Frugaleers - joyfully jumping into June

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New thread. Xx

Lonely I wish that my table was covered in delicious cakes!

Managed to defrost some spag bol in the end as couldn't be bothered to go out once we'd got home and DD1 was much too tired and hungry to wait for a delivery. Saved a few quid anyway.

Am going to have to braverify the supermarket on a Saturday which I have managed to avoid for many years. Just writing a list then I'm going to have a lovely bath and watch HIGNFY.

Em cashmere definitely not a good mix with babies. You need machine washable stuff that dries quickly and doesn't need ironing! I struggled to find nice maternity clothes this time around. I'm sure there was much nicer stuff with my first pregnancy 4 years ago. Obviously I'd kept it but some was worn out. In the end I went for mainly H&M, New Look & Dorothy Perkins as it was quite cheap. I didn't want to spend loads on stuff I'd only wear for a few months.

Em last time round (6-7 years ago) I found I liked H&M for maternity wear and decently priced. Have recently rediscovered them since I gave lost a little weight and can finally fit in them again

Spends:

Wednesday £27 in Tesco on bits and bobs, but included £16 on a tray of Doughnuts DH wanted for the hospital staff, so I helped myself to £20 to get them, so £7 for me!

Thursday-DH needed tobacco so I took money from his wallet. Not getting caught for £60 like last time he was off his feet. £1.50 to the kids for tuck shop at dancing (but got back some change, not sure how much)

Today £6.50 for a lovely lunch from the noodle shop by work as a colleague was working with me from another office.

Braverify?? Stupid phone. That's quite a good new word though.

Thank you yes will be very glad to know either way. Meadow she had a long appt with a paediatrician a while ago who sent a long report so fingers crossed this will be it, but she's never seen a speech therapist - they will be present too, not for speech really but for general communication issues like taking things literally etc. So they said they might need to take longer.

I am so achingly proud of DS today. At one of his clubs yesterday one of the mums thanked him because he'd helped her DD who was super nervous and wanted to leave until DS calmed her down and talked to her kindly. Then today at the park he made friends with a 3yo and was pushing her on the swing, holding her hand as she balanced on the beam, offered her his teddy to play with etc. Her mum came up to me after to say what a beautifully behaved lovely boy I have. Positively bursting here. ❤️

Hi All,
I've had a lot going on, so I haven't been around for about a week or so. Really pleased to hear how quickly Copper's DGS is recovering. I was wondering how the operation had gone.

All tucked up in bed and I've just caught up with your news.

meadow good luck with the job applications

Copper kids are just amazing! Sounds like your DGS is making really good progress. Fingers crossed for him.

Seacow very annoying about your appointment

Have a fab holiday Wreck

Snuggly sorry to hear about DS - hope they discharge him soon

Cag good luck on Monday

The election result certainly came as a surprise. Looks like Theresa May's gamble backfired spectacularly. We're following all the developments closely here as there could be implications for both NI (the peace process) and the ROI (Brexit). On a lighter note, I loved the photos of TM with Elmo and Lord Buckethead etc.

MIL and FIL are calling in tomorrow for lunch. They were on holidays recently so it will be nice to have a catch up. Other than that, we're planning a quiet (and frugal) weekend.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Checking in. Life is chaos.
That's not me being a third person arse btw.
Will write over the weekend, of to work now

Hi, not in the UK but may I join in anyway?
My problem is "little" spends, 20 dollars here 5 dollars there, maybe 12 dollars on a takeaway coffee and sandwich. They mount up and ive realized I'm spending a huge amount, an amount I'd like to put towards something better. So, any tips?
I'm a bit broke this week as it is I'm new to Australia originally from the UK, and I'm having to furnish a new home from scratch. Mostly got that sorted though I bought a bed today which was the last thing to buy.

Everyone's welcome Lodger. I used to leave my purse at home & take a drink & snacks with me. Vegan cakes are a good bet, cheap to make & they travel well. Especially vegan brownies.

As long as I had fuel in the car I didn't need to spend while out.

My suggestion is a decent travel mug lodger . Mine saves me a fortune when I remember it . I'd love to go to Australia!

Hope you are ok life

Morning all.

life ? Hope you are okay, take it easy if you can x

lodger hi! I have to avoid shops, and I keep a note of every little thing I spend. It's very annoying, but effective. I also check my bank balance a lot. Have you emigrated with your family? You can see from my user name that I'm one of the very nosy ones!

Hope all is okay life and creme, and that like me, you are just somewhat manic at the minute, life-wise.

So pleased DS is okay snuggly, so scary when they are tiny and very hard logistically when you've other DC to consider too.

Sounds brilliant news about your little DGS copper.

Ouch, your poor DD girlie, how's she feeling today, are you over your migraine?

That's lovely cag about your DS. I guess you get less recognition of your DC from outside sources when homeschooling (not a criticism), and it's lovely that someone has seen what you see everyday.

Very long couple of days driving up to Edinburgh, driving back on Friday evening took 5 hours and I'm a bit zonked today. But needed to be done. I had forgotten that Edinburgh is one of my favourite places in the world. DS loved it too, but we've others to see as well, Lancaster is a few weeks is the next.

They must be laughing at us in Europe as we score own goal after own goal.......

Spends
£30 cleaner, but coming back to a spotless house was wonderful.
£60 fuel.
£5 snacks.
Hotel was on DH's points with Holiday Inn as he stays away so much.

Love 'braverify' snuggly. Today I have to braverify the hairdressers with DD.

