Marvelous Frugaleers - May the Money Magic Continue into June

[Unescorted]

Just setting up the new thread for the chatty Frugaleers.

By popular request - copied from January

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.

I have been very spoilt today. £4 for football and ice-cream. £10 on takeout which is becoming a regular Saturday thing and may have to rein that in.

We're getting take out too £20 for dh and I. There aren't any cheap take aways round here.

Our takeaway place fluctuates wildly,it was £8 one time and £20 the next.

I only ordered spring rolls in addition to the usual order .

We are having fish and chips meal as we speak... £14 for 4 of us which is cheaper than normal but only because ds and I are sharing. Also spent £21 on coffees and cake. Whoops. Spent possibly £2 on boot fair stuff which I was manning as well as part of church fundraising. Got a pair of trousers for ds, and something like 5 things for dd.

More frugal days here. I worked today, dd had a drama exam which was already paid for, ds is playing cricket so dh has been taxi driver.
I'm working again tomorrow so dh in charge again. dd has a cricket match in the morning and after work I plan to have a couple drinks but that should be the only spending.

I love beetroot collie

£15.10 on Chinese

We saved a fortune when we stopped having a weekly take away!
NSD here. I'm torn tonight between looking online for some shoes or starting my library book. I know what would be the sensible frugal choice but I also know what I expect I'll end up doing! I know how to live on a Saturday night don't I?!

I had a very frugal dinner of leftover veg (kale, carrot and potato) soup and the rest of the 19p baguette from Lidl.

£2.50 for church collections.

I want take away now! We had rice with tuna and egg

Actually, now we have got out the habit a bit I find takeaway doesn't taste as good. I think they aren't that great round here and when it's a rare treat you want it to be amazing.

I still like pizza though.

DH said on Thursday night that he tends to prefer making food himself than getting a takeaway. That was after he made an amazing Thai green curry with chicken, green beans, leftover potatoes and rice.

The takeaway is nice. Need to get back to making it a treat rather than a regular thing.
Off to a tractor festival today at an adventure playground. Got half price entry though so saved £18 there. Will take a pic nic. Not sure about the rest of today. Yesterday £38 camping fees for a weekend in august

Swimming lessons cost €35 for 4 weeks which is a little more expensive than usual but dd ended up getting one on one which is normally €20+ entrance to pool & I wasn't charged for ds & I going in either!

€20 for babysitter while myself & dd had lunch followed by cake & hot chocolate in a local tearoom with my friend & her dd my share was €30 but it was fabulous & we really enjoyed the girlie time.
€43 in penneys on 2 pack of pjs each for kids, swimsuit for dd, underwear for her, eye make up remover for me & clothespegs.
€19 on top up shop in aldi, couldn't be bothered doing out my list for big shop as I'm on annual leave Mon & tues.

Must buy gas today, the tank has done 10 weeks which is fantastic, think that will be €35 plus need dog nuts too.

Morning All,

Is it just me or has the site got issues atm? It seems to take for ages to load a page & then I have to post messages 3 -4 times before I can get it to do anything.....

The NSD x what seems like forever is going OK - only had to buy flour and milk. A lovely friend came round to help with the garden and brought spuds & cream because she had witnessed DS sulking over the lack of roast spuds and trecle tart for dinner.

Laska - I love your hair it really suits you!

Just lost my long post unescorted so maybe so...

audit The thai curry sounds yummy, I have a recipe idea now for the week. I think green beans might be on the Aldi Super Six this week too..

We had a family meal out last night, not at all frugal, but the first time we have been out as a family in months due to the competition season being in full swing, and very welcome.

I also spent £80 on ornaments yesterday, we have allocated a bit of cash from DH's dividend to put the finishing touches to the house. It doesn't need or won't cost much, just a few prints and ornaments, but will finish it off nicely, until we decide to update...

Chicken dinner tonight, using a mahoosive chicken, so at least another 2 meals, sandwiches and stock.

Todays spending will be £24 in show jumping class fees, as we are jumping at a local venue. DH needs a hair cut at £10.

Need to rein the spending in a bit, having the dividend as a cushion makes it easy to forget my goal of sticking to paid salary (budgeted spends excepted). There was an amazing red leather tub chair in one of the furniture shops yesterday, all vintage and cool..... was very tempted!!

When I got bonuses I found that it really difficult not to spend it 3 times over.

Blimey they are hard core ear protection.

I'm really struggling with my food budget. I cant accept that in 5 years food has gone up about £10 a week.

haven't posted in a bit been a hectic week. been pretty good with spending.

Tuesday £2.20 bus to take dd to girls brigade plus £2 entry

Wednesday nsd

Thursday £5 bread, milk, chicken roll, chips and juice. train £4 Mcdonalds £5.50 (our once a month treat when I take girls to lego shop monthly minibuild- free)

Friday - tesco £42 bought quite a bit and pretty good considering I haven't been shopping in ages

Saturday £3 summer fair at school.

Today nsd sorting out bits to sell and girls playing in the garden

Laundry done and on the line in the sun, kitchen tidied, prep done for massive veggie and tofu stirfry for tea. Need to go to a colleague's house for an hour or so at 330 for work project. Am considering nipping into town for glass storage jars as I hate all the open, half-empty plastic bags of raisins, nuts etc in the cupboards. Jars are much tidier. Am I crazy??

£2 on two adult legoland tickets. Must remember to cancel sun+ subscription