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.

Thanks, Need. I'm setting off shortly, feel quite relaxed at the moment, hope I don't get stressed about it.

Need I really feel for you. I won't go into my whole back story but I have a very difficult relationship with my dad who has subjected my mum to 40+ years of low level emotional abuse (mum and I are v close and dd has a v strong relationship with her). Between Christmas and New Year we were at my parents and my dad shouted at dd in a very aggressive intimidating way, just as he used to do to me. I fired back and we all left rather quickly. I haven't seen him since, yet but had 2 days of almost a grief like reaction, especially seeing dd's reaction to his behaviour. It took me back to my childhood and really shook me. However, dh, me and the dc are a very strong family unit and have talked it all through and are dealing with it in as positive way as we can whilst protecting dd and maintaing our relationships with my mum. What you said about you being in control of how you allow it to affect you really resonates with me. I had lots of tears and lost sleep but have dusted myself down and got on with things. I will not let him have a negative impact on my family. My only wish is that mum would find the strength to leave him but, at 77, I don't think that will happen now.

Spends today

£2.87 in coop
£3.35 at farmers market for courgettes. Lots of courgettes.

Making courgette "meatballs" for dinner.

Very interesting to hear about families from all different sides. Such complicated things, families.

I'm trying to hard to get myself together to see a very very expensive dietician that we've booked on Saturday, but my epic day of sleeping yesterday has resolved into a diarrhoea bug today. Very frustrating, when I have this great opportunity all lined up. Now willing myself to make a boomerang recovery.

Hope all poorly Frugaleers are on the mend.

How are you Cag?

Spends today are

£75 cleaner (have cut back to once a fortnight)
£4.20 on 100 postage bags for ebaying

Now a half day of ebaying awaits!

Need wow. I hope her golden child lives to hurt her the way she hurt you. Gc do that ime. It's odd how we put up with this from family but a freiend would be told to fuck off.

Cag That's awful for you. I hope that person hasn't done that again.

As always with people who let you down, they can't live forever & hopefully we'll live longer & better lives than them.

Mammy That would piss me right off too. Using a private browser can reduce quotes further. As can named drivers who don't live with you.

NSD.

And £32 on another dress. I will send one back though.

What's this? You can change your own iPad screen? I need to do this, will look it up.

Had to buy an umbrella , got a second one free so, £2.50 on coffee, £6 on chocolate, £6.70 in Boots and £8 in butchers.

It's odd how we put up with this from family but a friend would be told to fuck off.

Fluffy You never bang on at length like the rest of us, but when you do speak, you so often nail it. I love your comments.

In other news, I just was looking through a trashy catalogue and joked that my dm (who is the world's original unselfish angel-parent) would always have liked a teasmaid. Dh said "Send her one then. Go on - do it." So I have. Hoping she likes it.

The scaffolders have come to take down our scaffolding. Yay!

I have had a tin of fish! Also Yay!

One day I will have a NSD, but I don't think it's going to be soon.

need sorry you've been treated that way. Very long story, I went NC with my mother and DH (61) is about to therapy due to his father being a total control freak and his mother being a bully to transfer the control to the DCs.

You are a super parent to your DCs and a fantastic support to your DH.

😀 At Catface em

Teddy has had the last bandage removed and should be free of the cone on Monday. DH has been in London, driving home this arvo. I forgot to log the price of my brollie, £12. Possibly could have got a cheaper one but this one is sturdy as well as collapsible.

Tomorrow should be NSD.

I read once that no one can make you feel bad without your permission. That has really stuck with me through the last ten years or so. I felt inferior to dsd for a while before hearing this and over the years I've learned that it's not true at all but a technique used by her to get her own way.

This is one I read yesterday regarding weight loss 'Comparison is the thief of Joy', this would also be true of finances.

I'd a phonecall from a bank today, telling me there was an account opened for me in 1998 marked no correspondence, first I heard of it but it's in my nan's local branch and would have been opened the year I did my junior cert. So turns out there's €63 just sitting there for me [happy]

Mammy That's an interesting notion. I always think that it's harder to resist the opinion of people who raised us from babyhood, like parents and siblings. Having had a very attached baby to care for myself, I totally realise why now, and also why it's hard not to have crossed words with close relatives, even knowing that they might hurt.

Woo hoo mammy! Treat yourself

Families are funny things. I had a very loving upbringing but still, my mum left when I was 3 and my dad got sole custody of all three of us. I witnessed my mum being hit by my (ex) step dad when I was five or six so she left him. My mums mum doesn't speak to her and hasn't since she left. But they all love me and that's what made the difference I think. Need you have learnt from you parents mistakes and are bringing up your dc to be happy, confident and to make the most of their talents.

