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

[Laska42]

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

Oh spotty that is annoying! How old is your dd?

No childcare isn't free italian I wish!! I get about 70% paid for via tax credits but tbh childcare these days doesn't cost me anything like what it used to before dd started school!!

She's 5 next month. Ds is 2

Italian it looks gorgeous where you live!

Thanks spotty... Yeah I like it too
You live in UK?
Girlie; so it gets cheaper the older they get?
We don't pay for schools or the care before and after school but we pay for kindergarten and child minders

Yes in the south. We would have to pay for care before and after school if the school offered any nursery fees here are about £5 per hour ime.

Can you imagine how prosperous we'd be as a country if we had state funded childcare?.

Sod HS2 they ought to invest the billions that will cost into building nurseries, training staff and helping us to work full time if we need to. It would generate a lot in more income tax and NI.

Instead they'll invest in 18th century technology even though there's not enough carriages now and they have yo borrow them off other operators . People in Dh's company aren't allowed to use the train for long distance, it's cheaper to fly.

Mostly a lurker here, but with a question if anyone can help!

I need to insure a new car and I know that it is possible to get cash back. But how do I find the best deal including cash back? Do I find the best deal on a comparison site and then see whether cash back is available or can I search for deals taking cash back into account?

Many thanks! Love this thread.

Finally had one of those illusive NSDs. Technically I paid the holiday deposit but DM gave us a cheque to cover it.
2 more get ups until half term - can't wait! Apart from a short camping trip we have nothing planned so hopefully we can have a rest and do some jobs at home that don't require any spending!

Bird, the first way.

Don't forget Aviva and adding named drivers.

Welcome Ipsos, hello everyone else.

Back from Rome. Bought DH a bottle of cognac, gift for friend (fancy pouring bottle stopper for olive oil bottle) plus things for the kids, about €60. Food at the airport about €15 taxis in Rome about €110, in UK £26.

I can reclaim all except the gifts.

I think the older DC need £1.50 each for a drummer coming into school.

Going to Southend tomorrow.

Childcare before dd started school used to cost about £400 a month (2 full days in nursery and 1 full day with the cm) now it costs about £44 a month as only paying for breakfast club and after school once a week (my mum collects once a week and dd goes to a free school club on the other day) so much better.

Tax credits made it financially viable to work, would have been pointless otherwise. As it was before dd started school there was no incentive to working overtime as childcare costs would have cancelled out any extra money. However for the last 2 years have had the stress of having to 'prove' all my childcare costs, am seriously considering not claiming for the childcare at all as not sure its worth the stress for an extra £40 ish a month!!

Bird I was wondering that as well!! I found a good deal through uswitch but wasn't sure if I would get the same quote of I go through cutback iyswim?

Thanks Fluffy. Will try it.

Nsd yesterday. Today will be £1.60 parking although I don't have change even though I asked dh to get me some just another sign that I shouldn't bother with the interview

Well, I for one will be £100,000 richer if we had cheaper childcare.

Been reading not posting sorry. Will catch up soon.

Girlie, you would. Sometimes it's cheaper to go direct via a cashback site too.

Marking my place and not had chance to read all comments yet I'm new here

Welcome ipsos, I was at home for a few months at the start of the year and had a major declutter, tried to ebay everything I didn't want and packed what didn't sell off to charity shop, I felt very productive if that helps!

Thanks for the car insurance reminder. ...mine is sitting on the side still

Annoyed with childminder, I tried to change contract due to a closer job and she has said my proposed hours are cost the same as she factors in 15mins for the walk to school to pick them up mad as she has a dc at the same school! Anyway, I could now pay £23 a day for breakfast and after school club instead of £30.50 for her. ...IF I could find a childminder who would do holidays only (clubs here are often 9-3)

£1.30 yesterday on a big fat danish pastry, I think I am in sympathy with peonies as have a gippy belly all week, cramps and frequent trips to the loo

collie good luck! Maybe if you were able to find some childcare you could work short hours and increase as your dc gets older? You do sound keen so hopefully it'll work out.

In Estonia we have paid mat leave up to 18 months and childcare would be no more than 100 euros in a nursery (it might be difficult to get a place though, especially for under 3 yos). Wages start from 390 euros before taxes for full time though ... Welcome! :D

Interview went well but we will see. £1.60 parking which my mum gave me. I seem to have messed up my meal plan

I'm just going 'la la la la la' to the talk of cost of childcare!!
I was paying €250 per week to have my two minded so half of one of our wages up to 6 months ago. We changed to an au pair who we pay €120 weekly and provide a car so petrol, tax & insurance for that & sky for her room. However we will be paying less petrol when we change au pairs next month due to dd finishing playschool and being on a bus next year.
Also paying €65 weekly for playschool as dd had her free year last year.

In a month we will have €80 less to pay out per week when dd finishes playschool!! Can't wait!

Our childcare will work out at circa €160 weekly once playschool is finished so €90 of a difference to 6 months ago

Just discovered the account from which I pay the playschool has not been receiving money for it since 9th April. I must have set a date for the standing order to finish from the joint account & didn't notice any excess money there as dh's contribution has been falling due to him having some extra personal expenses €390 it's shy, has been coming out of our funds from Christmas without me realising.

The extra work I took on will pay back this amount but I'm glad I figured it out now and not in December

I've worked out with the extra I'm earning with another class I'll be able to pay back both credit cards by September! So pleased about this. As just earlier in the week I had been disappointed with my debt reduction.

I want to get the dc micro scooters(have had deposit returned from the nursery Ds isn't going to) looks like the best deal would be jojo maman Bebe with 5% cashback does anyone know anything better? They haven't got the colours we want but that's not the end of the world...