The super savvy savers continue steering their way through September

[northender]

Thought I'd start a shiny new thread as we've filled the other one so quickly.

Audit that's so kind thank you Will pm you

Girlfriend the clarks vouchers were an accumulation of previous returns / a voucher DH got for his birthday unfortunately which doesnt really help Im afraid :( - I have DSs 8e boys shoes if anyone happens to need a pair in that size, all his other clarks were worn to death but these ones are in good nick if theyd do any of you?

We have laminite throughout the ground floor, like a foiled lining stuff under it and plenty of rugs so its cosy? The carpet that was down here was so hard to keep with young kids, I love mopping it all out lol

Kikis Delivery Service is my favourite

I've tried sending a pm but it's not working. I'll try again tomorrow

Hi all I am feeling so tired today, have also found with the increase in hours at work that the flat is a tip! Going to have to think of a plan re house work as seriously do not want to spend every wend cleaning!

My current list of jobs

bathroom needs a 'proper' clean (a once over with wet wipe ins't going to cut it unfortunately )

beds need stripping and washing

heap of clean washing needs sorting and putting away

bathroom and kitchen floors need washing

I need a house keeper

Sorry for the moan!

On a more positive note I have planted 30 daffodil bulbs in our shared garden and in the from of the flat - am now excited for when they will come out next Spring!

Ipsos is there such a thing as a fireplace man who could come and sort that out for you so it is in working order? Open fires are so lovely and so cosy in the winter.

Girlie I was just thinking the same about my house. It's kind of messy and I don't seem to be able to keep up.

I gather that the best thing for my fire is to go to the "period homes supply centre" which is 20 miles down the road, but I have never managed that because the very idea reduces me to incapacitaty through giggling I worry that they may sell butlers. I should do it really. I've also considered replacing it with a woodburning stove in which to burn my newspapers, but I'm not sure if that works, or if it would just set fire to the chimney.

A ladybird just walked across my keyboard and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

£7 bus fares and £11.35 top up shop in Sainsburys, whilst there to pick up an order. I'm going to try Aldi next week (I don't drive and didn't have one close by before moving, but there's one in a town 5 miles awa, on a direct bus route), so thought I'd grab a few things that Aldi probably don't stock!

Ipsos, I deliberately went for carpet throughout when I moved into my Housing Association house recently. I have vinyl over underlay in the bathroom and back porch. The kitchen hasn't been done yet, as I couldn't afford to yet and it's fine, but there's a massive difference between its ceramic tiles over concrete and the vinyl. Even in the height of summer, it was too cold to walk bare foot.

Have a good, relaxing, frugal weekend, everyone .

Those tiles are gorgeous Ipsos. I suppose you'd need a new thingy to hold the fuel in and a chimney sweep. It looks like coal would have been the fuel.

Is it a grate that holds the fuel?

From the little I know about open fires the bit you have is the grate, we can't get one in good quality anymore so end up replacing it once a year. Last one has lasted two years though still can't help with the name of piece you're missing. Very important to measure width of fireplace in order to purchase either though

I'm going to make a start on Christmas this weekend I think. Suggested panto to dh's adult children rather than buying gifts 4 each other & now we may be going to Disney on Ice

Thanks creme, I know what you mean actually as our kitchen is vinyl over concrete. We have to wear shoes in the kitchen in winter and we definitely couldn't sit on the floor as we do in the living room.

I think you might be right about it being a grate fluffy. I've emailed the period homes supply centre but I think they'll want me to visit and it's too far. Maybe I should look online. It's the right time of year after all. :-) I think you're right that coal would be the thing.

We have another fireplace in the back room that I think has been torn out and replaced with a much deeper one in the 60s or something because it is a totally different design. I think it would be much more practical for putting a fire in, and would take modern bits.

I'm not really sure that it would be safe to burn rolled up newspaper in an open fire though, and also whether it would help ds's allergies to have a fire at all. He's a shoe-in for childhood asthma, but hasn't got it yet (touch wood)

Eeep! Just lost a whole long post.

