Marvelous Frugaleers - Just Jiving through June

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Ooppps filled up the old thread..... carry on

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.

Yeah thats fair enough Evil i am just tight that said I did spend more on dds best friend this year prob about £15 I think. I tend to look out for gifts when they are in sale on on offer, The Entertainer does some really good deals on toys.

I am South West as well, a cheap day out for me and dd will be the local beach with a picnic, some free National Trust places, a bike ride to a nice park, sometimes we do the odeon kids films (£2.50 a ticket)....

Dd came out of school with a local activities leaflet that has loads of stuff on thats happening over the holidays, the local library is doing quite a few free sessions, wildlife meet ups, various play schemes, the local museum doing lots of free activities as well! Def enough to keep us occupied over the hols was pleasantly surprised!

Thanks girlie, and fluffy.
I'll have a think. It's been a rough day, sodding ex. That's all on another thread.

It never rains but it pours.

£20 on a massage....lovely!

I am also tight and like to spend £7ish on presents - though ds is becoming of the age where I have to put a tenner in a card but he has gone to one party in 2 years so I'll stretch to it

Ummm, have you read the links in the op?.

I have failed you. Costas marketing and little cellophane wrapped biscotti lured you away from frugalness.

I cant compete with biscotti. Everyone loves biscotti.

Some advice please, been saving for a new phone. One I love has come up on a deal refurbished with 12 month guarantee. It has a better spec & is cheaper by about €50 than the phone I've been eyeing up. My question is would you buy refurbished when there is a guarantee?

Or seeing as my troublesome phone seems to be working a lot better than it was a month ago do I just put the money aside & sit it out a while

Depends on why it was refurbished . If it's the seven days rule and someone change their mind then yes, and we have with other electronic device. If it's a fault repair I would be more careful.

Dh going shopping today with the lidl voucher should be around fifty pounds.

Yesterday £14.30 on takeaway for dinner, apparently too hot to cook!

We are getting concerned about our holiday in Greece. It isn't a package, and the relatives there have said it really isn't fun at the moment, petrol getting a bit scarce, food not always what they want to buy. DH's cousin wants to cancel, but unless the GO advise against travel (not likely) we will only get back the tax on the flights if we cancel. Not sure how much this would come to. We can go to family property in Spain, but new flights around £1,500 . As we have DH's cousin with us, and not knowing who will be staying where already, we may not be able to stay at either of the apartments at the beach. Still a house in the mountains, but we'd need to hire a car. More money. Plus, with DH's cousin, a car needs to seat 7, even more money

Fluffy can I have your advice?

I'm thinking of switching current accounts again. I'm really happy with first direct as the overdraft (we try not to use) is free but there's no interest on the account. Do you know which is best at the moment?

Also we will need to get a loan in October will switching effect our credit rating? Should we wait?

Are any current accounts offering interest at the moment?

Audit whereabouts in Greece are you going? We're off to Kos and reports from other friends say it's fine. We're not package either.

I'm getting interest on my yorkshire account plus they gave me £150...Santandar 123 account is good for paying bills out of as they give you cashback on how much you spend on them.

Topcashback often do £35ish cashback on that one, if you can take santandar cb as tesco points you can boost them. TCB customer services would tell you if you can take that one as points.

Halifax will give £100 for switching and £5 a month for paying in £1000 so in terms of interest that one is probably best. Really easy to switch to as well.

I swapped my account in April and got car finance in the May with no trouble.

I'm hoping to re-mortgage in November so I will be swapping banks again after that. I havent done Smile or HSBC yet.

I would buy a refurb phone as long as it wasnt damaged.

Collie, it will be worth it in more ways than one. I still consider passing my driving test as one of my great achievements.

If you have money worries when it comes to DS starting school deal with it then and at least you are still able to get a car when money does become available.

DS 10 desperately needs a new bed and mattress. Any suggestions on reasonably priced ones but with a decent mattress (he is allergic to dust mites).

Am thinking a divan with storage but they all seem to be ££££

DD is allergic to dust mites too - sympathy! So far I've got her in a wooden frame slatted bed, because it's easier to wipe it down and clean underneath than a divan. I have storage crates with lids underneath that can be wet-dusted/vacuumed.

Spendy day already - 38 pounds on a christening dress from M&S (really pretty and half the price of the one I was lingering over in Monsoon). 8 pounds on top up shop including stuff for quick easy supper, as we have a hospital appointment later that usually runs VERY late and we will both be tired and hungry.

Collie once you are driving you will seriously wonder how you ever coped not being able to !! Have you had any lessons at all? If I were you I would be tempted to do an intensive week long course and get it over and done with, can your dh take you out in the car for some practice?

My sil was really reluctant to learn to drive, she had some lessons when she was younger but failed her test. Finally got the confidence to start lessons again and only need 6 - passed first time!

Have done a biggish shop at Morrisons this morning, spent £62 but got £6 off in vouchers so actual spend was £56 which is pretty good considering have filled the fridge and freezer plus about £10 of that was toiletries (my multi saves came to £6.24). Plan is to only do smaller top up shops at Lidls for the rest of the month now.

School fete day today, I'm running the book sale!

Thanks fluffy. Can't do Halifax as were with them before. Could do Santander but would not sure dh will allow another credit card

Who is your mortgage with spotty . Could you have an offset current account and save interest there as the rates tend to be higher. I don't know enough details to advise but would it be worth a look. I'm sure others have better knowledge.

Walked to a supermarket at lunchtime and came out with nothing! Result!

£4 for beavers later. Sent off holiday club money. £90

Mortgage?! Hahahahahaha I wish

I see the 123 doesn't require a credit card anymore but you can get more if you have it. I can't see a payment for switching though.

Nsd so far. Off to the beach in a bit will be £4.50 parking.