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Cost of living

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Marvelous Frugaleers - May the Money Magic Continue into June

999 replies

Unescorted · 27/05/2015 08:34

Just setting up the new thread for the chatty Frugaleers.

By popular request - copied from January Grin

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.

OP posts:
AuditAngel · 08/06/2015 06:58

I'll gave to buy lunch today as working in another office and no fridge to keep it cool (I hate a warm sAndwich). DS off on his residential today. I got him a new 3in 1 jacket recently, but he didn't need anything else new.

My company has it's annual quiz tonight, so train fare toLondon (onOyster) then free food and drink.

ipsos · 08/06/2015 07:47

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pavonia · 08/06/2015 08:22

Having followed these threads in the past I'm going to join in for a bit if that's OK, as I need to get back some control on my finances.

Since my separation from exDP 18 months ago I have been using YNAB to good effect and since my house move last November I have really reigned in the spending where I can but over the last 6 weeks I have got a bit slack again. After a good while spending very little on myself I have had to buy a few things lately, partly as I am trying to get fitter/healthier and look better. I'm also trying to get the house nice, I was exhausted after the move so did the the minimum but in the last few weeks I have a bought a few nice things for the sitting room - it's amazing how the the small things add up but they have been carefully considered and are worth it. I am trying to pay for everything out of income now and not dip in to my pre move savings.

I have just caught up on about 6 weeks of YNAB downloads and I could just about balance the budget but I had to leave out some of the amounts I would like to set aside for christmas/birthdays/holiday which is not good so I need to get back to using the budget properly.

The food bill is getting a bit out of control due to DS being at home a lot whilst doing his GCSES, normally I don't have to pay for his lunches. The summer holidays are going to be even longer than usual and I'm worried it's going to get very expensive, and I need to book a (cheap) holiday. Last year we camped but I think we would all appreciate something a bit easier this year.

I do daily small shops rather than a big shop and I'm in two minds as to which is best, a plus of my current method is that we waste very little food as we buy it as we need it.

Had a spendy weekend as my DD needed to go clothes shopping as she has few non-school clothes and is going away for a week with school soon, I haven't worked out the damage yet but will do a download to YNAB tomorrow. DS will need to go shopping when he finishes his GCSES as he too has just one pair of jeans and a selection of t-shirts from last year - will need more than this to get through the summer and then will be in sixth form which is non-uniform. For myself I buy clothes on ebay, but find that difficult for teens. Sometimes TK Maxx can be good for DS but am likely to be mostly shopping in Next, Gap etc.

Sorry for the essay!

SpottyTeacakes · 08/06/2015 08:34

Hi pavonia,

H&M are really good for cheap clothes I find.

How much are you spending a week on food? I can't imagine buying every day. You could make up a big bowl of pasta and keep it in the fridge for your ds to have for lunch? Or quesadillas with cheese in the microwave and quick, cheap and filling. I find it more expensive in the holidays too and I think lunches are the hardest!

Pavonia · 08/06/2015 08:52

SpottyTeacakes YNAB says I spent about £111 a week in supermarkets during May, that will include a few non-food items I think but on the flip side there will also have been a few cash purchases not included in that.

There are just three of us, me and two teens - I know it's too much, I've taken my eye off the ball a bit.

I'm no domestic goddess - I had to google the quesadillas - I will give them a go.

Thanks!

SpottyTeacakes · 08/06/2015 08:55

I think weekly shopping might be cheaper or what about twice weekly? They are nice with left over roast chicken, salsa and cheese yum! Someone on here introduced them to me Smile

colliewobbles83 · 08/06/2015 09:22

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colliewobbles83 · 08/06/2015 10:20

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blueteapot · 08/06/2015 10:36

Collie do you have the banana flapjack recipe? They sound lovely! Welcome pav on is :) I have taken to multiple smaller online shops with delivery saver to cut out food waste and runs to corner shop. £30 this morning (mostly baby milk and nappies for both kids!). Need to get to the butchers today too. May have some frugal news later fingers crossed if OH gets speaking to his boss x

SpottyTeacakes · 08/06/2015 11:19

Mmm yes I would like that recipe too please!

Not very frugal Blush £7.75 on drink and cake/cookie for me and ds after a lovely sunny walk.

needastrongone · 08/06/2015 11:42

pavonia Hi, welcome. I have teens, and a DH. So, I am feeding 4 of us. All good advice above, but I just want to make the point that it's hard for folk that DON'T have teens to fully understand just how much teens eat, especially the male variety. I am feeding 4 adults here, one with a huge appetite.

