Frugal January, everyone welcome.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Useful links.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/other_subjects/1324074-For-those-who-cant-afford-to-use-central-heating-this-year-How-are-you-going-to-cope

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1543785-your-top-tips-for-money-saving-and-a-more-frugal-life

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1600030-Small-money-saving-habits-petty-even

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1628874-Gas-Elec-Bills-monthly-and-SKY-so-angry

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1911061-NO-MORE-COLD-MUMSNETTERS

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2209167-Slow-Cookers-are-shit

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2224969-saving-money

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/2258202-Debt-mutual-support-thread-number-6-start-the-new-year-with-a-clear-purpose-and-keep-moving-forwards-even-by-tiny-steps?

orchard.tesco.com/ Sign up to this.

www.topcashback.co.uk/home And this.

www.quidco.com/home/ And this

www.moneysavingexpert.com/ And this

www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub ditto.

www.checkoutsmart.com/ Plus this.

www.hotukdeals.com/all/deals/new?page=3 Check this daily.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Just about to say the same as fuzzpig. You could just do it once a week and round down to nearest fiver. This would mean you don't have to remember everyday as well.

Can I do some shameless place marking on your very useful thread please?

I have had a mixed day - was DESPERATE for a Chinese this evening as frankly neither of us could be bothered cooking, but instead had leftovers from last night so saved about £30.

However we did have lunch out and a Bloody Mary in the pub this afternoon so it was still a spendy day. Swapped a skirt my SIL had got me for some shoes and put some extra cash towards that too.

I always start my resolutions on January 2 so I'll be definitely be back on it tomorrow. Still haven't been to the sales but my DH needs work trousers and work shoes and I am going to spend some Christmas vouchers from my lovely MIL tomorrow on some staples for my wardrobe.

Hi, hope you don't mind me joining?

I spend far too much money. It's silly really as I know what I should be doing to save, but actually doing it is a different matter.

I have two freezers, and they are both full of food. My cupboards are groaning they are so full... yet I feel panicy if I don't go and do a shop I'm spending about £100 a week on food.

There's me and my four children (10, 6, 5, 2) and I use the slow cooker most days. I am going to try and live out of the freezer/cupboard this month. Only buying fresh veggies and fruit and bread/milk etc.

I need someone to shout at me and keep me at it.

That sounds like a good plan for a frugal Jan Opies
Though 100 a week on food with 4 children doesn't sound that excessive to me.
Anyway KEEP AT IT

opies why not go to your cupboards and make a list of all the meals you can make from what you've got in.

We need to start using up our freezer stuff too. Today was a super spendy day! Cost 20 to get to my parents, spent goodness knows how much on a meal out - about 30 I think but need to work it out, that was Christmas money though - and DP spent 2.50 on food for lunch. Will have to spend another 20 getting home tomorrow plus we need washing powder, toilet rolls, fabric conditioner and washing up li. Not off to a good start tbh :/

Welcome all newcomers

collie fingers crossed it is good news on your job tomorrow

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£45.94 Lego (including delivery)

Yep, I got the Xmas 2015 gift! It's the Lego Santa's grotto. I fell in love with it (errrm... it is for the DCs, honest) before Xmas, but we'd already bought plenty of presents, and I figured if it's going to ever be on sale, it'd be in the January sales - and lo, I was right! Absolute bargain given number of pieces etc. I wouldn't normally get something this far in advance but obviously can't give them it for their summer birthdays, so in the cupboard it shall go for 11+ months. There is not even the slightest worry that they will do anything but hit the ceiling with excitement on opening it (it's going to be for both of them from Santa), so DH couldn't help but agree.

I have immediately started a separate note on my iPod (I already have one for each month where I write all spends, which is what I C&P from when I post them here) specifically for Xmas 2015 spends. Will make damn sure I write EVERY Xmas related spend under categories/people, I keep meaning to do it but usually only remember once I'm halfway done shopping and then can't see the point.

Was it Fluffy who mentioned the spin dryer? (Can't check back on here!) Sadly we don't have room, but I loved the one we had at home when I was younger. Seeing how far it'd wobble across the room was like a spectator sport. :o As it is, the TD is going to take up loads of space in our tiny kitchen, but I'm happy with that as on balance it is genuinely going to improve my life. There are days when, due to my illness, even lifting up a wet item of clothing to hang it is actually dauntingly painful. I can't believe my parents have been so generous and I won't really need to do that anymore! :)

Frugal fail with the Tesco order - over £40 it looks like. Food for tomorrow (not even doing a proper meal, but naice drinks, salads and nibbles) and also a big pack of loo roll and kitchen roll. Still got loads of regular food to use up and now wondering if we can get away without a proper shop next week - I think we have a reasonable amount of stuff to cobble together 3 packed lunches. Then on Sunday 11th we can get back to the proper routine... hmm.

