Don't Panic, December is frugal this year.

[Fluffycloudland77]

NSD = no spend day
LSD = Low spend day

Adora :o I was wondering if it was for making costumes or something (probably because I was talking about angel costumes with a friend the other day) - found out my DS just needs a king costume this year which is brilliant because he can reuse the cloak I made for him last year!

30/11
£64.22 Tesco

Hi, I'd like to join in. Been living on a tight-ish budget since May in the hope of saving for a big holiday and some future house work, as well as learning better habits. I dropped my work hours for various reasons then and it has been an eye-opener but we are doing OK. However I was budgeting similarly this time last year and I know we lost it at Christmas.

I was following along the November thread - was hoping for a nice frugal month but school photographer, fayre and panto did for that (over £50 on that little lot ) - still I managed to pay for that and get my work secret santa and most of dh's gift within my allocated 'cash spends'.

How low does as LSD have to be? Do NSD's take into account direct debits etc? Cos we have a fair few going out tomorrow (which I must change to maximise the interest in our favour in our offset account!)

Been selling lately - ebay, fatbrain and amazon trade-in. That along with Quidco keeps a steady small trickle going into our account - no match against the flood of Christmas buying going out, but within budget - so far!

£13 voile curtain in John Lewis.

£180 new duvet covers & pillowcases. Half price sheridan. www.justlinen.co.uk is my new favourite website.

Hopefully it will last longer than the white company shite I bought 4 years ago at twice the price.

I never count dd as spends.

Green lentils are my favourite frugal food, they make the most delicious soups. I add the juices off the chicken for free stock.

collie a gardening set would be appreciated - but I'd have to buy ds one as 18mths gap, and they can't get out there right now....so I think I'd be better getting them in spring tbh, maybe for his bday in April as she usually gets a little something.

Sold a pair of dps jeans on ebay....99p plus postage, ha ha, I won't be making my millions there, should've just passed them to the charity shop.

I don't like green lentils, but I do like red ones in a sausage casserole. yum yum.

Currently cooking a chicken that was delivered Friday morning, I thought dps mum would cook it for dinner while we were out but she didn't, so I earmarked it for tomorrow. Checked the date this eve and it was use by today? So emailed Asda for a refund - which they are usually good at - and cooked it for sarnies/freezing for curry instead....I didn't want to risk old chicken given the media atm.

What's Fatbrain??

Fatbrain is a book-selling app Pass - it was on a list of frugal links than MN sent out I think?

You scan the barcode and they offer you a price for used textbooks. When you have more than £15 to sell they send you a free collection label for Collect+ or Royal Mail and you box it up and take them in.

I have an iPhone but it's probably on Android too.

Just also sold an item on Ebay for 99p plus postage ah well, it all counts...

I don't count dd in daily spends.

I think at five, if she gets other things that she can do on Christmas Day, she will understand she can't make cakes. Maybe it can be something as well as something smaller and crafty. A compromise for your dh

Need to go back into town today (don't ask) but dd has a chest infection. Nightmare. Will see if I can get her an appointment for this afternoon as I have too much to do this morning

Lovely new thread thank you, Happy December......[previously ohforfoxsake...]

LSD yesterday - kids club pictures £6.50 for 3 of us, had to buy 2 pairs of 3D glasses though because kids lost theirs from last time ARGHHH!

NSD today- waiting in for all Christmas presents to be delivered :)

NSD for me yesterday - went to a cafe but my DF paid

Not started Christmas yet though.

Checking in, found you all

I'll catch up later but a reasonably frugal weekend.

I don't count DD's. LSD for me is where I might spend on a pint of milk, or maybe give the DC a couple of pounds for a charity event at school or post back a parcel.

Best frugal tip that I have is have a 'cheap' meal a week. Jacket spuds with cheesy beans, egg based meal, pasta with tomato sauces, toasties. YOu can bulk up with a pudding.

Tonight I am doing this, will make a raspberry and pear crumble from a few frozen raspberries I have left, a pear that REALLY needs using and a 35p crumble mix as it's a working day for me, so time is tight.

Jack Monroe has great recipe ideas.

Slow cookers are useful too.

Allocating specific amounts per month to 'notional' pots works for me. Say, £150 petrol, or whatever.

Almost done with Christmas shopping now - thank god for the internet! Waiting for a lot of stuff to arrive.

Still need socks for BIL (requested!), toy and outfit for baby nephew, nice eyeliner for SIL, DF whole present, I'm thinking fancy teas and a pack of those teabags you fill yourself with loose-leaf. He's impossible to buy for,nightmare every year.
Got Dsis 1 and DSis 2, think I'm done with DH, got baby bro and DM, granny, auntie. No idea what to do for grandpa. He is similarly impossible to buy for,conversely is very happy with a Terry's chocolate orange

Yep, my slow cooker is my best friend! I have actually 'acquired' another one, as I bought one for DF and partner for Christmas in Aldi, but we then had a discussion about only buying for the DC from this Christmas onwards. It was £12, so I've kept and I do actually use it.

Also, fruit and veg delivery from the local market saves me a fortune, as meals get bulked up with beans and veg, as collie says. It costs circa £28 and lasts two weeks, the amount you get is unbelievable and I rarely buy anything other than a few extra apples, mushrooms (we are BIG fans!) and carrots.

LSD for me, I need some foil from Aldi, but that's it.

MissA - I went shopping a week or so ago with DD and friend. I was quite disappointed actually, and will do the rest on-line. There was nothing that inspired me that I couldn't find on the internet.

I REALLY need some completely waterproof boots for DH. I'm fine, I use my yard boots, which are fab, but need a male alternative.

Thanks for info re: LSD. I'm an envelope method budget person too need - I use an app called Goodbudget rather than actual envelopes. They should autofill today. I have envelopes for mine and dh's cash spends, fuel, clothes, food, holiday and Christmas. Every spend recorded like colliewobbles.

I have two kids off school with bugs today so should be a NSD - well stocked up with food after weekend and need to resist cyber monday!

Not a low spend day today but finishing off bits from monthly shop so should be lower spend going through the week and FRiday will be a no spend day as I will be spending all day supervising the boiler people. But the upside of that will be a lovely new convenient boiler.

need I have the Aldi slow cooker but yet to use. I'm planning a chick pea tagine for it's first outing. I think once I get the hang of it and am more confident it'll get loads of use.

£125 bank charges refunded today so I am feeling quite up about everything!

NSD today. Thanks for starting new thread.

£1 contribution for an event at DS's school and £2.99 on a mop are today's spends.

£212 on mot and service.

NSD today not counting the hundreds of pounds on two new windows and some repairs. Held the door off until next year though to save some more cash though

badpoet - hope the DC recover quickly.

NK5BM3 - ouch to the MOT cost Slight frugal win for me on the car front as the coolant sensor was broken, but under warranty. Car went into the garage for the repair and they valeted it and sent a box of chocolates for the inconvenience!

collie - bugger to the lost wages.

sporting - chickpeas work really well in the slow cooker.

Having my 'cheap' meal tomorrow, as DH is away anyway. Mushrooms on toast (possibly garlicky), then I'll make scones to top up.

£10 petrol.