Frugaleers Frolick Frugally through February

[Ipsomatic]

Just setting up the new thread for the chatty Frugaleers.

By popular request - copied from an old thread

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.

cag yep true no uni. I went to Southampton. I was also charged as an international student

You can study here now but have to do it via bournemouth or Plymouth and have to go there to sit exams. And only finance or social work related degrees. But back when I was a student that wasn't an option.

Thanks, I just didn't want to sound like a twat being here when there are lots that struggle far more than we do. Your comments are kind and thoughtful. xx

Em You have paid in, take what you deserve. I think you are as financially savvy as the lot of us, and I have got there far earlier than most, if that doesn't sound patronising. How's the sickness?

Mammy I meant to mention that MFP (My Fitness Pal) is a free app. It's essentially calorie and exercise logging, but you program in what you weigh and where you want to get to, how fast and how active you are etc. Might save you the cost of Unislim. You know what you are doing anyway.

£40 for a cut and colour. Village prices eh?

DH has been a twat these last few days. Some MH issue anda lot of work stress. I got an unexpected present this morning. Will post next.

Gnocchi pesto cherry tomatoes and a bit of cheese for dinner.

Awww DH

Don't fuck off need.

I'll have the seed bread recipe.

£2.50 hospital parking. Clinic running an hour behind as 2 doctors down. Discharged though.
£2600 of your English pounds for boiler. Going to get 10 months 0% though.
Will catch up now

Hi everyone am I ok to join over here?

I had a thread earlier explaining that I'm ok with budgeting on paper but the fluctuations in my mental health mean I can often spend lots of money impulsively which messes up my budget for the whole month!

I used to have a good job earning decent money but an abusive relationship has left me in a bad way and I am now reliant on ESA and PIP so really do need to be careful with my money.

I've had a nosey at the money saving expert site that someone requested.

Would be good to make sure I'm thinking about my finances logically day to day to prevent impulse spending!

Too. Many. Pancakes.

Savoury ones were surprisingly nice but very filling, still got 6 left as we were too stuffed for many sweet ones. Would add them to the meal plan if they didn't take so long to make!

How clever is dd2? She just came downstairs with a knitting loom she's made!

Definitely no cosmetic dentistry on the NHS! But I am very grateful for all necessary dental treatment and all my medication (Citalopram, Amitriptyline and anything else I need apart from those) free, courtesy of my tax credits NHS exemption card. It almost makes earning well under £10000 per annum worthwhile.

Fluffy, that sounds great. You're almost ready to go. I admire you for following your dream. What are Mink nails, btw?

Knitting, good luck with the application.

£3.33 on a mocha in a naice café and 2 incredible toffee scones to take away, as I was a bit anxious DS would decide he didn't want to make pancakes after all. But he does, so hope all goes well.

Gosh, looks like loads of us posted at the same time! I'll catch up later now.

Girly go onto pintrest, and put weetabix into the search, lots of recipies for muffins and such. I am a new convert to pintrest, am losing large chunks of time looking at random stuff!

need been feeling good recently. Am trying to eat more often. I read that may help. I'm not sure sometimes if I'm feeling a bit sick because of being pg or because I'm hungry.

I've just signed up to be a volunteer at our zoo on its fun run day. Superman himself will be there. So I'm gunning for another pic with him he smells so lovely and he can't say no to a pg lady right?? restraining order probably in progress

fluffy are minx the nail wrap things? Sounds like you are almost there!! Exciting times ahead!!

Ooh pretty flowers need and what an awesome loom knitting!

Welcome fluff :)

Damn right Em find out what you are able to get now. It's there to be claimed! :) I loved Southampton when I took the Caglets there (we went overnight just after I took them out of school, as I had a travelodge voucher due to a previous complaint :o) loved the sea city museum, DD was really interested in the titanic at the time. DSD is just over in Winchester for uni so pops over a fair bit, she loves it too. Interesting about the 'distance' learning becoming possible with Plymouth etc, would be good if they offered more courses that way!

I worked out something cool, I have only worked 14 hours in total since new year. But have earned almost £200 for it. I know it's not like a high wage in the grand scheme of things, but it's a far better rate of pay than my previous job (above NMW but not by much). Would be higher if it was just piano but I charge less for maths/recorder as I'm not experienced teaching those. And most of the 14 hours has been in my own home, and some at others' houses I've taught while being fed soup and cake :o :o I love tutoring.

