An Avalanche of Austerity for April - Mumsnet frugaleers continue!

[MissAnnersleyismyhero]

Thought I'd start a new thread for April

85.71 today but that was in costco so I've stocked up on things like pasta and dog food for ages.

Hi everyone.

£3 on lunch, which I will get back on expenses.

What's happened to possiblyorange? Has she had her baby?

Did she name change?

1.04 in Aldi on lettuce and broccoli.

Im delighted as ex is doing all the ferrying of DS this weekend to make up for not picking up from nursery yesterday which meant I had to move things about at work. This will save me in petrol and about 4 hours driving. Yippee!

Not seen anything on another thread honest <img loading="lazy" class="inline-flex mumsnet-emoji" alt="Grin" src="https://www.mumsnet.com/build/assets/grin-D7Eg_B6y.png">

£1.40 on a jar of curry sauce and a small French stick.

Cadbury I did hope he might pay. I expect he will give me money for it if I tantrum hint.

£71 in Aldi today more than I planned to spend but ds1 has started his Easter holidays and ds2 and ds3 start tomorrow so there were a few extra bits and I won't have dinner money next week so I was quite pleased with what I got.

adora glad all is well.

Thanks for the Well wishes everyone.

So where's Possibly then, and is there a little babyorange?

Had a coffee this morning, £1.50, NSD other than that and school run.

Tomorrow I need To Go into town again and look at small, cheap, cars as the dealership says they may have a buyer for the gas guzzler, fx.

Italian glad she's not in a rush.

Would a baby orange be a tangerine?

A satsuma?

Clementine? Especially if it's a girl

Oh yes, clementine . I know in the USA they sometimes them cuties. How about cutieorange?

*call them

I like cutieorange

I found a large pouch of mayoniase and one of ketchup lurking at the back of the cupboard. Should have been used by last July. Mayo is already in the bin but would you chance the ketchup? Smells okay but I don't want To poison the DDs and their friends.

Love Clementine!

Out of date ketchup...could you stick it in a bolognaise or something so it gets cooked?

Ouch - lots of spending yesterday. 1.66 crumpets and a sandwhich for work (forgot my lunch). 15.29 two large packs of aldi nappies plus lots of snacks for dd (mainly fruit, yog and ham. Grandad is looking after her today for the first time so wanted lots of her favourite bribes!). 7.75 night out with colleagues. 9.98 on two massively reduced bottles of wine in Tesco.

So much for keeping the first weeks of the month frugal!

It is amazing how things just mount up isn't it spring? Wine is fair enough though!
There is a chance I am going to Ikea today. Not been for a couple of years. I have a list but am worried about getting sucked into 4000 tea lights and a million napkins, and maybe a weird looking light. How do you stay restrained? I have a list. Is that all I need to do?!

inside I can never stay restrained at IKEA! Always come back with something that I decide we desperately need.

I always make sure I'm there before 11am though for the cheap breakfast and free cup of tea!

Italian oh a little while to go yet then . Is this your first baby? I had really strong Brackston Hicks with my DD and thought I was in labour a couple of times, so I understand how you feel, it is a worrying time.

My DD is off school sick today (and yesterday) so have saved some money there on train fares. She seems a bit better today so is on the mend thankfully.

AdoraBell Thanks :)
DP is a chef and says ketchup is fine to use if heated up, so eg. in sauces, casseroles ect.

Spent 18 euros on grocery, 10 euros on top up for my bus/tram/train card, but all budget for in my little nerdy budget, hehe. So fare we are doing fine.
Tomorrow I am going to some kind of bazaar (I think) with my MIL, so have pinned out some money in case I see something nice for the minion. Dont know what to expect, because I am not sure what it is I am going to. MIL is Indonesian, and speaks Dutch/Indo :) So we go by arms and smiles sometimes, but a very nice and caring MIL.

FantaSea Yes, the hospital said I most likely would get them again, because usually if you have had them once, they will come again, but now I am bit more relaxed. But they are really nice at the maternity ward and speak perfect English, so felt secure and they reassured me, that I can always call and double check. Yes first baby and I am sure we have already and will go overboard with stuff for her, that she does not need. But I am okay with that :) We been to some charity sale, where we got loads of second hand brand clothes for ridiculously cheap money, like 2 euros for a pair of Tommy Hilfiger and 1 euro for Levis dress. All her new clothes is H&M and likewise. The pram is new as well as auto chair, but my parents are paying for that, very grateful for that and we got a good deal on the tripp trapp as well, so have bought that already but my parents are paying for that as her baptism present (they planned to get it for baptism anyway)
Then the babystore we bought all these things in has price match guarantee, so when another babystore made like a spring quick sale, I wrote to the babystore and asked if they would pricematch (my DP thought I was crazy lol) but I got a voucher for 165 euros to use in store, so winwin I think :) They keep the money but I can get some other things for her, and I am sure I can find something I cant live without lol....

insideleg I love IKEA, reminds me of home, hehe. So I always go all in, but if I were you, I would sign up for IKEA Family. You can do it out there at the machines in the store, its free, but gives you discounts on specific products in the Family area, a free coffee and other good stuff :)

Sorry for the novel....

Italian I'm pleased you got such good care at the hospital - they sound lovely. They told me that the contractions had to be regularly spaced and continuous to be considered a worry, but I was convinced I was in labour as they were so strong. It is very reassuring to have a number you can call to get some advice - I sometimes think just speaking to someone can make you feel so much better and then you just feel a bit 'safer' staying put. Having these practice contractions is a good sign though as it shows your body is preparing for labour.

You sound as though you have loads of lovely clothes for your baby - I loved getting all the little outfits ready. You have done well with all the other stuff - good for you for getting the pricematch for 165 euros back - I would have done exactly the same, as you can buy a lot with that money .

So exciting italian. I remember buying baby stuff the first time round and loving it .
I also get excited about ikea (and always spend more than expected) - have fin inside and step away from the candles.

Have had a frugal couple of days, but unbudgeted for lunch tomorrow.

Sticking to budget so far this month, but as it's early days I won't feel too smug yet! Should be ok as long as nothing tempts us breaks and as long as my freelance pay arrives on time. Aim is not to use overdraft and not to get into any more debt...

Yes inside! So easy to rack up

Oops...

40 or more in small transactions.

Oh Ikea...! Home organisation is my downfall. My house is still a mess but I have lots of lovely card board boxes to go with it!

A friend was due to visit later (hence the wine) and I had planned to get a 10 meal deal to feed us. She has had to postpone so its just me and Dh now. Can't decide whether to still do meal deal or do a shop. If I do shop, what can I make that feels like a treat (we have a weekend to ourselves thanks to lovely grandparents!) But is quick and frugal-ish?

FantaSea Yes the money can always go towards something, and as I said to my DP, if you dont try, you dont gain. :)
Yes the hospital is really good and feel very secure there, so important, when you are fare away from your home country and language.

NSD for me :)