The Friendly Frugaleers, saving and chatting as autumn arrives

[AGenie]

Hello all :-)

NSD.

Catface has just put her paws on my legs. I was feeding her and hadn't yet out her bowl on the floor. Was kneeling on the floor. She stepped on me.

wild tights were the only thing I was allowing myself to buy until December. Turns out I don't need them. I've also got enough pants. 25 pairs of knickers and 7 bras. That's enough right? (2 nude one white 2 black one blue and a pink leopard print)

Have repurposed a jo Malone candle jar for my eyeliners and mascara's. So now I can see what I have and what needs using. This frees up my make up bag so I can also see what's going on there.

I enjoyed day of no make up yesterday.

We may go for a beach walk tomorrow.

It's been a beautiful day here. Sunny blue skies and cold. Windows are all open. Letting the day in!

That's loads, Electric. I've got 15 pairs of normal knickers, 5 of black full knickers for that time of the month and 3 bras and 1 sports bra.

£6.30 on cat litter, a plug in air freshener and a lime. I hate air fresheners but the cat's issues mean he is constantly in the litter tray and I needed to do something to mask the smell!
My mum bought us lunch today which was lovely.
We were going to have a takeaway tonight as a half term treat but we're not very hungry after lunch so have decided to save the money and eat up leftover things instead. We might have a takeaway next weekend to cheer us up about going back to work!
When do the clocks go back? Expect the lights will be on for longer soon!

snuggly I'd forgotten about the clocks changing. But it's next week.

Cat face trusts you a lot to do that.

fluffy I luffs her. I told her I luffed her. She chirrupped. And purred.

She has progressed so much. When I fed her today I left the door to the spare room open (behind her). She still came to me for food. And stepped on me. That shows so much trust. She is the best I'm willing to overlook couch pee

I'm pushing her a little bit more each day. Today was the door. Tomorrow I'll try and stroke her again but food in her normal place and door closed. I want her to trust me. And to feel safe with me and eventually be able to feel safe anywhere without me.

Omg I love her so much!!! Also so proud of her. 🐈💜🐈💜

My boiler has started leaking 3 days after I had the bastarding thing serviced have contacted the gas guy but the call out fee is eye watering.

boobs she loves you :)

She is coming along nicely boobs.
That's annoying collie.

Spendy day, ot this morning and Dh went to matalan £20
Ds on a sleep over so Dd and I went to the metro centre. Dd spent her birthday money and I got a few bits
Dh out drinking which is never cheap.
£7 smuggle, £17 lush, £2 chocolate, £10 chinese. V unhealthy day kids had macdonalds, chips and one Chinese one second macdonalds. Oops will be better tomorrow. £11 coop, £3 owed to Dd, £6 food at metro, £5 build a bear

Dd spent £21 build a bear, £4 h&m, £30 smiggle. She would have bought more but spending her own money focuses the mind. We have agreed some jobs she can do for pocket money so we can go shopping again nearer Christmas

Veggie lasagne and home made chippies for dinner.

Have opened a wine. And am having a glass watching something on 4+1 about secrets if arctic ghost ship.

Catface is having her post dinner nap. Between 9-945 she will poop and will then start playing and singing.

Please can you all tell me if there is any way of actually affording a cat?! We have always said to the Caglets, no pets while we live here. But the more struggles DD has and the more I read about animals being helpful for ASD... argh :( it's such a huge commitment isn't it? But I'm just thinking how much she'd get from having a furry playmate to cheer her up when she's stressed, and to soothe her to sleep with its purring :(

collie

For catface I'm paying £8. Something a month for insurance for lifetime cover.

I buy food (felix and Royal canin) on Amazon prime 80 felix pouches set me back £14. Instead of 12 packs for 4.something. And 2kg Royal canin for £10 not £16

Initial outlay was £78. Litter tray, food, litter food bowls bed.
Last vets trip was £68. £29 for the consultation and the rest for he flea stuff.

I think it can be done on a budget. We're buying Royal canin (which is expensive) because that's what she was used to. I could get cheaper and probably will do in time.

Cats can live a long time so it is a. If commitment financially as well as emotionally. If you do get one please get a rescue. (And protect your couch!!!)

Mammy that's so funny

£88 in ikea.

Cag they are expensive tbh, my cats cost me £10 a month each on a pet plan which pays for all their flea and worm treatment plus boosters (this works out good value.)
£7 ish each on insurance which is not a lifetime cover (more fool me as both of them have life long conditions!)
£10 a month est on food (mix of wet and dry - I always buy on offer.)

So nearly £25 a month per cat
That said girlie cat esp has been really good for dd and def helped her with managing emotions plus it was worth it a hundred times over for the look on dds face when I put tiny girl cat kitten in her hands!

I would love to get a dog, (a very small one) but there is no way I could afford it at the moment maybe one day....

Well going to the Sainsburys toy sale has set me back £75, I nearly cried at the check out!! I have now done a big chunk of dds Christmas presents, sorted my niece and nephews and also bought for 3 January birthdays (friends kids and my niece.) Sainsburys reassuringly tells me I have saved £32

Oh and initial outlay on each cat was roughly £100 - getting them neutered, vaccinated and microchipped....

cag not Collie. Sorry. The wines got to me.

Wow that's a lot of outlay! :(
I think something smaller would be cheaper but I don't think a hamster can be an emotional support in the way more intelligent no offence to hamsters pets could.

I was thinking rescue too but DH said (although he's still not at all convinced!) that a kitten may be more sensible for bonding etc, from a selfish (on DD's behalf) POV I think dealing with the stress of a stressed rescue, IYSWIM, could be hard. Argh

I sent DH to Sainsbury's this morning for the toy sale :o he got an iron man doll which DD has been yearning for for ages so that's for Christmas, and a bit of Lego (one for my birthday and one stocking filler). Thinking I need to write it all down and figure out what still needs to be bought. A few family birthdays etc and various traditions like Christmas Eve pjs.

cag totally see where you're coming from re the stress of a stressed rescue.

And yes cats are way more intelligent than hamsters. So get an intelligent pet.

Rabbit maybe?

Initial spend was pricey but it's obviously only a one time thing.

Rabbit was the third possibility :) not sure if they're quite high maintenance though? No room for a cage/hutch in or out.

What about a guinea pig for each of the DCS, Cag? They make lovely pets, are more sociable and alert in daytime than hamsters, and can live up to 7 or 8 years. I think there's a small pets forum on here, if you want to look into it further. Rabbits can be quite aggressive and don't like being handled much and really need a garden for a good run around daily.

Our cat is £4-6 a week in food & £35 twice a year in vaccinations. Rescues are good value because their neutered by the rescue.

I only flea treat before the cattery and when I see a flea.

That's a thought! I don't like them personally (although as I said to DH the cat hater it's not about us!) can they live indoors? We have no private garden

How long would 80 pouches of food last BTW?

Aw, guinea pigs are lovely! Ideally, they should have some exercise, but it's recommended they live inside anyway, especially in colder weather.