Money-managing Masterfully into May - Frugaleers unite!

[needastrongone]

Thread continued for old faithfuls, new posters and anyone else that would like to contribute.

Financial talk, tips and discussion, with quite a lot of other stuff too.

We are a friendly bunch and there's lots of support for new and old.

That's fine. The advice was objective and meant in a friendly manner and I would have posted the same thing to any poster, I had hoped that was clear from my wording. It obviously wasn't, for which I apologise.

🙄

Good day today. The house I looked at was nice. So will take dh back to look at it.

£25 riding. £4 flowers for fils gf.

Just had a bowl of pasta homemade pesto and salad for dinner. Yummers.

Work tomorrow. ☹️😩 Now watching doctor who. Why did I not know a new series had started two weeks ago?

House sounds promising, Em.

Work on Sunday Em? Did you get 'the vibe' from the house? x

Yep. Work. Works being done on the office and we need people to be in fornsevurity etc. I'll probably get a lot done though - have made myself a pack up and have snacks. 🙂

House was nice. It had everything we wanted and it's in dhs preferred location. Downside washer and dryer were in the garage. Which wasn't connected to house via internal door. So that's a pain.

Kitchen would have needed doing at some point. Bathroom would need it too. It's a contender though.

Trouble is things are moving so quickly here at present. So we'll have to act quick. Dh is keen on waiting for the right thing - which I get as I don't want to settle. But how long do we wait...?

Crime, that is awful about the fire. It's my dread too. And I negle t to check my smoke alarms but I will as soon as I get home....staying with DP as working close to him.
Cag, how did DD manage the bus. You are very sensible to let her do it. She will be fine and you and DH will probably be worried to death. Hope she was ok.
Safe journey Wreck.
How's Dpony Need?
Finally finished chocolate stash. Need to lose all the weight I have put on.

Caught up on the last few pages.

need I'm glad DPony is making some progress. Well done for joining the committee and giving up your time to help out.

Seacow sounds like you had a rubbish day what with DS's hospital appointment, nosebleed and a parking fine to top it all off . Good luck with the appeal. Hope the project gets going quickly and you can qualify for maternity allowance.

Cag that's unfortunate about the HE group but at least you're involved with other groups and not totally dependent on it. Enjoy your comfy sofa.

em 17 weeks! The weeks are flying by. I hope maternity wear has improved since I was pregnant. I was invited to a wedding when I was 6/7 months pregnant and the only decent dress I could find was in a designer maternity clothes shop and it was about €180! I just couldn't justify that expense for something I'd probably only wear once so I just wore my black maternity trousers and a top and a normal jacket. Of course, the trousers chose that day for the elastic to give way and I spent the whole day hitching 'em up . Good news about your savings too.

Sunny glad DS enjoyed Beavers. Congrats. on getting your paper published.

north well done on the weight loss

Wreck I love your photo! Have a safe trip home.

Snuggly excellent news about DH's payrise

Creme very sad and shocking news about the house fire

I brought DD to see 'Beauty and the Beast' in the cinema. We loved it although I didn't think Emma Watson was very convincing as Belle.
I've probably watched the Harry Potter movies too many times. We did a little bit of window shopping but just bought socks 'cos DD seems to be down to about three pairs of socks.

Spends

Bus - €12.50

Lunch in McDonalds - €14

Cinema - €21.30

Sweets for movie (in EuroGiant) - €2.50

Socks - €7

Coffee - €3.10

Total spend - €60.40

I thought McDonalds was quite expensive for two of us but I guess DD is past the happy meal stage.

DD also got a crepe before we headed home but I told her she had to pay for that herself.

The next three days should be NSDs as I've no plans and I've enough food in. DD is off until Tuesday and is having a friend over for a playdate on Monday.

DD enjoyed her little bus ride :) it was not a scary thing (much as DH thought so!) - literally DH put her on the bus (well, watched her get on etc) and then phoned me so I knew when to meet her at the other end, and it was only 7 minutes or so. She said she felt a bit odd but was sooo proud of herself and is happy to do it in future if DH has to get to work. I feel a bit rubbish as if I was well it wouldn't have been an issue for me to pick her up myself :( but I guess something good's come out of it. TBH I think she'd be perfectly capable of getting lots of buses on her own - say going to some of her clubs (2 buses each way) - she is so used to it, TBH she's been on buses most days since she was born :o and I know she knows our regular journeys off by heart etc. But she's only young and she's also easily distracted (oooh something shiny :o) so a short journey with no changes is as far as it goes for now! I don't think I was doing much alone before secondary girlie apart from the very very short walk to the local shop. I remember my parents got the bus with me to school on my first day in year 7 but after that it was just me and I had friends to get the bus with and stuff.

