Frugaleers hurtling through November... is it too early to mention the C word? All welcome for money saving chat!

[Cagliostro]

Hi all, please settle in for chatting about all things frugal, and all things everything else :o

And busy, definitely as girlie says, helps.

It's a pity you can't buy waterproof onesies for dogs. Yes superdrug is buav approved or cruelty international as their now known. So as long as they don't start selling in Chinese shops it's still ok. That's why I like the ordinary, lots of it is vegan by default & they've promised to only sell online in China. The pads are quite strong so a quick wipe over is all you need. It's only 5% acid. I wipe over my neck and chest too. Nip + fab left a residue behind on my skin but these don't.

Lists Is it just electric that's high? Is everything switched off that isn't needed?.

NSD.

Fluffy sorry its dual fuel so both gas and electric -as much as I can its switched off however seem to talk myself blue in the face remindign everyone else Guess it just seems higher than usual because I'm worrying about money at the moment. Gas is easier because I seem to be the only one who can be bothered to work out how to control the timer!!

Made 2 blackberry and apple crumbles - one for tonight and one for the freezer (lots of blackberries from picking in late August) , £1 on yougov, 4p on inbox pounds (way to get rich!) and 45p on one poll so a little closer to pay out on all three.

Pizza, potato wedges and beans tonight.

Off to make the soup now

I didn't like the size of the pads for M&F, never mind the feel of the product, which I agree with you about btw. I might try The Ordinary then, I didn't know about the vegan/CF aspect. I'm hankering to buy my Moringa Balm, but it's ££.

Dogs are walked again (no onesies....) I went to the local stately home/grounds. It's massive and I was the only one there, it felt surreal but therapeutic. Only thing that keeps me in balance, walking the dogs. Even when it's freezing, muddy and wet like today. Dogs are always happy!

Having a mexican tonight, which I'll make with lots of beans and pulses. I'll fry off some chicken for the DC.

Fluffy Forgot sorry, have you tried the Oatly drinks? No soya or dairy. As close to milk taste as you can get, it's delicious. Just a heads up for those that might need this type of drink.

lists You've reminded me to get some blackberries out of the freezer!

The Aldi super 6 are pretty good this week too.

I wonder whether having an emotionally distant mum made you more resilient Need? You had to tough it out, be resilient and learn to meet your own emotional needs as your mum wasn't going to iyswim? That said I reckon genetics play a part, on my dads side of the family in particular most of them suffer with anxiety and/or depression, one of my brothers is very similar to me as well. Although my other brother is the complete opposite (takes after my mum!)

Have had a nice day off today, met a friend for coffee this morning and a bacon bap £5. Had a mooch round a local garden centre and picked up a few more Christmas bits, came in at £18 which was more than I thought tbh - scary how lots of little things add up!!

Have had a good look through the Christmas stash, dd def has enough stuff now!! The only person whose pile looks a bit sad is my mums but I knew she needed a few more things anyway. She wants the Jamie Oliver 5 things book, have a £2 off Tesco voucher so might get it from there, also some No 7 Boots stuff...

Oh and also need to do a massive Lidl shop later when dd at her drama group, I have a £5 off voucher that they put through the door so thats good (think they are worrying about the Aldi that has now opened up down the road!) Will be first big shop in two weeks so happy with that.

Anyone who likes The Body Shop they are doing £25 off a £50 spend and free pp today....

I think genetics does Girlie. There are clearly difference in my family based on which branch people come from.

lists You can switch heating off for 20 minutes an hour, you won't notice it if the doors shut & it brings the bill down a lot. Dh drives me mad leaving doors open & lights on. I want hive heating & lighting controlled on the my iPad. I have to bite my tongue at least twice before he leaves for work in the morning.

Need I didn't like that one, or almond. I'm on organic soya now. Only £1 in morrisons. The balm will last ages.

Led face mask is next on my list.

Oops just spent £50 on Amazon 3 gifts for dds bday (including 2 board games Cag ) and a gift for my brother.

Meadow I meant to say don't worry about the driving test. Most of us are too nervous & make mistakes you wouldn't make normally. I passed second time & I'm a safe driver.

You know what, you might have a point girlie, as myself and DB, the ones who DM doesn’t really like () are extremely resilient. But we’ve had to be. Nature or nurture, now there’s another debate entirely. The JO book is really good actually, and usually on offer. DD loves the Body Shop and I hadn’t clocked that offer, cheers.👍

The last EH balm lasted nearly a full year..

Agreed, the autism is definitely one branch of the family. DS could fit the bill if I chose to attribute aspects of his character to it, as could a lot of his friends tbh.

Must move....

