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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.

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OP posts:
Thread gallery
34
mammymammyIRL · 24/12/2016 21:29

What are nip + fab pads fluffy?

Fluffycloudland77 · 24/12/2016 21:31

Glycolic acid soaked pads you wipe over to encourage skin turnover.

lifelongfrugaleer · 24/12/2016 21:43

All done, dd has 4 less than ds hope she won't notice.
Veg that can be is prepped. Slow cookers waiting to go on for meat.
Going to bed now.

Happy Christmas frugaleers xxxxxxxxxxxxxXmas Smile

Girliefriendlikesflowers · 24/12/2016 21:44

Ouch mammy how did you do that?!

I've never heard of them either fluffy

Merry Christmas frugaleers, hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow.

We had a lovely day, did all the bits i needed to and went for a very Christmassy walk to collect holly and ivy to decorate mums house with Xmas Smile all done now and just need to put the last few presents out, I find creeping about being Santa quite stressful!!

mammymammyIRL · 25/12/2016 00:09

Dh made timber steps for ds to reach bathroom sink and I stubbed it off that yesterday Sad

Ok fluffy** I'm not into skincare make up etc

mammymammyIRL · 25/12/2016 00:19

I'm off to bed because there'll be no ham left for tomorrow if I don't go now. Dh has just discovered dds bike has a puncture, it's from Santa!

Cagliostro · 25/12/2016 02:22

Happy Christmas everyone! Hope you all have a great one.

I'm just going to bed now - had to stay up an awfully long time to ensure DD wouldn't wake up. Perils of a light sleeping santa believer!

But the marble run is built (only a little bit of it to get the wow factor! I resisted building it all Xmas Grin) and the stockings are finally filled.

Really glad I saved the new duvet covers for Christmas Eve, it was really magical for them! Possibly the happiest they have ever been to get into bed 😂

mammymammyIRL · 25/12/2016 06:44

Cag can't wait to see kids faces this morning, they're not up yet.

We got dgs a marble run & I so want one here but resisted twitching!

Needastrongone · 25/12/2016 07:56

Interesting Fluffy. The Liquid Gold in the M&S advent calendar is amazing, same principle.

Scarecrow You have inspired me to cook more of my Christmas in future. I'm a 'cook from scratch' person all year round but cheat at this time of year for ease. Well done you. Have a rest over Christmas though too, you've done enough work for 4 people these last few days!

Merry Christmas one and all of my lovely frugal friends!

CremeEggThief · 25/12/2016 11:14

Merry Christmas everyone. DS and I have just been up an hour!

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/12/2016 11:16

Merry Christmas everyone.

CathodeRayTube · 25/12/2016 15:21

Merry Christmas everybody. We're just taking a break from epic lego building. Church was good this morning and lunch was good. I got four bird boxes for Christmas Smile I hope it's going well out there.

OP posts:
Cagliostro · 25/12/2016 16:38

Hi everyone!

Marble run went down really well. I had a moment of panic when I opened it last night as I'd built it up so much in my head (the first half of it I ordered on sale on Boxing Day last year!) and I briefly wondered if I'd misjudged it but they love it.

Ashamed to say today wasn't even an NSD! Xmas Smile We watched zootropolis and I downloaded the soundtrack because it's fab (I LOVE Michael Giacchino)

And that twitch present, the transformers book? DS is in love with it. DD's favourite present was the microscope - I knew the Caglets would like it but I never expected the huge gasp of joy and excitement! We are already talking about what we are going to look at (there are some slides included and I'd bought a set of insect slides too but there are also blank ones so we can make our own! Suggestions include spiders and bogeys Xmas Envy Xmas Grin)

Definitely pleased that overall we bought less this year. I was so tempted to twitch on more toys (since most of the presents under the tree were books/clothes and definitely less actual toys to play with) but they are totally in love with what they have, it's plenty and they are very lucky. I don't know why I felt it wasn't enough before. But oddly DD said today "I think this year we have been spoiled by santa more than ever!" even though he brought markedly less (in terms of both volume and cost, not that they'd know the latter obviously).

Just having a chill out while DD and DH build a bionicle figure and DS plays the Wii game he got from DSD. Hence waffling here! After that it's Shrinkles-making and board games. Xmas Smile

WreckTangled · 25/12/2016 17:20

Hi everyone!

The dc are just having a bath, much needed chill time/normality. Dd especially has been awful today.

