an Ostentatiously Austere October...join here for a frugal month ahead!

[PeoniesforMissAnnersley]

All welcome to join the MN frugaleers for another month of recording our spends, frugal wins and frugal fails!

NSD = No Spend Day (let's have as many as possible!)

LSD = Low Spend Day

Good job with paying debt off lila and funnily enough my parents told me the same with regards to eating dinner and after 2 week of cooking I was cured with being a fussy eater and the only things I don't eat today is the food I am allergic to

Oooh just had my first Tesco Orchard invite, I'm excited .

NSD (so far ....)

Italian sadly, I think they were just fitted poorly. They're practically straight going back over his ears, so they're just sliding forward. I'll be insisting they take more time with it and do it properly when we next go in.

I'll not go into the list, as it's frightening. I'm in denial over everything I need to get done, I think. Easier to ignore about half the list right now and just work my way through it as quickly as I can.

I need to purchase the new light fixture this week so I can ring someone to come out and fit it next week. And that's one more thing to tick off the list. At least they're not too expensive.

A few small curtain rods for the bathroom windows are also needed, again not too expensive. (although all these little things add up!)

I've managed a makeshift curtain rod in the dining room that will easily get me through until spring. And while I'd like to get a new bed for myself, that again can wait until spring. Ds2's bed cannot wait. So I'll focus on the things that MUST be done before winter and figure out the costs for those.

NSD today. I sooooo wanted to take the dcs to McD's tonight as I'm fighting a cold and feeling tired. But I pushed through it and cooked tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for tea, and they're happy.

Well done Alice.

Mine have only just walked through the door and not even thought about tea yet. Probably omlettes I think. DP is out tonight so just me and children. DP hates omlettes

For some reason, my dcs have requested we have sausage and potato pie this weekend. We haven't had that in ages, and it's very simple to make. It was rather that the request was out of the blue. Thankfully, I have all the ingredients to hand, so cheap and easy meal.

I love omelettes. I sometimes have them for lunch when the dcs are in school. I tend to throw every veg I can find in them. Yummmm

Making meal plan to use up the mountain all the food in the house. Hoping to avoid shopping for quite some time. There may be some fairly weird combos coming up

Thanks guys .

DH disagrees with what I have asked the kids to do and I don't know why it is the wrong idea though he says it means they choose what they eat whereas I don't see the point of cooking what they don't like.

Tonight's tea was meant to be kedgeree. Didn't want so this is what I ended up making

DS1 had wholegrain pilau rice, white rice, smoked cod, carrots, broccoli, peas, mouthful of naan, spoonful of lettuce. Strawberries, dried apricots, choc muffin.

DD had white rice, smoked cod, carrots, broccoli, peas, naan, lettuce. Strawbs, yogurt, choc muffin.

DS2 had wholegrain pilau rice, fish fingers, carrots, broccoli, peas, naan, lettuce. Strawbs, custard, yogurt.

The naan, lettuce and custard was just random as left over and I was determined to fill them up!

I have asked the kids to do a list of food and meals they will always eat and stuff they really don't like. Dh thinks no, just make what you want but what is the point if they don't like it and when I am doing new stuff I don't know? I can not remember what three kids will and won't eat as they are forever changing their minds.

£20 roots by home hairdresser plus £42 asda delivery.

Posted couple bits for ebay....unwanted freebies from clinique bonus time. £15 for bits I wasn't going to use. Lady coming to pick up dd's old coat for £5....every little helps!

Oh, and it seems sometimes they DO listen to me as DS1 thought they were having jacket spud. I said no, they will have what I have bought but next week is all Jacket Spud!

Itsfab I'd just cook one thing and then let them starve if they refuse it - they'll crack pretty quickly. You're not running a cafe! Obviously take extreme hatreds on board but if they previously ate something and suddenly decide not to that shouldn't fly!

Started my Christmas shopping today with 12 gifts from Boots online (£45) all in the 3 for 2, so really pleased with that. Nice to have finally made a start!

