New frugal thread for autumn savings

[SnugglySnerd]

Just filled up the last one. Hope you all find the new one!

Morning everyone I’m skulking back in. I went back to work at the start of September and it’s been so much harder than I expected - no idea why, just feels like I can’t quite get a grip on anything domestically!

Huge congratulations to Em on Baby Charlie, he is absolutely gorgeous and sounds like a wee dream. Sounds like you have taken to motherhood amazingly well!

Cag exciting times! Hope you are managing to rest up and not stressing too much before baby arrives.

Meadow congratulations to you too! Hope the sickness dies down for you soon.

I’m afraid I am still suffering massively from baby brain (despite Baby now being 9 months old) so cant remember much else other than awesome time Holly (I am also a runner, albeit just starting to get back into it after an 18 month break so am right back at the start!). Hope everyone else is doing well and I promise to keep in touch more from now on!

Frugal Things I am doing:

1. I’ve started using YNAB again. Fell off that wagon when I was on SMP and being “subbed” by DH but now that I’m back on payroll I have funds to play with again.

1. Batch cooking - I spent a couple of hours on Friday cooking up Jamie’s 7 veg sauce (think it was Need who suggested this) and then managed to get 11 double portions for my eldest two using the sauce, 750g pack of mince and some lentils. Freezer is now stocked with cottage pie, spat Bol and chilli for the kids which should make life a lot easier.

Think that’s it for now, have a nice day everyone

Welcome back LLL.

Has anyone phoned tax credits to confirm pension contributions? I had a quick look last night & it did say to include them on your claim.

Aww ladybirds are cute! I guess not in large numbers in unwanted places though.

Today might be spendy. Hospital bag needs packing and I know there's stuff I haven't got yet. Huge towel, maternity pads, nappies (will get one small and one newborn I think), flip flops for shower, cotton wool, small size vests and sleepsuits. Maybe a hat or two, it'll be cold won't it? I've only had summer babies before, would they want them wearing a hat on the ward itself if they're really tiny? Oh and probably a blanket as my friend hasn't finished knitting hers yet :o I'm not sure if Cagletini will be too small for the sleeping bags I've bought.

Was considering cancelling sports club - would've been the last teenage one today anyway (younger kids on Friday) but I think we will power through this last week for the sake of the money. I'm in no fit state to do anything this morning anyway 😂😂 I'll probably need loads of cash for taxis and such over the next few weeks. I have cancelled my tutoring though. Not sure if we will go to tap class later, DD was limping yesterday maybe she hurt her leg while jumping madly about screaming YAY THE BABY IS COMING NEXT WEEK

Need to order Tesco too as food is a bit low and I will be taking snacks for hospital bag. Apparently hospital food is not GD friendly so the advice is to take protein/low carb stuff for before the birth. And some treats for after as I can eat normally once baby/placenta are out. Soooo there may be

Looking after 2yo relative tomorrow - not great timing as it turns out but Caglets super excited (as am I, he is so cute!) and it's necessary. DH will be doing most of the childcare anyway while we wait for our new bed to arrive (yay!) and it's only the afternoon anyway

Sorry for waffling :o

Morning all.

mammy nope. No “Irish twins” here. Not going to happen. I love ds and all but coukdnt cooe with two so young. Nope. Also Nursery fees would kill us.

Financially we need a break of at least 2.5 years (for me to get full mat pay from work again, and for us to have a shot at free Nursery hours). If that doesn’t happen I’ll have to give up work

Oh gawd I just remembered we also need to get bedding for said new bed! As it's a bigger one so need sheets and duvet etc.

And maybe a nursing pillow (I never actually got a pregnancy sleep pillow thing as managed surprisingly well without this time).

Totally normal and healthy to throw myself into retail therapy at times like this right? :o

Morning! Sorry I've been a bit awol - have been having a good read of MSE forums - so much on there I've been sucked in!! Anyway I'm back - will catch up shortly!

Em does the mat pay clock restart then? With my employer it’s just two years continuous service that qualifies you for enhanced pay - when you come back from Mat leave so long as you’ve had those two years under your belt then you don’t need to work for another two years if that makes sense. It’s very common for people here to come back from mat leave already pregnant with their next baby!

