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Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

A miserly May on Mumsnet for the fantastic frugaleers!

865 replies

MissAnnersleyismyhero · 28/04/2014 16:29

Saw April was getting very full so thought I'd start this off early!
Welcome to all who want to save cash, live frugally and pay debts, or just trying to live within our means!
Full of hints and tips on how to save money in the supermarket, meal planning and daily life.

OP posts:
MadScientistsRuleTheAsylum · 27/05/2014 18:57

Looks like food out is the culprit. I work above a tesco metro so it's far too easy to buy lunch. And would also explain why I'm a good 3st overweight....

I think a 2 pronged attack is required. Less food should equal less spending!

But I have dug out an old notebook to do a spending diary as well, which might start to curb my obvious excesses...

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/05/2014 19:18

That's a fairly easy one to cut out then, a packed lunch with a naice snack should knock that one on the head.

Poundland, homebargains & aldi do cheap multipacks of branded choc bars etc.

AuditAngel · 27/05/2014 19:18

Lilac I have more than enough front to try that on, it is just that DH works most weekends, usually two out of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which reduces scope for weekends away.

In June DS is in Evita one Friday and needs to be available for the Saturday in case the opposite child is ill. In July we are away for a 50th anniversary on the 5th, then at the end of the month DD1 (and maybe DS) is in Joseph and we don't know the days yet for that.

August will be a no go as people are away, including us for 2 weeks.

But, we are already having a weekend away and 2 weeks in the summer so I am luckier than most. I just need to spend my money on the right things!

AuditAngel · 27/05/2014 19:21

Mad I try to make extra dinner and take the leftovers in. I find home made sandwiches can get a bit tedious, so I try to ring the changes. Having said that, you can't beat cheese and pickle......

MadScientistsRuleTheAsylum · 27/05/2014 19:36

Just the discipline of doing it! That's the bit I'm not good at, but time to knuckle down, methinks.

Unfortunately my office is moving into central oxford in a few months so I need to have conquered temptation by then!

Been reading the thread, and hoping the inspiration lasts. I need to set a budget for next month, payday is Friday...

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/05/2014 20:12

You can freeze some sandwiches, cheese, ham, corned beef, cooked chicken or turkey, mustard all freeze well. Buy some nice bread rolls & pack a box of salad.

The more effort you put into it the less likely you are to deviate. If all else fails leave your purse at home.

Aldi voucher on Thursday in the mirror/record

CoolCadbury · 27/05/2014 20:28

Welcome mad. Well done on clearing one card and putting the balance of the other on a low interest card. Smile And I disagree with you when you said "the rest is mine to do with as I please" because you have to pay for clothes/shoes and dance classes. If it was me, as a minimum, I would use CB for all kids related stuff inc. clothes, dance classes, presents and days out. Keep £50 for your spends and then £250 would go into paying the credit card debt each month.

In fact, as soon as you get paid, pay a set amount to your credit card straight away and then you wont be tempted to spend it and not have anything at the end of the month. If you have any money left over at the end of the month, pay off the debt a bit more. If you pay £250 per month as a minimum, you could pay it off in 4 months.

CoolCadbury · 27/05/2014 20:30

Yes, Fluffy I frequently use the leave the purse at home trick.Smile

FantaSea · 27/05/2014 20:52

Spotty congratulations on your wedding Flowers

Audit gosh, how exiting to see your children in these shows Smile

Fluffy the leaving your purse at home does work Smile

£29 on groceries today.

CoolCadbury · 27/05/2014 21:01

Free Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish at John Lewis, courtesy of Allthingsprettyreturns on S & B board.

Original poster
MissAnnersleyismyhero · 27/05/2014 21:40

£45 on Alexander Technique lesson, otherwise an NSD.

Waiting until DH gets paid on Thurs/Fri to sit down and do a new budget, pay off debt etc. Can't wait to see the numbers go down again!

OP posts:
springbright · 27/05/2014 23:17

Welcome mad! I think the advice upthread is so sound - budget for your frivolous spending! So nice to know that some money, albeit limited, can be spent on whatever you like. I also like the idea of CB being spent on all things child. As soon as we are no longer paying for childcare, all CB money will be directed to dc's account to pay for after school clubs, school trips etc.

I've picked up a few more Xmas bargains today Blush about 20 in all. But I agree with miss, as soon as shopping done, I'm too tight to buy anything else! With dd I'm trying to create a tradition of 12 presents (for the 12 days of Christmas) plus a stocking (the stocking is to appease dh. I would just stick to twelve and put them in a stocking!). Does this sound a lot? Will probably work out at around 60-80 overall.

