O come all ye festive frugaleers, gather round for festive chat and frugaleering

[northender]

Haven't been on the old thread for a few days so thought I'd start a new thread as it's nearly full.

Popped into an Aldi for a £13 shop and saved £4 by not shopping at Sainsbury's! Most fresh stuff had really good use by dates too. Very happy.

Due to toddler lack of cooperation I didn't make it to the supermarket. This is good as I can now go on my own to Aldi this evening. With both cherubs I go to sainsbury as I can park inside and I know they have the right kinds of trolley.

Found some pork chops in the freeze, I always regret buying them as I never have a clue what to do with them. Today I milk and floured them and put garlic powder and smoked paprika in the flour. I then made American style gravy out of the fat I fried them in. I served it with Boulanger potatoes and it went down very well! Glad I found a use for them.

Thanks MrsDeath

Hi all just catching up on thread.

I am most def in the Needa school of parenting I am a worrier by nature and was talking to a friend about this who is quite an anxious parent and we agreed that sometimes you just have to fake confidence so as to pass that confidence on to your child.

It must be working as dd is much much braver than me!!

So have been at work all day, was going to do a MacDs for tea but when I picked dd up from my mums she said dd had already eaten so skipped that and actually cooked myself a really nice dinner! Had some salmon (that i had forgotten about ) with pesto and cheese on with rice and veg. Drenched it in soy sauce as well - was amazing!

Will prob do the MacDs tomos evening instead

Am ready for the last day of term, although I am still working all next week will be so nice not doing the school run.

Did spend £14 in Tescos on a few bits of food, 2 boxes of chocolates for dds TAs and 12 second class stamps.

Does everyone else with school aged kids do Christmas gifts for teachers and TAs? Feeling bit hard done by this year as dd has two teachers and two TAs

I did this year only because they're so good and DD loves them.

Drunk on mulled wine

Had to leave car in town as am far too over the limit to drive home. Have had to pay for parking tomorrow. Aaaah

But. I bought chips for my taxi ride home. Yay!

Oops used dd's name will get that deleted. hypoing again ffs.

Anyway yes I got three but they're really good teachers and dd loves them.

I'm exhausted.

The thing to do is brave the sales and buy loads of gift sets for pennies, then next year you will be prepared.

Spotty Why are you hypo? I thought you had an insulin pump now?

I am but I've been running pretty low today after doing so much running around

My grocery shopping is coming out a bit more expensive this month because I'm trying to stockpile a bit to make sure not to run out of anything over Christmas. I wonder if that means that January will be cheaper?

Are you ok spotty?

I am glad my lot are at high school and I don't have to buy pressies for teachers etc, it can be quite stressful thinking of something appropriate I find.

Repair and reproofing of the pony's rugs has come to £50, I am pissed off with him and will give him no carrots in punishment for trashing them so easily.

at em. I LOVE mulled wine but can drink a bottle far too quickly.

DS has had a good sixth form taster day and school has asked if he will consider applying for a scholarship, specific to engineering and those students who will achieve well at degree level. He 'thinks' there's a letter in his bag about it, but forgot to mention it until half way through supper. Got to love teenage boys

Spotty stop for a moment, get something to eat and get levelled out. [Stern face]
Em chip money is always money well spent.
I try and not go to the shops for the next two weeks too. Hate it.
Don't do teacher present either although one awesome teacher is leaving in Feb so I might get her something as both dc have had her.

Argh I think my Christmas pudding is ruined! I can't decide if water has got in or I just haven't cooked it long enough. No idea what to do :-(

Went to Aldi and spent £23, happy with that. I then went to co op for parchment and spent £10 on two losing scratch cards. Bummer. Waste of money and so disappointing.

Oh I'm fine don't worry about me

Who watching EWFL Christmas? £1400 on Christmas food?!?!?!

Hope you settle out shortly Spotty, I'm guessing you haven't long been diagnosed by some of the chatter on here?
Personally don't have much any experience but it must be stressful

NSD was a bit wrecked by a well timed 20% off email from Whittard. I am a tea fiend and marketing sucker so have just ordered myself some highly recommended Ceylon Orange pekoe loose leaf tea.
For in store collection which my sister will collect and bring to me. Yay!

Dd's nursery Christmas party tomorrow. She's so excited I can hear her still singing away in her room. Various Christmas songs.
Fingers crossed that DS is well enough to go. He has a horrid sounding wet whooping gasping cough. (Not actual whooping cough just that sound)

I just realised that this is a cracking time to list things on ebay that are taking up space. Just time to post them for Christmas. I've just put a boxed set of reading books on that we've never used.

What re-cover loosely and put it in the slow cooker if you have one. Just a little bit of water.

Thanks fluffy. I'll pop it in the fridge and do that tomorrow.

Just wrote my Christmas cards! It'll be £3.24 on postage tomorrow as we had some stamps here already.

Well done Collie!

Just done my Morrisons Christmas shop online £56 not sure what anyone could spend £1400 on that said I am only buying a few bits and pieces to take to my mums where we will be for Christmas. Have I told you lot I am working Christmas day goes with the being a nurse territory sadly.

Spotty hope you are o.kay, can you lower how much insulin you are getting? Make sure you look after yourself.

Sorry you are working, is it a full day? I've worked them in the past when I was a radiographer. I minded and didn't mind in equal measure. I'm looking forward to ewfl tomorrow. I was shopping so missed the start! That and master chef whilst I do some wrapping while ds1 is at nursery will do me well.

Oh no girlie I bet your patients will be happy to see you though

No mrs I've been diabetic for 16 years! Doesn't stop it being challenging though. Af due so probably why I'm having hypos. You name it, it effects diabetes: hormones, illness, weather, tiredness etc. In actually feeling really positive about it atm though

Dh came home with three bottles of wine, a Christmas cake and some gross chocolates from a customer

That sounds tricky spotty. Well done for being so upbeat about it.

All those things affect me too and I'm not meant to have anything officially wrong with me except "stress", so I sort of know what you mean, sort of (although probably not really).

Having just watched diy sos I will never moan about anything ever again. Absolutely heartbreaking.