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Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

The Friendly Frugaleers, saving and chatting as autumn arrives

986 replies

AGenie · 09/10/2016 10:22

Hello all :-)

OP posts:
Thread gallery
43
Fluffycloudland77 · 17/10/2016 16:20

Dh gets the tidy house thing.

The fact that most of the mess is his is lost on him. I have bike tyre marks on my kitchen ceiling. Not impressed at all with that one.

CremeEggThief · 17/10/2016 16:36

It's definitely a control thing, keeping the house tidy at all times. My anxieties are around order and cross-contamination. I also have sensory issues around damp things. For example, I have to put the shower on before I get in and get out just before it stops, without touching the wet tiles or shower curtain. I don't like going swimming, as I can't bear the feel of walking across wet tiles in bare feet. I can't stand watching pottery; all that damp clay all over your hands- ugh!

allthebestplease · 17/10/2016 16:42

keep this thread has really helped me focus, they've given me lots of ideas to budget.
I recently read and did Kondo and thoroughly recommend, I think it was my stepping stone to being frugal.
I also recommend YNAB at least for the free trial, and now I'm in the right frame of mind.
Defo read...from the start, and then dip in this blog www.mrmoneymustache.com/blog/
For a whole month now ive not bought one item on 'stuff', nothing. Once we pay off our debt which is 50% of our wages, we will be able yo save 50% of our wages...whoop that's a lot of money each month going to US not capalitist/consumerism Smile
I'm being tight a Christmas too (I remember tight Christmases as a child and I survived).
I don't count nsd as I have a cash budget envelope and can only use that and like I said I bought no crap.
Anyway I'm going to stop going on now!

Needastrongone · 17/10/2016 16:52

Dare I even ask about bike tyre marks on the ceiling?...

I don't suffer from the same as you Creme but actually, can see how easy it would be to suffer in that regard iyswim? The dame clay especially.

It is about control. I've always had a good relationship with food, but closest I came to an ED was in my early 20's, when there was a shed load of crap stuff going on. The only thing I felt I could control was what went into my mouth (although didn't realise this at the time). Once I had processed the shit, I could see my eating was disordered, or bordering on.

I shall menu plan tonight.

Needastrongone · 17/10/2016 16:57

keep I find a weekly budget works for me, I sometimes go over which is fine, if I can claw back the next week, but seems to get me to the end of the month better than working monthly.

CremeEggThief · 17/10/2016 16:59

I only actually realised I have some sensory issues in my 30s! I used to think everyone was bothered by these things. I can cope, if I have to, but I'd rather not!Wink

mammymammyIRL · 17/10/2016 17:20

I'm in definite chaos lately as regards food! The weekends just seem to be a disaster. I definitely know what need means regarding running. I'm going to aim to get out at least once a week, see if that helps get my sh1t together. I would aim for 3 times a week but I want to be realistic too Smile

I think a tidy house, tidy mind and tidy diet help us all. I definitely don't have the first and the second has been hit and miss with life lately and because of this the third suffered a bit too. Also tidy finances help too.

Ynab is great if only for the free trial but having structure of some sort definitely helps too.

NeversellahouseCollie · 17/10/2016 17:46

We get stressed out with a messy house too. DH and I both do! It's the only time we argue. Blush

We have legally progressed about 1% today. I am disappointed. Although progress is progress I suppose.

Meanwhile I have been sofa shopping Grin

keeponkeepinon · 17/10/2016 18:04

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Shesgotelectricboobs · 17/10/2016 18:10

Catching up from lunchtime

genie I've been conditioned to buy clothes make up nails hair etc. My mum did/does it so I do it. I know I could go without new clothes and getting my nails done and make up. But don't think I'd feel like myself. (That said I have enough make up to last a lifetime so maybe I won't be buying any more for a while will gratefully accept gifts though)

For me the other part is the job. I'm expected to dress a certain way and certainly when I was lawyering i had to be suited and booted everyday. No excuses.

Now my work is a bit more relaxed but I still like dressing up. Pretty sure I could get away with black skinnies and tops most days. But I feel more professional and feel like I achieve more if I'm dressed appropriately. I guess it's like playing a part in a play. I've got my costume on and I'm in character I can do

I think I've said this before too - I'm an emotional spender. Bad day - buy shoes to cheer myself up. Stressed? New top will cure it. Obviously it won't and then I have to deal with the clutter and the reduction of bank balance and this makes the stress worse!!!

