Marvellous Frugaleers - Chatting and saving through November, and into December.

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Just setting up the new thread for the chatty Frugaleers.

By popular request - copied from an old thread

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.

Wreck That made me laugh about the uniform only being made for one size of boobs. My wedding dress was made for someone with a very large chest, and instead of getting it adjusted I just wore three padded bras underneath. It worked a treat. I think it might be a bit hard work to do that every day for your job thought.

The app is called Christmas Gift List. It's very basic and the logo is a simple red present with a yellow bow. You can set a budget, mark as purchased and then mark as wrapped. It's pretty handy! I linked mine to Amazon too!

I need to go into town and apparently we have bad freezing fog. I don't want to open the curtains.

We have prepped for a dark, bleak & miserable January. That's what I'm saving my Nectar Points for.

Hello all!
I love it when we all start decorating and 'nesting', love December!!!
Day off today. It was NSD yesterday, not sure about today though.
I need to clean the house, pick up a parcel and start decorating the house for Christmas.
Saturday afternoon I'll start baking the christmas biscuits and my first batch of mince pies.

For now, I am cosied up with the cat, I've lit the advent candle, I'm taking 5 minutes to just enjoy. Hope you all have a nice day.

North Your sewing looks lovely. I want to sew but Dh always puts me off.

There's quite a few freebies/half price stuff on shopmium at the moment.

Cag I shove a hot water bottle down my dressing gown when it's cold, I switch the heating off until Dh gets in.

Morning all. Off sick today which I'm annoyed about as I have a lot to do at work.
Going to have a rest and watch tv with the cat. Might write Xmas cards if I have enough energy later.

Sitting right in front of our tiny fan heater at the moment. Talking to mum this morning about how cold it is. I am DONE. This is our last winter in this ridiculously unheated crappy house 😡 I am determined. The council HAVE to listen to us, they just have to

Morning all.

North I love the sewing. I started a fabric advent calendar for DS but didn't finish it in time so night a boring chocolate one. I will keep going this month if I get the chance so he can definitely have it next year. Really ought to try to make one for the new baby BEFORE it is born - if I have learned anything from the last 4 years it is that I won't get anything made with a baby and a job on the go!

I have been knitting mini Christmas jumper bunting but that stalled about a month ago when pregnancy tiredness hit - I just sit around in the evenings being vacant and then going to bed early! I have about 25 jumpers done but didn't quite finish knitting up all the patterns I had drawn up. Another project for next year!

I am feeling awful today because I shouted at DS this morning. I shouted at him to 'stop it' (screeching). He does it when things upset him (a lot) and I normally handle it much better with distraction etc but today I am feeling rotten and tired and I just snapped. We made up straight away but I feel terrible. I never raise my voice at him . Lots of guilt here over the last couple of weeks because I am too tired to be much fun as well. I feel as though he isn't getting very good value from me at the moment. I am 10 weeks along now so hope the tiredness eases soon. I am due at the end of June and already fretting about how I am going to manage the school holidays with DS and a newborn. We won't be going anywhere next summer, at least that's frugal!

Seacow don't worry about it. Parents are human. They get stressed and upset and that means shouting sometimes.

Go Cag! Definitely keep persevering with the council.

Don't worry, Seacow, we've all been there, it's virtually impossible to keep being positive all the time and small children move on and forget quickly.

Thanks guys, I know I shouldn't worry about it. He's a very gentle soul though.

Cag I cross posted earlier. Hold onto your resolve, things must get better.

Is someone on here a supply teacher - is it Creme? There is a programme on radio 4 at the moment about supply teachers and how hard it is. I am sure it will be on iPlayer for anyone interested.

Seacow we are only human and kids will drive a saint to drink, don't feel bad, I have lost count of the amount of times I have over reacted and shouted at dd. She has sensory processing difficulties and when I look back a lot of the times she was being 'naughty' or 'difficult' it was related to this but I didn't understand so she just got shouted at poor kid! That said sometimes they just play you up

I'm just back from the shops, went to the The Range and spent £56, got lots for that including some more gifts for dd that will put back for her bday (she will be 11yo in Feb!) I got some picture frames which I will put some photos in for Grandparents and other bits and pieces.

Also spent £20 in Sainsburys, they have the 25% off TU at the moment. I picked up a couple of food bits, a gift for my friend who has just had a baby girl and a gift for my friend whose bday is next week.

Home now and back under the blanket!

Oh goodness yes, supply teachers have a rough time in schools. I know there's none of the additional stuff like reports and parents evenings but I'm not sure I could do it.
I've been watching all the lovely birds on (and under!) my feeder. So far I've seen great, blue and coal tits, robins, a nuthatch and a wren. So much entertainment for the price of a bag of birdseed!

I'm back, now with baby dd who was born the 14.11... now we just need to get back on track with regards to spending. Have 700£ for December which should be doable.
Dh and me are not doing gifts to each other, dd1 is bought, just need a little extra but waiting for toys r us to have their 30% off every thing Christmas weekend. Haven't bought anything for baby dd but honestly have no idea what to give her. Missing gifts for grandparents and great grandparents and my parents. And a birthday gift for my goddaughter...

Welcome back Italian. Great to see things are going well there.

I've changed my username about 16 times btw so you probably have no idea who I am. Welcome back anyway though.

Congratulations Italian and family! Baby is just gorgeous!

I mainly do Nursery and Reception supply teaching and occasionally Year 1 and Year 2, so I have it easy really. I would NEVER set foot in a secondary school for any other reason than as a parent. (SHIVERS IN FEAR).

Poor you Cag

Seacow I think you're amazing for never shouting at your ds. I shout and I hate it I really must try harder not to.

Ah Italian! She's gorgeous!

Welcome back and congratulations, Italian, she's beautiful!
Creme I've worked in nursery/reception and now teach secondary. I find secondary so much less tiring! I think people who work with very young children are amazing, it's hard work and you need the patience of a saint!

Different strokes for different folks, eh? Nursery or Reception are the only year groups I might go back into full-time teaching for, maybe when DS is in 6th form or university. I tell you what though, teaching the 2 year olds who have started in some school nurseries really is exhausting. It's amazing the difference a year makes, at that age.

Lovely beautiful baby Italian, glad she is here safe and you are well.

Sometimes it's good to lose it with your kids. It shows you are human. I always make a point of apologising if I have shouted without reason due to tiredness or stress. They apologise if they deserved to be shouted at. We talk. We move on. Always done this. Works for the Need family at least. Doesn't happen very often.

Spends today £57 in Boots. Lots of 3 for 2's but also spare razor blades for my razor x 2. Triple points day today. I have £35 in Boots points.

ps. Scarecrow. It being the school holidays may be a blessing while you adjust to having 2, not having to get out of the house for a certain time. There's 18 months between my DC, I'm glad now I had all the nursery and school runs pretty much together.

I didn't know they could start that young, creme, that's crazy!

Congratulations italian, your baby is beautiful. She doesn't look small either.

I think I've spent a few quid today, I had to do the grocery shop with my money but Dh will pay me back.

I got a free shower gel off ipsos. I have to use it and then do a survey on it. It smells like the smart price loo cleaner I use so it's not off to a good start.

Oh italian she is gorgeous!! Xx congratulations

Spends day today £170 on lunch for 4 (me dh mum and dad). 4 staters 4 mains 3 desserts 3 coffees and 2bottles of wine. Prenchristmas thbak you lunch to parents for feeding us pretty much every Sunday for the last year.

Just home now. Catface going crazy as am home early.