Frugal January, everyone welcome.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Useful links.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/other_subjects/1324074-For-those-who-cant-afford-to-use-central-heating-this-year-How-are-you-going-to-cope

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1543785-your-top-tips-for-money-saving-and-a-more-frugal-life

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1600030-Small-money-saving-habits-petty-even

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1628874-Gas-Elec-Bills-monthly-and-SKY-so-angry

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1911061-NO-MORE-COLD-MUMSNETTERS

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2209167-Slow-Cookers-are-shit

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2224969-saving-money

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/2258202-Debt-mutual-support-thread-number-6-start-the-new-year-with-a-clear-purpose-and-keep-moving-forwards-even-by-tiny-steps?

orchard.tesco.com/ Sign up to this.

www.topcashback.co.uk/home And this.

www.quidco.com/home/ And this

www.moneysavingexpert.com/ And this

www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub ditto.

www.checkoutsmart.com/ Plus this.

www.hotukdeals.com/all/deals/new?page=3 Check this daily.

Happy New Year Everyone!

[Fluffycloudland77]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2230087-Cheap-ways-to-feel-a-bit-warmer-add-yours whoops.

[KellyElly]

Happy New Year. Joining as I really need to run a tight ship financially in January!

[Patrickstarxx]

Following this...

[Laska42]

Happy New Year and Frugal 2015.. Im new , and am looking forward to getting to know you all.

[SpottyTeacakes]

Happy new year

How often are people going to coin sweep?

We are having party food for dinner which we never ate at Christmas.

MissA how is everything now?

[needastrongone]

Cheers fluffy for the new thread and entirely useful links

Hopping over from the December thread. All welcome.

[PeoniesforMissAnnersley]

Oops just updated on old thread. DH contrite and on best behaviour - has mopped whole downstairs and cleaned our massive patio window as well as putting up shelves I wanted.
We got the car started but no garages could take us to fully charge battery until Friday, DH bought a jump lead thingy so we will use that again on Fri and hopefully get it sorted. We aren't really planning to go anywhere in the car tomorrow, it has meant that the huge pile of chazza stuff and stuff for the tip didn't go today which freaks me out because I am weird about the house being as nice as possible for the New Year coming in (a latent superstition which has been made so much worse by the fact that I was on the operating table as the NY came in last year, and ended up Sick all year and with 3 more major operations, so it did colour my whole year. Hoping for an ace night tonight with 2 old friends and DH and a tidy lovely house to colour my whole 2015!)

[SpottyTeacakes]

Collie you can join topcashback here (hope you don't mind fluffy) i find it's usually the best but quidco sometimes beats it. It's great when renewing insurance and breakdown cover, new mobile contracts and broadband etc.

[FantaSea]

Fluffy thank you for the new thread

Happy New Year to everyone

[FantaSea]

MissA hope 2015 is better for you

[Passthecake30]

Thanks for the new thread

Nsd, had friends over and fed them copious amounts of leftover party food, nice and frugal and better on their hips than mine. ....

[needastrongone]

Dumb question alert

I want to change my whole broadband and TV package over to Sky. Currently with BT for all and have NEVER changed (the shame). There's a good deal for the full package on topcashback, way less than what we pay per month and including sports and films. Do I have to notify BT that I am leaving? Will I be without internet access, do I keep the same number?

That is so daft, I am really good with all the other utilities etc.

[SpottyTeacakes]

You'll keep your number, I always ring to tell them. I've never been without internet (remember how difficult it used to be to set up the internet?! Then 24 hours to go live?!). Your sky tv will probably get fitted before you're router arrives. I can't remember exactly what happened but it was all really easy.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Yes, you'll need to get a MAC code just in case the new suppliers need it.

[needastrongone]

Thanks spotty, that's really useful. Assume the topcashback site is all automatic?

[clippityclop]

What is coin sweeping please? Happy New Year all!

[SpottyTeacakes]

That's it fluffy! I was thinking of a PAC code but that's mobiles. You need to ring bt first to get your MAC code and then type it into sky when you're creating your order. You should get an email from topcashback within 24 hours (usually much quicker) to say you have a new credit. It can take up to 12 weeks to process but then it's a nice bit of money in your account.

[Chocolateteacake]

Cool. We have minus money - MINUS money, I kid you not! And the papers were predicting another recession on the way...

Oh well, maybe 2015 will be the year we get back on track.

So what do we think about setting fuel rates and switching to DD? Is it worth it? Current phone people will be going at the end of our contract - we pay a fortune for our internet connection and it is terrible!

I second quidco - I use it for things I need to buy anyway and it actually works!

[SpottyTeacakes]

Yes yes yes! Switch and fix and pay by direct debit. It's the cheapest way to pay (so Martin lewis says )

[LordJabuJabu]

Happy New Year all!
We're in a new house with no central heating (gas fire in the living room & oil/panel heaters elsewhere), in anticipation of the fuel bill we're being extra frugal so hoping to pick up & share tips here!

Are thermal curtains worth it?

[Chocolateteacake]

I inherited thermal curtains from mums old house. They must be about 35 years old! Mum always bought top quality and they have lasted very well (look like new) and keep us snuggy warm.

[Chocolateteacake]

I'm going to dd and fix my leccy, and sus out my gas.

[Fluffycloudland77]

coin sweeping is when you have, for example, 10.37 in your account & you sweep 37p into an online saving account.

Apparently if you do it everyday it really adds up. I'm going to start tomorrow.

[babsmam]

Fab new thread thanks.
Pay day today so time to get organised.
Not as spendy as I thought today. £20 top up of kids pocket money in build a bear. £30 ish in ikea. £8.35 on Costa.