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Frugaleers, keeping their frugal resolutions in the new year. Keep on, erm, resoluting!?

989 replies

Cagliostro · 14/01/2017 23:22

Hello everyone! :)

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WreckTangled · 29/01/2017 20:30

Argh thanks everyone. I'll feel like I've let you all down if I don't get it!!

Ah mammy sorry you're feeling rubbish amazing on the running though!

CremeEggThief · 29/01/2017 20:31

Don't be daft, Wreck. Just do your best.Brew

IdStillRatherBeKnitting · 29/01/2017 20:33

Well I was all ready to come on here Mrs Smug with her 2nd nsd in a row, when dd1 says she needs her school lunch money topped up, so £40 down Sad

Did slow cooker pulled pork, it was ace! The sauce was like sweet/sour gravy, so yummy and so different from anything I usually cook, and enough left for lunch tomorrow, a rare bonus.

A jolly (ha) walk with the dogs, ds howled until dp put him on his shoulders (about 1/4 mile in). Then we found some frozen puddles, and he was fine. Have made flapjack and cake for next weeks packed lunches.

Tryingtosaveup · 29/01/2017 20:35

Sorry to be thick but what does MIA mean?
And we haven't heard from Collie for ages. Wonder if she managed to move house?
Hope you feel better soon Mammy
Wreck, just do your best. And whatever they say, we all know that you are the best person for the job.

Fluffycloudland77 · 29/01/2017 20:41

Missing In Action.

Collie said she'd duck out while trying to sell/buy house. Let's hope her luck changed.

ememem84 · 29/01/2017 20:43

trying I'll get on it!!

Tryingtosaveup · 29/01/2017 21:50

Em, please can you sample the food and drink in the hotel as well as the ambiance. I know it will be really difficult and unpleasant doing it, but I would appreciate it,

SnugglySnerd · 29/01/2017 21:58

We're slowly getting organised, Seacow. Most of our newborn stuff is neutral too. I'm planning to just dress the babies in sleep suits for as long as possible so I don't have to worry about things matching. People bought some really pretty dresses for DD but they were not at all practical, they rode up her body when feeding and got all twisted round when she was asleep/in the car seat. Plus sleep suits mean I won't spend my entire time picking up tiny socks!
Baby clothes are so tiny and cute though, I will have to try very hard not to buy extras!

Cagliostro · 29/01/2017 22:17

Baby clothes are addictive aren't they? Just so damn cute. I get all broody if I walk past baby sections in shops.

Big hugs Mammy and epic good luck Wreck!

I've just spent a little of my saved up pocket money on a couple of games. OOOOPS. But the money is accounted for already I guess, that's the whole idea. One is a Japanese kanji learning game! How cool is that?! I'm also bidding on a few others and I've messaged the poster about combined postage. I know some refuse though.

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ItalianWiking84 · 29/01/2017 22:23

Hairdresser yesterday was 40£ but I'm really pleased with the result. Nsd today. Tomorrow I'm going to ikea with my mom
And Tuesday a friend is coming for breakfast.

Good luck with the interview wreck and thaynks for the sweet potato recipe ideas em Smile
Girlie: my bil is at the conservatorium studying playing the clarinet and my fil is a world known clarinet player. It's a lovely instrument
Your hotel stay looks wonderful em

OokSaidTheLibrarian · 29/01/2017 22:33

Managed a NSD today. Also managed to cook enough chicken soup and beef stew for my lunches and dinner until Friday. Dh away with work until Wednesday night. DS and DD being fed at school/nursery so should only need snacks. Which is good because one of my main problems is buying takeaways when I can't be bothered to cook after work.

Cagliostro · 29/01/2017 22:37

£5.99 on a present - really pleased as it's normally much dearer. Nerdy Marvel card game thing so DSS will love it!

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CremeEggThief · 29/01/2017 22:46

Online Sainsburys shop coming tomorrow for £40.10. I was sent a booklet of vouchers for 4 weeks: £3 off £20 for the first two, then £4 off £20 for weeks 3 and 4.

Meal plan:
Tomorrow : leftovers from today's nut roast, roast and steamed veg.
Tuesday : lentil Bolognese (homemade from the freezer) with spaghetti.
Wednesday : DS can have a veggie hotdog, omelette or scrambled eggs on toast, as I'm probably going to the cinema after work, so I'll have coffee and cake in between. I'll have an omelette and salad when I get in.
Thursday: bean burgers, chips and salad.
Friday : veggie chilli and rice (homemade from the freezer). DS away for the weekend.
Saturday : pizza.
Sunday : mushroom stroganoff.

