanks for the new thread MissA. Two months to go until I stop working for my biggest client and hopefully things will settle down. Last year I took most of July off including a 3 week break from the internet. The aim this time is to work like mad until end of June while being frugal and use the savings to help buy our 1st house (!) and not need to replace my client so I can spend more time with my family.

Some frugal things are fun - baking, growing veg, foraging, etc. And hopefully I'll have more time to do some of those soon...

Good luck everyone!

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FantaSea · 28/04/2014 19:58

Italian not long to go now then Smile . I do hope your appointments go well tomorrow and they allow you the birth you want.

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ItalianWiking84 · 28/04/2014 20:16

Thanks Fanta I sure hope too....

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SpottyTeacakes · 28/04/2014 20:27

I'm sitting in half light because 2 out of 3 of the bulbs in the light in the sitting room have blown and I don't want to spend any money to egg some more SadBlush

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Fluffycloudland77 · 28/04/2014 20:36

MissAnnersleyismyhero

Thanks for the new thread Flowers

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CoolCadbury · 28/04/2014 20:47

missa where are my manners? Thanks, for the new thread. Thanks

mystic can I be really nosey and ask what you do?

On the home front, I (and DS) survived his birthday party, which was held at home. Total cost £25 and all the children enjoyed it. Saved tonnes of money doing most of the stuff DIY I think. Just glad that it's all over.

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elvislives2012 · 28/04/2014 20:55

Thanks for the links. Am going to water down my fabric conditioner, change my mobile to virgin (saving £30pm!) and shop later in the day Grin. I saw a tip to get flour from a local milk to make bread, any idea how I can find one? Not much online

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Fluffycloudland77 · 28/04/2014 20:59

Cheap bread recipe

200g smart price flour
200g bread flour, white or wholemeal
5g salt
5g yeast
15ml oil
270ml water.

Cool well done. Not surprised your glad its all over.

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MissAnnersleyismyhero · 28/04/2014 21:51

Dishwasher finally broke, funny that I was just looking at a new one last week, I must have had a feeling! Have ordered a new one, £200 out of this months wage money, the rest from savings and got £50 cashback, so glad I had a little fund for things like this!!

New one comes on Weds 7th, DH is firmly on dishwashing duty til then. Grin

£7.85 on prescription charge for pain meds - put my back out coaching kiddies tennis at work (I am not even a sport teacher, so stupid!) and spend all of yesterday lying on a hard floor unable to move.

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Passthecake30 · 28/04/2014 22:07

Thanks for the new thread. This month I am going to make a note of what I pay for in cash...I take £160-£200 out in twenties over the month and I have no idea what I spend it on. ...

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MsAspreyDiamonds · 28/04/2014 22:09

spent too much this weekend on eating out while out & about. Didnt plan ahead to pack a lunch so need to tighten our belts this month. We have 3 close family & friends getting married this summer so need to save for gifts. I am recycling old party outfits with new accessories to save a bit of cash.

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northender · 28/04/2014 22:17

Signing in. Thanks for the new thread missA .

I for one am very glad to be seeing the back of April, it's been a spendy month but we're all budgeted for May with no anticipated big spends.

Nothing spent today. Shouldn't be any spends tomorrow either.

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MissMysticFalls · 28/04/2014 22:20

I'm a consultant cool - mainly in digital marketing and for charities so I spend so much time online that it's only a holiday if the internet stays at home when I go away!

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CremeEggThief · 28/04/2014 22:36

Thanks, MissA. Thanks.

Fluffy, I think so, but it's the higher welfare I like most. I can't always afford it, but I prioritise organic dairy over organic fruit and veg. Lidl sell Graham's 2 pints for 89p. Bargain!

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