Austere April - Frugaleers continue to the next quarter!

[Leilandri]

Come and join us for another frugal/thrifty/down-right stingy month!

[Pluto]

We were paid on Thursday...that was a very long month but we finished it by clearing the overdraft which was £1500 two months ago. But there's a big credit card bill coming our way and the summer holiday to pay for this month so we are back to square one really. May will be very miserly for us but at least we know we can clear our debts pretty quickly if we keep our heads down.

[wheredidiputit]

I agree Pluto April has been a very long month. DH doesn't get paid until the last day of the month.

Have fallen off the wagon this month by about £150.

[takeaway2]

April has been long. Today I went for a long awaited massage and together with two friends we went to the factory outlet and spent lots. But...
One wagamamas lunch (£10), hair dye from boots (necessary as I look like a badger at the moment and if I went to the hairdressers for a haircut as well it'll cost me £100), shoes for my son (we bought 4 pairs of crocs between us so my son's shoes cost me £9 with a 40% discount for every pair of shoes that was already discounted as it was the outlet - they're like the doodles from Clark's so comfy for summer), doodles from Clark's for my dd and two pairs of sandals for me (buy one get other for£5! = £40), leather belt for dh £20 from Ted baker, clothes for DCs and dh from gap (££32: shorts for dh, shorts for DS and two summer dresses).

So much money... But I think we are done for summer. Getting rid of some shoes that arent tenable anymore. Plus I'm going to do a boot sale and get rid of some do the good stuff. Friend has inspired me with her £120 profit!

[IsThatTrue]

Our local carboot is when DH is in India, I can't manage it with 2dcs and baby. So shall have to wait until June!

Spendy day yest as I've been wanting white bedding for our bed for ages and had a £10 off at next, got it delivered to nearby store instead of home so I didn't have to pay delivery charge, also had to order DS some dribble bibs which should cut down my washing as I've been having to change his tops so often. I need to pick up bananas, oranges, ham and broccoli today.

[Pluto]

Expensive weekend for us. We are doing our garden from scratch - literally. Growing the lawn from seed and gradually trying to put a few shrubs into beds which are all completely empty. Obviously this is a good time of the year to focus on the garden but it does mean some money needs to be spent on weed suppressants, paint for the shed, lawn seed and so on. But, unlike lots of other domestic expenses, at least the financial outlay has some nice, colourful return and we can have a nice summer pottering in the garden.

[Fluffycloudland77]

@ Pluto.

You could have a veg patch! I want a veg patch

Bulbs like begonias can be wrapped in paper over the winter and then started off on the windowsill in April for that years pots and baskets. Colourful and frugal.

Just the food bill, £35 and some new jeans this weekend.

[takeaway2]

Big surprise NSD today! Usually Sundays are bad spendy days but today we didn't spend any money (well dh is at pub now but ...).

Pluto - we did the garden from scratch in our last garden And now in the current one too. Last garden we planted grass from seed (worth it!) and planted our Christmas tree (was brilliant seeing it grow every year). Did the patio area, painted shed etc. had bird house too.

This garden is probably three times the size and is both front and back. Argh. But dh is the garden lover so well I just go along and do a little. There's enough to be done in the house!

Tomorrow will have to spend some money on DS' school dinner and then travel for work (will claim it back). Possibly lunch too. Can't wait for payday on Tuesday. It's been too long.

[Piemother]

Very spendy week as been away on a short break and I was dreading the every meal out issue but this time I was ready. I bought bits and pieces to provide breakfast in the hotel room for each day and lots of snack stuff for dd so limited impulse spends. There were 3 meals out but I only regret beefeater though to be fair they do a veg and dip plate for kids for a quid which is handy because dd won't eat anything else on the menu!
The only massive ouch spend was train fare in to london which was 22 for me and 14 for dm. I was nearly sick when they rang it up but I promised this trip to dd so I had to suck it up.
I didn't buy any treats for me which is progress and ignored all the shops I passed on regent street.

3 more months of mat leave so back on the wagon big style with the austerity. At least the heating can go off and I might manage a few line dries of washing.

Trying to figure out a cheap way of sorting out my front garden in my rented house. It's a Victorian terrace with one of the gardens you look at not sit in that's about 3 feet deep and as wide as the house. It has trees in it which have outgrown the garden and weeds. Dm suggests getting a man in to dig up the trees and dug over the soil and put either gravel or wood chippings down. This sounds too spendy so I'm not sure...

[IsThatTrue]

Spent a little more than planned today as tesco express had our butter on cheap so I stocked up a few and they're now in the freezer. So £13.47 altogether.

[AdoraBell]

Thought I was going To have a spendy day, had To take DD1 To the clinic with her ankle. Dr confirmed no fracture by pulling her foot about examination so no X-ray needed and her accident insurance paid for the consultación and the support boot.

I then bought them each a couple of half price sweaters before returning home. So, £30 on sweaters, £2.40 on roads, £2 on parking and big fat 0 on med costs.

[CremeEggThief]

£8.63 today. £2.50 on bus fares and the rest on a few bits from Tesco.

[takeaway2]

Spent on petrol today but will claim back some from work. Other than that, managed to nip home for quick lunch so saved on that! Roll on payday tomorrow!

[Fluffycloudland77]

£11 on aldi gin, tonic and limes today. Aldi gin is lovely, shame their new cat food isn't. I'm taking it back tomorrow for their tinned food.

£3 on co-op own brand disinfectant, cream cleaner and bleach. All not tested on animals and vegan. Makes me wonder what's in the other stuff.

[wheredidiputit]

Need to get some bread and eggs so £3 max.

Do we have a may thread yet?

I'm going through my freezer to day to see what I need to buy at the weekend and what meals I can do from what we have.

[MamaTo2FabBoys]

Well i'm finishing the month with a nsd so 15/12 which is 3 extra above my target. Unforunately iv spent some of next weeks budget on shopping so im going to have to try and not spend any more money this week or ill have no money left for next week. Looking forward to joining everyone again if there is a May thread.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I usually wait for someone witty to come up with a new thread.

HINT HINT

[CremeEggThief]

:o at Fluffy.

£3.78 today, on bus fares, houmous and milk.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Just want to wrap up my April. 3 NSDs in a row to finish - yay! Largely through necessity, as I have spent all the budget. However have resisted the temptation to start spending next months :)

[takeaway2]

Was meant to be an NSD but dh wanted to pay for the school photos today so that's what I did. £32. Doh. But I did bring my own lunch to work and drank water. So... Sort of an NSD for me. Oh well onwards to May. It has to be better. I've got a few work trips overseas. And possibly a boot sale if I can sort out a date!

[CremeEggThief]

See you all on the May thread!

[AdoraBell]

I finished the month with an NSD , see everyone on Miserly May.

[BeCool]

I failed miserably on my first week!
Well at least I know I spend waaaaayyyyyy to much & I will try again over on the May thread