An Avalanche of Austerity for April - Mumsnet frugaleers continue!

[MissAnnersleyismyhero]

Thought I'd start a new thread for April

I'm going to London. Going to be a spendy one

The cookbook called 'The Family Meal' by the Spanish chef who owned El Bullo has great bulk coking recipes.

Isn't your book free today boffin?

cadbury I almost impulse bought a dishwasher in John Lewis. Saved only by DH wanting to check which? Reviews and not remembering his log in from the phone so needing to go home! Thank goodness, we will get one eventually but I don't need a £400 hole in the budget without any warning!

Sold ds' bike for £12.

north we're all here reading! In the normal run of things I find it really helpful to get my financial thoughts down too...I'm really suffering from not logging daily spends, but I suppose two weeks hols, lots of sunshine and (failing at) potty training a toddler will do that to a person! My aim is to get to the end of April with a small amount of money left in the account to put into savings. Account is lower than this time last month but don't have any big payments due (last month it was boiler service) and still have a family allowance due (double month!).

Ugh! Did a mammoth post and lost it. Basically, it was about how school holidays always cost more and add special days like Easter and Christmas to it and then it cost even more. Yes, we have all spent more than anticipated but at least we know and can do something about it in the next coming weeks. Roll with the punches and all that. And....and... lets budget more for next school holidays so the extra costs don't stress us.

northender yup, still reading. It's great that you are carrying on the family tradition and good news about your top up work too.

Oh the bed.

My mum gave me money to buy DS a much needed bed before she went abroad for the winter and I had not got round to it yet. Well, she is coming back next week and it was a last minute panic buy. Just so that I would not get hassled by her.

spotty enjoy

missanne good job DH was there.

Well done NK

springbright that's great that you can still put money into savings.

Waiting for mcdonalds lunch. £17. Argh. This kitchen re modeling is costing a lot in terms of food!!

Too busy working to do much spending, but DP is helping he came home with 2 Easter eggs reduced to 80p in Sainsbury's and some toddler-inspired impulse buys - e.g. strawberries.

I got some spending money, £70, this week for my birthday and have promised the givers to spend it on myself. Thinking about a Ghost Whisperer style nightgown (random wishlist item) and some cheap hot pink trainers.

What would you do with it?

Went to Lidl armed with my €10 off €50 spend voucher
Dd saw hello kitty stuff & her birthday is on Sunday so €10 on a recipe book & cookie making set
Washing powder dishwasher tabs a turkey for Easter & regular shopping saw the total soar to €130 so spent €120
Must get a birthday card & voucher for Smyths for a friends little boy & that's me wiped out again! Mat benefit in tomo but I'm overdrawn so will be lucky to see €30 of it.
Last one though back on payroll then finally!!

missmystic
I'd get Tate nail polish from nails inc, a grey and yellow gym bag from American apparel, a girl called jack cookbook, new jeans from next

moneyhome we don't use fabric conditioner nor vinegar but vinegar is supposed to make towels soft and absorbent so may try it. About a couple of tablespoons of vinegar I think.

I've not received my ocado £20 voucher code for inviting a friend to shop. Friend (DP) has shopped. I have emailed them.

missmystic. I'd get something pretty and frivolous, which I wouldn't normally buy myself. Costume jewellery, scarf or handbag.

Oh and Ghost Whisperer nightdress sounds just the sort of thing to buy too.

Spendy day for me today but am trying to feel less guilty by reminding myself that my mum sent me money to treat ME. 6.99 on arm bands for DS. 5.96 on clothes for DS in gap sale - 2 hats and 2 tops. 3.94 on crappy mag and meal deal in boots. 7.90 to see Noah at the pics. 12.15 in asda mainly on yellow stickered bargains. I now have a dilemma as I have a 5 off an Aldi shop that needs to be used by tomorrow but my freezer is stuffed. I'll feel like I've list a fiver if I don't use it though.

What is a ghost whisperer goonie?

£4 cat litter
£10 petrol
£37.50 food incl aldi steak.
£4 beer and washing powder in aldi

£3 on four glasses in tk maxx, original price £23.

I use smart price vinegar as fab soft, I don't find it makes towels soft but I hate them too soft anyway. You wouldn't notice on clothes.

Ooh I like a scratchy towel - weird I know!

cool I'm being optimistic that il even have £20 for savings...it's only a little a month but so glad I'm now in a position (with strict frugality) to put money to savings rather than debt.

Have had a lush day today with the only costs being a picnic, petrol and an ice-cream. We walked along a lovely canal and found a huge play park. Am already planning a return journey in the summer holidays - yes to starting to budget for it now, 13 weeks and counting!

When I have money to spend on myself I want expensive bath smellies or spa treatments!

missannersleyismyhero sounds like you've got your wishlist all planned out
cool I got a voucher for a facial from DP and clever boy made an appointment so I'd actually go.
ilovepicnmix Jennifer Love Hewitt spends most of Ghost Whisperer wafting about at night in vintage full length plunging nightgowns. And full make up!

I stopped using fabric conditioner when DS was born and don't miss it.

£21.36 in Lidl and £1.60 on a chip butty for tea.

Enjoy the Easter weekend, everyone :).

Wow a spendy weekend for everyone! Have missed a lot! NSD for me, been baking for a fundraiser, and yet couldn't eat anything due to this bloody diet! Desperately trying to gain money and yet lose weight, it is a weird feeling!
missmystic hmmm 70, this is weird but I would buy one of those drying rails that hangs from the ceiling! God i'm a freak. Enjoy spending!
Have a great weekend everyone