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 27/05/2014 23:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AuditAngel · 28/05/2014 07:47

Yesterday would have been a NSD , but I decided to throw caution to the wind and buy a euro millions ticket (I can dream can't I?)

Today should just be a trip to the post office, as thanks to Mad I made a special effort to make a packed lunch Smile

Fanta it is exciting! but the last show cost me £206 for 6 tickets. DH would not have been happy if I had asked his DMum for the money, so I didn't feel I could ask mine. I'm currently trying to persuade people that his part in this show is so small it isn't worth them going Blush. I'd rather they went to Joseph where the kids are on stage for the whole show. We'll see how I get on with that one!

MadScientistsRuleTheAsylum · 28/05/2014 08:07

I have a packed lunch! And I didn't pop into Tesco on my way into the office. I do have my wallet with me, but there is cash in it, so if I do need anything I'm limited to the £8 I have with me. This actually has to last until payday, which fortunately is Friday, but I'm taking the DC's out tomorrow to a farm for the day. So make packup for us tonight rather than the café at the farm, the entrance fee is unavoidable, and I have petrol in the car already. Audit glad I inspired Grin

Fluffycloudland77 · 28/05/2014 08:47

Topcashback are offering £11.55 cashback on a free 30 day trial of my credit file, you need to use at least 25 days of the 30 days so mark it on your calendars or its £7.99 a month.

I think it's a new provider.

SpottyTeacakes · 28/05/2014 09:03

Ooo thanks fluffy

FantaSea · 28/05/2014 09:14

Audit £206 is such a lot. I had never really thought about having to pay to see a show your own child is in and how expensive it could be. I have seen Joseph and the kids are on the whole time so that might be better for everyone - Joseph is such a fun show, I love it.

CoolCadbury · 28/05/2014 10:01

Have had to put the heating on as its f-f-freezing here. Sad Angry

Well done on the packed lunch audit Smile and ouch on the cost of the tickets!

Fluffycloudland77 · 28/05/2014 10:05

my credit tracker sorry. One of those mornings Angry

Original poster
MissAnnersleyismyhero · 28/05/2014 10:15

Considering bringing a half-cut and eaten pineapple back to waitrose for a refund - it tastes of cardboard. Angry But don't want to be that lady with the half-eaten food in a box like a psycho demanding a refund.

Sigh.

DH has been ill with some mystery illness for the whole of half-term, possibly food poisoning, which has meant me spending my whole half term nursing him and throwing away a lot of salad and other non-freezable food which has gone bad as he isn't eating. Of course I feel sorry for him but also a bit Hmm as I work so bloody hard, all hours at boarding duty and was really hoping for a rest.

Our cleaner also didn't show up 2 weeks in a row so I have had to ask agency for a new one, in the mean time we are still paying agency fees.

OP posts:
AdoraBell · 28/05/2014 15:57

Wrote a post last night but t'internet had different ideasHmm

General gist was glad Cadbury and NK had good trips to London, wow Audit must be proud/excited and yes, the cost of coffees en route to work is astonishing when we see it written down.

DD1 needs art materials, about £8, she had classmates over to study - £1.20 on bread for them, my preffered supermarket has launched a full range of own brand products this year, very good and lot's cheaper. DD2 is home today so will need a Dr certificate, that'll be about 60 fucking quid for an appointment.

Will try to catch up properly later.

CremeEggThief · 28/05/2014 16:50

£8.80 on medicine for DS. He was burning up last night and had diarrhoea this morning. Now I know why he slept from 5.30 p. m. till after 7 a.m., when he came back from Scout camp! :(

FantaSea · 28/05/2014 16:55

Cadbury I have had to put the heating back on too!

MissAnn hope your DH feels better - it is annoying to have to throw away a load of food.

CremeEgg hope your DS feels better - that is what I always found, they go away and then come back and they are ill.

NSD today Smile

springbright · 28/05/2014 17:32

Well done fanta! Is it just me or have NSDs been thin on the thread recently Wink

Spending again for me today. My ma is visiting and we inavitably end up in the shops. 10 on gifts in the works, 3.50 card factory, and then 30 in the apple store on a new charger as we left ours at pil at the weekend. I seriously did not think it would be this much when dh casually suggested 'we might as well have a spare'. The charger is staying packaged until I convince dh that we need to take it back!

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