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Original poster

We are the Marvelous Frugaleers - Mindfully Managing our Money in May.. Come join us!

999 replies

Laska42 · 30/04/2015 19:48

So here is a new thread for all the Magical May Frugaleers!

All are welcome to come and join our friendly supportive group if you'd like to take control of your finances in May and beyond..

We are working together to support each other, live within our means, pay off those debts and save for the life we want!

Good luck everyone for another month Grin

OP posts:
colliewobbles83 · 09/05/2015 13:12

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colliewobbles83 · 09/05/2015 13:20

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Miele72 · 09/05/2015 13:24

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NK5BM3 · 09/05/2015 13:30

£23 at Aldi!! Result. That makes up for the spendy day yesterday.

Stressing now. Have a cake to bake, a birthday party to take ds to, and packing for trip to be done. 2nd lot of washing in machine.

Pointlessfan · 09/05/2015 14:54

I've done well today, apart from haircut £26 but I'd planned for that.
Spent £29 in Lidl and £6 in Waitrose so that's all the weekly shop for £35 - result!
Took some stuff to the charity shop and found 2 unused, large thermal mugs with lids for 99p each. We were going to get some for camping so I was pleased with that find.

AuditAngel · 09/05/2015 15:00

Top up shop from Tesco £32, which taken in with last week makes things much more reasonable!

£14 in the £ shop, including face wipes for DS, 2 lots of kids toothpaste plus lots of snacks for the cupboard. £10 in argos on a super cheap BBQ to take on our Ceneterparcs holiday. £24 in Sports direct on 2 pairs of boots, will get £12 back from other mum. £1 on a pair of swim shoes (actually £6 but got a £5 voucher with the boots).

£1.50 parking.

AuditAngel · 09/05/2015 15:01

Oops Pointless I forgot £29 on a haircut Smile

babsmam · 09/05/2015 15:30

May be another tenner today as kids want take out for tea. That should be it though

chocolateyay · 09/05/2015 15:37

I broke a door and need to get a handyman out, oh bugger.

The 'good' news is that Ive just realised that we might qualify for child benefit now ('good' if you can call it that, in respect of major drop in salary).

Passthecake30 · 09/05/2015 19:02

£48 asda and sainsburys, £21 swimming lesson

A shiny new asda is opening 2 min drive/8mins walk from me this week. Am extremely excited Blush

SpottyTeacakes · 09/05/2015 19:07

Our nearest Asda is thirty miles away. There's been talk of them opening one twenty miles away but I'm not sure if it's going to happen or not. Haven't been to asda for years, is it much cheaper than tesco? I never thought much of their fresh food but tesco has gone downhill too.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 09/05/2015 19:39

Asda's nappies etc are weirdly pricey but they are pretty good for cans, meat deals etc.
I always spend loads if we go to asda but i think it's just because it's a massive one so we always end up going hugely off list!

Spends today, watch for DH 9.99
food at aldi - 83.47, did a huge stock up on cat litter and tins so hopefully next few weeks will be cheaper and make up for fussy cats only eating the expensive stuff now!

Pointlessfan · 09/05/2015 19:49

I usually find it cheaper to get everything from Asda than to go to Aldi or Lidl and then have to go to another shop for the stuff they didn't have.
Their nappies are excellent and always on offer, 3 packs for 12 quid at the moment.
I also quite like their pizzas but they never have a very good cheese selection.

Iamnotanugget · 09/05/2015 19:54

I spent most of yesterday checking and re checking the news in total disbelief at the election result. I dread to think where this country will be by the next election. Would have been a nsd but Tesco delivered £26 of groceries and today I got a further £22 worth from Sainsbury's. I would have got it all delivered but I had some clothes to take back to Sainsbury's without a receipt so just exchanged for food shopping.

girliefriend · 09/05/2015 20:08

Fluffy cat still not right sadly, my mum is home and worried about him so going to go back to the vets tomos Sad he just seems really lethargic, not right for a 9 month old kitten!

Had a nice day today, my dd has gone to her Grandads for the wend (Im working tomorrow) popped into Sainsburys on way back from dropping her off. Spent £64 but £10 of that was on school clothes for dd and I got £4.50 off with vouchers. Was annoyed as had a voucher for £6 off but realised when I got it out its only valid from tomos!! Seemed to get loads for that, includes salmon, chicken plus lots of fresh fruit and veg so although over budget am pleased with what I got.

