Springing into the New Year with the 2017 Frugaleers

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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.

Scarecrow, I meant to mention that the Jamie Oliver magazine for this month has some super recipes in it. I got a subscription for Christmas, £24 for a year I think it cost, a big saving on what it retails at in the shops. I read it yesterday and thought of you! Interesting recipes with a Scandinavian slant, and also Middle Eastern, plus tons of his usual healthy and balanced fare.

And I am allocating some extra in my budget for heating for the next 3 months, the council tax doesn't get paid for a couple of months anyway now. I've felt chilly the last few days on 20 degrees. Happy to wear jumpers and thick socks, but I don't think we are in the position where we need to sit under duvets either, which is lucky for us I realise. But neither will I be cold in my own house!

Ooh Need that does sound good. I am getting my cooking mojo back now that I feel like eating something other than crunchy nut cornflakes and cheese balls (not together, that would be gross).

I have a birthday coming up so might think on. I currently have a subscription to BBC good food, which I also find pretty good for inspiration.

Your pork chilli sounds lovely!

Haven't made this in ages

Enjoy Nollaig na mBan, fellow Irish frugaleers. It wasn't a big thing in my part of Ireland either, but I wish it had been! Hope you have a good night out too, Seacow.

If anyone wants paper H&M vouchers for 20% off, let me know. I have 2 and can post them.

Spends: £7 travel; £4.80 coffee and cake with a friend; £13.85 new battery for my watch; £2.54 on a pint of milk, kitchen roll and cleaning wipes.

Happy weekend everyone.

I have had the heating on all day too, though have resisted nudging up the thermostat. It's expensive being at home all the time but I also don't want to be freezing! I do the jumpers /2 socks thing but if I am still chilly when pottering about then the heating goes on. DS won't allow me to wear a scarf in the house (it freaks him out for some reason and he gets very upset) and I find I do feel colder if I haven't anything round my neck.

Short walk in the woods today. DS was really enjoying the woods and kicking the leaves etc but after about 30 mins he fell over, got a damp knee and had a meltdown (he can't bear his clothes to be in the slightest bit wet, just wants to rip them off straight away). So we came home, DS upset all the way. Nearly all outings in winter end like this . I have ordered some waterproof overtrousers from Jojo but they are taking an age to arrive. I hope he will stay calm if they get dirty - worth a try anyway!

Between the threat of getting wet and dodging dogs (DS is genuinely phobic) I am rather worn out from the stress of a teeny little walk!

Seacow & need
I think there can be a kind of pride amongst people with regard to using heating like it's a sign of weakness to use it. I for one feel there's little to be achieved by feeling cold.

I've noticed ds getting happier in last few weeks. He has a split personality either very happy or very cross. But is often found singing to himself lately making a puzzle.

Hoping him starting preschool Monday will build on this

I've had the heating on all day too. The cat thinks it's the best day ever, he's been asleep in his favourite spot by the radiator all afternoon!

Water intake is going well. Averaging 2kitres a day and feeling better for it. My skin looks good (puffy but not in a bad way) and I'm less tired.

Nsd today. I went out for lunch (annoying as had taken lunch with me) but boss paid. Nasai goereng and a Peroni. Yummy. He wanted to discuss workloads etc and how I'm doing. Apparently it was obvious before Christmas I was a bit flappy

Good idea to stay warm.

I've had the heating on for ages, but I also have a convection heater in the living room which I put on for 5 minutes just to get it really cosy if it's cold. I wear my summer sandals round the house to keep my feet off the floor.

I've also taken to using the airing cupboard when it's very cold outside as it means we don't have to vent the tumble dryer out of the open window, and that makes a big difference.

Those few changes seem to make our house very cold without making any actual changes to the heating, which is just set to keep the house at 19 all the time (actually set to 20 but keeps it at 19).

I'm all for people cracking up the thermostat though when they're feeling cold.

My current mission is to make sure to get out in the sun for an hour every day about lunchtime as that seems to really help with keeping the inner machine running.

Not quite a NSD, but I'm trying not to spend any money this month as we're spending £1200 on having the roof fixed, which is quite enough really.

em the lunch sounds great. cag glad you got some nice clothes.
I'm up for drinking more water.
If anyone's interested ive done an 'about me' page on my blog. Read it and let me know if I sound pretentious, or just weird. Also any grammar mistakes.
We are over the pox in this household.

