The Friendly Frugaleers Keep on Chatting (and having babies!)

[WreckTangled]

New thread, everyone welcome!

Wow cag so pleased you’re home have you had a celebratory meal? What do dd1(!) and ds make of her?

Yay cag I bet you’re so so happy to be home. I was. I cried with relief and happy when we got home.

Dh has just got home. Thank goodness. Ds hasn’t settled since about 5pm. Sigh. He’s taken him. Not that I expect him to settle but still. I’m exhausted. Absolutely exhausted. So so glad tomorrow is Friday. Dh has said he’ll take him Friday night and Saturday night. So I can sleep. Hoorah! I wonder how early I can go to bed....

I am oddly not that hungry considering I wasn't allowed to eat for 24h :o

DS is quite unsure but he has been the whole time TBH and we are just leaving him to it, he will get there in his own time.

DD on the other hand is just completely besotted. I may have had something in my eye when DD (I mean DD1 that's so weird!) cuddled her for the first time 💕

A magic moment cag

So glad you're home, it's a good sign of how well you're doing. How tiny does dd2 (!) seem?

Watching ferel families on ch4. I have this face on they think they're so original and special don't they! This is not HE as I understand it! I'm going to have to change the channel, I've started shaking my head and tutting.

I've had a crazily busy day at work & expect tomorrow will be the same so I won't get to catch up with yer posts up to this I'd say. Sorry 😐

Need glad to see you back
Welcome to newbies
Hi to regular pals

Last week I got €210 worth of jeans on littlewoods for €169 (six pairs) they were delivered yesterday I'm keeping one pair €25.60 and rest went back today using my free collection from ReturnPal.

Yesterday I switched our electricity provider - on next bill I'll get €175 this is usually what our bill is so very pleased with that & it's possible to pay a little every week & cover my bill in advance plus I'll get SuperValu points which I can convert to more money off my electricity bill too

Spent €30 this evening on colouring books for dc for their midterm break, mini adult colouring book & pencils for au pair & some birthday cards & triangular pencils for dd for school & 2 Christmas cards oh ya and a running mag for me & protein bar

I do a big "boring" shop at the beginning of each month and then take out a weekly amount of cash need
Then I try to get as many bargains as possible -reduced bread is frozen .
I have a 2 week stash.
Its working for me .
Strangely I find going to the market with cash fun but also quite comforting

Laska I know what you mean about Brexit. My DH and I are polar opposites when it comes to politics, we get on so well in every other regard but bring politics up and you’ve got a proper rammy on your hands. He’s a Tory Brexiteer and I’m a Labour Remainer. For the sake of our marriage, we’ve had to agree to disagree and never to talk politics.

Meadow for you. Please go back to the GP. Hope you start to feel better soon. Have you had a dating scan yet?

Cag for you, you amazing woman. Congratulations again. So pleased you are both safe and well.

Hello bunny nice to meet you!

Fluffy I think you’re right. Those were definitely private school uniforms and both girls also attended stagecoach - nothing against stagecoach as my 6 year old goes - those are some fixed costs they must have, mortgage, school fees etc. I loved their kitchen...so much light and space!

Lonely I must watch that.*

Mammy* good shopping skills there.

Nothing much to report here. Payday on 31st so I must look at YNAB over the weekend and set the November budget.

congrats Cag and welcome home again. I've only ever known 2 Rowans and they've both been lovely (and feisty, just warning you )

have been away at my parents - which is money saving in itself!

Am planning a little halloween party for neighbours and kids... any good and frugal tips?!

I don't host parties or attend unless I'm practically forced but the others will know.

Tesco 3 for 2 toy sale starts today.

59 days till Christmas. I've only got one present left to buy but I'll buy it with the the cashback off my car insurance.

I opened a drawer yesterday & found a random litre of spirits if only that happened all year round.

No tips with parties I’m afraid.

Hope your first night went well cag

Was meant to be going out with a friend today but her dd is ill so not sure what we will do now. Need to do the pumpkins.

Can’t believe half term is almost over already 😭 next month is so busy at work I’m going to over 50 schools through November.

Wow Cag can't believe you are home already, make sure you just stay on the sofa/ bed, your body must be in shock!!

Sunny I second M&S and Sainsbos for trousers but also Boden do some really comfy ones. Dd is a nightmare for buying clothes and always liked the soft waist banded ones, Mini Boden were my favourite.

Grumpy have you got a Poundland near you? Cheap shops are the place to go for Halloween party stuff, plus cheap party games like bob the apple, stick the witch on the broomstick, best pumpkin competition etc.

Yesterday turned out to be a really busy day, took the dog on a looooong walk, she did well but is really scared of other peoples dogs or small children, any advice Need? Am thinking just perseverance and gradual exposure? No wee's last night so thats good

Collie i put a load of training pads down last night just incase, think its just remembering to get her out last thing at night and first thing in the morning.

Spends yesterday were £5 in a coffee shop at the end of the dog walk and £2.50 in the post office (Wreck the books are finally on their way sorry its taken so long!) Also £25 on two hand made gifts for Christmas.

Its payday today and frustratingly I can't seem to log on to HSBC online!

Dd is off with my mum for a few days today, i'm back to work Saturday

Wow wreck that's a lot to get through. We leave the pumpkins until the 30th, so they don't go ropey and we can eat them afterwards.

The orthadontist rang 4 minutes after they opened, pretty good I thought. So we have that to do this afternoon please don't let me forget

Welcome home Cag!