Lent my dad £5.

No other spends and tomos will be a NSD as am sadly working all day.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 09/05/2015 20:12

Nappies - Once they get to a 5 I buy the tesco value, actually very good and 1.41 for 20, never found anything cheaper.

girlie hope cat improves, is he eating/weeing/pooing well? This seems to be a key thing. (I had a very ill kitten once and it was horrible, so big sympathy to you both)

Fluffycloudland77 · 09/05/2015 20:31

Poor little thing, at least your mums taking him back. Ours charges less for follow up appointments. Maybe hers does too?. Did they take a blood sample? Is it your mum whose kitten is referred to as her little prince by the family or it that another posters mum?.

54p refund off John Lewis and sold something on eBay. It's buyer collect and the buyer lives 2 hours away Hmm. I can just see it being a cancelled auction.

lilacclery · 09/05/2015 20:50

three spends today - subway for me dd & ds, tesco for flowers for my aunt, milk & bananas for kids & a sticker book for dd for journey, she slept after all that! & bookshop for brothers birthday present - reader's digest diy manual with cd, 150 slow cooker meals, 100 quick & simple recipes and a bbq recipe book.

girliefriend · 09/05/2015 21:49

yes fluffy that would be my mums cat! She is besotted with him, the vet mentioned that if it is herpes it can be triggered by stress. I was Confused as this is the most pampered puss I know Grin I said to my mum maybe some bloods would be a good idea, the vet mentioned taking some swabs as well. He is insured so mum not too worried about the cost.

We were worried it might be the same condition that my girl cat has but the vet (same vet that I use) didn't think so.

Anyhow sorry am going off thread topic Blush

Will post in the litter tray to see if anyone has any experience.....

Passthecake30 · 09/05/2015 22:04

I get asda deliveries once or twice a week on a delivery plan anyway, I find it waaaay cheaper than tescos. Seeing as tescos is my only current local shop, this way I can actually pick my own food sometimes, rather than wait until I get a delivery and get fresh bread, fresh pizza ...etc etc.

We don't have aldi/lidl/Iceland but tbh I've not had much success shopping in them in the past (fussy household who like certain branded food)

Unescorted · 10/05/2015 07:12

Thanks for the thoughts. The run helped me get my head together. No nearer to solving the underlying issues. DD having a torid time with her friends, mum telling me she has an uncurable, although treatable form of cancer and a healthy dose of work politics. My mum and dad don't seem to realise that treatable is not a cure so don't want to tell my bro in Australia. Me and big bro think he will be devestated if he is not given the full facts, especially as we know. Planning for end of life care is also difficult when my mum has in her head that it is all hunky dory....

It was May Queen yesterday so the kids needed money for the fair. They had a good time so I don't begrudge it.

babsmam · 10/05/2015 07:39

Spendy day today need to pay for swimming lessons for one if not two dc. Not sure whether to give youngest a break for a bit as he doesn't seem to have the hang of it.

There is a food festival in town next to pool and I need boots for scouts next too

babsmam · 10/05/2015 07:41

Unescorted that is a lot going on. Could you tell your brother or would that be an unforgivable?

Unescorted · 10/05/2015 07:51

That is the dilema... he needs to know, although BBro and I have decided to wait until we have a clearer picture of treatment timetables. Should be next week. He doesn't work for the best employer so I am worried that he may not get such generous time off and may waste some of it jumping on the first plane when he might be better waiting. Fortunately my work have been fantastic - work from home, take time off, flex. They rather I am in a good mental state than the work getting done. I guess they figure it is better for me to not get too stressed and taking months off having tried to keep everything going than supporting me in the shorter term. I cannot reccommend my employers employee support highly enough.

Fluffycloudland77 · 10/05/2015 08:11

How treatable though? I've had patients who have prostate ca and will always have it but it's controlled with medication.

Not sure why they weren't operated on but there must be a reason for it.

It's a situation that could cause a rift between you and your brother for years to come so I'd tell him. You three have to be there for each other, maybe that hasn't occurred to your parents.

People don't usually want their children to fall out as adults.