Sashaying into September savings, the frugality continues....

[Fluffycloudland77]

NSD.

[saintava]

NSD day for me today.

Went to see a friend who's kitten sadly died in the night

Then home for lunch, out to the park with NDN and her dc. Then doctors appt for DD2 who has recurrent ear infections and has had 5 courses if antibiotics in the last 8 weeks. Helpfully the last doctor I saw put some calpol and ibuprofen on the prescription as well as we are getting through so much of it.

Then home and cooked chicken tagine from agirlcalledjack.com, used up some chicken from the freezer.

DH has bought home some filled baguettes and pastries from work so thats lunch and some breakfasts sorted.

Hoping for NSD tomorrow though have dentist appt as filling that was done 4 weeks ago is hurting more than it was before the filling was in. Am really hoping I don't need to pay anything for it, as i paid for the treatment last month.

Will be making cheesy quesadillas tomorrow to use up some chilli from the weekend, trying not to waste food!

[Helenagrace]

Only spent 90p today!

Out all day tomorrow at an INSET day (I'm a governor). Children in childcare but I don't have to pay that until October so that's an NSD yes?

[AdoraBell]

Sounds like an NSD to me Helena

Today I spent another £6 ish on fruit and school supplies. OH, on the other hand, spent around £500 talking to Drs because he felt rather rough. All is well and he just needs to make a few changes that only he can do.

[Thatsinteresting]

Planning a trip to the park with friends today as it's the last day of the holidays. I'm taking lunch with us but I may treat them to an ice cream. After that there really will be no more spending until payday.

I've sat down and gone through all our bills again and made some changes to our providers. There's some excellent cashback offers around so including those payouts we should be about £30 a month better off.

Confused I hope your little boy enjoys his first day at school today. My dd started last year and it is a very emotional time for you. They just see it as new friends and new toys. Don't be to hard on DH, you've had a lot of stressful events recently and if he's worried about money too he may feel he needs to show real commitment to his job. However, when you think the time is right do have another word with him. This is a massive milestone for ds and one day your dh will look back and be sad he missed it for a job that no longer matters. I'd feel the same as you if my dh behaved that way.

[Thatsinteresting]

Sorry that sounded a bit preachy. I was just acknowledging your feelings and his but agreeing with you!

[frazzled74]

Im in this month as have overspent this summer and am way off target with christmas and next years holiday savings (as in have saved nothing!)
I have started with aldi shop yesterday of £78 , this should do 10 meals plus packed lunches etc. I have recorded Jamie Olivers budget meals programme, hoping to get some ideas. Nsd today and tomorrow as at work. Ive got a lunch with a friend booked for thurs as a back to school treat to myself but that should be it this week as dcs are busy with parties and playdates this weekend.

[roguepixie]

confused, hope your DS has a wonderful first day at school, such a big step for them. Wrt to Daddy not seeing him in his uniform...could you take a photo and then print out a big copy on A4 paper and pin it up - it would make the day all about DS and means that Daddy sees it too? Sorry if it's a daft suggestion I just understand how you feel - DH was working all hours for a lot of DS's early years. He could have made more time for us but chose to prioritise work...then moaned that he missed the big things. Yeah, ya think? It is hard though - DH's main focus is on providing for us and sometimes mixes up just what is important. It's a hard balancing act.

Yesterday: DS had a brilliant time at Thorpe Park, thanks Adora. However, a portion of the group went off on their own (not DS, I hasten to add) and had to be found at the end of the day. This meant that instead of leaving the park at 6.15pm they left at 7.15!! By that time I was already in position to pick him up...cue waiting 1.45 hrs for them to arrive back after wrong turns, traffic and dropping children off. Finally got home at 10.00pm!!! DS was starving and exhausted. So spend was £30.00 on food and diesel.

Today: off to the Horrible Histories Spies Exhibition at the IWM with DS and a friend. It will be a bit spendy as whilst the museum is free the exhibition costs, plus they will want lunch. Aaaahhhhh, the joys of the final days of the summer holidays in the capital .

Tomorrow will be a lovely quiet day at home...well, for DS at least. I will be making sure all the massively-overpriced new uniform is labelled.

[jonbonjovismissus]

Planning nsd today it's the last day of the holidays here but dry so off to the park and blackberrying while we're there. & to all those whose dc's are starting new schools, don't know where the time goes!

[wendyhappysmile]

Hi, I'd like to join in please.
I have 2 big birthdays to cater for in October (my mum's 60th and DH's 40th) and all three kids bdays in Nov/Dec.
Need to stop internet shopping! Just one click it's too tempting! Got to buy school shoes for DS1 today ... we'll see what else. Planning on doing a meal plan later now we are back at school (and work, I'm a teacher).

[prettymess]

Spending £95 on coffee table. I already paid £80 deposit a few weeks ago. It's a bespoke item made by local furniture maker and £175 is much less than the ones I was considering buying in high street shops. This one is solid wood and exactly what I want (I hope! It's being delivered later today).

[SpangleMaker]

Hello, can I jump back in for September?

Had a VERY spendy August with moving house, holiday, visitors, not meal planning, school uniform/autumn clothes buying... and now car insurance is due . On the plus side, DS has started school today so nursery fees substantially reduced

Hopefully I'll feel a bit more settled this month and able to plan spending better.

