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Friendly Frugaleers chat their way into February...

999 replies

Ipsos · 26/01/2016 12:51

Just setting up the new thread for the chatty Frugaleers.

By popular request - copied from last year 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:
Thread gallery
8
JeepersMcoy · 07/02/2016 09:34

unescorted, I got my tiffin off Amazon. It has a lovely bag with elephants on. It makes my very happy :)

Gosh. That's is pretty hypocritical behaviour from the school. I would probably be making pointed comments about them ensuring the website has the full story or is is removed, also that you would also be writing to the newspaper to say exactly how supportive the school was next time they had a write up. Hmm

Pointlessfan · 07/02/2016 09:39

I think I would like a tiffin too.
Aim for today is to go on ELC website to get gifts for about 8 toddlers with birthdays in the next couple of months, inc DD. They have a 50% sale and I have a 20% voucher so should be able to get some bargains.

Unescorted · 07/02/2016 09:45

A tiffin has been on my list of non essential items that will make my life complete list for ages. If you don't see me for ages it is because I have got lost in the Amazon.

needastrongone · 07/02/2016 09:49

unescorted As an aside, you must be extremely proud of your DS. The rides/events must be extremely gruelling and your DS must have to put an awful lot of time and effort into them. They really push you out of your comfort zone don't they (remembering marathons past a bit here!) into physical and mental places well out of your comfort zone. I used to be wiped out for weeks after a marathon.

winelady · 07/02/2016 10:02

Unescorted good luck in the Amazon. I would not consent to the school using DS on the website if they insist on fining you.
A little bit numpty but what's a Tiffin?
LSD today hopefully, had planned to watch Chinese new year's parade which is near to shops however now setting out on a country walk, cream tea anyone?

Unescorted · 07/02/2016 10:02

We are - I can't get my head around what he ( and dh) do. He bounces back from them really quickly - get back from the Highland Trail, next day he is out riding with his mates while Dh is lying in bed recovering.

It is weird at events now - people keep stopping him for a chat, including really well known people (household names). He started doing the events because he was sick of adults saying that it wasn't possible for a kid to do really big things. He is really pleased to have proved them wrong, although there are some events that he isn't allowed to enter because they are too hard for under 18s. 1 of the ones he has done is considered the hardest in the world so I suspect the organisers of some of the other events don't want to undermine the brand of being super difficult, even though it it isn't really.

needastrongone · 07/02/2016 10:10

Ah, the power of youthful recovery, I was more like your DH Smile.

He obviously has a really positive 'can do' attitude, which is to be applauded, as well as talent. I read a fair bit about that when training as the last few miles of a marathon are mental, not physical. One of the traits I like and hoped to have fostered in DD in particular (riding), but both the DC.

Obviously a total cheat and fraud, but Lance Armstrong had some great quotes actually Smile

Good on your DS.

JeepersMcoy · 07/02/2016 11:01

wine a tiffin tin is a lunch box common in India. It is made of metal has different sections that stack on top of each other. It's a bit like a Japanese bento box in a way (I have a bit of a thing for lunch boxes). I have this one

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00THQJQ1M/ref=mp_s_a_1_34?qid=1454842810&sr=8-34&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=tiffin+tins

Unescorted · 07/02/2016 11:06

You are right it is as much a mental challenge as a physical one.

SpottyTeacakes · 07/02/2016 12:38

I just made a mug cake mmmm

Ipsos · 07/02/2016 14:15

That's very interesting to know about races need. I've never done endurance sports, except for Sunday league football, which is most just a bit chilly.

OP posts:
CremeEggThief · 07/02/2016 14:58

Veey cheeky of your DS's school, Unescorted. What an amazing opportunity for him though.

NSD- first in a while. Cooking our first veggie roast dinner of the new year, soon to be ready. Crumpets for supper too. #retrosunday!