Welcome blue, having to confess spends definitely helps. Are your utilities all on the cheapest tariffs?.

Minx are little adhesive vinyl wraps you put on toenails. creme Thank you

Welcome bluefluff.

Great loom Knitting.

You do seem very happy Cag, the HE thing has changed you so positively.

Fluffy I've just changed salons. New one must have 70 different Shellac shades. Fab service and treatment too.

Girlie your story about your db and his school's attitude gives useful perspective in dealing with our school. So sorry to hear he's having a rough time. I remember when I broke my arm the first few days were a bit of a downer. Fortunately the break fixed itself completely within two weeks and suddenly life was rosy again, so if he can just take it slowly just now he should feel much much better soon.

I'm still having a very cheap month. It's good as it will help make up for the roofing work last month.

girlie weetbix is good in smoothies, makes them really filling,

cag I did my PGCE at winchester uni!

DH currently making pancakes, I'm excited.
£35 for my cello lesson and £3 on Biccies and milk for my U6 to have tea in our revision lesson.

Thank you everyone!

Fluffy if I'm honest I'm not sure I'm on the standard dual fuel tariff with EDF. All my bills say I'm on their cheapest tariff but not sure how it compares to other providers. I never feel like I pay much though so didn't want to rock the boat. I live alone and pay around £170 a quarter for gas and electric. I definitely can't change providers for the next few months as I've qualified for the warm homes discount and know I need to stay with EDF until it's received or I loose it.

What's the best way to go about checking tariffs? Would comparison sites be best? I've been with EDF since I moved in here so a bit clueless!

Welcome, Blue.

Girlie a friend makes Weetabix cake, expect you'd find a recipe online.

Good news on the blog application, Cag.

We had loads of pancakes with blueberries, strawberries, mango, banana, Greek yoghurt and maple syrup. DD thought it was the best dinner ever!

Nothing to be about blue, Google moneysaving expert energy saving club, it's really easy to use and shows you all the deals.

You've got to factor in warm homes discount though. If another provider saves you £300 then all good, if it saves you £100 but no warm homes then you've lost out.

need there's about 130 shades. It's the most expensive uv cured polish to buy in but there's no buffing so no nail damage.

So many good memories re Southampton. Last time I was there I met with a friend (also an ex boyfriend). We went to a lovely pub on oxford street called the white star. There's also a great place for Sunday lunch on "the avenue" the cowherds. If you go to visit dsd and meet in S'oton take her there. It's delicious. Huge portions greatvquality. It's the place we always took parents if they visited. They'd pay and they'd know we'd have eaten properly haha!!

need if you had fucked off I would still be thinking - OMG WTF am I going to do about meals kinder want while DH not being paid for months - instead of -ooh, JO lentil recipes 👍

So, you are needed here

£57 on dog food. Sainsbo's coming Tomoz, £101, lots of offers and house stock like loo roll, toiletries etc as first order of the month.

Still trying to catch up, am cooking pancakes at present so will be back.

Need I've tried mfp but even healthy food uses up your calories mighty fast!

Lifelong 350g wholemeal flour 100g plain flour 1 egg 1 tsp bread soda 1 tsp salt 1 tbsp or more of mixed seeds 1 pint buttermilk mixes up to a wet mixture, put into a lined loaf tin and bake at 180 for 40 mins or until it sounds hollow turn out & turn upside down in the tin & leave in the oven while it cools down

Em I understand ye not having a university but being charged as an international student

Welcome bluefluff we'll have to call you by your full name we've a blue & a fluffy already

Also broke my arm, day of holidays last summer of primary school, I was pushed off a high wall bright sparks xrayed my non strapped up arm one time to check it
Guess it's not the breaking that's the issue it's the fact that it's both. A colleague broke his back & both wrists in a fall last year, he had some movement & his wife was home a lot so I don't know the practicalities

Creme toffee scones sound amazing

In ROI we get 2 fillings for free each year, and just introduced in last budget was free teeth cleaning every year also.

Knitting what savoury fillings had you? I'd a very unsatisfying slice of quiche - cottage cheese got left out of the mixture so I might make a savoury pancake first before sweet ones. Loom is brilliant