Radio 5 has been doing a whole day on mums and MH, it’s been great.

Thank you snuggly its on the hob and Ive used up lots of veg that were hanging about too. Looks like soup and garlic bread one night this week

Fluffy I'll try turning heating off and see what happens.

At the moment its only set to come on between 6.20 and 7.30am and then from a bit before kids get home until dd goes to bed at 9pm. Children late tonight - ds at after his school club and will get fed there and dd at fencing so won't be home until just after 6 as dp will pick them up on way home - smaller heating bill but I miss them.

Snuggly could do but the dc wouldn't eat it!

Anyone stuck for presents for youngsters I highly recommend the orchard giant road puzzle. The dc love it and you can get loads to add onto it.

Lists that looks amazing!

I need to sort out planning dinners better I'm so stressed even with a pie, mash and veg!

Looks fab lists.

life, are you feeling any better?

seacow are you okay? How’s DD and the sleep?

Has anyone watched the ch 4 program about boodles the jewellers? It's worth watching. I was

My silly christmas dress is actually lovely! Awful print, but totally deliberate, very stretchy, and fits to the waist then quite a full skirt. Material is shiny stretchy printed on one side. Must stay away from open flames!! But will do for Christmas day for the next 20 years

Tea was Bolognese sauce with a tin of beans in, pasta, with a cheese sauce (who knew cheshire cheese melted? I certainly didn't) and motzarella on top, in a sort of pasta bake. Yummy. A "free" meal as I bought nothing for it specially. So 650g 12% mince fed us for 9 meals, plus enough for dp lunch tomorrow. That'ull do.

Morrisons tomorrow. Needs to be £55 for coupon. Will take a list, and buy chocs/crackers etc if I'm under, as I don't need any meat this week.

Nsd today, there's still time.

Not seen the TV programme.

Just spent £70 on Jack Wills joggers for DD for Christmas.

I’m dying to buy her these, but won’t even though they are ace

www.drmartens.com/uk/p/womens-shoes-glitter-pu-1461-gltr

See I love those need but dd1 and 2 would roll their eyes. Luckily I take a 5 in dm's and they're out of stock. I bought a pair of cherry red boots with my first ever pay packet (I still have them).

Dd2 is having a homework meltdown as the school website won't load. I have taken refuge upstairs with the cat.

It looks good Lists! I ate the last of mine today with added spinach and chilli oil. It was delish!

Lonely my Christmas pudding dress from primark is fab too, wore to see Santa & will wear to my Christmas party too I think!

My only Black Friday purchase for myself arrived today €22.99 & got for €18.39 free delivery.

Cyber Monday spends were lily O'Brien's 30% off used topcashback & my friend is buying some of them. €65.79
Also smyths but posted them yesterday.

Going to spend €50 in Dunnes on Guinness too I think

I daren't look at the boots. DD1 looooves boots of all kinds and is hankering for some for Christmas (hers are tatty TBF). I don't want to spend much though as she is into grown up clothes but still plays like a (messy, climby, muddy...) kid :) so nothing lasts long.

Wreck totally concur re the road puzzle! We had the original map and the farm set when the caglets were younger. Will definitely rebuy for this one if it's still around in a couple of years :)

I love the DMs and so would DD but I've already bought her the converse trainers she desperately wanted - shuh had them at £35 instead of £50o on black friday :) I'm going to get her some make up brushes and maybe a couple of little things and she's done. I've got DS some hot wheels cars and track and again he'll just get a few little extras and he's done.

In fact have just been through Christmas stash and realised I've bought for all 4 of my nephews already. Just DM, MIL, DS, BIL, DB, SIL, DPs DS and 2 neices (why is that always my job) my DF and his wife and my 2 half siblings neighbours and obviously DP left.. and I suppose something for DC's teachers x 2 ... oh hell its quite a lot really but generally we dont spend too much on adults ... but ouch I've just counted EIGHTEEN people I am still expected to buy for . Well none of them will be getting very much ...

I got Christmas pyjamas and nice advent calendars for DC at the end of October so at least they're paid for

I haven't even dared made a food shopping list yet

Sorry you are feeling down lists. Don't do teacher gifts. Speak to bil, Dil, dB and dsis and say no presents or do a secret Santa. Or we do promised to meet/ I cook dinner rather than gifts so we spend time and less money.

I'm better need. Things have moved on at work. It's all good but very outing and not all finalised.

I'm very resilient due to child hood. However I was side lined by pnd and anxiety after ds was born. The Dr said sometimes pregnancy kind of rewires your brain. I'm not ashamed of it but may well be on low dose meds for years.

DMS don't fit me well.

£83 sainsbury. Just ordered a snooker table £54 instead of £70.