Thanks Creme, that's what I thought.

fluffy - thanks I'm glad you like them. We have another fireplace in the back room which is uglier but more practical. I have attached photos. The bus is for scale.

Lol ipsos I was wondering about the bus! You can buy smokeless coal which is what we tend to burn. Not sure what that semi circular grate cover bit you need is called. We were able to get most of the bits and pieces in local ironmongers when we took out our old fireplace (complete with ancient back boiler and blocked up with newspaper we pulled out dated 1991!). Was a case of new surrounds and innards in by local fireplace guy and chimney swept. DH wont go get coal for me to light first fire of autumn as its too warm apparently lol. I have made it cosy myself with candles instead lol. That 60s one looks like it would be easy fixed ipsos? Cheers all

The tiled one does look easier doesn't it? But I just read this post about how open fires are bad for the lungs and ds is up to his neck in reactions to things already, so I think I might stick to having them as just decorative. :-)

www.samharris.org/blog/item/the-fireplace-delusion

I love all these photos. I'm in a new build with no fireplace.

I was wondering about the bus too. I knew someone with asthma who refused to let the council fit central heating because the fire drew allergens out of the the room. I don't know what the current thinking on it is though.

There's a program on the iplayer about Tudor house killers and the science behind chimneys. Very interesting.

The only thing I know about fires is that I want one and dh says no. Just like he says no to free solar panels, gas powered tumble dryers and velvet curtains.

Stupid LED bulb is too big and has to go back. PITA.

Fluffy that's very interesting about the fireplace idea. I will ask FIL as he has asthma and has lived in the same house for 80 years. At some point his life must have changed from open fires everywhere to central heating and diesel buses. I bet he could tell me, and it's his lungs that ds has inherited.

LSD here. just £4.70 in Tesco. Didn't spend anything on first train or in London. unlikely to spend anything now I'm on the second.

I don't notice any difference in my asthma when staying at my mum's with her fireplace. Not sure if it would be different if I was there longer than 2 weeks.

Spendy day today. £70 on groceries (Aldi+Sainsburys so that was a lot of stuff) have downsized cat to Aldi cat food, she is not impressed.
£20 on kids England rugby shirt (I know)
Not super impressed with myself!

Thanks Rafa.

Nice LOL about the cat. [Smile]

NSD for me, I think.

I know ipsos D pointed out if we were eating Aldi stuff, she could too! She likes the biscuits though :)

Aldi cat food went downhill about a year ago. Lidl pate in the trays is much better now.

We have a gorgeous fireplace. Dh claimed it for lego display. We've never put a fire in it, I'm not even sure how

Frugal win today, we were badly stuck for money this week, only had €15 left until Wednesday, but needed some petrol and a grocery top up. Dh took my change jar to be counted, got €27 from it

Girlfriend I know what you mean about the housework suffering when you are out at work. But something has to give.

Spends today:
£1.60 on sweets for the DC after hockey and rugby
£4 on a bottle of wine for me (it is Friday and it has been a long week).

Have just done my online Tesco shop for delivery tomorrow. £79. Meal plan for next week:

Saturday - Takeaway (DS1's belated birthday meal)
Sunday - Roast with stuffing, Yorkshires, Roasties, broccoli and carrots, followed by blackberry and pear crumble
Monday - Sausage and bean casserole with crusty bread
Tuesday - Cod with tomato and olive sauce with new potatoes and green beans
Wednesday - Sausages with mash, cabbage and gravy
Thursday - Veggie burgers, wedges and peas
Friday - Hunter's "chicken" (actually Quorn fillet) with baked potatoes and sweetcorn

I'll have a look at that then fluffy thank you !

We use Aldi cat food (in fairness our cat eats anything) but the dog food isn't much good. Dh read that its full of colouring and fillers and it sends our lab hyper.

Nsd today as I've spent the day at home sorting various bits and bobs.