Good grief, sorry for epic waffle

I'll follow this. I vaguely follow usually but it goes so fast I can't keep up! So marking my place :)

Happy New Year.

NSD today but yesterday I filled the freezer with reduced party bits (chicken bites, Indian snacks and such like) that I can use to liven up cheap curry meals or as a quick tea for the DDs.

Hello Pixie :)

Reeeeally should be going to bed now but just remembered to do the coin sweeping, both in my bank account and my purse! I'm going to record it here (sorry :o) as I think it'll be really motivating to see how quickly it adds up.

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Coin Sweeping (hereafter known as CS! :o): 70p bank, 34p purse = £1.04

Need to join this. I suspect I have the wrong attitude as let DS spend all his Christmas money but as he got money from lots of people in lieu of presents seems only fair to let him spend it on things he wants? Love the coin sweeping idea

Tempted to freezer audit now while its in my head - but I suspect the neighbours will think I'm barking of they see the garage light on at this time of the morning looking gorgeous in my jammies and mad hair!

So far today have spent nzd$170 (about £80). But it was a pre planned pre saved for trip.

Dh has secretly transferred money to me to pay off half my credit card. He is so good.
May need throat lozenges later.

Tomorrow should be a nsd as will be travelling.

Would you mind if I join, my mission is to have spare money next Christmas, I can't cope with the stress of have nothing spare anymore, would have loved to have a night out with DH overChristmas, quite envious of friends on FB who have been out a few nights over Xmas, my mission would be to have the equivalent of a weeks wages spare next Christmas

Fuzz pig I have been known to buy presents years in advance for ds1 2nd bday he had a toy kitchen just Winnie pooh plastic one for his play house which I brought for 4.99 when he was 4mths old.

Ds2 is 6weeks old n I brought some bday presents for 1st bday while pregnant as on offer.

Should be nsd today as I'm working. I woke at five my alarm doesn't go off until six

Did something really unfrugal yesterday and agreed to go to Disneyland Paris for the weekend with our friend we're not having a holiday this year so I couldn't resist.... I figured we would pay by:

Two weeks free rent now (£230)
Two months council tax free (260)
Two weeks free rent Easter (230)

That'll pay for flights, accommodation and park tickets. Oh and any rebate on our electric as I always pay over.

We're also starting a car account. Will put in £30 a month and that can be for mot/tyres etc. Mot always ends up on dh's credit card. We've got a loan that finishes in October, I can't wait £175 a month!

I am de-lurking in the hope that I can save some money in 2015.

I am terrible at frittering away money and it needs to stop. I have YNAB but haven't used it consistently so it hasn't helped much.

Must do better!

When are you going Spotty? I'm really tempted to take dc but it is very expensive. If you've found a good deal could you tell me about it? I only need a rough idea of price and when. Thanks!

I'm sure that round about last January/ February someone posted a recipe for a mincemeat loaf on here. I made it and it was yummy, like stollen but without the marzipan. I thought I'd saved it but can't find it anywhere and have a whole jar of mincemeat left from mince pies that didn't get made I don't suppose any of you have it or something similar? Thank you.

Hoping to just buy some yogurts for packed lunches and some fruit today so a fairly lsd. I've submitted my meter readings and still have £7.47 credit in my energy account so I'm pleased with that as the heating has been on loads over Christmas as we've had lots of guests and I don't want to offer them fleece blankets while they sit on the sofa!

Delighted to see others on here so early in the morning, I thought I'd have nothing to read when I logged in! Ds is up since 6 so therefore so am I!

I'm under the weather with a headcold but have babysitting booked for this afternoon so that I can advertise my slimming class & I really need to do it. All I want to do is curl up in pjs in front of fire though. Can't reschedule babysitting though so may as well just get on with it.

I've €366 in bank €190 for electricity, €120 for implant removal & €30 for childcare leaves very little for food so going to postpone implant removal for a week. I'm unsure when next pay is probably next Thursday

I'm sure someone else here did euro disney last year.

I bet you'd get cashback on the resort & if you pay using a cashback credit card too then pay it off straight away then it's even more saved.

Fuzz, can't bring myself to call you pig, yes it's me with the spin dryer! I do love my spin dryer.

NSD today.

I'm in! First question - I don't tend to meal plan - I visit the local butchers/green grocers/fishmonger several times a week (usually go later in the afternoon to pick up discounted items) and make meals out of whatever I pick up. The staff often lob some extras cos I'm a regular.
Is this false economy? Would I be better off planning cheap meals in advance and buying what I need?

Keep all the receipts for a week, then the next week do a big shop & see which is cheaper.