Thanks Girlie re sickness (and yay for the new hamster! :)) - I have been nibbling ginger biscuits anyway but thought I may as well try this too. I did get nausea with the other two (never ever actual puking though thank goodness) but even DH has said it's far worse this time, 24/7 feeling sick rather than it just being waves throughout the day IYSWIM. Not sure why it's worse and I feel a bit pathetic! Just hope it does clear up once I'm out of first trimester (as indeed it did with the others). Ah well it'll all be worth it :) :)

I have a banana hook lonely but it doesn't have a monkey on it :(

I'm being good and resisting lots of sale items from my Usborne friend. I'm so tempted by so much of it!

Hi all.

Whoever it was that said about the housefire (Creme I think?), that is awful, sorry to hear about it .

I wonder where Polka and Holly have gone?

Cag I first got bus alone when I was nearly 12 when I started highschool. But obv ASC and I was an anxious child that didn't use public transport much even with my parents so -shrug-. I'm sure your DD will be fine and I think it's good to get kids independent early where possible (within reason obv !).

Had a nice day. Lunch out with DH and some of his family, and then dinner out with my parents and siblings . DH paid for our meals and drinks at lunch and then my parents paid for my evening meal so NSD for me technically . I am about to burst from all the food though as I'm not usually a big eater!

Finally some sun here today. Put DGPigs in the garden on the grass while DH cleaned out their cage, they were made up. I wish we had a bit of garden just for them as they love to mow the lawn!

Cheers meadow DD is actually under assessment for ASD herself (or possibly ADHD, which the paediatrician was hinting at pretty heavily) so I'm really pleased she managed this :) and yet I still get frustrated at the many things she can't do like most kids her age .

If you don't mind me asking (please ignore if it's too personal! I won't be offended at all!) is your ASD basically Aspergers type? Mine is, but by the time I was diagnosed (late 2015) the names had changed so technically my diagnosis is Autism Spectrum Condition. But the specialist said yeah really it's Aspergers, you can still call it that because that's the name that fits you best and it's the label you are comfy with. So I still say I'm Aspie and proud :o but also happily say that I'm autistic/have ASD. The only problem with Aspergers as a label is that I think a lot of people don't realise that it's more than just the intelligent/quirky stereotype, that it can still include epic sensory issues and stuff like that.

Sorry for derail folks

Cag I was only diagnosed a few years ago too. My diagnostic report basically says I am on the autistic spectrum and I can describe myself as autistic and/or as having Asperger's Syndrome and it's my choice. The only difference before anyway between a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome and 'High Functioning Autism' was HFA had to include speech delay and AS did not. So I think it makes sense to stop using AS really in the long-term however I prefer to use AS than call myself 'autistic' as I am worried about how the new 'face' of autism is people who have HFA/AS and we are not representative at all of the very many adults and children who have classical autism many of whom are nonverbal and will never be able to live even semi-independently. But they have no voice and are not all writing books about being diagnosed at 35 etc as they would never have been able to get through life without a diagnosis given that their severe difficulties would be apparent very early on. So I am worried that by calling myself 'autistic' I would be adding to this sort of 'watering down' of what people understand autism to mean and it's not really helping the public's understanding of autism as a whole...if that makes sense? Obv just my personal opinion and I'm not trying to say other people shouldn't call themselves autistic or anything but personally I feel uneasy about it for myself.

I didn't get a bus on my own till I was 16

Thank you meadow I'd not thought about it that way before! I do see what you mean :)

Just been crazy busy - checking in here now & will catch up tomo

Thanks need.

I'm sitting up in the night doing Beavers learning. It's all very interesting. Definitely a good alternative when sleep is not easy to get hold of, and free, which is good.

I was beginning to wonder Mammy..

How are you today Creme?

Em The washing machine thing would be a PITA, but not a deal breaker if you liked the house enough. It's bloody hard if you've already sold, you feel like there's pressure to find something yourself.

Thanks Copper and Tayto, we have seen good improvements in dpony in the last few days, I was really frightened for him this last week. I'm glad I am past the Beauty and the Beast stage, although I really fancy the Lego movie

Up early to meet my friend and run. Then we are going out for the day. Well, me and the DC are, DH's head is in a bad place and he won't come, which is sad for him but I can't reach him at the minute, he will have to get there in his own time.

And it's London Marathon day, which is always a brill event to inspire folk to great things.

That was my thinking need but looking at the house plans the downstairs loo had enough space for a machine and a tumble dryer. Albeit stacked on each other. And plumbing was already there. You'd need to move toilet and sink about but it'd be doable. But then more cost.

Kitchen was workable. If a bit old and scrappy. Bathroom upstairs was nice but no stand one shower. Again liveable and you could put one in in a few years. Garden had a whirly washing line 😃

Nsd today. Off to work later. Sun is out. 🌞🌞🌞🌞

Morning. Thread was busy yesterday, it's taken me a while to catch up!

