We’ve had our Merry Thriftmas, now bring on the Happy Fru Year! All welcome as we Frugaleer our way into January 2018.

[Cagliostro]

A new thread in case we are too tipsy (or in my case, asleep on the sofa) to remember later.

This is a friendly group where we chat all things money related and all things everything else related. Everyone welcome so settle in and let’s make 2018 the year we save money!

Em It's okay to just say "no".

Em how do you get so much done with a baby?? You put me to shame! All I have done is 2 loads of washing and one load put away, vacuumed round and washed bottles. I should do something useful now while they are asleep but I'm too tired so I'm going to make a cup of tea and have a rummage for any leftover Christmas chocolste!

Em I didn't leave dd overnight until I was in hospital having ds and then didn't leave ds (or dd again) until our honeymoon when she was four and he was two. If you go you will no doubt have a great time and he will be fine but at the same time there's nothing that says you have to leave them. I think people feel under pressure to do stuff for themselves again but what's better than baby cuddles?!

I'm not sure what it could have been as it's all stuff I eat regularly just something about salad on its own (no carbs) that my stomach hates 🤔

snuggly you do have a whole tribe of little people to look after though! I’ve only got one! Also Dm called me and I said ds wasn’t napping during the day. She came round and dealt with him whilst I whizzed about.

Wreck Was it pre-washed salad that comes in a bag? I think sometimes it can be not quite the cleanest.

No it was spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, red pepper, feta and bacon!

Em do what feels right for you, it's still early days.
wreck that's annoying re the salad. I'm back on the healthier eating path today, it's hard sometimes, but will be worth it.

We had a good journey back from Devon yesterday, Christmas is officially over for us now! The GTech hand held vac is out and is amazing . I just wish when our old vacuum broke that we had got the upright GTech but never mind, next time....
Low spend weekend. Did a quick freezer audit yesterday. We have plenty of meat for the rest of the month so I am going to properly meal plan and only buy what we absolutely need.
Ds is at home today, still not well. School are being supportive, I don't think he'll be going in this week.
Circuits class done this morning, hard but glad to back at it.

Well yes but DD1 is at nursery and the DTs are asleep. I should be able to get something useful done!
There is no chocolate left unless I eat DD's stash. I can't do that to her. I might have to sacrifice my NSD and go to the shop...

wreck do you need to balance your meals more because of your diabetes? Or does the pump do it's thing and you can have what you want? I'm unknowledgeable and nosy! Could you have some cold pasta in it? I've just discovered orzo and love it's odd texture.

We have found a hole in one of the brake pipes in the big car. Dp of course topped up the fluid when he did the front brakes, so we had to go fault finding when the brakes weren't up to much earlier. So, after doing 4 hours sorting the shop unit (we took the sign down ), we have brought the big car home safe without the dc, and I'll have to do 2 runs to pick them up in the little car. Spendy on fuel, but safe! Glad dd1 has an after school thing tonight!

I'm doing a list tonight, and having a go at an 'only what we need for this week' shop tomorrow.

Ds has never had a night away all the girls have stayed regularly overnight with my parents, from about 18 months. But I was on my own, and having 2 instead of 3 some nights was a win-win for all concerned!

Oh, nsd so far...

Lonely it's the latter but no carbs means no insulin so that's much easier. Although someone has just brought it a Black Forest panettone mmmm must resist

wreck I hope it wasn’t the bacon 🥓🥓

snuggly dd wont notice will she...?!

I’m going to tell dh no. I’m only just ok with ds staying with Dm and df while I go riding occasionally during the week.

We do need to do more leaving him with them as they’ll take him one day a week once I go back to work. But was planning on building this up slowly.

Ds is in his basket. Napping now. I’ve given up with the idea of cot napping today. As long as he naps I don’t really care where. Yesterday afternoon he was a nightmare - didn’t nap from 130 until he went to bed at 9. He was a grouchy bugger. Cute grouchy bugger. But grouchy bugger nonetheless

That does sound nice, now you mention it... Sorry it didn't work out well on the inards.

DD was well enough for the lunch yesterday after all. It was a buffet lunch and MIL and FIL treated everyone. They had a fab selection. I had salad for starters and the most delicious lamb curry for my mains. Then a slice of toffee gateau. I don't think I ate anything else for the rest of the day! DD and I got cosy on the sofa yesterday evening and watched the movie 'Ballet Shoes'.

Today's spends:-

€17.50 on an expensive moisturiser for DD. The frigid weather combined with the central heating have been taking their toll on her face, and it's a bit dry and raw. This cream was recommended by the local pharmacist last time she had dry skin and it worked really well.

€5 on chicken in the butchers. Frugal fail. I could have sworn I took some pork chops out of the freezer but evidently not.

€3.35 for a sliced pan and the RTE Guide.

I was going to ask how your DS was today North, but I see you've updated. Hope the week off might help restore his health.

Sorry you don't feel so good wrecked, wonder what it was that upset your tummy. I actually love salad, as long as you are imaginative

@ the orangery comment Fluffy. I'm hoping he will forget it. I've mooted that I would rather wait, I think the compromise will be doing something 'big' to the house.

Glad your DD felt better too Tayto.

Do what feels right for you Em, I was the same as the others on here but I know lots of success stories the other way round too. x

NSD - this is one of my 'goals' for 2018, that Monday's are NSD's.

Meal plan for the week. I have new veggie recruits in DH and DD which makes life easier, I would never have asked either though.

• sweet potato, black bean and spinach lasagne.
• massive pot of veg soup
• lentil dhal.
• turnip and red lentil chilli.
• pepper, potato and chard stew.
• mushroom bourguinon.
• tomato pasta bake (will chop up some sausage for DS)

I'm going to make sweet potato and orange soup for lunches and DD has suggested roasting off lots of peppers for use in sandwiches which is a great idea.

I've lots of eggs to hard boil too and will make brownies.

HFW's Much More Veg is my new inspiration!

Shopping bill will be much lower as we've enough meat in the freezer for meals for DS and any DD/DH choose to eat for ages too.

Bugger about the car Lonely, it's always something isn't it? How did you feel when the sign came down. That would really get to me for our business, it would be so symbolic

Born you need to smaller plate trick re servings/portions. Glad you feel at home here.

I do the same with wrapping paper and cards etc!

Another tip is to buy the gift boxes of smellies or candles in the sales and split them up for super frugal gifts during the year.

Need I love salad too but something in it doesn't like me!

Nsd 🙌🏼

I have that book too Need. Haven't made anything from it yet though.

NSD, going to work clearly has some benefits

Survived first day back at work, busy but okay. Dd also survived first day back at school and seems happy so that's good.

Nsd.

em I left dd at 6 months with my mum to go to a friends wedding but found it stressful, if you're not ready you're not ready.

Apparently DD has the day off tomorrow. Because you'd need a day off after one day back at school!

LSD
4.29 Iceland big jar Nescafe and biscuits for my lovely friend we visited today...
3.10 in Aldi food top, bread etc
2.00parking because my lovely friend paid £10 for my kids at the amusements and I wanted to make a gesture to say thank you and that she is very appreciated. Tomorrow should be a NSD as we are back to work and school, hopefully.

LSD here all things considered. £17.50 Pizza Hut and £3.50 parking.

DD spent some of her Christmas money and has been playing happily with her haul all afternoon.

I fear school may be a shock to the system tomorrow!

€11.62 on an antibiotic, first unplanned spend of January