[takeaway2]

Went for picnic meet up with DS' classmates ready for tomorrow's first day back. It was good fun as he saw his very good friend and they are currently playing upstairs and I'm here MNing!!

We went into town though and collected my skirt and bought more presents that I had forgotten about. Oh well. It's mostly done now.

Tomorrow should be my first NSD. Work and more work!!

[Shellwedance]

NSD day yesterday and only spent 6.50 on lunch and the farm today. But then realised I needed to renew my driving licence so that was 20.00. Not too bad though and hoping for another NSD this week.

[ilovepicnmix]

NSD here today. I don't work on a Tuesday. We had a swimming lesson this morning but that was paid for months ago. This afternoon we meet my friend and baby in the park. I took along a thermos and biscuits. Was a tad embarrassed but it saved me/us a good few quid as the cafe in the park is not cheap.
I have set myself a weekly budget with my week running thurs to weds. Going to make it with a couple of quid to spare but maybe in red re petrol! Im hoping I can get to work and back tomorrow without that happening.

[Helenagrace]

NSD today!

Also had some good news about DH's tax. His company have monumentally cocked up his tax on his pension. DH explained the situation to HMRC and they've adjusted his tax code. We should be getting a rebate of £1800 for last year and another £1800 for this year plus we'll be £300 a month better off going forward!

[prettymess]

Helenagrace, nice big windfall!

My new coffee table is lovely. Quite chuffed to have supported a local independent business and it was made from reclaimed wood.

[roguepixie]

Woo-hoo. Congrats Helena, that's fantastic news.

Well, I was right about today...very spendy. A couple of oyster card trips on the tube, £17.00 on exhibition entrance and booklet. £50.00 on snack/lunch/shop combo.

Tomorrow WILL be a NSD. It will, it will, it will.

Hi Spangle, jump right in ... the water's warm

[roguepixie]

confused, how did DS's first day go? Did he enjoy himself?

[daisychicken]

fab news Helena!

thanks Adora!

Ended up spending £10 today - veg for salad/soup for me and juice on offer for DS's then a further £9 for Ds1 - started secondary today and needed a DT apron plus the materials for the class.. Tomorrow I'm getting mayonnaise as on offer as Morrison's (£1.75 for 800g) plus we need a new kitchen knife - I have been putting it off for far too long! I'm hoping that I can not buy anything else this week but we'll see!

[Ineedalcohol]

Gutted! Went to aldi today armed with my £5 off £40 voucher and my shopping came to £36! Really thought I had enough,did a list and everything

[confusedofengland]

NSD! Kind of disappointed as had arranged to go for a post-first-day-drop-off coffee with some other school mums, but the pub we wanted to go to has changed its hours & is only open in the mornings Friday-Sunday now! Still, saved me some money.

DS1 had a great first day at school & apparently has a new BFF. He cried a bit before they went in but then he spied the train track & all was well. About 60% of reception kids had their dads there for drop-off, but he didn't seem to notice (even if I did).

Helena great news on the rebate!

[jonbonjovismissus]

Have just been clearing out kitchen cupboards and have found rather a lot of baking stuff so am determined not to waste it, now must learn to make cakes! We have enough store cupboard bits to last a while but the freezers are nearly empty so now racking my brains for a meal-plan before we go to the big meat market at the weekend. I reckon we can fill the freezer for about £50 if I'm organised......

[ArtemisatBrauron]

Made "leftover" soup from a tupperware of mixed leftover veg/potatoes/black beans/chard stalks today - added a tin of tomatoes, garlic, chilli and some diced squash which had been lingering in the veg bin - it made 8 generous portions and it's delicious, it will be lunch for most of the week!

We haven't wasted any food since Saturday, I'm trying to be as vigilant as I can about it - freezing odd bits of leftover cooked veg in a large tupperware really helps and the soup was yum.

[SpangleMaker]

Fantastic news Helena I'm sure that will make a real difference.

Confused glad your DS's first day went well. I had to miss DS's first drop off and pick up yesterday as I was working I think I was more bothered about it than him, although he did say he wished I'd picked him up as DH was 10min late . DS had 3 taster days (well 2 short days and one full day) in July so it was less of a big thing about leaving him, but it is a real milestone and I really wish I could have been there. Anyway, he had a good day and we even did his 'reading' homework.

So far so good today, made lunch to take to work and did a plan for using fresh stuff in the fridge.

[northender]

helena that's a significant amount each month, great news!

Ds has gone off to high school this morning. He looked so smart and so grown up. 3 of his friends came round and they all walked together [proud mum emoticon].
Dd had her op yesterday so is feeling very fragile today. I was expecting a v small incision but instead it's about 3 inches long right down the back of her ear . I was very proud of her yesterday as she was so brave .
We spent about £10 yesterday on food and drinks at the hospital. Could have been better prepared but she had to be there at 0730 and it was ds' birthday the day before so no food or drink prepared, frugality out of the window!
Today will be NSD, then the only spend until Saturday should be dh's lunch at work tomorrow (£2.50). His work canteen do a roast dinner on a Thursday which is really good so it's his weekly treat!
Lots of tv and cuddles for dd today I think.