Frugaleers Marching on!

[Cagliostro]

Hi everyone, new thread as previous one full.

All welcome to chat all things frugal (and a whole lot more besides) - do jump in, we are a friendly bunch!

Thanks Cag, shall we all keep on at you about the cc and getting in touch with bank? Will that help?

Yes please!!!

I mean, not to blow my own trumpet or anything, but if I were to win an award it would be world's best procrastinator :o

Merci cag

I've just watched shop well for less. Bit of an eye opener that one.

I'm guilty of a lot of those things. New clothes tags on in wardrobe, fancy drinks when out out, make up!!

it also reminded me I need to do my fake tan. I bought a bottle of st moritz (the one they gave the swfl lady). So must give it a go. Legs first though. Can cover them with tights if it all goes tits up. Haha.

I watched spend well for less on catch up there. I honestly dont understand how people fund these crazy lifestyles day in day out? Even when I was earning well we couldnt have dreamt of half the stuff these people are buying as necessities. Talk about keeping up with the joneses.

£5 on an absolutely stunning fabric remnant which DM is going to make into cushions for my upcycled patio furniture set bring on the sun!

Polka I have a fair understanding of bipolar and what I would add is that a lot of it depends on your insight at the time of a relapse. I would have though if you had spoken about the incident with the Ex and got through it then really your BF isnt treating you very fairly at the moment.

Thanks Cag.

blue debt. That's how it's done. Credit cards. I used to find a crazy image and lifestyle. Out out partying every Friday and Saturday. New outfits every week. Etc. Etc.

Then I had a revelation (or more truthfully I had a financial slap in the face when we found it difficult initially to get a mortgage). Dh (or dbf as he was then) read me the riot act.

I've reformed. I'm not perfect and occasionally splurge. But I've recognised why I do it. I'm a classic emotional spender.

I'm actually happier with less stuff. And I'm pretty much credit card sent free. Balance is £200. But that was necessities (maternity jeans and skirts. and some trainers and a cute necklace in my defence I've been home alone for 2 weeks missing dh like crazy.......)

May ramp up the emosh spends and buy a new house tomorrow!! promise I won't do anything rash and will let dh see anything first. I'm viewing 4. Ranging in price from £385k to £567k for three bed houses with parking and gardens.

Gosh polka, I hope I didn't come over as unsympathetic. I've lived for 10 years with diagnosed Bipolar and probably longer before that, it's totally awful for all concerned.

You describe exactly how DH describes the highs btw.

That said, I can only give my insight being married to someone who has the condition, you live it xx

DH and I often discuss whether he HAS bipolar or whether he IS bipolar btw. We figure it's part of him as it's never fully goes away. Although the last 2 years have been the best in a long time. I bet only you can understand that one

I watched it too. I couldn't figure their lifestyle. So materialistic. I thought I was frivolous....

Polka You sound like you are working hard to manage your condition. I don't know loads about bipolar or anything but having struggled with my own mental health problems I know that can be tough and bipolar sounds worse & more dangerous tbh so I'm in awe of how well you are doing.

I got through work, the big student meeting was the shortest I've ever been to, thank God as I was dying. As soon as I arrived at work I was asked by one of the managers if I should be at work at all lol but I had to be as my manager wasn't there so had to take charge in his place. Quite proud of myself how I managed all that responsibility whilst being so ill tbh. and on the plus side I'm actually feeling a little better tonight than say this afternoon so fingers crossed I'm on the mend now.

Spent £1.40 on a coffee on campus on my way to work but really needed a hot drink and I went to work so net gain there anyways .

So I finally reset my password & found you guys
Mon, tues, wed were NSDs today I spent €50 on cut & colour(went for cheaper option of full colour rather than meche highlights & colour) & diesel on fuel card 💳 €58.

Feeling a bit was at hairdresser as was my colleague(we're the only two women there) she was getting her highlights done, then had a babysitter & was going out drinking with her hubby, we've a bank holiday here tomo, then she's going for dinner & night out sat night too. She works 28 hours per week at a lower rate of pay than me, I worked 49 last week, got paid yesterday & have €15 left for the week. I know I shouldn't compare & I know that she's got different expenses to me but just feeling a bit about it tonight.

We're very different people last week I spent about €115 on a set of saucepans made up of gift vouchers, she spent €126 on a pair of runners. We were mutually horrified at each other's spends

On a brighter note I watched the very first episode of prison break tonight.
Finished 4th day of bootcamp today & as tomo is a bank holiday we've no class but a group of us are meeting to workout anyhow.

