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.

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.

Cut up credit cards feeling slightly scared but positive. Need to get to London today to return some stuff silly but lovely DH bought in London-only shop but trains are all messed up because of an "incident" on the line, sitting here hoping that doesn't mean some poor person has killed themselves

Argh DH now announces he had receipt emailed to him but it isn't in his email and he thinks maybe they typed his email wrong, which now means we will only get the sale price
Of the item back

Today's outfit of choice: leopard print stretch mini skirt. Black tights. Uggs. Denim shirt. Catface has meowed at it and given it her stamp of approval. She is now my style guru.

Dh is not yet out of bed. But wants to spend the day doing "cool stuff" he has no idea what though. I sense another day of him sitting about at home. Next week he'll moan because he did nothing with his time off.

Not knowing what you actually want from life can actually be extremely unsettling, and actually very detrimental for your MH. I completely understand that. I'm awful if I don't have a plan. I need it to lead somewhere. I couldn't 'just' go for a run. The run needs to have a reason, either a speed session, an endurance session, recovery run. And lead to a goal. This applies to all aspect of my life. I get that fully and totally.

I guess your health is inhibiting you making plans, or aspirations or goals, and that's extremely debilitating mentally, in addition to physically.

It's extremely easy for me to say this, so please understand that's a big caveat as I'm a gobshite , but your FiL's perception of you is HIS problem and not yours. Try talking to him at length about the things that you know well like politics and finance and see how he gets on. If he doesn't understand that there are many forms of intelligence that should be valued then he's the one losing out on so many interesting people and discussions. You are bloody interesting, I don't always understand your technical posts, but they are interesting to read as they teach me things!

I've got fed up over the years of trying to fit into others peoples boxes and be what they want me to be, although I've definitely been there and done that too (was badly bullied as a teen and that affected me for a long time in terms of confidence and standing up for myself, well into my 30's). This is me. You can choose to like me or not, but I have no control over that and won't waste anymore time trying.

Now, if I could bottle how I've come to that realisation and actually applied it to my life, I'd make a fortune. Possibly age? Who knows.

What a load of waffle that was, but all with the intention of saying, 'I get it'

What things are 'cool stuff' Em?

I am wearing skinny jeans from Next (only place where the Petite range fits me), a star jumper from Hush bought for a song in the sale in summer and boots from Boden, again a sale item.

Sat in the hairdressers getting horrible roots done.

This will be £45 for a cut and colour (rural prices!).

Should be the only spend of the day.

I've done my run, and stuck my mutton in the SC, with chorizo, cranberries, stock, and a blend of garlic, cumin, white wine, sumac, smoked paprika and seasoning that I wizzed up in the Nutribullet. I will leave for 8 hours and we will devour.

Sorry, meant to have a smiley after my question Em

No idea. I've suggested a walk on the beach and a coffee. A walk round the reservoir. Suggested going into town.
Suggested the cinema. But nope.

I've suggested coming to the stables to have a hack. Nope.

Have left him to it.

Thanks need I see that you understand and it's great to hear that you understand what I mean and even have been there.

I still have no idea what I want really, but I'm sort of trying on different identities at the moment, just as I might try on different outfits in a shop, to see if they suit me. Each time I try on a new self, I watch to see if I am more relaxed and healthier for having been there, and keep note of it. Oddly, I find that I enjoy bird watching a lot, which I did not expect.

I really think that frugaleering is crucial in this as our budget is so fluid and having control of the money underpins everything. Also if I make the wrong choices, I can destroy the finances in short order, which would not be good.

Anyway, I'll keep at it. Thanks for the discussion.

Ok so 3750 is the balance on latest CC bill and the minimum is 90 but DH pays 100. But interest alone is 50! He is in definite agreement that a balance transfer is the way to go.

Em your outfit sounds lovely - also I would love to do all the things you suggested, beach and coffee sounds great!
We saw the new Star Wars film last night, had 2 x free tickets for local screen, it was great, I really enjoyed it even though I'm not really into science fiction type stuff.

Cath, I understand perfectly where you are coming from. I have never worn make up and have never understood why others do. But then I find it difficult to understand others because I am a bit autistic.
I too did science and was good at it but am only now coming to understand arts, theatre, novels, music. Spent my life being confused and looked down on by exDH's family.
I don't get why people bother about clothes as long as they look clean ( and respectable when at work). I often wear things that don't match and am oblivious about it. My friend or DD point it out to me because they don't want me to be embarrassed.
I'm also very precise and can't cope when people generalise or estimate. So, when I was a child someone said" watch this road" and I stood and watched the road. They were cross and I was confused.
Still, we are all different. It would be boring if we were all the same.

need do you add liquid to blend spices in nutri bullet? I have one but have only used it for smoothies so far.