Girlie I just looked at mini-Boden and they have "Fleece-lined techno trousers" LOL! They's preaching to the choir with those. Ds likes his home comforts and is a big robot fan.

So DD2 is definitely another one fighting the whole "breastfed babies don't get wind" bullshit myth 😱😱😱 sleep is for the weak eh? I did get a few hours when DH took her so feel a little more human now although I really struggled being in a different room to her 😳

Also frugal win, wandered downstairs should still be sleeping but hungry and very excited about finally being allowed to eat coco pops as I had woken up when the phone rang, DH got through to the next stage of the extra job he applied for. Yay! DD had taken over looking after her and they are cuddled up on the sofa, the look in DD's eyes as she looked down at her her new sister made me just a little tearful 😍

cag yay! Go your dh! I always felt like that, on my knees tired, please take the baby for a moment so I can close my eyes...no, give my baby back I can't bear not holding them! Vicious circle.

I was awful with ds, never wanted him out of my site for a minute. I didn’t even leave him with dh until he was five months old

Yawn. Morning all.

I’m having a lazy day today. Would say quiet day but ds is not being quiet. He’s screamed off and on since dh left for work. Hooray!!! That coupled with another very sleepless night means a grouchy Ems.

Ds is very crackly today. I think it’s just mucus. But given dh has a cold I’ve booked him a gp appointment for later today just in case. Dh thinks I’m over reacting but if they say nothings wrong that’s fine. If they suggest ways to help him great.

The internet’s suggests raising his head while he sleeps - done. Steaming him in the shower or (crazily) holding him over a freshly boiled kettle !!!??!!?? I’ve let the shower run for a bit and sat with him in the bathroom. Which seemed to help a bit but not much. Or saline drops and a sucker. Neither of which I have or would use without medical advice anyway. I’d do it on myself without advice but not on such a small nosey.

Dh has booked a half day. I cried this morning. Because I’m so bloody exhausted.

I’ve been ok with ds. I left him with my parents for an hour the other day while I ran errands. And they’ll take him twice next week while I go riding and then out for dinner with dh.

We’re havjng a snuggle at present. It seems to be the only way he’s calm - usually he’s fine in the basket but keeping him upright ish seems to help. Means I can’t sleep which I desperately need to do but dh will be home at 1. So not long to go.

Our grow egg deely also says our bedrooms too hot. It suggests turning heating off. We have no heating here. I’ve got the window open and ds is just in his onesie.

I’m warm but I think it’s maybe the start of dh’s cold. Boooo.

Lsd. I’m hoping ds’ alooibtnent Will be free... not sure how baby gp appointments work here. Usually we pay for our appointments (so £45 a time - but guaranteed to see a dr the same day) but no idea if ds will be on a reduced rate or what. Will find out.

The one we’re seeing is thorough (according to my dad and sister who also use the practice) but we could be waiting hours to see him. He keeps people until they’re happy/done. Which is good if you’re the patient. Bad if you’re waiting to be the patient.

Ah em I'm glad DH has taken the afternoon. It can just all build up and it really is torturous being so sleep deprived, no matter how completely scrumptious they are, babies tiny tyrants indeed!

It does sound like he has the beginning of a cold Em have you stocked up on the Calpol the magic pink stuff and also you can get vicks for babies which might help a bit. You would hope babies and children would be free to see a Dr but no idea how it works where you are.

I'm back from dropping dd off with my mum, she is back Sunday teatime hopefully having had a fab time. She enjoyed helping out at the stables yesterday although apparently some of the other girls were a bit 'clicky' honestly why are girls/women like this

I remember the whole needing a break but not wanting dd to be out of my sight thing. Babies mess with your minds i think I remember leaving her with my mum and then having a complete panic and having to rush back to get her, my mums face was this > it wore off after a few weeks-- months though!

So have logged onto my account, have been paid and got a bit extra for a BH I worked.

Have spent £62 on Amazon which is stocking fillers, Christmas bits, stuff for the dog etc.

Paid the riding lady for dds trek £27.

Plan for rest of the day is to catch up at home and might pop out to Sainsburys after lunch to see if there are any sale bits left.

Will try and sort budget for the rest of the month.

girlie I’ve calpol and have snufflebabe rub. Both (according to the pack) can’t be used until 2/3 months. Given he’s only a month I’m reluctant to use unless told to do so by gp. I’m sure snuffkebabe in a tissue near his basket will be fine. But want to check.
He’s aslerp on my shoulder at present. Keeping him elevated seems to help him. But not me...I’m not able to sleep like this and he snuffs so much he wakes himself up if I put him down. Hurry up dh. Mama needs a shower!!

Sorry you're stuck like that Em. I was like that for years until we discovered the wheat/dairy thing. Hope it's just a cold with your fella.

I've exhaustively tested every nose remedy known to man, so if you want ideas, do shout. In your current situation, I'd go with the steamy bathroom for half an hour, and then sitting with the window open as fresh air has a magical nose-opening function. No idea why, but it's much more effective even than three bought humidifiers and vick at the same time.

I learned to sleep sitting up, but that's not really recommended, and I only did it when he was older and could control his own head position.

Dm just called. She suggested popping him in his car seat for a bit. Not all day. But just for 30 mins or so so I can shower (will pop car seat in bathroom so we can steam him at the same time) and get dressed.

I’m sure it’s nothing. I know mucus is normal And he’s just learning to breathe properly and his nose is developing still. So am not urgent help concerned. Just want to know how to help him. He’s fast asleep now.