Awesome August Frugaleers..

[Laska42]

Blimey.. It's August Already (nearly)

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

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www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1628874-Gas-Elec-Bills-monthly-and-SKY-so-angry

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www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2209167-Slow-Cookers-are-shit

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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?

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Humph. Well I have an unusual ish name thanks for that though.

Anyway I'm off to bank with the co op so screw you hsbc.

Hope everyone had a nice day, it was boiling and we had a BBQ at my mums.

Lots ofnew people here welcome all new posters, and wow this thread moves fast ..

need I am so sorry to hear you are all going through such a tough time, Its great that you are able to be so supportive to your MIL , im sure your DH appreciates it (and your MIL also even if she cant do or say much ..)

Well my end July/ start of August hadnt been too spendy as yet.. (but its only the 2nd day!) ,

I have done my YNAB and budgeted for a pretty frugal month ..I have been very tough with myself - allowed no unneccessary 'me' spends (though I have allowed for a visit to hairdresser though that will only be a wet cut as I go for very short hair these days ) - and we are visitng friends later on in month for weekend so that will be extra petrol and food/ gift spends).

But im planning on carrying on with the 5:2 diet ( which actually saves food money as wel as enabling me to get back into some of my summer clothes before the month is over I hope ) and have paid all bills and put £300 away in savings (This means my 'FO work fund' is now almost a whole months wages!! )

The weekend food shopping was minimal as we basically ate out of the garden, dug up loads of Pink fir potatoes ( we have two huge sacks full!) and carrots , beetroot and tomamotes cucumber and lettuce ( all home grown) , and I got lamb mince out of the freezer and made koftas which we had with the garden salad , potatoes , garlicky yoghurt, and tahini sauce .. Yum! .... stuffed , ( we had left overs for lunch today also)

Thinking of you Need

Laska, how do you manage to maintain 5:2? I did it for about a month and just became totally obsessed with food on my fast days. Am sure i over compensated in calories the rest of the week

Interesting to see the stuff about bank criteria .. DH and I have always had seperate bank accounts but we've just applied for a joint account from Santander .. (neither of us banks there) I wonder if we will get it, then.. We have no debts at all now, and only intend to put in the 'household' money in it direct from our other accounts ..

This is quite a major 'ideological' step for me especially - i've never had a joint account before with anyone - mind you I have wanted to trust my exH with any money.. However i also said after that divorce that i'd never share a roof again with anyone either ) Anyway, although DH and I have only been married 9 years , weve been together 21 years , so I think he is (fairly) ok to trust!!

All that veg sounds amazing Laska! We've only managed rhubarb this year plus about 6 gooseberries and about 20 raspberries that are yet to ripen. We are desperate to sort out our garden. Have just pulled up a load of weeds so I feel like I've made a start.

peppa I did brilliantly on 5:2 a couple of years ago ( when it was first out, ) but lapsed about a year ago.. and put back on a stone and a half. ( its that is my major downfall ) ..

I managed it mainly by upping my veg intake, cutting out carbs on fast days and restricting then severley on other days and not drinking at all during the week.. Oh , and lots of mint tea ..

Actually using Myfitnesspal was a great help , it certainly helped me stay ontrack on 'eating ' days.. I used to be a stalwart on the 5:2 boards here on MN, but havent recently because im so embarrassed about putting it all back on again after being the one everyone used to ask for advice

But Im determined this time .. I just cannot justify new clothes ( and i really hate having my fat gut back)

Need - must be really tough.

I have just realised quite how skint we are this month. Not unmanageable but, not great timing with the holidays.

Think it's time I did some hardcore cheap meal planning...

Oh what I meant to post was we did our food shop at morrisos today (had vouchers) they are doing the collect 4 tokens and get 15 pounds off later deal again (spend 40 to get a token) however, they're also giving away a card game with every 40 spent. We got a Frozen one!

Oh yes and I worked out the calories I would need to maintain my GOAL weight (not what i was ) and made sure I only ate up to that on my 'eating days' cut out ALL snacks but did allow extra calories on friday and saturday for am annoyed that i lapsed though, because it was quite easy onnce i got into the routine

Just dropped kids to spend a few days with their grandparents. Cost there and back twice probably half a tank. ...saving. .. £240 on childcare

Will miss them but they'll have a great time. While dp and I work. ...! Might try and squeeze in the cinema one evening while we can

LSD weekend for once £2.50 on some needed antihistamines, free anti biotics due to reaction to a bee sting.
Few bits for DS1's football pack up. Homemade cakes and massive lasagna mix done which just need portioning normally use kilo of mince but used 500grams + lentils and added the bits of veg in the fridge until slow cooker was full.
DP somehow managed to spend £19.50 in aldi on saturday - only asked him to pick up 3 packs of butter (buttercream and flapjack) and some golden syrup if they had some (they didnt).

P.s. Anyone who buys branded allergy relief the pharmasist confirmed that unbranded are just as good and 1/3 of price

Need I'm so sorry you're going through this, it's never easy and you never feel prepared.

Ipsos At least he had a witness that the ring was on his toe. Our cat got chucked off the bed by an invisible force about 3-4 years ago and I was so glad dh was there too because I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it.

Fluffy I am now completely freaked out

Ipsos that must be frustrating with your ds and still not being dry, in a way I think my dds sensory issues made toilet training easier as she hates the sensation of wet clothes!! That said we had big issues with getting her to poo on the toilet

Passthe my dd is going off with her Nan for a few days in a couple of weeks, I have already booked dinner out with a friend!! Will save me £105 worth of childcare thank the Lord for Grandparents

Pointless its true there is always something new to worry about! Dd has been unusually quiet today and was saying she felt dizzy/headachey earlier - gah! Would be about right for her to be ill just before we go away.... anyway hope your dd is o.kay - am sure she will be.

Thanks girlie. Hope your DD is not ill.

This is moving ridiculously quickly! I'll read today's posts later.

Big frugal win today, ds' Hype t shirts (2 of them) sold for £28 on ebay. I've sold an old bike for £15 on fb & our camping stove for £18. Just a wine rack & inline skates to go. The driveway fund is growing!!