It's bloody freezing here too. I've got a duvet plus two blankets and I've still had to put the heating on. The Guinea pigs are snuggled together-I think they've got the right idea.

I did a Lidl shop today and got some bargains for the freezer, plus a lot of tins. They'd sold out of the gin that was recommended on here which was sad but a good saving do total was £17. I got a treat for the piggies for £3.

I wish that was the total spend...
£58 vet bill
££££ car downpayment. At least I'm now independently mobile so the job hunt area can be widened.

Seacow i have had many trips with dd that ended like that, even now at nearly 11yo she would still struggle with slightly wet clothes (sensory issues) I normally keep a change of clothes in the car at all times! Waterproofs are a God send as well. When dd was staying with her Grandad she once fell into a stream and my poor dad had to carry her semi naked across 2 fields screaming her head off he was completely traumatised bless him!!

Hope you are o.kay Snuggly when can you finish work?

Have had an unexpected very spend day as have booked dds 11th bday party, we decided on as swimming party and was expecting to pay a deposit but they wanted the full cost of it up front!! Its £125 for 12 children, a 2 hour party and includes all food. My mum has said she will pay towards it
Now need to plan party bags, invites etc.

Also spent £4 on posting a parcel for a friends ds bday.

Put £5 in the pot of a colleagues leaving do, we are also all going out for a meal next week which is going to cost approx £20, is going to be a Thai meal which I'm excited about!

What months do we not pay council tax Need? I just checked and mine did go out in January

Feb and March girlie

Lunch was lush. Even better that boss paid my treat next time.

all I've bookmarked your blog. I like your writing style. Friendly and chatty. And I think that we're all in the same position. I'm guilty of burying my head in the sand re debt and constantly switching money about.

Dh is watching time commanders. They're battling the romans and the Huns today. I keep giggling every time they say "Huns"

I have a glass of wine and a bowl of peanuts. I lm feeling very decadent now.

£1.99 contact lens fluid in home bargains.

Internet going on & off 😡

girlie we don't pay in March here.

ememem84 well done on your water intake. I'm not doing so good. I saw one of those bottles where it says how much you have to drink by what time but it's bloody expensive. I think it's called HydrateM8 (name puts me off too).

purple congratulations on the down payment and more autonomy that comes with getting your own car.

seacow, need and mammy We are a household of wimps and we need to have the heating on - part of my frugality in other areas is so that I can spend more on keeping us cosy. Now that we are all out of the house (DP started f/t work this week) all day, the heating bills will be less. It takes all evening for the house to heat up though

cath we have spent loads on roof repair.

NSD today.

Ooh! I forgot about the council tax break. That's good news.
I'm going to try and finish sooner, Girlie, probably in the next few weeks.

I always drink tons of water, always have, but I have to drink it warm! I've usually had 2 pints by the time I leave the house. Funny, but once you get used to it, you can't NOT drinkk it IYSWIM? Last few days, I've had some sliced lemon left from NYE that looks a bit sad but I've put my glass first thing, actually very refreshing and no waste of said lemon.

I think the council tax is February and March Girlie, but bigger savings than any increase in gas bill for me, at over £1000 pcm!

Fool 100% agree. Isn't it why we are frugal? So the heating can be on when it's needed.

Mammy You are completely correct, I absolutely concur. It's like some badge of honour, as you say, to not put the heating on or turn it up. But why? Financial difficulties notwithstanding of course. All our doors are closed, windows shut, curtains and shutters too. Jumper and thick socks on. If I'm still cold, the heating will go up.

Scarecrow Mixed reaction to the pork chilli, DS and DH thought it too spicy and DD and me loved it. Strange, as that's usually vice versa in terms of enjoying spicy food.

DD has agreed we will set a target for water drinking next week as she's not drinking enough and has been getting headaches. It's silly as we all like water, we are just forgetful! I need to look up how much she should be drinking as an average/slim 9yo

Ooops - Too many zeros Girlie (wine....), £100 pcm. I won't get into Cag's maths club will I?

Bollox, just checked, it's £208 pcm. I'm shite. And knackered tonight. Done A LOT of exercise this week.

Cag it's her weight in lbs x 2/3 to get no of ozs of water per day

Cag it's her weight in lbs x 2/3 to get no of ozs of water per day

This gives me 3 litres I drink 2+ most days