That's really interesting Trying. Useful perspective.

The SW film is great isn't it MissA? With regard to the liquid, today I did wizz up the spices and garlic with the white wine, but you don't have to use liquid. Such a small nifty little thing to use for recipes, rather than a food blender for a few herbs and spices.

Hairdresser was £45 in total, including paying for DS next week. Just had roots done and fringe trimmed as it was only cut 4 week ago and I had no split ends or dry bits etc. We've decided to do this every other time now, so saved a bit there.

Cath There's an online shop called Vine House Farm that does bird seed a lot more cheaply than at the GC. You do have to buy bigger bags though, but it is definitely cheaper.

Your cat sounds fab, Em. Mine is perched on his nice warm shelf above the radiator blinking at me. DD has been brushing him, he looks very content!
Good news since I posted earlier, my new Countdown card arrived and I can get 10% in JoJo's with it. I might have another little look at their sale...

Spends today:
€31 supermarket
€11 pharmacy on half price gift set, probably for a birthday present.

Just made a bolognese for the freezer so relaxing with my Kindle now.

Reading over the last posts, I completely agree that it's important to do whatever makes you feel good about yourself. I'm also someone who Likes to dress reasonably well even around the house and I always wear a little make up; it's very important for me to feel good about myself. But if I'm feeling down or stressed, some quiet time with a good book is always the best tonic for me .

NSD.

Good to know about the bird seed place need. Thanks.

Bertie That's good to know. Thanks.

To be fair, I also like to look good, but I for all the fiddling in the world I've never found a make-up face that I liked better than the one I have, which does at least save time.

I just don't like the feel of make up on my face. It looks great on others (DD, DDiL) but the feel of it irritates me.
I certainly don't mean to be critical of others who wear it. Hope you didn't I was being critical.

Trying No you didn't come across as critical at all. It seems clear that some people just really like to wear make-up and some really don't, and I think that's really fine. Likewise, some like how they look with make-up and some like how they look without it, and that's great too.

Interesting chat, we will need a new thread soon.
I think I have grown into my self as I got older. Also having a bereavement and stress this year have adjusted my perspective life wise. Style wise I try and emulate my very put together good friend and it seems be working.

Cag, good you are chipping away at the capital with your payments. Cc interest rates are shit.

50p today on next year's goose fat. £10 on takeout in about 20 mins as dh not well so no dinner made and I had to come home from work early.

Hi everyone! Can I join in? Dh and I have sat down and worked out or ongoing a/outgoings and allowing for £150 a week for petrol, food and other bits we should be able to save £800 a month.

We have about 7k on interest free credit cards - a hangover from leaner times! And a 2k overdraft from overspends on renovating our house. The interest free offers will end staggered over the next 3 years with a £700 finishing this year. I also have a £700 next account which I want to clear now. Going to transfer £700 to that today (leaving £100 for an 'overdraft!) Good news is nursery fees will drop after Easter giving us an extra £150.
We are determined to do this and know we can stick to the £150 a week as we did it on less when we bought our house. Is do able but have to put some thought into it and not impulse buy in the supermarket which is our biggest problem! Along with takeaways! I'm going to withdraw £150 a week on a Thursday night and use cash. There will be a few odd days at the end of the month but we will have to coast them through! Should be easier to track spending then.

We start frugal living today (pay day!) ,have spent £80 in Aldi on shopping and some reduced stuff for the freezer from Sainsbury's. Need £20 petrol so £50 for the week for any extras! Would love to have a bit left over every week which on paper sounds do able! Where has that £800 been going every month? Makes me feel sick the money we've wasted!

£82 tesco (over budget)
£40 new trainers for ds
Too much in fat face. Argh.

Good point Life. Here's a new thread.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/2815212-Springing-into-the-New-Year-with-the-2017-Frugaleers?watched=1

I had forgotten about finding someone to copy. That's a good idea. I might look around the playground a bit.

I've just been looking at the next catalogue and thinking about it and I always rather like the running clothes. Need do you wear those special running clothes? They do look nice.

Next has some very stylish clothes but none of the ladies has a 40-something face. It makes me wonder if I'm in the wrong catalogue.

Welcome AdventuresInHifi It sounds as though you know exactly what to do already. Glad to have you in the thread.

Hi adventures
Have you thought about on line shopping for reducing impulse. Asda have half price delivery pass atm sainsburys will do the same soon as I got mine last January