Saving into summer!

[SnugglySnerd]

New frugal thread.

Cool new shoes!!! Check these bad boys out!! #sexyfeet #spashoes

Hello!! I have been awol for ages, been sooo busy. Have I missed any big news from anyone? Just read back the last page only. I've never ever had a massage or been to a spa or anything Em. Sometimes I think I'd like it as a treat but tbh I don't think I actually would because of my sensory issues a stranger touching me for a massage or pedicure makes my skin crawl and I'm super self-conscious about my body too which I know is stupid but ah well. Enjoy yourself!!

I have lots of big news...we are undergoing reference checks for a flat back in our home city now, it should all be fine like then we will be moving there in a couple of weeks. It's a nice flat and in a good location and a reasonable price compared to the rest of the market (although still horrendous exploitation imo lol). We have both got job offers there now too so that is good, although DH probably won't be able to start til September or later (NHS are soooo slow with job starts!), he has a better paying and clinical role which he is really looking forward to. I have a paralegal type-role in a large international law firm, which is great but they only pay like minimum wage . But it's a start. Very stressed about it all and we have a million pieces of paperwork that we're busy with atm which is stressful but should all get sorted in the end.

Today is an NSD. Just took neighbour's dog out for a walk which was nice. She is a lovely lab.

Good to hear from you, Meadow been wondering how you were.

NSD but just remembered we need formula.

HI meadow good to hear from you.. new flat and jobs sound exciting. hopefully the paralegal job will be good and yes, a start to a career.

Weve been trying to do stuff inthe garden but have given in .. the rain has been set in for the last couple of hours.. . I am even feeling a bit cold here. I may have to lok out some socks

Have just sat down with a drink (Seedlip and tonic so virtuous compared to DHs and tonic - but also with some naughty chilli doritos!) . DH is cooking dinner - sea bream and greek potatoes and ill be making a baked tomato thing i saw in the Guardian this morning with the inevitable courgettes no doubt.

Spends today £63 in the co op.. i havent done a 'proper' shop all week and we had run out of loads of stuff (but there was a couple of bottles of in there also)..

I think ill go and look whats on the telly..

Wow meadow great news! Sounds like everything is falling into place. I wouldn't worry about the paralegal/min wage thing. That's (in my experience) normal. I've been there and done that. it can be tiring so make sure you take time for you. Have lovely non-work weekend plans.

Do you mind me asking which firm?

I was always wary of spa but omg as a treat so lovely. Feeling so relaxed now.

Also super full. Last picture from me today.

Look. At. My. Afternoon. Tea.

I can't even think about dinner right now. I am so full. Je ne regret rien.

Hi meadow!

Em that looks delicious.

It's been spendy...

£22 h&m (sale items I got a military jacket a blouse and a pair of jeans for that)
£3 in boots on mascara and make up sponge (had a love2shop voucher)
£12 accessorize on three rings and a swimsuit for dd
£15 new look on two tops in the sale
£3.50 coffee
£20 lunch.

wreck are those dippy donuts????

Yea! They were amazing

Wreck Our pool costs £6.90 for one adult and one child, unless we pay the annual membership fee, in which case it is £4.80. The membership is £15 per year for one adult and one child.

I just discovered that there is another good pool where there is free parking, so I save the £3.20 parking fee. That really helps a lot as I've been paying more than a tenner each time we go swimming so far.

There are also two private gyms near us with big swimming pools but they cost an arm and leg to join and the pools are not as nice as the council ones, by really quite a long way.

The good news though, is that ds is really loving going swimming and is learning to swim at an incredible rate, just through is own enthusiasm. He's really been like a brand new person since I started him on extra iron. Yay!

Dippy donuts look yummy. I am now starving.
Have friends coming tonight. Going out for dinner...my treat. We are going away to ROI together for 5 days and they are paying for all transport. So my share is to pay tonight.
Apart from that £3.40 on bread and a few bits.
Meadow, well done on the jobs and the flat. Good result. Are you moving far? Will you gave to get a big van? It will all work out.
Laska, what is the beach called that has the big pirate boat on the IOW. That is the one where we buried the treasure chest for DGD. Blimey ....she was 3, 5 years ago.

Lovely to hear your news, Meadow. Congratulations on the new flat and jobs back in your home city.

NSD.