This morning we went to our local NT place for a walk and met up with some friends, went back to one of theirs for drinks then came home and ate. The dc are both really pleased with their presents. Christmas Day number two tomorrow....

Had fun introducing dd to a Spirograph, I had one when I was younger, endless fun! Especially with all the gel pens FC got her.

RE SALES: IF YOU DON'T NEED IT THEN IT IS NOT A BARGAIN. Must keep reminding myself.

lifelongfrugaleer · 25/12/2016 18:01

Fab day here. Pleased everyone else is having a good time.

Remember the Martin money mantra.
Do you need it, can you afford it, is it worth it?

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/12/2016 18:40

NSD.

Hitting the shops tomorrow first thing for cards & Christmas puds. They last over a year so I'll buy two & chuck one in the cupboard for next year.

ememem84 · 25/12/2016 19:49

cag we watched zootropolis yesterday! Really funny!

Merry Christmas guys.

We've had an awesome day here. dh outdid himself with anti pasti platter, beef wellington and mulled wined jellies.

Everyone's gone nOw so I'm sipping champagne (the good stuff) and we're watching doctor who on catch ups.

#full #drank #happy #festive #ilovedh

Cagliostro · 25/12/2016 20:00

Ooh Spirograph! Love them, what one is it please?

Yes absolutely re: sales. As long as I can count hotel chocolat as a need not a want. I have been waiting for the end of season sale. Xmas Grin 30% off Christmas lines. Other than that I may get wrapping paper from Boots as I love theirs, but other than that I'm not planning to browse the shops at all TBH.

I've decided, sod it, I'm taking the Caglets to see Moana tomorrow! This is a big thing as we barely ever see a new film at the cinema - movies for juniors screenings all the way! But DH is working and we'd be at a loose end. So will be a lovely treat for us three. We will get the bus in all together (Sunday service running tomorrow) and see DH off to work first then go to the cinema. Possibly grab something to eat after but no idea what town would be like.

Cagliostro · 25/12/2016 20:01

Did you love the sloth bit? I actually couldn't breathe for laughing when I first watched it!

WreckTangled · 25/12/2016 20:06

Oh em I think your head might hurt tomorrow Xmas Wink

Cag that sounds nice. It's this spirograph set. There's loads on Amazon. I might have another go now dd is in bed Xmas Grin

ememem84 · 25/12/2016 20:21

cag we loved it. I haven't laughed so much for ages.

My head may hurt tomorrow but we're staying in. Nothing to do. All washing ups been done thanks mama and we have leftovers. Yay!! I think I've eaten more than I've drank so I'll hopefully be alright tomorrow.

I cannot wait to see Moana. Dh doesn't want to see it. He said as a kiwi it's disrespectful to his culture. I say bollocks to it. The bits I've seen are respectful. And tell the story of the Maori and other South Pacific Islanders as the museums tell it.

I also love Dwayne Johnson. The standing joke in our house is that he looks like the rock....!! My fave song from the movie so far... "you're welcome!"

Will go with dsis to see it later on in the week

I emember Spirograph. Effing brilliant. Kept me entertained for hours when I was yoonger

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/12/2016 20:30

My Spirograph mysteriously disappeared on Christmas Day. 🤔

Cagliostro · 25/12/2016 20:32

Thanks that set looks great!

Tryingtosaveup · 25/12/2016 21:20

Glad everyone had a nice day.
Just got back with DP from my DS's. We went for lunch with him, DSiL and their 2 DSs. Very long journey but worth it to see the DGSs.
Cag, flowers are good to make slides and you can see the pollen grains at x400.
DD is coming tomorrow with her family. DGD also got a microscope so hope she brings it tomorrow.
I was hoping to get a gilet in the sales, but on line. Buggered if I am going to fight to park.
Adora, hope Teddy is feeling better.
Enjoy the rest of the evening all.

mammymammyIRL · 25/12/2016 21:59

Dgs's mother my dsd obviously wasn't impressed with marble run, no comment not even a thank you. I await our visit there tomo & see what happens then.

wreck pity your dd is off form today. My split personality ds has been a joy all day today. Even started the day with his first dry nappy too(awaiting morning with apprehension!) definitely a NSD today

I'm a bit wobbly today & I can't pinpoint why. I miss dh's uncle who was a big part of our lives, but he was never a part of our Christmas Day so don't think that's it. Going to have another drink - full bottle of Pinot Grigio demolished already Blush