Deep breaths Cag. Sounds like a morning of list writing might be just the thing. So excited for you!

Oops posted too soon. Today should be a lsd. I need to post my grandmas birthday gift.

LLL well it wouldn’t restart but I wouldn’t get the full benefit of it. And wouldn’t get the money theyre holding back for me - during the paid part of my leave they’re holding back 20% of my salary to be paid after 6 months of being back at work.

cag absolutely.

Cag
How exciting !
Mine were all late arrivals
em can they hold back 20% ?
Is that legal ?
This baby shop is closed but I love hearing about new arrivals .
Am continuing my house blitz after the work we had done.
I love getting rid of stuff but keep buying books from the charity shop

I also scored a pair of brand new Hobbs nude flats to replace my beloved trashed and worn to death Boden ones for ... £5

We debate DC3 fairly often but I think until DD2 gets out of the carry me/waking up in the night phase that won’t be happening. I wouldn’t be against DD2 starting school and then having another. I would then almost definitely give up work

Lots of people come back pregnant again where I work, in fact I wanted to do it but never happened. I never realised until DD2 that underactive thyroid could cause fertility issues. Explains why my two took so long to come along!

DD2 got up at 1am as her cough was bothering her. So we slept in the spare room together and coughed in my ear all night. Poor thing just needs to get well!

Food shopping today and a bit of housework

Could you amazon bedding and baby stuff cag ? Or mothercare deliver. Then only go out for the stuff you can’t order

Ooooh good bargain shoe find pink

Eek! Luckily i sm far too old..we still often running around after 27 and 29 year old 'babies' and their own offspring!!

Meadow hopefully you wont. Id been a veggie for about 10 years when i became pregnant.. it was so strange.. But i never went back to it either although although still do eat veg based meals most of the week

I may well order on Asda as a few people here mentioned their bedding is decent for the price :) but will need at least one set by tomorrow or we can't put any sheets on. :)

DH is taking the Caglets to the park while he does sports club (older group) - he's done this lately when I've had appts, I don't this morning but they're going anyway so I can rest yay!

They werent in the budget Love but such a bargain I couldnt leave them.
Just need to dig out stain resist spray.
Will be a LSD today but need a couple of boxes to stash cards,wrapping paper and first aid bits.
Only one cupboard left and then everything has a place -woebetide anyone who messes it up !

pink as far as I’m aware yes it’s legal for them to hold back the 20%. I get it back but only after I’ve been back to work for 6 months. That’s fairly standard here I believe. Our Maternity laws aren’t the same as the mainland uk’s. So we are a bit behind the times here. But the 20% part is per my contract. If I don’t go back after my leave o have to pay everything I’ve received from them back too.

Ah ok didnt realise you arent mainland UK.
Yes its the same here as regards not going back but lots get around that by saving AL (8 weeks),going back for a month and having handed in notice in AL.

Careful em it's when you say "no, not happening" that happy accidents happen I should know !

Talking of dd3 (21 month gap nearly polished me off) I've packed her off for 3 nights on a school residentual. She was terribly excited. I'm very anxious this morning. Did the full door locking routine (that made us late-r) which I haven't done for a long time. Sigh. She will be fine.

No more babies from me. 4 is enough (a mum from school just had her 8th, phew!).

Already spent on Costa £5.40. We have totally lost ds' coat. It has evaporated. And of course he's off on a nature walk today. Dp bought the emergency coat! Gorgeous padded puffa thing from Mountain Warehouse, we are going to get us them for christmas too.

Ladybirds beats house slugs wreck I take it they're gathering in the corners of windows etc to hibernate?

Argh frugal fail the freezer has thawed everything thankfully freezer is fine but what a waste.

No lonely it’s like they’ve come out of hibernation! It’s so warm. They’re on the curtains, carpets, lights, shower screen. You name it they’re there

cag cook it all and refreeze.. make soup with the veg, bread pudding? stews casserole with meat. If its joints you b
Can cook and freeze as slices in gravy. If uts uce cream use ut as custaeed!!
Pizza and chips just eat!!

Heck! What rubbish typing.
Who'd have thought i wos edukated and evryfing!!