Definitely new look for maternity clothes. I tried to buy stuff that would be useful afterwards too - still wearing my big slouchy shirt and tshirt dress 9 months later.

Poor DD girlie 🙁 hope she's ok this morning.

Welcome lodger! Yes frittering is the enemy! I think once you become mindful of it it gets easier to plan ahead.

I've been really good at tracking spends this week. I've done more smaller shops than one big plus top ups and I've just totted up total as £63. This has included formula, nappies and wine so pretty pleased with that.

cag. None of my RL friends know this but we had a letter from school last week, telling us that DD is one of their most outstanding pupils, professional, impressive and puts others before her self with an incredible attitude to her studies. DS never received anything like this being something of a coaster on his own ability. I've told no one as I wouldn't ever put stuff like that over Facebook or want to be seen even on here as bragging, but I did actually break down in tears. And I really hope I don't come over that way even now, but it's nice to share.

Ps anyone that has messaged me about cards, I can only access messages now from work, and will do so Monday, I'm not ignoring anyone, promise

And my typing is dodgy now on an iPad!

Lodger - agree, take a hot drink and no money. I've deleted the amazon app, different but my enemy for small, boredom spends.

G'day lodger

Agree get a good travel mug/flask or something and a water bottle. One that will hold at least a litre. And keep snacks in your bag - I've started carrying dried fruit and nuts to snack on.

Dh has gone to my parents to watch the rugby on their big telly (we ditched sky a while ago). I've sent him up there with 3 loads of washing. They're away until 5 this evening so it should dry in time.

Tv Ariel guy is coming round at 930. Then I'm riding at 11. Then have a viewing at 115.

Inbetween I need to do more washing. Have a quick tidy etc etc.

I do sound like a twat about DD don't I?

I'm banning the T word on this thread.

BANNING.

Lastly, Dpony's X-ray on Thursday showed that he is healing as fast as is physically possible at this stage, putting younger ponies to shame. Vet predicts a full recover and was delighted with his progress. 6 more weeks box rest, then rehab. DD is over the moon. He even let her pick out his other foot yesterday, which he hasn't been able to do as he hasn't been able to cope with the weight load so far. Been a roller coaster this last few weeks.

Tory?

No you don't need. On here we celebrates successes (and commiserate our failures) so celebrate away!

cag the caglets are such a credit to you too!

Shops in general are to be avoided Lodger, retailers put hundreds of thousands into getting us to buy more while thinking it's our own idea.

If you didn't want a fluorescent green silk kimono with matching mules when you woke up but you do after seeing the ad campaign then you've been marketed.

Selfridges really take the piss with their placards suspended from the ceiling saying "buy me I'll make your life better" or some such nonsense.

Lists are your friend, I've heard Australia is expensive, do they have any discount chains or mail order butchers etc?. I bet there's a section on here for expats who could give you a crash course on where to shop.

Should make £5 later on matched betting but no more as my horse won last night despite having the kind of odds that indicate a 20 a day smoking habit and a penchant for burgers. So now I have to wait for my money to come through from the bookies before I can bet again.

Yep need absolutely 😉😀 xx

Thanks for the maternity clothes tips. I'm mostly trying to get stuff from eBay. We don't have H&M here (waaaa!) and they don't deliver (long saga with this one...)

Our new look stocks about 4 items. So for actual shops I'm limited to jojo, mothercare, limited newlook, and a lovely shop which sells super clothes but which are hideously expensive £120 for a dress which I'm going to wear for a couple of months...errr no.

Should have ordered from H&M and sent to my dgm's - parents could then have brought it back in their suitcases for me.

must must do a meal plan today. And a big shop on Tuesday. We're running the freezer down at present.

I'm not buying any more beauty products until I've got down to one box. (Despite receiving emails re the new urban decay pallet)

We're serious money saving now.

Three more riding lessons (inc today) and then I'll be able to save that cash too.

No you totally don't need! That is so awesome! What a lovely lovely girl you have there. It's a shame you feel you can't put something about it on FB, I do get what you mean though. But no you don't sound like a twat!!!

That's a really interesting point about getting less feedback, and of course I know it's not a criticism! :) I'm not sure - I feel like we do get a fair bit but perhaps only because they do so many clubs IYSWIM? So they are out and about with all sorts of teachers/leaders etc, and smaller groups means they get more time with them I think, with the added bonus of increasing their confidence (due to their difficulties they get 'lost' in big classes). DH makes sure he talks to the parents after his sports classes too which I know they all appreciate. :) I love how he knows all his pupils' talents and difficulties and plans classes around them.

OTOH at school, certainly DD got bugger all feedback in juniors, I remember the parents evening when I realised the teacher barely even knew who she was!? :( But that was a problem one of many with that specific school, I know all aren't like that (the infants wasn't - school wasn't right for DS generally, but the head teacher knew every single pupil by name and greeted them all at the gate every single day). Plus DD was such a background child, that's part of her issues, she never got any help with anything because nobody noticed and she wouldn't speak up - that is still an issue but it's getting better now. We're lucky though that there's loads to do round here, so we can get out and about every day and communicate with a huge range of people. I suspect it would be very different if we were in a town without such a thriving home ed community IYSWIM? It could be quite easy to stay in our own little bubble then I guess. :)

How's DD today Girlie?

DD has ballroom today, then we're going to the neighbouring town for a free science festival thingy. Also the board game shop will be open. This is dangerous :o but I have some of my 'pocket money' saved as I've not bought much lately, so if I find something I'm getting it! :o