ChristmasSeacow · 29/01/2017 23:58

cath the disability thing is quite difficult to answer because so much depends on the attitude of the interviewer(s). They are not allowed to discriminate against someone with a disability but it's very difficult to prove and people just often don't take the trouble to understand.

In my experience, as an interviewer in an NHS trust you wouldn't necessarily know at interview. I would know if someone applied under the guaranteed interview scheme because that would be on the form, but I wouldn't know the nature of the disability. Applicants would fill in a separate form for Occ Health and they would have a conversation outside the interview, and discuss with the recruiting manager if any issues relevant to the role. That might be after the interview /offer so could be a bit messy if it does affect the person's ability to do the role but they've already had an offer. I've never been in that situation because where relevant my preferred candidates had always raised their conditions with me at interview and we'd previously discussed it. That has been much more helpful (to me and them!) than a conversation via occ health after the fact so for that reason I would be inclined to raise it. But I am speaking of my personal preference as an interviewer!

It may be handled differently in a smaller organisation (no separate occ health department, for instance) so it might be something that has to be discussed in interview anyway. If a person has applied under the guaranteed interview scheme the interviewer will be aware there is a disability and I personally think it is better for it to be discussed than not (whereby they may assume more of a problem than there is). If they ask questions I would be inclined to be open and honest about how you are affected and how you manage your conditions so as to be able to carry out your role. If you can demonstrate that you have managed a similar role before without problems (and with good attendance) then I think it is worth being on the front foot and raising it to reassure them. There's no way of knowing whether they will really look at it is a non-discriminatory way but I think it does the candidate more favours to discuss it and reassure than leave them wondering (and probably assuming it's definitely a problem). And if you would need specific support or accommodations it is helpful to discuss it. I had a dyslexic candidate who needed specific software to aid her. No problem (and actually reassuring for me that she knew what she needed!)

I have had a number of applicants with disability /long term conditions over the years. They have fallen into two categories: weak at interview and not suited to the role (so their disability was irrelevant) or my preferred candidate, in which case it would have to be a genuine problem to be a deal breaker. I find that once I am impressed by someone i want to make it work! I would be concerned by high sickness absence in their previous role (Not just for disabled candidates - this is something I always check) but if their attendance is good (or prior issue resolved e.g. had surgery) and there is nothing that would impede the role then it's not really an issue for me. Equally though, although I have never had to do it myself on occasion my staff have turned down people for roles on the grounds of disability where it would affect the role - I am thinking specifically of nurses and midwives with physical limitations that could not be managed in the environment they were applying for. I appreciate that sometimes it will stop people carrying out certain roles but for admin type roles there's not much that can't be worked around, in my view.

Anyway, I'm not an expert at all, just done a lot of recruiting! Its still only a personal perspective though. I think I have always been quite open minded about people anyway (and not just disability but also candidates who have not come through traditional routes, got degrees or whatever - I go on good attitude and underlying skills /strengths rather than knowledge so have made some unconventional appointments - but never regretted any of those!). I feel much more strongly about disabled rights now that I have an autistic child though.

Anyway, enough of my non-frugal blathering. Go for it Wreck and don't feel you are letting us down if you don't get it! Always worth reaching for something you really want; if you don't get it this time you'll still have learned something from the experience for next time. Bonne chance!

Cag that's what picket money is for (not necessarily kanji but whatever turns you on Wink )

Italian I am impressed by your musical connections! Maybe your DDs will inherit some musical talent? Judging by DS's rendition of the alphabet song today I won't get my hopes up for him Grin

Snuggly I think naice boys' clothes (tops, trousers) are manageable for babies but dresses and tights - that looks a right palaver. Maybe for the odd photo and special occasion (e.g. meeting great granny) but otherwise gimme onesies and poppers all the way! With you having two you definitely wont want to mess about much, I'm sure.

Cagliostro · 30/01/2017 01:43

Seacow :o :o well what can I say, languages are exciting. Wink

So my spendy day became more spendy! Some days I just shouldn't be allowed near a computer! (I'm blaming PMT - seriously I'm tempted to chart my spending habits next to my cycle!)

