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.

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

I don't drive but I did one of those online calculators about when will you be safe to drive after my work do last Friday night (at least a bottle and a half of white wine in 4 hours) and it came out as 21 HOURS after my last drink, Em, which would have been after 8 p.m. on the Saturday night. So definitely ask your DH or parents to get the car!

Is there any news on your second dog Adora?

Dh is going to the car.

Breakfast has made me feel more human. But I'm still in bed. Lazy day today.

Spends today:
€10 in local shop, bought the Observer as wanted a U.K paper for the BBC xmas listings.

That's terrible adora, hope your second dog is doing better?

Thanks everyone.

Fluffy he is coming home today, DH is at the vet's now. They think they've saved the leg but he needs daily dressing changes and assessment. They had to anesthasize (sp?) him to clean the wound today.

at your fry-up em, and what creme said about the driving 👍

A lot of people seem not to give it any thought. I read recently that 20% of those charged with drunk driving are stopped the morning after a night out.

adora I hope poor dog is ok.

I think I'll be alcohol free and totally ok to drive at about 9pm. Ha!

I wouldn't have driven anyway. A while ago I may have done working on the basis that if you feel fine you are fine. Obviously this isn't true.

There are more police checks now and the police here are really cracking down on drunk drivers. not just at this time of year either. A lot of pubs now will give free soft drinks to the designated drivers and one has a car back service.

To do today:

• change and wash bedding
• washing

-washing up. -nap.

Em, as a basic guide it takes about an hour to metabolise 1 unit of alcohol. This varies depending on body frame, metabolism etc. Large glass of wine would be 2-3 champagne 1 -2 so based on that you need at least 13 hours sincev your last drink. Also when you stop drinking your blood alcohol level continues to rise for a bit before it starts to go down. Apparently.

£31 in tesco mostly on DVD and treats. Fgs

I want to to a Christmas fayre but the others want to laze. Probably best for my purse.

Fingers crossed adora. Do you have pet insurance?

Was it bear? He must've been very distressed and in a lot of pain so he would've acted up a bit out of fear.

It awful to lose a pet under any circumstances but what's happened to your poor dogs just breaks my heart.

NSD.

Our block paved drives & patio is looking pretty mucky after 3 years here so I've been looking at driveway cleaners, sodium hypochlorite is the active ingredients in a few. Which is household bleach.

Dh has said not to do it until summer so I'll do it one day when he's back at work inbetween Christmas & new year.

I reckon 4 big bottles ought to it. I just need to keep the cat off it as its toxic to cats (It de-sloughs the tongue).

Well done for not driving Em. The police checks aren't the problem, so much as the people who might get killed. One of my childhood friends died in a car accident when he was way under the limit; it's really not worth the risk.

Speaking of which - Adora so sorry to hear about your lovely dog. What an awful thing to have happened. I hope the other is okay.

Dh popped out to town today to do a few last minute bits, so we have everything done for Christmas now, barring unexpected eventualities.

crt obviously the police checks are a good thing. There are far too many accidents here. Small roads people driving faster than they should etc. So add to that it's foggy and there will be people still over the limit driving it's not worth it.

There was a guy here last month who was banned because he was doing 100mph on the dual carriageway here. It's a 40mph limit. That's our top speed.

He got caught because he's an idiot. Who filmed it on his phone. And posted to Facebook and YouTube. And the police found him.

That's bonkers Em. I'm glad the police are working on it. I'm really happy to be in a phase of life where I'm not out at pub closing time these days. I never liked getting home from evening's out. Being a stay at home Mum is a bit of a boon in that respect.

Just checking in. Completely lost the plot on what I have spent this week, but think small spends only on soft drinks and lunch. Have now finished work until after Christmas!

So sorry about your dogs Adora.

I used to always be the last one standing. Then started to realise that I hated being hungover still do we had an agreement last night that we'd be home early. By 11. That didn't happen.

We don't go out much actually. Friends of mine always want to go out "in town" "let's get really dressed up and go out" when it's my turn to organise we go to the pub. And don't get dressed up. We sit drink chat maybe have some food. Much prefer that to bars and clubs.

Back on the water today. So far three huge pint glasses. And a green tea.

Nsd so far!

NSD.

Adora, news on your second dog sounds good, at least.

Oh fucking hell Adora. I am tearing up at your terrible news. Your poor dogs. Your poor family. I've got no amazing words of comfort, but I do have dogs that I love and adore and have some small inkling of how you might feel now. Genuine kind thoughts to you. I don't know what else to say. xx

Fluffy Jet washing brings up a drive or patio very well indeed.

Works night out last night, curry and beers in town. Lord we saw some people in some states as we walked to get a taxi, I don't know how the taxi drivers deal with it, I really don't.

DH paid for the whole company for the whole evening so that will be a nice credit card bill!!! Good boss, my DH.

Did a cross country race first thing this morning, 4.5 miles in the mud and hills sorts a hangover out I can tell you!

Updated spends:
€2 local shop, it turns out a bit of egg yolk does stop the egg whites whipping into stiff peaks so I had to start again .

Great to hear your second dog is doing better adora.

Yes pleased that there is some better news about your second dog, Adora.
Managed a very low spend day - £3.75 on drinks at soft play party.
Haven't achieved much else though, we are all still getting over this nasty virus and he no energy. Feel very lazy. I think one day of not getting up early and having a proper rest would sort me out but impossible with a toddler!

Dh went to the car and took ages coming home. He stopped at the shop for Doritos. And full fat Coke. He is my hero.

Having a good day will update once we are home. I just had to mention that the really awesome show I saw in the summer is now on in London and if anyone wants to see a show next year it really is a must. It's called half a sixpence. I really want to go and see it again

Oh Adora what an awful thing to happen glad to hear your other dog is doing o.kay

Glad you had a good night out Need and Em I love a good work do!!

I have had one of my bad headaches all day, am thinking I need to go to the Gp next week as feel like all I have done this last week is knock back painkillers, can't be normal surely! I have been on the co-codomol today which hasn't got rid of it completely but made me able to function just about, still in pain though

Made it into town this afternoon for a couple of hours, LSD just spent £3 in Care WareHouse on wrapping paper and some birthday cards, lots of my friends kids have bdays in Jan for some reason! Dd did some carol singing with her drama group under a giant Christmas tree which was very festive.

Been on the sofa the rest of the afternoon, dinner was what I could find in the freezer!

Adora I am so sorry for your loss, so traumatic for all of you.

Big spend weekend with friends up and lunch out, but that should be it spending wise for the Christmas period. I do have to pay a blinking tax bill, but that's coming from savings. As is dh's parking and train season tickets. A big hit but we are spending £250-300 for him to travel once a week at the moment and he's going to be full time in London and it's going to cost us a one off £6k so it's a big saving over paying short term.

£185 on car tax.

Popping in to say 'Hi'.

Almost finished my shopping now. I've just a few gift cards/vouchers and gift bags to buy when I get paid on Thursday. I'm so glad I started my shopping early as it helped considerably to spread the cost out over a few months. Also, I was in a good position to avail of Black Friday offers as I'd been making my shopping lists and checking out what was in the shops. I've set up a spreadsheet and as I wrap each present, I'm making note of the cost of each item. It will be interesting to see what the grand total comes to. Can't believe the big day is so near!

LSD - just €2 on a glass of coke as I had half an hour to kill.