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First Frugalling month of 2018 almost done , so Forging forward into Feb we go

999 replies

Laska5772 · 23/01/2018 22:52

...and here we go !
Welcome all!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
31
needastrongone · 27/01/2018 08:15

I'm trying on the palm oil front too duchess, it's in so much though when you start looking. I agree that in reality, it means a lot of home cooked food. I think fluffy is hot on this topic too?

I think laska puts it well girlie, that's a celebration of a life well lived at 103, I bet she had some amazing tales to tell!

Does the self settling to sleep hopefully enable self settling in the night too then seacow hopefully? You mention it being a different issue?

I'm glad your DN is at least safe cag.

Hello clare, great reduction on the shopping. I found going through my direct debits and culling them or switching to better deals saves a lot too.

Good news on the pay snuggly it all helps.

maz we have a horse box whose MOT is due in December, usually costs circa £500-1k at the most expensive time of year, I feel your pain.

Happy Birthday to your DH adora, hope your colds improved.

3 jobs life? Promotions?

Thank you for your birthday messages. It ended up being a lovely day. We went out for tea and DBIL drove up from Peterborough with a massive bouquet of flowers, champers and many stories to entertain DF with. He stayed over last night, he's still asleep though!

Lastly, me and the DC went to make up his bed at about 10.30pm and we all did a bit of it, pillows, sheets, duvet. We were having such a giggle chucking it at each other. DS, who rarely expresses emotion spontaneously (says he loves me as he leaves the house but that's it) said 'we are such a secure family aren't we, makes me happy'. Think that was the best present as I worry about DS, he's such a quiet, slightly anxious soul.

needastrongone · 27/01/2018 08:18

I've missed a lot of posts with that long one of mine! Right from laska and her shopping.

I also agree, you get old by believing you can't do stuff because of your age. I firmly and truly believe this, it's a thing DH and I discuss often, as he has a tendency to be negative. No, no no, age is no barrier, your mind is!!!

Cagliostro · 27/01/2018 08:24

Oh that’s lovely need 💕😊

Catface third kid here and still have no idea what I’m doing for naps.

So today my SIL is coming up and hopefully, DN will be too, so they can talk, in a neutral location. Fun times. Hoping the Caglets can play outside during that.

needastrongone · 27/01/2018 08:26

My new washing machine arrived yesterday and is working overtime. My plan today will work around reloading as soon as one cycle ends. Never would I have believed we generated so much washing.

I need a few bits from Sainsbury's, as life says that's never cheap.

Meal plan

  • homemade pizza tonight.
  • veggie shepherds pie and veggies.
  • enchilada bake.
  • minestrone soup.
  • sausage, egg, chips beans type meal.
  • roast chicken dinner (or nut roast)
  • turkey curry (or veggie)
  • sweet potato and black bean burgers
  • tomato dhal
  • roast squash, chickpeas in spicy apricot sauce.
  • vegeree

I've also been given some new veggie cook books, so I'll extract one or two things from there too. Might try falafel again, I never get this right.

WreckTangled · 27/01/2018 08:28

Ooo love that's our nearest Ikea too. I was hoping for a trip soonish but realistically need to wait as we haven't got much money right now. As per.

needastrongone · 27/01/2018 08:33

Oh laska, thanks for posting that Rome link too, I shall read it today as I'm planning a less hectic day. Thank you x

Laska5772 · 27/01/2018 08:34

weather looks ok, boat is running so am definately going.. butI am planning on keeping out of Ikea today!! but you never know.. Grin.. better get a move on..
Thats a lovely story about your DS need.. My Ds (27)says stuff like that to me also sometimes and its great , but we did have some realy tough times with him as a late teen , so its even better that now she shows he loves me . What is good is now we go often out together to the cinema and dinner (mum usually pays of course!) but he does seem to really enjoy spending time with me..

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 27/01/2018 08:48

I don't know why anyone asks to join, just join in & say your tuppence worth Grin

Yes I'm anti palm oil for ethical reasons. It's in things like soap & handwash too. This is why I want to make my own soaps. It all started when the public realised how dangerous trans fats from hydrogenated oils were to human health & manufacturers looked for alternative. If a label only says Vegetable oil without stating which veg oil look on the nutritional information panel. If it's 50:50 un-saturated fat to saturated fat it's probably palm oil.

You can grow Palm oil in Brazil as well as Borneo but it's more expensive to do so & Brazil also has wildlife that needs forests.

You can make cakes, biscuits etc with oil if you google an alternative recipe. I use a vegan sponge recipe off Tesco all the time. They're quick to do as well because there's no creaming of fat & sugar.

My next project is naan breads mixed in the bread maker.

Life Sounds like your not happy at work now. Not surprising really.

Catface I wouldn't want a listed building either. Although it would curtail dhs desire to build. The people who bought the house we rented had big plans about extensions & loft conversions. They obviously didn't know the meaning of conservation area & hadn't noticed the lack of extensions or vellux Windows locally.

SnugglySnerd · 27/01/2018 09:22

Welcome Maz and Clara.

I also try to avoid palm oil but it's bloody difficult. I am veggie and I find a lot of veggie alternatives (eg suet) contain it which throws the whole ethics of being veggie into question. I think if you are going to eat met you should be prepared to eat the whole animal including things like suet. However I don't like the way meat is produced or the taste or texture so I don't eat it.
I've bought proper butter for years as it contains no palm oil but it's getting more and more expensive and I realise I am a massive hypocrite by avoiding meat but still eating dairy.
It's more complicated than just one issue isn't it?