If honest, I spend £120 pw on food. That includes cleaning and toiletries and beer. That also is for ALL meals. That's more than many on here. I know I could reduce it. However, that is £4.28 per day per person I have just calculated. Which, when you look at it, ain't so much.

I shop at Aldi and Morrisons, online for the latter. I still find Morrisons expensive but can usually figure out the offers and value products.

I try and have a cheap meal once a week, jackets, omelettes and the like, and we eat a lot of vegetarian meals. I have my fruit and veg delivered from the local market (have to buy extra fruit) and shop at the farm shop for meat, which is far better value and quality and I know where the meat has come from too.

Todays spends will be the dogs needing grooming at £60 Shock, however they are hairy worms and badly need doing.

Meals will be -

Sausage egg and chips.
Something using the leftover chicken.
Veg lasagne.
audits thai curry
Stuffed peppers.
Fritata.
Curry.
Chilli and nachos.
Chicken broth.
Pasta bake.
Leek, mushroom and pancetta risotto.
Gammon in coke, wedges, veg.

I've tons in the freezer and cupboards at the minute.

babsmam · 08/06/2015 12:01

I probably spend £100 to £120 a week on food and I don't have teens yet. However we seem to go through loads of fruit here between the 4 of us.

Welcome pav.

£4.50 in wilkos on allotment bits
£41 in millers on camping bits I need to renew. They are having a good sale arm.
£53 in sainsburys on fresh stuff but £12 was on caps as both DC have grown out of sun hats

needastrongone · 08/06/2015 12:07

I forgot!

MissA Your Nutribullet fail made me laugh! Must admit, the vegetable ones are not as nice as the fruit based ones! My friend pinches her nose and downs those ones. I had a lovely one this morning, banana, grapes, blueberries, pumpkin seeds and soya milk. Have't eaten since.

Also have a stir fry on my list of meals, veggie hot dogs, cajun chicken, drunk chicken, tuna a cheese quiche, chana masala.

Jack Monroe has some excellent recipe ideas, I love her books and site.

girliefriend · 08/06/2015 12:59

Welcome Pavonia Smile I remember when my brothers were teens my mum despaired at how much they ate!! She was spending £100 a week then which must have been at least 15 years ago.

I have worked a few hours extra this morning, will put it in dds horse riding pot. Having tea at friends tonight which will be nice, hoping the sun will come back out Hmm

TheseSoles · 08/06/2015 13:33

Washing machine fixed. Took 6 minutes... If it weren't for the cost of parts I don't know that the insurance would be worth it. Ah well. Works now.

Peppapissinpig · 08/06/2015 13:56

Anyone used Ocado? They're bombarding me with money off 1st delivery vouchers. Not sure how Ocado works.

SpottyTeacakes · 08/06/2015 14:01

I love ocado. My bank balance does not. I can only use them if I have a £25 off voucher and it's still more expensive than tesco!

AdoraBell · 08/06/2015 15:52

My DDs, 13yr olds, like Forever 21 for clothes. T'is cheap high fashion crápula but when they grow so fast it doesn't need To last long.

NSW for me but on Friday I Spent £45 Sending a letter To the UK.

I also use Jars for storage. Here jam and pickles are sold in Refill pouches so I keep the Jar and buy the refills.

girliefriend · 08/06/2015 15:57

Since having an outbreak of weevils a year ago I keep all dry foods (pasta, rice, cereals etc) in jars or tupperware containers. I could have cried when I had to chuck all my weevil infected food out

Fluffycloudland77 · 08/06/2015 16:00

If we get an ocado code that's good eg £20 off £60 i order loads of milk, cheese, eggs etc the get the cheaper stuff at aldi.

If you plan you can get three weeks of meat using their order, they don't show you the best offers till you checkout so be prepared to swap things last minute.

colliewobbles83 · 08/06/2015 16:03

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SpottyTeacakes · 08/06/2015 16:16

Thanks collie I have all those things in.

Pointlessfan · 08/06/2015 16:57

NSD. My meals for the week:
Bubble &squeak to use yesterday's leftovers with sausages also left over.
Lentil dhal with naan bread and the samosas etc I got reduced in Sainsburys last week.
Wed will be jacket potatoes with veggie Bolognese from the freezer and I need to rethink Thursday because I forgot I'm out on a fieldtrip with work and will get home late. Possibly Quorn and veg stir fry which will be really quick.
I made some apple and carrot muffins last night to use up an apple and a carrot that were both a bit past their best - they are delicious!

CremeEggThief · 08/06/2015 18:27

NSD.

Fluffycloudland77 · 08/06/2015 18:48

Pavonia Welcome.

£7 lidl
£10 petrol.

Dh had the dental hospital today. He is in so much pain that he has vowed to take excellent care of his teeth from now on.