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Original poster

Marching into a miserly march with the mumsnet frugaleers

997 replies

Fluffycloudland77 · 28/02/2014 19:45

Newbies, helpful tips & lurkers always welcome.

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

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

OP posts:
northender · 03/03/2014 21:03

Well despite our horrendous car bill our debts have reduced by £1000 since the end of December. Despite all our frugality, it's the first time I've noticed a significant improvement so I'm over the moon! It's probably got a lot to do with the extra hours I've been doing at work but whatever it takes.
Big grocery shop today, £47 at aldi (using the voucher of course), £35 at Booths but apart from fresh food top ups that should do us for a couple of weeks. £30 on petrol.
Dd needs a new cub jumper and I just missed out on one on eBay while distracted by ds but will keep looking out for one. Should be a low spend week here.

northender · 03/03/2014 21:06

Oops!!

listsandbudgets · 03/03/2014 21:08

Northender ask your DS's cub leader. DD does brownies and her Brown Owl runs a second hand shop selling uniform at really low prices

Turnoffthelights · 03/03/2014 21:24

Well done north that's a great reduction in debts!

NSD yesterday! Have weekly shopped today - £46.04. Went to tescos as I had a voucher and an 'off your next shop' totalling £9. Noticed they have made big reductions on lots of basics e.g. Milk now £1 for 4 pints and 3x peppers down to 99p from £1.75. I'm pretty pleased as I included our beer contribution for upcoming holiday and also added extra fruit and veg in a bid to be frugal and healthy.

3frugalthings: bought tesco value nappies - such a bargain! Accidentally forgot to buy chicken so used some cashews left over from Christmas as the protein part of our stir-fry dinner. Have boxed up left-overs for my lunch tomorrow and Wednesday.

AdoraBell · 03/03/2014 23:47

Lists eat something at home before you meet your friend, that way you will be less temptedWink.

I have enough pizza left over To feed DDs twice, DH and I no longer eat it. I will start making them in future, much moré healthy than the shop what exactly is in this thing? bought ones.

MissAnnersleyismyhero · 04/03/2014 08:25

NSD today.

adora we usually have home-made pizza every Saturday, it costs hardly anything and feels like a treat.. a fake-away!

Have meal planned for the next 2.5 weeks and am hoping that leftovers and store cupboard stuff will take us to the end of week 3.

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 04/03/2014 09:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PeachandBlack · 04/03/2014 10:36

Can I join you please? I need to keep a handle on spending and posting here will probably be the best way to do it.

Hoping for a NSD today. Normally have a coffee and muffin in Mcdonalds on a Tuesday evening while DS does an activity but will take a flask and sit in the car instead.

LizLemonOut · 04/03/2014 10:59

Hi peachandblack!

I've got some eBay parcels to send today and need to go to aldi to stock up on milk and eggs. Have just remembered its pancake day so I'll rustle up some savoury and sweet concoctions for tea. Challenge will be to stick to what I need in aldi and not be tempted by anything! I have a freezer full of dinner stuff so shouldn't need to do a big shop at all this month

expectingnumber3 · 04/03/2014 13:35

Wow, this thread is flying! Will catch up properly later but well done on all the NSD's!

Been a bit spendy so far in March. Spent £52.04 in Aldi and forgot my vouchers! Would normally shop in Sat but will go on Thurs this week do I can use them. And £35 on fabric yesterday. Have already made new pj's for the dc's and have lots of other stuff planned for their summer wardrobes so not too bad really.

83p on biscuits to take to my dsis this morning. Hopefully NSD tomorrow and Fri.

AdoraBell · 04/03/2014 16:10

Everyone is welcome, good idea for the coffee PeachandBlack

I've never made a pizza Blush and so far have relied on shop bought for fear of messing it up, also DH is one for buying premade in order To save on cost/time cooking at home. I have resisted this in everything other than the aforementioned pizza and the occasional roast Chicken.

