Festive Frugaleers - Chatting and saving through Christmas.

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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.

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www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub ditto.

www.checkoutsmart.com/ Plus this.

www.hotukdeals.com/all/deals/new?page=3 Check this daily.

Have fun tonight, Em!

Thanks for the Boden tip-off, they have some great kids stuff.

Achieved my NSD! I always feel like it's more of an achievement at the weekend than in the week. We've all been really tired so had a quiet day, made decorations with DD using pine cones and glitter and we had a lovely walk to look at everyone's Christmas lights. We might have put CBeebies on for a bit and dozed off on the sofa too!
Strictly final tonight - hooray!

I'm rubbish at hair. I always end up getting in a bit of a strop because I can't do it how I want to

Ah trying I'm sure the tree will look lovely once it's done!

Is it too early to open the Christmas chocolates? I really want the after eights...

Best part of £50 on a day out at Tynemouth market and beach.

Step away from the after eights, Wreck. You'll appreciate my warning, when you're enjoying them on Christmas night.

Too late creme only four though and the rest are going back in the fridge!

Let's hope they stay there! Well done on restraining yourself to 4!

Ive worn coloured false lashes for a party an the looked amazing, but otherwise I wouldn't bother.
Spent £3 on a day out to see Santa and visit other festive activities (already paid the entrance fee).
I watched Minimalist on Netflix, I highly recommend, its inspired some new years resolutions for me.
This is my cat, he now lives at my parents due to us having dogs.

NSDs for me, 4, need to get a present tomorrow. That should be £35 plus postage.

Other than that hugely expensive weekend. Cancelled hotel, no refund as short notice. Vet bill racking up, currently at £700. Plumber opened the gate, I didn't see it so the dogs got out and where hit by a car. One died, other may loose a leg. At least the kennel aren't charging a cancellation fee. We should have been paying them 4 days for 4 dogs.

Wreck I've demolished an enormous Toblerone this week. I was destined for DH's Christmas stocking but he was a mardy fecker Wednesday morning, so he's forfeited it.

Oh Adora, so sorry to hear that. That's awful!

Oh adora I'm so sorry to hear that, hope the second dog will be ok.

So sorry to hear about your dogs, Adora

I'm still just about resisting the Quality Street but my resolve is weakening...

Oh Adorable, what a terrible thing to happen. The car was going too fast or it would have been able to stop. So sorry. Poor dogs and poor you.
Hope second dog is ok?
Do you have travel insurance. If so, your hotel bill may be covered.

Oh no adora so sorry :(

Oh no Adora, that's awful. I grew up with dogs, they are not 'just pets', they are brilliant friends. I am really sorry, hope your second dog recovers.

We've had a good day having Christmas lunch with a bunch of friends, cooked by one of them. He goes completely OTT - last year we had an 8-bird roast , this year with fewer of us we just had a goose and a huge pile of lobster. I know it costs him a fortune so I like to take a gift as well as the usual wine. So I took a set of nice cheese knives, as well as a bottle of wine and champagne, and a home made Christmas pudding (which we didn't get to eat because lunch was so laid back it was almost dinner in the end and we had to leave after the main course because it was past DS's bedtime). But lovely occasion, this group of friends are the solid ones who will always be there and I am so lucky to have them.

Just watched the Strictly final and painted my nails. Way to go on a Saturday night .

Em, I am also rubbish at hair. Mine is quite difficult, being curly-ish on a good day but basically frizzy and flat on top 99% of the time. The only time it has ever looked really good was on my wedding day but the hairdresser was a specialist at dressing hair and took ages over it. I just have no idea what to do with it.

I think I permanently look like a makeover 'before' photo!

I am so pissed. Bit I spent no moneys.

I am going to hurt tomorrow. Bad wine.

Have the cheese toasties em and a pint of water.
I dozed watching Beethoven with kiddos then watched two episodes of the missing with dh & when he went to bed 3 episodes of emmerdale. We've finished series two of the missing will wait until next year to watch series one. I'm way behind in emmerdale most recent episode I've seen is nov 22nd!

Oh adora I'm really sorry to hear that

Seacow that sounds lovely

Oh em! Well done on not spending anything... A dioralyte before bed is my hang over prevention!

We're going to London today. Can't wait.

Oh Adora massive hugs to you. I'm so sorry to hear that.
Em hope you had pain killers before bed too.
Sounds like a fab afternoon Christmas
I used to be rubbish at hair, now it's short it's spikes or less spikes.

Nsd planned today.

What an idiotic man Adora, you should always close gates behind you, it's gated for a reason. I hope you've sacked him.

Your poor dogs, you must all be devastated. I'm so sorry you've lost one of your little doggy pack.

Hope you are feeling ok today, Em!

So sorry about your lovely dogs adora such a hard thing to deal with.
I have a tutor session today and then need to buy some food bits.

I stupidly got singles without realising as their price difference is only ten pence! Luckily there was someone working to refund me. Off to London WINTERloo

Nope. Not ok this morning.

I can't even face water. I'll be ok in a bit. Luckily all I have to do today is walk to pick up my car. But not until much later.

Have a wonderful day wreck. Are you going to see Santa?
Em, can't you leave your car til tomorrow. You may still be over the alcohol limit, even later.

Ok. Have had water and more sleep. Feeling much better.

trying I could but I'd still have to go and put parking tickets on it. Parking is free today but not tomorrow. And dh is off tomorrow so he'll need it.

I had: 1 glass of champagne and 4 large glasses of wine. No water and tonnes of food.

my last drink was at 0030 am. i do not feel capable of driving now. And it's foggy still worse than yesterday dh had less to drink than I did so in theory he should be ok to drive later on this afternoon.

If not I can call mum and dad. Dad is insured on our car too. So mum could drive him to the car park he could drive it here and she could pick him up.

According to my fb feed there are police road checks today (busiest night out last night this year) and there have already been 3 accidents. So it's not worth the risk. Especially with the fog.

Work gave each of us a gift too. £200 voucher for m&s all staff. Feeling very lucky. think of all the Percy pigs I could buy

There was also a roulette table. Turns out when it's fake money we are playing with in really good!! Haha.

All in all a really good night. Looked pretty. Behaved myself (mostly). The food was ace. (Smoked salmon roulade, steak and dauphinouis potatoes and sticky toffee pud. Cheese.)

wreck enjoy London!!

Oh and dh is making a fry up. Naice bacon chicken sausages hash browns beans fried eggies. Toast. He is the best.