Are your parents moving near you, Sunny?

YAY meadow huge congratulations, great news on the jobs and flat!

LSD just bus fare

Creme I'm trying hard to convince them. The house prices here are bonkers so it's a case of "Do you think this house or that one might be okay? There are no other houses."

Hopefully they will find the right house, Sunny. It would be lovely to have them near you for mutual support.

Yes it really would. :-)

My brother just said maybe I should ease off on the pressure and let my parents think a bit, which is good advice, but hard to do when I only have two weeks to convince them. Day off tomorrow I think.

Sunny Dare I ask how much houses are near you? Loads I bet!

Thanks for all the well wishes . Em I don't want to say which firm for privacy reasons, especially as I've mentioned where I'm from before and it wouldn't be too hard to connect all the dots if someone really wanted to.

Copper Not too far, it's only about a two hour drive, but yep we will need to book a removals van. We usually book through anyvan, get decent deals from there. Hopefully one or two of our friends can come and help us on moving day as well although most will be at work so can't count on it. Should have family to help us at the other end, their work permitting though...fingers crossed. Moving out we are only one small flight of stairs up so that's fine but moving in we are going to be up two larger flights of stairs so that will be really hard especially as I have a dodgy back so can't really lift much.

Love the afternoon tea & doughnut pics, mmm. I am just about to start making our tea but we are just going to have pizza, chips, and beans . I need to sit down tomorrow and meal plan based on what we have in because I need to try and use up as much as possible before we move. I already have a small-ish collection of stuff I know we won't get through (unopened long-life foods & toiletries) to go to the food bank. I'm sure that pile will get bigger as well as time goes on! But it feels good to know it will be going to people in need.

Hi meadow glad you're back, and very well done on the jobs for you and dh. That's a massive achievement! Moving is stressful, but you sound quite sorted about it all.

em those little fancies look gorgeous! I bet they tasted good too. I love a bit if pastry cheffing, not that I've ever been anywhere properly posh!

Got lots of work done today, all the 'must do' stuff for monday, but still got plenty to keep me going. Spent £15 in the coop, but that was 3 reduced packs of salmon, down from 2 for £7 to £1.99 a pack. They have gone straight in the freezer, lottery + scratchcard (broke even), plus milk.

Made £21 matched betting, from £24 of free bets. Plus Ladbrooks gave me £10 to spend in the casino, turned it into £29, and cashed out, so it's been a good day.

Tea was a random stir fry with reduced 29p fresh noodles, things from the fridge, some frozen prawns and the obligatory courgette. We have the same issue copper good job they are versatile and tasty! Mil has got me lakeland vouchers for my birthday, but can't open them until my birthday, and I am so buying a spiralizer, can't wait actually

Fabulous result Lonely I always lose at the casino.

Meadow Sounds stressful but you'll move loads more in your life & it gets easier!.

NSD.

Trip to the tip tomorrow.

Evening all

Em I am not at all, really, really not

Are your parents retired Sunny? Would a retirement type place be an option? Some of the ones round here are lovely, I will def be booking myself in when the time comes

Have been at work all day NSD though, dd has gone off on holiday with my mum so its a bit quiet round here!! Hoping the weather picks up, its miserable atm.

Great news on the flat and jobs for both you and DH meadow

Yes we're at CP longleat lonely . It's our fourth year in a row here . I love it because with small children I know what we are getting. It only takes 1h20 mins to get here which is a bonus with small DC too. Haven't had any noise or noticed the building works but we are staying in the cheapest accommodation. Had a cocktail with dinner tonight 🍸Mango and some kind of booze. Mmmmm

girlie if it makes you feel any less I'm still full.

lonely they were so good. Raspberry mousse thingy was divine, the chocolate lollipop one was chocolate mint ice cream around a brownie centre on a stick (like a posho mint feast) the "boat" one was my fave though - coconut sponge with mango passion fruit centre mmmmmm. There were also sandwiches (smoked salmon, cheese and tomato, ham and mustard, tuna mayo) and two scones each (served with cream and ham and jersey black butter - which I adore- it's an appley cinamony jam- so good!)

I'm feeling very spoiled right now and fat

love we're 40 mins from Winfell, and can't afford to go (grr) wish we could as the dc love it. We got a day there last year with my sister's lot, which was lovely. Have a super time!