Welcome to more newbiesSmile.

fuzzpig · 07/02/2016 15:18

Reasonably productive day despite me not getting to sleep til way past 4 Hmm

Shopping arriving tonight, have warned DH that I haven't planned everything properly but he was apologetic for falling asleep so early (he clearly needed it though - still ill). We'll have to go through the shopping when it arrives and put it into some form of plan. I reckon I've got enough for the week (hope so, it was around £100 Shock although £10 of that was laundry/toiletries) and did try to think around what we already have in the house, like we didn't get round to doing a (lazy) curry the other week and we've still got everything for it in the freezer/cupboard. I did order gnocchi though, it was on offer! Not actually sure what I'll do with it, seeing as I'm the only one in the house who eats it. I'm blaming you lot for sharing all those yummy recipes. :o

We're definitely getting better at preventing waste and avoiding extra food though - we are learning to make better decisions I think. Like today, we are out of bread and cereal, DH offered to go to the shops but I just suggested pancakes instead (partly due to frugality, partly because I'd rather DH rested). At lunch he did jacket potatoes (OMG I'd forgotten how much nicer they are in the oven than in the microwave!) - we are also out of cheese practically unheard of in this house and so he was going to do baked beans for me and DCs. Nope, out of that too (which I'd not realised so I've started a new list for next week). Only one tiny tin of spaghetti hoops and so that had to do between the DCs. Used up lots of salad stuff like avocado to go with it and assuage the guilt at their double carbs - I had mine with cream cheese instead of butter and with the salad stuff it was really lovely. Before I probably would've said no cheddar - no jacket spud! And I would've asked DH to go to the Co-op for breakfast stuff and something easy for lunch, which would've come to at least a tenner. So, a small win I reckon, one of those wins that adds up to bigger wins.

DH's interview is on Tuesday. DSS is driving him there and back bless him (it's in a different town, although the job itself is very local). Just realised DH had better get a haircut tomorrow (I do mine and DCs' myself and used to do his too but I'd rather it was perfectly neat which I can't do!). It's also this week that DH will find out what his boss has decided re: his impossible targets... he reckons he might be out by the end of the week, although I think/hope that's probably jumping the gun a bit?! Although I can't deny I half want him to just leave because I'm really struggling physically while he's working so much. I'm knackered and sore and it's clouding my judgement, and his, he just wants to look after me - he feels so guilty when he's not here enough - and I hate seeing him ill too (especially when it is so blatantly down to stress).

Anyway. I mustn't let my little MN break become too long, stuff to be getting on with!

SpottyTeacakes · 07/02/2016 15:28

Good luck to your dh fuzz and to you with the shopping/meal planning. Grin

I might go to asda tomorrow as dd needs some school bits and I've yet to find a cardigan that lasts it seems cheap too also both dc need a new back pack. So anyway anyone know if there's anything I should get in asda whilst I'm there? It's about an hour away so we never go there and I'm not planning on getting much but if there's something they do cheaper/better than elsewhere I'll get it.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 07/02/2016 15:37

I like the tiffin. I do NOT need one though.

I bought one of these the other week.

Still need lots of ideas for different things to put in it though.

I know sandwich thins and wraps aren't exactly not bread, but they are less 'bread' IYSWIM. That might be an easy swap to make. Couscous, salads, pasta salads, soup in a thermos flask.

Friday £8 on a top and £19 on meal out and drinks.
Sat - NSD

Not sure about today. Might be a NSD, depends whether I go to Tesco or not. Don't have a huge amount in, so dinner could be interesting.

Ipsos · 07/02/2016 15:41

I've decided to get our garden sorted out this summer to make our house a nicer place to live. Getting the hall fixed up helped such a lot, and our garden currently looks as if it should have an abandoned shopping trolley in it. I'm combing the garden design books from the library and saving images from pinterest. Yay!

OP posts:
fuzzpig · 07/02/2016 16:02

Hi Soap I'm still catching up on the thread and I just saw your post (welcome to you and all newbies!) - sorry if I'm missing something but do you really have to quit? I've been told it is often better financially to wait until they get rid of you, horrible as that sounds :(

Sympathies, anyway, it is crap being so unwell that working is not possible Thanks

Ememem84 · 07/02/2016 16:18

Nsd.