I think it's a hang over from getting no attention as a child because MIL had To keep the house spotless and was told never To give FIL salad, by her MIL, so every meal is baked or roasted, and 3 courses, regardless of the weather.

Original poster
Fluffycloudland77 · 04/03/2014 16:41

Kids love making pizza Adora, it doesn't take very long. I use the cheapest aldi pasta sauce as the base.

I need to put £10 of petrol in later but no personal spends today.

OP posts:
SpottyTeacakes · 04/03/2014 16:47

Nsd Smile

MissAnnersleyismyhero · 04/03/2014 18:31

NSD today, and went for a run polishes halo

DH is out in garden putting seeds into saved yoghurt pots in our new Aldi greenhouse, hoping to grow tomatoes, herbs, peas and beans at least, and lettuces etc too. Also putting in onions and garlic into a bed in the ground in the garden and some carrots, leeks and potatoes at our new allotment. My Granny is buying me seeds for my birthday which is so sweet of her, and means we will grow whatever she chooses for free which will be awesome.

We paid for the year's subscription to the allotment back in August as our wedding anniversary gift to each other, so it was technically free Wink

Now I am combing freecycle for a large old greenhouse to put up on the allotment, we'd love to grow as many tomatoes and chillies etc as possible.

ilovepicnmix · 04/03/2014 19:07

2.80 for bus fare home from train station. It's been a lovely long weekend but I am sooooo looking forward to bed without DS kicking/scratching/sitting me in his sleep. My dad gave me 20 quid which is unusual and most appreciated. Big shop in Aldi tomorrow.

LizLemonOut · 04/03/2014 19:08

My chillies did really well outside last summer, missannersly, though I did forget I should take them in over winter so will need a new one this year :-/

£14.04 in aldi.

Car is going in tomorrow for a new oil sump so that will be well over £100 I think :(

LizLemonOut · 04/03/2014 19:09

My chillies did really well outside last summer, missannersly, though I did forget I should take them in over winter so will need a new one this year :-/

£14.04 in aldi.

Car is going in tomorrow for a new oil sump so that will be well over £100 I think :(

LizLemonOut · 04/03/2014 19:12

My chillies did really well outside last summer, missannersly, though I did forget I should take them in over winter so will need a new one this year :-/

£14.04 in aldi.

Car is going in tomorrow for a new oil sump so that will be well over £100 I think :(

LizLemonOut · 04/03/2014 19:12

My chillies did really well outside last summer, missannersly, though I did forget I should take them in over winter so will need a new one this year :-/

£14.04 in aldi.

Car is going in tomorrow for a new oil sump so that will be well over £100 I think :(

LizLemonOut · 04/03/2014 19:12

My chillies did really well outside last summer, missannersly, though I did forget I should take them in over winter so will need a new one this year :-/

£14.04 in aldi.

Car is going in tomorrow for a new oil sump so that will be well over £100 I think :(

LizLemonOut · 04/03/2014 19:12

My chillies did really well outside last summer, missannersly, though I did forget I should take them in over winter so will need a new one this year :-/

£14.04 in aldi.

Car is going in tomorrow for a new oil sump so that will be well over £100 I think :(

LizLemonOut · 04/03/2014 19:13

My chillies did really well outside last summer, missannersly, though I did forget I should take them in over winter so will need a new one this year :-/

£14.04 in aldi.

Car is going in tomorrow for a new oil sump so that will be well over £100 I think :(

Original poster
Fluffycloudland77 · 04/03/2014 19:13

chaos, is that you?

OP posts:
Ohhelpohnoitsa · 04/03/2014 19:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Turnoffthelights · 04/03/2014 19:26

NSD! Pancakes are such a great frugal dinner - why don't I have them more often?! Cheese salad savouries followed by traditional lemon and sugar!

A bit of a spendy day tomorrow - I still haven't sorted out my bike so I end up spending up to £4.50 on bus fair. Hopefully it will be nice and sunny again so I can cut out the final leg and walk instead. Luckily this is just once a week.