The Friendly Frugaleers: Saving and chatting as the heatwave rolls on.

[BestFootForwardAndThenSome]

Now that I've put that in the title, we will almost certainly get snow. LOL!

Welcome to nearly-August.

Absolutely an emotional spender here too, and boredom. My issues really kicked off when we first moved to this town, I didn't know anyone (not that I ever had 'mum friends' back then anyway but I had a bit of family and college mates etc) I was so lonely and bored with a 1yo and then had DS, I had no idea I was autistic then either so was just miserable and shy, so one of the only things to do was buy nice things to do with the kids, but we ended up really cluttered, so I didn't want to be at home, so we would go out and spend more...

But I became totally aware of that a couple of years back, being much happier now with a good group of friends, and decluttering and of course now having a nicer home and more space will help untold. Awareness of the issue is the biggest step I think. I used to be a total ostrich with finances too

Me too. I remember years ago I had an interest only mortgage, credit card debt, and was over drawn to the max. But kept on spending. Then dh and I decided to buy this place. I sold my apartment, saved as much as I could cleared things down slowly. And have gotten myself back on track.

I was very much a keeping up with the Joneses type until I realised the Joneses probably have a ton of debt too....

I’ve got a bit of savings now. Not much as that was wiped out with my teeth straightening, pension payment and credit card whilst on maternity leave. I’m slowly building it up again. Having savings for deposit this time is not as important as we’re not buying and selling at the same time. So well sell, repay mortgage will end up with a stonkingly hefty bank balance for a few weeks (have to look at fixed deposits short term I think!) then put half into new house and half into investments. I think.

But for today. I’m decluttering. After my shower. And another mint tea.

It's a long weekend in Ireland. Yaay! Not much sun today though. It's very overcast. Doing a big clear out and clean over the weekend. I've informed DD that she's cleaning out the fridge. I got the predicted eye roll. I need to do a big shop too. I'll be back later for a catch up.

sea apparently there is a jelly fish swarm down the Durham and Yorkshire coast at the minute. Near the beach apparently.

Cag That's exactly like us. Ds and I used to sit in all the time and I spent all my tesco vouchers on lego so we could be busy together by ourselves. Our living room is so full of lego now though.

Ds managed to lose his bike in the park. We looked everywhere. I'm hoping someone thought it had been abandoned and took it to the office rather than it being stolen but I didn't see anyone about. Ffs. We can't afford a new bike for him and riding his bike is his favourite thing to do

Wreck Oh dear! You're having a bit of a run of bad luck this week I think. Have you considered breaking a match, or possibly a pencil just to be sure. I hope his bike turns up.

Oh no wreck. I hope it turns up

Couple of frugal wins. I thought I broke my Fitbit changing the strap but it was just the old strap that broke. So it now has a new lease of life. I also found the remote control to the tower fan which has a dodgy on and off button which I couldn't work, so was about to buy a new one (when I could find somewhere with them in stock)

Lazy day here. DDs are playing in the garden in the paddling pool. I'm attempting to read a book on my kindle whilst being their referee. Considering something nice to drink once I've checked I have all of the ingredients for curry later

Bit spendy today but on things needed and I did get some bargains. £15 Aldi top up, £10 butchers for DH and dcs. I remembered my own containers to save on a few plastic bags.
Bought some photo frames for some nice pics of the dcs. One is for us the rest for gps with birthdays coming up. Got 2 lovely storage boxes in The Works. 2 for £10. We've been looking for some for ages to hide the clutter on top of our bookcase. It's stuff we need to keep out of reach of the dts. I'm going to get 2 more for the bottom of our wardrobe.

DD is almost finished the cleaning the fridge and has gone from eye rolling at being asked to do the task, to enthusiastically arranging the fridge magnets on the door. So I think that was a success.

That sounds brilliant Tayto. I love when my ds gets into a task like that.

It's cooler here today, but still nice and sunny, which is good. My parents came to visit, which was very nice indeed.

Hope you’re feeling better soon, em

wreck that’s really crap re DS bike. Hope it turns up. If not, trawl the local Facebook buying and selling groups. Someone maybe selling cheap or even giving away one to tide him over. If it’s has been stolen, it might even turn up on said groups, it’s been known

Spent the morning in my Jim jams cleaning the house. Finished a hot dripping mess! But at least it’s done, the next few days are going to be hot here. Also cleared out my underwear drawer to make way for the new bras!