I've got an interview for that job I applied for. It's not until the 30th. I fucking hate interviews I think I'll be taking beta blockers that day...

wreck well done you, repeat the mantra they would be lucky to have me on their staff, I'm a bloody good employee.

Families have become so much more complex haven't they?

wreck I'm debating that but I think a better treat would be less interest on my cc! Maybe half and half?

Oh well done, Wreck. Fingers crossed for you.
Hope you're feeling better today, Need. I'm not surprised you didn't sleep well last night; it takes time to process and come to terms with. I loved the new sign.

Nice little treat, Mammy. What will you do with it?

Spends: £1 milk.

That's great news on the interview Wreck. Well done and good luck.

As it happens I've been sent an online course about equal opportunities law in the workplace and I've been pootling though it today. I'll tell you if I learn anything useful. It's all very interesting. Very exciting to have an interview.

ds has gone off in a car with a school friend on a playdate, and I wasn't even there to wave. Dh organised it at the school gate. It's really eerie. It's like he's just popped out and here am I sitting at home. The silence deafening.

Oh I remember those days Cath. That weird 'empty house' feeling when it a time when they are usually home. Does your DH find it 'easier' to agree to impromptu play dates and such? Honest and genuine question, DH 'goes with the flow' more easily than me. I am a creature of habit and routine.

£75 for a cleaner Stumbly?! Wow. I pay £25 pw and they clean absolutely every single thing.

mammy Great quotes. Great news about the bank account. You need to spend it on yourself, as it's 'free' money, sort of.

Creme Are you and DS okay now after last night?

I do think Fluffy is wise. Insightful and sparse with her words.

Fingers crossed for you Wrecked Great to get the interview. Well done.

North Thanks. I can't even imagine how hard it would be if my DF and mother were still together. The dynamic must be very difficult. I'm glad you reacted on behalf of your DD. That's a strong, protective message you gave her. my DC don't even like my mother, which is awful when you think about it.

Adora, thank you also for sharing. Without divulging. I'm so glad about Teddy, that's great news at the (beginning of the) end of such a long road.

God, I've spent more today. I've just had a bit of extra time and trying to do all my internet stuff today.

£20 ruched skirt in the Hush sale, which will get worn to death. It's the blue on Em, if you are interested. Lovely with bare legs in NZ and less than half price.

tbh need I organised the playdate myself in person yesterday and by phone today. It was just that it was unexpectedly at the other child's house because I've got the lurgy. Dh did the handover, rather than just cancelling outright at the school gate, but I had already checked by phone that ds would be welcome to go to their house. Turns out the child lives a short drive away, which is more exciting than the short walk I expected. Gawd, the excitement.

It's just so very very surprising that ds's not up in my face and calling me a Big Bummy Bum Bum Poo. I mean what's with this silence? Eerie.

Sorry to hear about the spending need.

I just spent 1200 quid on getting about 3 roof tiles straightened.

Ah, I see. Nice that your DH is available to do the handover (pre-planned!!) while you are not so well. I'm definitely more of a creature of habit and routine than DH, complete opposites, but that works well sometimes. The spending is fine, I'm just doing it all at once, I have to now work tomorrow. Ouch with the bill, bloody hell.

I'm not emotional anymore just flat. I'll still go and see her Sunday, I'm not sure why. It's the family tie thing I think. Maybe I won't, I'm not sure.

We are for now, thanks, Need. Although he's lost his bus pass that I pay monthly for. I was wrongly told before it would be £25 to replace, but when I checked today, it's only £5, which I've already taken from his wallet (he knows).

Adora, I forgot to say Teddy's really making good progress now! My cousin seems to be doing well after her tracheostomy too. She's now able to get out of bed and sit in a chair in her ward for an hour or so, daily.

Ds came back

Has your Mum always been really anti-you need. I sometimes notice that when people get really quite old they can say really nasty things and it's hard to remember their young kind self.

Need you need to go on the stately homes thread, I think it's called.

Ds isn't very well but he's ploughing on through. Awful cough, fever in the evenings. The Vicks vapour plug in is amazing though I would recommend it to anyone. Luckily he's happy enough at pre school as Dh and I just can't afford to have time off work.

Dh and I are watching the Affair. Finished season one last night it's really good!

£2.40 spends day lunch 1.80 roast beef dinner 😀😀 60p for a coffee.
Where do you all buy your washing powder from?? Wowcher have got an offer £20 incl p and p for a box that has 105 washes in.
What do you think good deal??