Frugal wins today: Used up the leftover chicken from yesterday's roast in a lovely paella tonight, and my lovely friend bought me coffee today.

Itsfab - at least most of what your dc ate was the same. If I know mine are going to pick bits out, I put it all in a serving dish for them to help themselves and then I know that what is left is "clean" enough for using up in leftovers, and they feel like they have control over what they have served themselves. Does mean more washing up though .

Spotty glad appointment went well and parking wasn't too costly.

Itsfab one thing we do with cheese is buy a massive block think it's £4 in aldi we then grate half n put in freezer - find use less frozen n takes minutes at room temperature to defrost.

Another tip for cheese is buy red Leicester asda n standby do a big value block n add grated carrots to it for sandwiches n jacket spuds most people don't notice.

Itsfab: My parents used to cook one dish and if I didn't want that I could take bread and butter. Only thing they would leave out was food I was allergic to

I sometimes have to make separate items in a meal as ds1 is disabled and has some food issues (sensory problems, cannot eat some foods), but usually it's nothing hugely complicated. He doesn't tolerate mash well, so if I want to have mash at a meal, I sometimes will make something else as well like pasta or rice that he will eat. But the main part of the meal I expect everyone to eat ... or at least try.

I remember as a child going off potatoes, amongst other things. I think my taste buds changed but I used it to exercise control. ...its hard enough as a teenager being told what to do all the time (my parents were v strict and I wasn't allowed out. . Ever) , let alone eat. ...so I did this. For those with fussy kids could it be some of this?

NSD. Spotty, glad hospital appointment went well. My ds is under the care of GOSH. Thankfully in remission, so we go once a year. I tend to make it a day out. We also share care with the local hospital and that one usually runs on time. And there is a road running to it with free parking (although always crowded!) so it's a bit hit and miss but a really good thing if we get a spot.

Pass dd is four and has become more fussy. I always say she's just exercising her right to decide she's decided she doesn't like potatoes (although I reckon she does!) so I'm just ignoring it and not forcing the issue.

Just home from work will be back in at 6:45. Was my last Monday though yay!

No spend today. Been stuck in with supposedly sick dd3.

NSD

Definitely not control issues here.

Phew NSD.

Payday tomorrow!!! Its felt a long month

Also got child benefit due tomorrow. I get it paid 4 weekly and this will be my second this month (just) so it goes into savings for Christmas. I budget on one payment a month and always try to save the lucky 13th payment.

Joining in for a frugal October.

I used to budget to a penny but since dp moved in Ive found it a bit more difficult as Im not entirely in control of it all.

I did the MSE money makeover 2 weeks ago, but tbh, all my things were pretty up to date and I only made one change, saving an est £20 a year.

My plan is 20 NSDs, no book, toiletry, aspirational cooking ingredients or craft related purchases. Doing store cupboard challenge and looking inspiration from agirlcalledjack.com. I breastfeed and cloth nappy dd2 so she doesnt cost us much.

£200 grocery budget

DD1 and I both need our hair cut so booking in to local college salon (supervised trainees) so itll be £8 each.

DD2 needs a few tshirts/vests, cardigans/jumpers and some tights. Will be raiding a local charity shop.

No other spending planned.

Also need to sell more stuff - not so fussed on ebay anymore, though its served me well in the past. Im going to investigate facebook selling groups - Id rather post than have people come to my home.

Just read a thread about designer shoes on S&B, they're reduced in TK Maxx online from£143 to £39.99, I put 2 pairs in my basket and started checking out before coming to my senses! I don't need any shoes!

itsfab I wanted to say I was being supportive (or trying to be!) of you and not criticising you at all - I know it's not easy when kids refuse food etc. I was brought up in quite a hardline way with that regards I suppose it just rubbed off on me

I'm asking them to dress me for this dinner on Style and Beauty. They've actually come up with some good budgety options. Was a bit scared to post there I always suspect people who lurk there are ultra glam and they'd be horrified if they saw my normal (or even smart) attire