Back to work tomorrow. Have just realised I don't have a "grown up" overnight bag. Mine is pink. With butterflies on it.

Am tempted to buy a new bag for my work trip. One of those lovely longchamp Black/blue overnight size totes.

But we'll see. Am going to see if mum or sis has one I can borrow first.

I do have a backpack that I can use. but I want a new bag and backpack will involve packing light doable if I only take one pair of shoes....

JeepersMcoy · 07/02/2016 16:22

fuzz I love that feeling when you have a practically empty fridge but somehow manage to cook up something delicious out of random things. It always feels like magic :)

Just paid for bus tickets to my dads today and then got taken for lunch by my uncle who also gave us a lift home. We'll only need a light dinner I think. I've also mixed up 2 weeks of cat food that had been portioned up and put in the freezer.

I feel really productive this weekend which is nice.

DontLetMeLetYouGo · 07/02/2016 16:28

sandgrown I guess I am definitely near you if I'm thinking right about your username :)

Today's spends:

11.00 for Ice skating, just for fun for me and DS. We only had to pay entry as he has his own skates and I got skate hire free due to working for NHS. It never hurts to ask I guess and look up these things.

9.00 spent in home bargains on some bits and bats.

Ipsos · 07/02/2016 16:39

We managed to save a bit today by having lunch at home instead of our usual once a week lunch out.

OP posts:
winelady · 07/02/2016 17:18

Keepers I'm impressed with the Tiffin tin I'd heard of having Tiffin but hadn't realised there was such a thing as a Tiffin tin, toying with the idea of getting DH one.
Back from 7 mile walk although ended up in Costa coffee £9.85 (probably need to invest in a couple of flasks) and 2 boxes of ibuprofen oh to be young and bounce back.
Back to work tomorrow after a week off, that will stop me spending the only place to spend money is the hospital canteenSad

Ememem84 · 07/02/2016 17:51

Decided backpack is the way forwards. A lovely impractical shoulder bag will just get in the way.

Have been ebaying this afternoon. Bidding on a couple of things and have listed another 5 for sale.

AdoraBell · 07/02/2016 17:51

£56 groceries last week.

For the weekend DH paid for, birthday dinner with his family. Overnight for us, breakfast en route - his insistence - lunch between family members, coffees and snacks en route home today. Tomorrow he needs to pay kennels for the weekend.

Next week's grocery delivery £83 and I should not need anything else. School dinners will be £30, DH might pay that.

Will try to catch up soon, hope everyone is well.

Looks like we have storm Imegon starting here Hmm

Fluffycloudland77 · 07/02/2016 18:04

NSD.

I hope Girlie DD had her party today.

Fuzz Still not convinced your dhs company is acting legally, a written warning for not hitting targets but not dismissal. Horrible way to treat people. I hope he finds another job, the relief would be immense.

We need to replace all the carpets in the house. It was put in by the builders and is of course quite cheap. I've got tiles for downstairs in the utility, kitchen/diner, hallway and downstairs loo. Just no money to fit them yet but it's a summer job anyway so the adhesive drys. By then I will have the cash.

We want laminate on the stairs/landing. I've registered with Travis Perkins and jewson for trade cards and will apply for a Selco card when I dig out a tax letter to show I'm self employed. I'm hoping they will have better quality floors for the same amount as Wickes et al.

Then we can use vinyl off cuts for the ensuite and main bathroom. There not big rooms. Rubbers meant to be better but is a bit too modern for the tiles the builders chose.

We want dark bamboo for the lounge, I only need 20 sqm of that and it can be sanded like solid wood.

I think for the main bedroom it will have to be a hard floor. Dh has asthma and although it wasn't better when we had laminate in rented houses it was easy to clean. All that dust must be settling into the carpet as it is now.

The other bedrooms can be left, we don't use them much.

It's quite daunting doing the whole house but I'm going to frugal the life out of it. Writing it down helps me sort it out in my own mind.

I did an E rewards survey that gave me enough points to convert into 1000 nectar points. Between both our cards that's now £35 to spend.

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