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Festive Frugaleers - Chatting and saving through Christmas.

981 replies

CathodeRayTube · 09/12/2016 11:35

Just setting up the new thread for the chatty Frugaleers.

By popular request - copied from an old thread 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
34
northender · 15/12/2016 07:00

Love the dress need, good luck to your dn.
girlie and cag, my dd has sensory issues too. No official diagnosis but things have improved since we instigated lots of support in Y6 when things got to crisis point. She had some counselling too which seems to have really helped her deal with her sensitivities. As well as the physical sensitivities (smell, noise,itchy/scratchy clothes)she really struggles with emotional sensitivity/empathy. She picks up all the time on how others are feeling with insight that many adults don't have. It's a great skill for an adult but vv hard for a 12 yo to deal with.

It looks like we're going to have to deal with sad news as dsil is about 10 weeks pregnant and bleeding. They had several courses of ivf and several miscarriages before falling pregnant naturally and having our dnephew in Jan this year. She again fell pregnant naturally & all was well until yesterday. She is having a scan today but fears the worst. It seems so unfair and is such a tough time of year and, if it happens, would be their second miscarriage just before Christmas.

On a brighter note, our tree is now decorated and the bunting is up! I'll post a pic later. The good news is that the bunting looks good and there is plenty of space for more so I have a great excuse to make more for next year!
Booked our 2017 holiday yesterday. We had been taken off Brittany Ferries mailing list when we cancelled our 2016 holiday and so missed the discount period when we always book (20%off). Anyway, I emailed someone high up in the company (not ceo but similar) inspired by fluffy. He got back to me yesterday and agreed to honour the discount so saving £400. Fabulous customer service.

Busy day ahead today, had a phone call yesterday asking whether I could bring ds to orthopaedic clinic today rather than Jan 3rd. He has a bone fragment in the joint space at the base of his right thumb which I hope they will agree to remove as it is really causing problems.

northender · 15/12/2016 07:01

Won't be an NSD here as I've got a haircut booked, a bit of shopping to do and there will be hospital parking.

ememem84 · 15/12/2016 08:07

Lunch packed (butternut and chorizo soup) so shouldn't need to get anything in.

Crumpets (omg how amazing are these!) for breakfast today.

I'm feeling full of cold. Though just all blocked up no snot gross this better not all come out right before Christmas.

Today's outfit (because I'm trying to cheer myself up) blue flowery dress and black boots and tights.

SnugglySnerd · 15/12/2016 09:08

I hope your SIL is ok Need Flowers

Should be NSD here too, I'm too tired to spend any money after another sleepless night. DH is working from home today so at least we didn't have to get up quite so early.

Needastrongone · 15/12/2016 10:00

I'm so sorry to hear about your SIL North, I hope the news isn't as bad as you think it might be. Miscarriage is awful, I had one between having the 2 DC.

You must be exhausted Snuggly. End of term nearly there. When do you plan to finish?

Chorizo and butternut squash soup sounds yum Em.

Interesting reading about sensory issues. I wonder about my goddaughter thinking about it.

Going to get the50% off wrapping paper from M&S today. And some fish for DS. Milk. And a session with a personal trainer for me which is £15. That's it.

FlappysMammyAndPopeInExile · 15/12/2016 10:30

`

CremeEggThief · 15/12/2016 10:47

I'm really sorry to hear that about your SIL, North.Sad

CathodeRayTube · 15/12/2016 11:10

I just got a John lewis hamper in the post, but it's not for me, it's for someone who lives in Rickmansworth, which seems to be about a million miles away. I've written to ask them what I've to do with it. I think just popping it round is not going to work.

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-'festive-treats'-hamper/p2801978

V. nice!

OP posts:
Needastrongone · 15/12/2016 14:07

V. nice indeed Cath, I wonder what they will say to you? I wonder if it's cheaper to have you keep the hamper and send another to the purchaser, rather than incur further carriage costs?

£15 personal trainer, in operation 'run again'. I am going to ache like mad tomorrow, but it was very good for an hours session.

£9 M&S on 50% wrapping paper etc. Next year sorted.

£40 on tropical fish accessories, which is DS's Christmas present. He was with me. He's now busy acclimatising the fish to go in his main tank, having conducted all the relevant tests.

£12.50 picking up DH's contact lenses.