£6 game for DSS' birthday
£18 maths toy on offer. I've created a separate bit on my tuition spreadsheet for expenses - I've never kept up with recording them before, and I guess it won't make a difference for the moment if I'm not earning enough for tax anyway, but I figured it's a good habit to get into.
£27 Amazon, replacement things I owe a friend and a book for DD which will go on the home ed budget as it's for her awesome women project
£25 eBay - 2 bargain (used) card games and a super rare anime DVD.

I have 3 bids on ebay as well which end Wednesday night - the seller has said he'll combine postage if I get them so depending on other bids pushing mine up will be anything up to £17ish max, which is still well under my pocket money amount.

FUCKSAKE someone take my internet away! Although I may nip into town tomorrow by myself (DH is taking the Caglets swimming) as I need some air and to go to Boots, so will probably be just as bad, but I'll spend it on cake or something.

But yeah. At least the pocket money thing is designed for this really, it's already put aside (just more than usual as I haven't spent much of it for a few months). A 'safe' way to get my kicks without blowing the budget. Still feel guilty though?!

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mammymammyIRL · 30/01/2017 06:27

Cag no reason you should feel guilty for spending your pocket money doesn't your dh spend his?

Finished girl on the train at 2am this morning, was in bed at 7.40 & woke at midnight & couldn't sleep 😴

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/01/2017 06:51

Good luck wreck

Beeneatingburnttoast · 30/01/2017 07:01

Good luck wreck

Back to my normal work week this week so already on the train to work Brew. Hoping to work some extra time today to add to my TOIL from last week

lifelongfrugaleer · 30/01/2017 07:15

Wreck, you won't let us down daft lass.

DD at the fracture clinic today so a fortune on hospital parking. Probably a day off work.
It's not payday until Wednesday and Friday so it's gonna be a tight week. My own fault for spending too much. Must do better in February.

I laughed at MIA, presumed frugal too. My guess is a treat from dh or something pony related.

Not long now thread babies. And breath.

CathodeRayTube · 30/01/2017 07:36

Good luck Wreck! Don't worry about letting anyone down. It's all big fun and you'll meet new people and see new places. Enjoy the trip.

Our house is in disarray at the moment. Poor ds is still on plain toast after three days and I feel like garbage. Hey ho. Dh is being heroic, running everything, while I sit in bed.

Does everybody find that stomach bugs last 10 days or is it just us? The pedatrician says that we are just having them last much longer than other people. She says I've to take ds to the GP on day 5 to be checked, which is going to be tricky as I'll be on day 3 and still feeling rubbish. I wish I knew why they go on so long for us.

Very glad of my delivered newspaper. Excellent use of funds that and cheers my morning immensely.

ItalianWiking84 · 30/01/2017 08:01

Good luck wreck Star
Spending day in ikea Grin I do love ikea though

SWtoSEGirl · 30/01/2017 08:27

Feel better soon Cathode & good luck Wreck!

This is my first week meal planning & in theory means I could go the entire working week with NSDs - although I'm sure some costs will creep in...!

The next 2 months are going to be so expensive with hen parties, weddings & birthdays Confused - so really hope I can prepare my bank account properly. They are all lovely things to look forward to, but will be a real strain on my finances & probably mean we won't get a holiday this year.

CathodeRayTube · 30/01/2017 08:29

Thank you SW! Well done on the meal planning. I hope it goes well.

I just did a Tesco order with food only for dh. It's going to be a cheap week for food. But then I blew all the money on amazon prime delivery of sticker books. Swings and roundabouts. Smile

northender · 30/01/2017 08:34

Have missed a few days and haven't managed to catch up properly.
Good luck with the interview Wreck

Frugal weekend here as dh & I were both feeling a bit below par so didn't do anything much. I went to the gym with dd who had her induction session (£5 for the induction and a key + £17 for a month's membership which includes gym & swimming). It's the first time I've been back at the gym so another milestone & it felt really good. Dd enjoyed it too so we can motivate each other.

Decorating is finished now so we're just putting things back in place but it just looks fab! All the upheaval & stress seems so worth it now. Have got a big list of jobs to do today as I'm not at work. I've already managed to cross a couple off the list which is a good start. I am going to try to post every day for a while to get me properly focussed again.

IdStillRatherBeKnitting · 30/01/2017 09:22

Have a good interview wreck I hope it goes well for you x