I daren't get a bread maker as I'd eat way too much bread. It's one of my (many) weaknesses. 🍞

Sorry to hear about DH Need. I think you said that it helps him to need to function for work and that he relies on you to make him
Get up and keep going when things take a downturn. Must be very tough for both of you

The talk about independence got me thinking. I took buses on my own from the age of 10 - just the regular route to school, a few stops on one bus, but I was also responsible for taking my 5-year old sisters to school by bus . I also used to be left babysitting them for the odd evening and during the school hols. I don't think it would happen nowadays and it makes my parents sound dreadfully neglectful but it was really fine. I was very mature for my age and it was more normal in the 80s but I can't imagine doing that with my own children!

Glad DD has got a new hamster Girlie

Tricky with the house buying under pressure Em. I wouldn't really like the washer /dryer not to be accessible from the house but if I had good vibes from the rest I am sure I could live with it. Is there any way you could modify the house in the long term to accommodate them, or even connect house and garage? In the end though I think house buying is a lot about gut feel. You know when you enjoy imagining yourself living there.

Lovely dinner last night - I invited another friend who knew the visitors. They brought me a lovely gift of a beautiful
Green glass carafe and a bottle of English wine (it was drinkable but a bit lacking in body - I had to have a sip out of curiosity!). Need I made this soup below, an old favourite of mine, then paella, then chocolate fondants.

www.countrylife.co.uk/food-drink/greatest-recipes-ever-sam-and-sam-clarks-chestnut-and-chorizo-soup-14931

The fondants weren't my best - normally I am quite good at NOT over or undercooking them but the bulb has gone on my oven light and I couldn't see what was happening without opening then door. They didn't like that much...

DS now has a horrible cough but is much more cheerful. And his appetite must be coming back as he is talking to himself optimistically about blueberry pancakes

I see we're probably heading for a frost this week, which could be bad for gardeners, and good for garden centres.

I'm going to try making a small bubble wrap greenhouse inside my glass greenhouse to see if I can keep my tender plants frost free. I've bought a cheap greenhouse heater to try to keep the inner greenhouse just above zero. Will be interesting trying to get the structure sound.

I send you need hope you had a great run, and a lovely day with your dc.

My house is still asleep! Bar me (obviously) and dp who has gone for a pedal - very good for his head. I have to get the pork on and dough made, no bread maker, but dough is done in the k mix, and proved atop the fish tank, so v little effort. Then I must tidy a bit, hall floor, bathroom sinks etc.

Is there a cupboard in the kitchen for the machine em short term? Agree machine not in the house would be a total pest, especially once you have a mini mobile em, full laundry baskets and crawling babies don't mix! I think outside drying is more viable with you, so tumbler could wait outside for modifications; we have 362 days a year of rain here, so it's more necessary.

Love watching the marathon, I always think "one day"...one of our racers wife's is doing it, I hope she has loads of fun.

My dryer is in the garage and it's a right pita. I long for a utility room. Em can you move in with your parents for a few weeks to take the pressure off buying?

Good news about pony need. Enjoy your run. When in may is 3 peaks early or late?

Well done DD on the bus. It's difficult to give them independence. I was getting 2 service busses to school at 10 but i cant imagine DD doing it but i was brought up in different circumstances.

Our dryer is in the garage too and although it is a bit of a pain, I'm used to it and we only use it in the winter anyway. I'm a great believer that despite all the practicalities of house hunting, you do just get a feeling when you find the right house. Good luck Em
Well done to your dd Cag, I bet she feels really proud of herself
Need hope you and dd have a good day and that your Dh gets himself together quickly.
Sunny as far as I'm concerned one of the great things about these threads is the variety of people and hence broad spectrum of advice that is offered. You can choose to act on it or not.

I had a good day yesterday, only spent £16 on fabrics at the quilt show! I took lots of pics and came away feeling v inspired to get going again.
Ds had a good day at cricket, took a couple of wickets. Dd did her scoring and got £20 so she's happy.
Went to a friend's 50th last night (at the cricket club!) which was great, with a really good band playing. Caught up with a few people we don't see very often. Quite spendy on drinks but worth it.
Taking ds and another lad to cricket again today. Will drop them off, go for a beach walk nearby, watch some cricket and then drive back home to watch some of the cup game dd is scoring for!! The other lad's mum is sorting out bringing them back. Then some friends are having their 30th anniversary celebration at the club so that will round off the weekend nicely. The only spends should be on drinks.
Want to try and do some ebay listings later too.

Forgot to say, hope you're okay creme, that sort of thing can be really upsetting whether you know the people involved or not.

We could move in with parents but I don't want to uproot catface too many times. It's a possibility though.

We'll find the right place. There's a lot out there and a lot coming up so our house will be there. Somewhere.

Productive morning. One load of washing done and hung up to dry. Another load in. Bed has been stripped and I've hoovered the floors.

Dh is coming back today (he's been on a stag in the U.K. since Friday). So he can make the bed.

Sandwiches made for my lunch at work. Yay!!