All cash purchases.

Also got our income tax figures through to be paid in January. Ouch. Really ouch.

CathodeRayTube · 15/12/2016 14:46

Turns out the hamper has to go back, but just as well as now they'll send my order, which hadn't come at all. Smile

OP posts:
Needastrongone · 15/12/2016 15:47

Oh dear Cath, least you get your stuff then!

CremeEggThief · 15/12/2016 16:31

Well done for being honest about it too, Cath, as lots of folk wouldn't at this time of the year!
Spends: £5.82 on the last of my pistage; £7 bus fare; £4.20 window cleaner; £20 for a lovely Christmas Fayre lunch with a friend (2 courses, orange juice and lemonade and a latte plus tip).

CremeEggThief · 15/12/2016 16:32

*postage!

northender · 15/12/2016 17:37

Thanks for your kind words. Unfortunately, the scan showed the baby had stopped developing and there was no heartbeat. Sil has opted for a procedure today so she can draw a line and try to move on. I've spoken to her and she sounds amazingly positive and is taking comfort in the beautiful baby they have.

ememem84 · 15/12/2016 17:39

Thursday done. Thank goodness.

I cannot wait to go home and sleep. I am so sleepy. And bloated. And feeling ick. My period tracker suggests I'm ovulating today. Hahahahaha! Dh is coming nowhere near me. I feel all sorts of fat and bloaty and tired and grumpy and not into being even remotely romantic. Gah. Why does this happen?

Anyway. Spends today £43 in boots on multivitamins with probiotic and a Christmas gift for fils gf (ted baker gift set £27 - would have opted for the sanctuary star gift box as it was reduced to £27 from £45 and if in honest has more stuff in it but it's in a star shape and will be a bastard to wrap up!!)

Off home for Thai curry. And maybe a beer.

Then a big old Netflix session. Just Netflix though. None of that Netflix and chill malarkey.

ememem84 · 15/12/2016 18:24

north that so sad. But amazing that sil can be positive. I suppose though if you have one already you can't dwell on it/grieve properly as you have to step up and look after that one. I really hope you know what I mean and I haven't offended anyone

WreckTangled · 15/12/2016 18:30

Sorry to hear that north.

Nsd here. Had to get Dh to collect dd from school as I had a migraine. Luckily it's gone now but I thought I was going to be sick in the car on the way home. Might do some wrapping.

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/12/2016 18:59

North Im so sorry. Horrible situation to be in.

Crt I had fingers crossed they'd let you keep that too.

Let's say £40 weekly shop. Got free mince pies & apple sauce off click snap & checkoutsmart.

CremeEggThief · 15/12/2016 19:03

Sorry NorthXmas Sad.

lifelongfrugaleer · 15/12/2016 19:17

will catch up later but popped on to say Lakeland 3.5L lSlow cooker is only £14.99 until 21 December

Cagliostro · 15/12/2016 19:23

Sorry for the family's loss north :(

lifelongfrugaleer · 15/12/2016 19:49

Ah sorry to hear that north

CremeEggThief · 15/12/2016 20:09

Presents for myself: Pandora ring for £40 and "Be Decadent" perfume from Next, which is my current favourite, for £8. Finished all my shopping now.Xmas Smile

mammymammyIRL · 15/12/2016 20:59

Haven't read anything since last night but popping on to post now & will catch up in the morning.
I'm off tomorrow Grin

Must bake in the morning for dds brownies enrolment night. Going to trial the 12 Tomatoes Starbucks lemon drizzle cake & make rice crispie buns.

Then dds Christmas show is on & afterwards we're meeting friends for lunch - former work colleague & former cleaner, then dds brownie enrolment evening.

I spent €27 odd in Tesco & €165.64 in Aldi I consider this my Christmas shop, I doubled up on pet food & got my ham, crackers, gift wrap, biscuits etc will divide into Christmas category & groceries category on ynab later.

Turkey & trifle ingredients and top up of bread milk etc will be required so I'm going to book a Tesco delivery for next thurs eve for everything except the turkey so that it will be stress free. I'm working up to fri eve.

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/12/2016 21:12

£20 on a new coffee espresso filter holder thingy. Apparently JL will pay me back when it's arrived.

Life is 50% less enjoyable without coffee in the morning.