We work on the basis that we cover the essentials (mortgage bills food) try and out at least 50% of what's left after mortgage bills etc into savings then the rest is free for spending.

I'm paranoid about getting back into debt again (I cleared a lot in the last few years) and freak out about it. I'm not going there again.

I am learning slowly to enjoy the better things (walks outdoors, less stuff more freedom, less stuff less stress).

Happy happy boobs!

WreckTangled · 17/10/2016 18:16

I'm addicted to shopping. When I don't take my pills I go crazy in the shops Grin I bought a Christmas jumper yesterday but it was in the sale...I don't pay full price for things...

Shesgotelectricboobs · 17/10/2016 18:43

wreck in a huge fan of sales.

WreckTangled · 17/10/2016 18:50

This is my Christmas jumper Blush

Anyway I won't buy myself anything now until after Christmas. There's quite a bit of expense over the next few months with Christmas outings and birthdays I won't have time to want to spend money on myself.

Ds is having a joint birthday party so that should lower the spends, plus my friend is even more thrifty than I am.

The Friendly Frugaleers, saving and chatting as autumn arrives
Shesgotelectricboobs · 17/10/2016 19:12

Love. It!

Wildernesstips · 17/10/2016 19:22

Welcome Keep.

For me, it is about separating the emotion of buying something with actually needing something. It's often the thrill of the purchase rather than the thing itself. I try not to buy something on impulse any more.

£2.00 lunch

Leftovers for tea.

Girliefriendlikesflowers · 17/10/2016 19:24

Interesting re the clothes and other reasons to spend. I have completely changed how I think about buying clothes since having dd and being skint most of the time Grin If i had the money i would buy lovely clothes but I haven't so i don't. I reckon this year I have probably spent less than £50 on clothes in total Shock

Am the same with food really, if i had the money I would buy lovely foods and while I don't scrimp, I def budget and always look for the cheaper options.

Not sure what my treats are Grin

Welcome keepon once you get out of the habit of spending and start really asking yourself 'do I need this/ can I afford it??' everytime you buy something it gets easier.

mammymammyIRL · 17/10/2016 20:01

When I looked back on ynab today & saw how much I'd spent on clothes this year I was shocked Sad even though I didn't add to my cc debt this is money that could have been paid off the debt instead.

Shesgotelectricboobs · 17/10/2016 20:08

mammy I worked out I spent £1500 on clothes last year. And on nothing special.

Scary. That's money I could have put towards my new house fund.

My treats are my nails and my riding lessons.

Girliefriendlikesflowers · 17/10/2016 20:13

I think my naice face creams have become my treats maybe and my house!!

I have never been particularly materialistic tbh and not bothered about labels etc so I don't feel hard done by!

Fluffycloudland77 · 17/10/2016 20:13

I used to spend £400+ a month in Karen millen, the manager knew me by name and would come to say hello if she saw me on nights out.

Then my car was £600 a month. £200 more for fuel. £300 for insurance.

And that, ladies and gentleman is how you earn £800 a week & have fuckall to show for it.

Now John Lewis home department is my happy place.

Needastrongone · 17/10/2016 20:19

Grin @ fluffy.

I'm not sure about reduced clothes. I used to love them.

I think I prefer to buy full price with some discount code, which is a slight difference. Or just full price. I've got to really want the item to pay full price and then I will wear it, rather than just buy because it's a bargain.

This is a new revelation btw!

Flipping FB buyer didn't turn up for a T Shirt I sold, however I have another buyer coming tomorrow night.

CremeEggThief · 17/10/2016 20:45

Lovely, cosy jumper, Wreck. Are you keeping it for Christmas Day?

Spends: £3.68 Co-op (naice bread to go with the soup I'm making tomorrow, milk, a trail mix to keep in my bag and flapjacks for lunch boxes) and £1.90 bus fare home. Also £8 for Bonfire Night tickets, in aid of our local hospice.

Needastrongone · 17/10/2016 20:56

That's actually a really stylish and subtle jumper wrecked, which isn't always 2 words that go with 'Christmas jumper' Grin

SnugglySnerd · 17/10/2016 21:07

Need to catch up on the thread but wanted to share a massive frugal win - previous mortgage provider has refunded us £750. Hooray!

keeponkeepinon · 17/10/2016 21:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.