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!

[Laska5772]

I also save monthly for birthdays and christmas presents each month out of my personal spends budget .. , then I know I have enough to buy presents for everyone without going into debt over christmas .. its great to start January knowing there's not going to be a big new year bill hangover from Christmas .. I was always doing that before..

Even a little bit each month helps.. I am pretty ok now for money (but not so ok i cant not keep a strict handle on it ) , but it wasn't always like this .. before i got a handle on it i was paying debt back every month..

I am about to retire now.. so this year is going to be a whole new spending and budgeting challenge for me

[Laska5772]

I cant believe we are on day 1of a new thread and 3 pages in already!!

[FusionChefGeoff]

Hi everyone - we've just moved House so have much larger mortgage payments plus lots of additional expenses for stupid stuff (hooks, hangers, bins, keys) and big stuff (beds, furniture).

What with Christmas in the thick of it, I've gone absolutely bloody mad on the card. There's enough to pay it off but will wipe savings out so keen to get a handle on my new household expenses to stop the train before it completely runs away with me.

[TheDuchessofDukeStreet]

Thanks Wreck, will give them a go. I want to stop buying and start making!

[Girliefriendlikesflowers]

laska are you up to date on your tetanus jab?

life I would think as long as she can comfortably wear her riding helmet she should be okay.

[TheDuchessofDukeStreet]

Nsd today, am starting night shifts. Duvet day today. Cooking sausages for dinner.
I have saved an empty big smarties tube and am going to save two pound coins in it. The first one ,which I stole from DP, is there already😺

[Laska5772]

Girlie no .. that's a good thought. its fine I'm sure ..feels ok not burning/ too red now nor swollen but id better make an appointment tomorrow..

[Pinkpeppermintteaforme]

Thanks Laska
I might look at an app
I think I will just accept YNAB just isnt for me -I felt I was just telling it what I already knew ,if that makes sense .
NSD today and NSD yest as used card points for a few grocery bits.
Otherwise have not food shopped since 23/24 th and all meals sorted for week.
worn I have started 2018 Christmas shopping out of 2017 Christmas budget
Dont want to be an enabler but DD really likes the brushed 100% cotton pjs from Boux Avenue -very soft and lovely cut -not baggy .
Reduced from £36/£38 to £10/£12 atm
So will pop them away and aim to buy 2-3 presents monthly .

[WreckTangled]

Laska if you've had five tetanus injections in your lifetime you don't need one. They recently changed the guidelines. Although I expect you haven't had that many...

[Cowardlycustard2]

Can I join please? Ended up paying for Xmas mainly on overdraft this year! Fed up of frittering money away on nothing. Going to do a new budget for 2018 and stick to it this time! My problem is that I need to get into the frugal mindset. Retail therapy is a huge comfort for me when bored or fed up

[Laska5772]

wreck I didn't know that...,but know I dont think I've had more than two ( maybe not even two..) I probably should as I am out 'Mudgrubbling' ( keen gardener outdoor swimmer / walker ) all the time ..

I was actually thinking about whether this year to take up wild swimming as a hobby .. with the aim of all year round.. (eek!) We do go late spring to early autumn anyway , luckily as we have a beach within 10 mins walk.. i think i do have a wetsuit somewhere ..

we have just taken the Christmas deccies down.. and both back to work tomorrow.and DH back to working 5 days a week away . . The only cheering thing is not for much longer we hope. (maybe a month or two)
Right.. Am off to make garlic and feta bread..

[Laska5772]

Duchess we do £2 coins also in our piggie.. its for treats only ! Last time we emptied the pig ( stuffed ..couldn't get another one in) it had £240 in it ,..We share it 50/50 No questions asked on what we spend it on.. . ( about 2/3 full right now!! ) .

I also do £1 a day in my personal account .. just transfer £30 /31 a month into my savings and log this as a separate category in YNAB. It may sound a bit anal, but its very satisfying! and a great way to save £365 a year!

[WreckTangled]

Argh I keep planning in my head all the things I could do with the dc tomorrow. Go to London on the train? Drive down to Bournemouth just for the hell of it and walk along the beach, go to the cinema, take them out for breakfast/lunch. All thing I do not need to do and will cost lots of money. I need help. I'm going to stay home and bake instead.

[lifelongfrugaleer]

I've changed pony club to Thursday. She is complaining of a head ache do I think it's best.

[RebeccaBunch]

I have started spending tracker (inspired by Japanese budgeting thread) in my existing notebook. Will write down ALL spending to bring focus to what I am doing with my money.

[mammymammyIRL]

Closed down Mumsnet app when going running & lost last post!
Wreck those cookies sound lovely

Welcome to all newbies too numerous to mention - this is the best thread on mumsnet
Pink sounds like you've got things under control, discipline of ynab works for me, our holiday & spending money will be covered before we go on holiday this year thanks to this thread & ynab
Laska starting the new year off with a small injury, hope it's the only one for this year.

Did I tell you all I'm giving up alcohol on sat until my Christmas party next December?

Pink those pjs sound lovely

Laska that £365 must be very satisfying

Debating saving a € per mile I run 🏃🏼‍♀️ could come out of my fun money 3.5 done today

[TheDuchessofDukeStreet]

That's a nice way to do it Laska, I like the no questions asked thing!
I looked after a lovely lady who used to save all her 20ps for perfume and I had a great aunt who saved 50ps in sweetie tubes and she gave them to us for holiday money so it feels like a connection with the past. Not sure what we'll do with it though, something frivolous no doubt.

[Loveabaconsandwich]

It’s meant to be raining tomorrow morning in Bournemouth wreck. Hopefully after the school run!

Welcome to more new people

Good day of using stuff up in the fridge/cupboards before they go out of date. Even DP has said our freezer is too full so need to meal plan from that tomorrow

We start our new 5 year fixed rate mortgage tomorrow. Does mean we can make capital payment again though so need to work out if we can spare some £s

[ememem84]

NSD. Woop.

[PeoniesforMissAnnersley]

Hey guys I’m back in after a long MN break, we are saving like crazy for a house and also actively TTC which is a huge deal for DH who was very reticent about having children. So need to bank as much £££ as possible for house deposit and/or maternity leave if we get lucky sooner rather than later. I’m 32 and have PCOS so think it may take some time! Hope you’ve all had a great Xmas.

[ememem84]

Have also had another frugal win. Bil left a load of spices which dsis won’t use so she’s given them to us, and also two Kilner jars. Hoorah. Two more for my collection shelf of things kept in wanky jars

[Loveabaconsandwich]

Wow dry year until next December is quite a long time mammy. I’ll join you with dry January

[mammymammyIRL]

Could you do a nature walk locally wreck?
Welcome back peonies I may have been something to do with a purple colour last time you were here, you were very sick is all well now

[WreckTangled]

Welcome back MissA!! Not sure you've been on since I namechanged (formerly spotty).

Bacon/mammy it's going to rain all day here. Blah. We did a walk today dd can't walk too far though.

[00alwaysbusymum]

Are there any good apps / budgeting software people use ?

Also a lot of what I'm reading is about saving, do people save for example for next Christmas even though you have overdraft / credit cards or is it best to reduce debt before saving for holidays & Christmas.

I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed as have never budgeted or really tried to save money