Polka you are doing brilliantly facing up to your financial situation and tackling your illness. DBf sounds like he has his decent moments, if the past doesn't keep coming between you. I guess he just has to decide whether he wants to be with the person you are now, and if so he'll need to let it go. Good luck, but you sound so determined and strong now I am sure you will keep onwards and upwards whether you are with him or not.

I have a close friend who is bipolar and although I have supported him on and off for around 20 years I still don't really know what he goes through. He has had some very low times; however many years pass I will always worry about him. And I always return his calls straight away.

Meadow well done for getting through the day - it must feel good to have held your work together, now it is all done!

Cag I have just added digestives to my hospital bag list

Thanks Cag. Can't sleep.

My sister has bi-polar she's been medication free for a couple of years though amazingly.

I can't watch SWFL because no tv licence so I can't be outraged at her spending.

Thanks Cag.

Thanks cag. Sort out the cc today...

Nsd yesterday

I didn't watch swfl. Don't want to as CBA with the stereotype. Although i do like bbc steph.

Posted ziffit boxes yesterday so just under £40 there, £8 music magpie to come. Made £15 on eBay. Will put it in my food show fund. Have some playmobil to go next (the summer fun park) when i find all the bloody bits and some Sylvanian.

Sainsbury have cancelled the spring points double up. Will have to keep saving until November them. Apparently something exciting to replace it- we'll see

Ooo fluffy I'm interested in the no tv license. We don't watch live tv and never BBC on catch up. The dc sometimes watch CBeebies but I could stop that. Should I cancel my licence?

fluffy me too. What can you watch with no tv licence? Is it just bbc that's a no go?

Gosh, all your support is so lovely, thank you. 😊

Need, I say that I have bipolar, because I am not it. Like if I was to have toothache, I have toothache, it doesn't mean I am toothache. My bf reminds me I am me, my personality is mine, I am myself. It can be so helpful if I feel low.

Anyway, I need to post an eBay item today, because I've had a mini clear-out I'm going to pay from my bank account and then later just transfer the whole PayPal balance instead of bits. So that will be about £3, hoping that I can have chocolate today as well so maybe a £4 spend today. Ooooh, big spender 😁

My foundation is running out, I'm a trainee beauty therapist/make up artist so I'm heavily in to make up. My usual foundation is around £35. I feel I should make an effort to find a cheaper alternative even for six months, to show willing, give it a go and try to make a saving. I weirdly feel loathe to spend my savings now as well! What do you all do about make up? Have you made savings, or anything? I use premium brand make up mostly, although with some excellent very very cheap products thrown in.

I watched that save programme last night too. Who on earth did they think they were? That car and £400 a year on shampoo, even I thought that was ridiculous. I'd have been interested in details of her grocery shop! I couldn't believe what they spent on going out, either. £100 on Champagne, that's a serious treat isn't it, like birthday or ahem a dirty weekend away, not a fortnightly experience.

Dh is on the plane. And he's bought me some airport treats.

I've taken out mince so I can make him lasagne tomorrow for dinner. His fave.

Today should be a nsd. Or at least a lsd.

Em Just bbc is out of bounds.

polka I use superdrug Mua for foundation but I'm not using it at the moment as my sunblock is tinted.

The one thing about shop well for less that made me was when she said she had to switch back to her Range Rover from the much cheaper more economical Kia because she felt sick in it.

Maybe she just felt sick at the thought of spending £12k more on a car for something pretty much identical. And figured she'd get her money's worth out of the RR.

I've never seen the point of having a 4x4 unless you live in the country. I know people over here who have them on the basis that they're not very confident drivers so need the biggest car for protection.

Absolutely no point having them here as you can go from one side of the island to the other in 20 minutes (on a good day). Plus you get half price parking if you have a more eco friendly car.

Thanks for new thread, Cag!
DH and I watched swfl in open-mouthed astonishment! Who on earth buys a Range Rover on impulse? I'm not sure which was worse, that or getting through 3 bottles of bubble bath a week!

Love the digestive biscuits story, Seacow! I think DD spent most of her first 6 months covered in food as she was a real Velcro baby who wouldn't be put down. I could eat quite an impressive range of things one-handed back then!

Should be NSD today, DH realised we need to return library books, I'm pleased he's still on the ball with everything!

Paid off cc yesterday and ordered online shop. It's made such a difference having 2 months with no council tax but we got a letter yesterday saying it's gone up this year.