Hoping one of DS2s friends might call, or he will call for them, I could do with a bit of chill out time while he plays out. DS1 is happy doing nothing, lazy teen behaviour is totally kicking in!

Wreck really hope DS bike turns up.

The batman activity was quite good, DD2 made a mask and cape, but didn't want her picture done with batman, but I did manage to get some pics of the car.
Will be heading out again soon to collect DS2.

Woohoo only 25min on the bus to get here and turns out they do returns, so only £5.40 for the Caglets (I have my disabled pass)

Had a lovely lunch and now going to look for some of the bits we need, there are nice shops here.

Where have you gone cag?

Dh is back. With ds. We’ve had lunch. I had bread and a piece of pastrami. Dh has a delish smelling pastrami bbq ham sweet potato salad.

I wasn’t feeling food so much. although I have just had three peanut butter cups tummy still feels wibbly. Dh asked honestly how I was feeling. I told him I didn’t trust a fart. And we’ve left it at that. 🤣

Ds is napping. Hooray!

Horsham wreck :) can't believe how easy it is to get here now! And cheap!

Oh lovely. Have you played in the fountains by tk maxx? I also really like the swimming pool there as it has an outside bit too.

DD wanted to swim there today for that reason but I can't manage them all on my own really (swimming = epic fatigue) we will come back another day with DH though as it is a great pool. We stick to the local one in term time as we get home ed discount during school hours! And we now live within walking distance. They are happy in the little stream bit by Weatherspoons so I'm enjoying a sit down in the sun! And letting their shoes get some sun as they went in with them on even though the end bit is waist height

Knee height rather. But still. Muppets.

em I have that feeling of regret not buying 2 pairs of some shoes and sadly mine were beyond wearing - mine were a sex pistols print shoes, and marvel comics trainers! Have you looked on eBay or schpock for your leopard print ones?

cag I've only ever gone through Gatwick on the train to London is it a nice place to live? I like ghibli films too, totoro is in pretty much every room in the house and I'm debating a tattoo very soon! I love him!!! We have watched a few series, I loved tokyo ghoul and attack on titan. Wasn't keen on deathnote. I really want to watch sailor moon but it's not on anything we have and can't justify the cost on the dvds at the moment.

wreck that's rubbish about the bike, have you got a photo you can post on local Facebook groups? Most of my local parks have their own pages and there's a few for certain areas too (not selling just discussion and bitching mostly!)

I spend money emotionally and I get obsessive about things, I like to collect things and will complete a set (can't stop thinking until I do) I have to really stop myself when the girls get into things as I do try and get the whole collection when they would be happy with a few. I'm the same with books - I will read an entire series to know the end even if I hated it. I am the same with t.v. series - can't watch one when I need to be productive as I will watch several episodes in a row. Not so much with films though!

And all this talk of bras I got a letter through for 20% off in boux avenue! I may have to buy a couple most of mine aren't fitting very well - I have lost 2 stone 12lb though so that might explain it 😂 only have 2 that fit at the moment!

I've messaged the park nocuts hopefully it'll turn up 🤷‍♀️

That's rubbish wreck does household insurance cover bikes? I bet some little sod nicked it 😬 might be worth reporting to the police as it might turn up somewhere.

We have had a nice day, dd had a good riding lesson and we went to a local flower show all afternoon. There was loads to see and do which was great but we both struggled a bit as it's so hot. I only bought one plant which was one I've wanted for ages £4.50 ice creams and water was £7, no other spends despite there being lots of temptation!!

Dd very stressed every time a wasp comes anywhere near her which is hard work as there are tons about atm, her cheek is still very red.

cag could your older two swim with you just watching? That's what I've been doing with dd for a while, now she can just go with friends independently! !

Interesting re the chat on clothes etc, this is somewhere where I have just stopped spending. I buy minimal clothes for myself and only replace something once it's fallen to bits!! Likewise with shoes. Apart from anything else I just never seem to have time to go shoe/clothes shopping. I don't wear a lot of make up, use cheap shampoo /conditioner, I do use a slightly pricey face cream but make it last and only buy on offer.

Girlie I don't think it would be stolen. Petworth Park is quite a middle class area but you never know. I've posted on fb etc so will see what happens. It was given to us second hand it's not at expensive one and isn't in perfect condition. I haven't got away from home cover it seems apart from for my insulin pump and rings.