QuiteCleanBandit · 27/01/2018 09:22

I really want a nice moisturising soap Fluffy any recipes ?
Mine was ok but Ive got dry skin.
Sorry no time read and catch up
Work is super busy .
Catface could you try earlier nap- 11am always worked rather than afternoons for mine then you get an early lunch in peace
Currently still in bed Brew

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/01/2018 09:33

No, my soap failed so I'm looking too. I think you have to use de-ionised water in it not tap water. I saw a super simple recipe recently that was just oil, caustic soda & de-ionised water. It took 35 minutes of stirring to get it right though 😔

Snuggly Have you tried grating butter as a suet substitute?.

Need Did you get the warm fuzzies?.

ShoopShoop · 27/01/2018 09:47

Morning all. Lazy day in progress here. DD and I still not dressed Wink

fuzzy - I used to make my own soaps too, until I "burnt" several patches of our wooden worktop with the caustic soda solution.....oops. Now in a new house without wooden worktops so may have to give it a whirl again!

I'm veggie too snuggly - am actually considering going vegan after watching several horrendous Netflix documentaries about the impact of animal products on our health and the environment.

Ended up spending about £22 unnecessarily yesterday on a combination of lunch (left mine in the fridge) and junk from Waitrose on the way home....wine, crisps, chocolate etc.

NSD today other than the Ocado shop which is coming later. All meal planned for the next week including lunches and snacks. Luckily DD gets a hot lunch every day at school so doesn't eat lots at home DH on the other hand.....

SnugglySnerd · 27/01/2018 09:54

Yes I do use grated butter Fluffy. My dumplings are awesome!

Wolfcub · 27/01/2018 10:01

£20 on takeaway for me and dh last night after I picked him up from his week of travels and nearly rolled the car into a wall because I hadn’t realised the auto brake wasn’t working. Luckily ds notices and alerted me in time. Couldn’t figure out why the auto break wouldn’t work so had trouble reversing up hill into Heavy traffic and away from the wall (only had an inch and a half before I rolled into it). Once we got going I realised I wasn’t wearing seatbelt and that’s why the damn thing didn’t work. Goes to show how exhausted I am. Got home and couldn’t get warm despite heating slippers and hot bottle, feel less rubbish today but haven’t actually got up yet.

Ordered two dresses in the Boden final clearance - if the fit is anything like the last couple I’ve ordered they will be going back but it’s worth a try.

Need to buy some soup for lunch today and tomorrow, there is nothing in the fridge to make any with.

Also realised I need diesel as I have a long drive to work on Monday and I think I’m running on fumes, it’ll be a splash and dash until payday though

mammymammyIRL · 27/01/2018 10:16

Tumble Dryer finally gave up during the week, i was hoping to get Lakeland heated airer when this happened but I'm too ill to argue my case right now so I think dh is going to buy a dryer in town today

LonelyOversharer · 27/01/2018 10:17

More bloody diesel today for me too. Moving stuff to storage. And then big stuff (our old shop counter) home. Recycling it into dp's workshop bench.

Weather is windy and grim. It's a wrap up warm and get through it kind of day. But hopefully not spendy bar diesel

Dc going to my mums, as I need to 'van' the car again. Will be so happy on wednesday, when we hand the keys back to this bloody shop.

I have decided to get a skip in early feb. Because of where we live, I won't get much change from £200, but I am so sick of being "that house" with a sofa in the front garden dumping ground there is more than enough to fill one, and it's bags of crap and garden rubbish that is out in the elements, and I don't want to put it in the car, no matter how scruffy the car is.

Laska5772 · 27/01/2018 10:22

Ooh its right murky out here on the Solent.. nice and calm though..

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 27/01/2018 10:26

Wolf I've just bought another Boden top, fits a bit patchy I agree. Washes well though. I did some matched betting before to pay for all but £2 of it.

Mammy I've never seen the point in those heated airers, only a tiny bit of the heat is touching the fabric Confused and they need to be on for hours. Any spin dryers going near you? After Christmas is prime "clearing out deceased relatives bungalow" time.

So, £12 top but £9.88 in from mb later today.

Laska5772 · 27/01/2018 10:27

Iwanted to to post you a nice sea and boats photo...perhaps on the way back..

First Frugalling month of 2018 almost done , so Forging forward into Feb we go
OP posts:
SunnyLikeThursday · 27/01/2018 10:30

OMG Fluffy That has got to be the least okay kind of January sale.

WreckTangled · 27/01/2018 10:32

Argh my water bill has gone up AngrySad

WreckTangled · 27/01/2018 10:33

Oh ffs that photo didn't show my name and address when I posted it!! Will report

QuiteCleanBandit · 27/01/2018 10:39

We have a heated airer and its brilliant.
mammy it works best if its in a fairly small room -yes only a bit touches the rails but it gives out heat and warms the room and dries the clothes.
The lakeland one has a cover to speed up the process but you can drape a sheet over.
DC at uni have one after being miserable with wet laundry that never dried everywhere.
I do have a tumble drier but its expensive.
I put my heated dryer on overnight when its cheaper and I have all my windows open all day as Im an aired house fanatic so no probs with condensation .

TheDuchessofDukeStreet · 27/01/2018 10:47

Snuggly I have a lovely chocolate cake recipie that you can make with light olive or sunflower oil if you would like it, or anyone else.

Decluttered small box of books to the charity shop opposite and came home with a lovely rocking chair! Most comfortable. One arm slightly cracked but DP says he can mend it.

Palm oil free finds this am, milk chocolate leibnitz biscuits and Toblerone, for DP as a token of my esteem. He kindly purchased the chair for me, a frugal £40.

Wolfcub · 27/01/2018 10:57

I haven't read to the end but just wanted to say that the heated airer is amazing. It really does dry a full load of washing overnight, especially if you have a sheet of something over the top of it

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