Scrimping through the remains of September, Austere Autumn approaching, frugal friendly 'Fred

[Justanothermile]

Thought I'd make a new thread, I'll post on the old one and alert to its presence.

All are welcome, we are friendly folk.

When I hat my root canal it took two appointments. It didn't hurt at all and I was so nervous! It didn't hurt afterwards either. The only thing was that my jaw ached (during, not after) and then after I had dry lips. I really hate the feeling of having a numb mouth but it doesn't last too long.

Afternoon.

Ouch kitkat, equine bills are always a thousand times higher than any other vet bill I have found....hope the horse is okay?

Yeah cag, you are officially a grown up.

life I've put a massive pile of Lego cards in the post tonight for you. X

How you feeling today fluffy?

Re lunches, chopped carrot will keep in cold water or an airtight container, we have the Sistema ones that curls mentions, got them cheap at Tesco and they are excellent. Obviously any vegetable chopped up would work.

DH's can help too, mine does, he'd get some right stick if he didn't and he works more hours than anyone I know. So even if he doesn't make the lunches, then the dishwasher will be emptied, chickens let out, dogs fed etc so I can just come down and make them.

NSD. Some of my more outstanding accounts have coughed up too, it this constituted a lot of dosh, so relieved about this.

Just about to do an online top up shop though.

I used to let it go on my days off re DH and the DC helping, but then I figured we all need feeding, we all need clean crockery, all our beds need making etc and we all live here and we all have busy lives whether we work or not, so we can all pitch in.

Dh makes DD's packed lunch too. He makes it at the same time as he does his own. I tend to do mine once they've all left.

Trying to get life insurance is driving me mad. I inadvertently gave my number to a broker and then when they phoned I stupidly answered and now I feel tied in. I figure it's ok really though as they do all the work? Annoyingly since they got my medical details my quote has doubled and I can't afford it. Would be able to if dh didn't use that stupid vape thing which means his life insurance is three times what it would be otherwise. Twat.

Well done Cag. I frequently wonder how I’ve got to 46 without being comfortable doing grown up chores 😉

Spends today £23 on lunch with a friend and £10 in boots but used my points for that.

My children don’t take packed lunches anymore but I used to hate making them up when they did. Think I did most of them but dh made them some of the time - it was such a chore.

Well now jam I’m not sure I actually am a grown up, just that I’ve acted like one today. I still feel like I’m pretending :o

Seriously though I am quite pleased. It was a massive massive mental block so to be over the first hurdle is pretty massive.

I’ve been helping DS write a poem today, for homework (from Badgers club). That was in all honesty a more painful experience than having my gums poked. Bless him, he just doesn’t understand a lot as he takes everything so literally (ASD). Glad that’s over with!

I feel very grown up right now having got dd to her swimming lesson on time for the first time in weeks and remembered to make her sandwich for tomorrow whilst making sandwiches for swimming rather than trying to make it two minutes before leaving for work in the morning 😇

Our division of labour is far from perfect but sometimes this is of my own making e.g. my mum took the girls out for an hour on Saturday afternoon. DH took it as a (rare) chance to chill out. I got stuck in to clearing out the cupboard under the stairs 😂. Not urgent, extra housework for me, but actually I find the end result immensely satisfying and calming. DH would never in a million years choose to spend his leisure time in this way but would do it if I asked. Same way I dream of weekends on my own at home - sure I'd have a lie in and watch what I wanted on tv but mostly I'd just look forward to all the 'jobs' I could get done in peace!

this sometimes I get dh to take ds to fils without me. This has a number of benefits. Dh gets quality time with ds and his dad. I don’t have to listen to fil tell us what we should be doing and talk about all the people we don’t know. And I can do the jobs I need to get on with which I can’t if ds is home.

cag I’d say you’re same level grown up as me. Absolutely totally grown up but still feel as though you’re 20.

£3 potatos, 14lb. Same bag last year was £1.60. The big sacks are £9!.
85p lettuce.
29p two bananas.

Jam Ha ha, no it's still shite At least I didn't run a bird over like yesterday.

Kit Brilliant, mark the end of the interest period in your diary for 13-14 months time and if it's not cleared at least you can transfer in time.

Em You know those beeswax wraps you linked to ages ago? you can make them at home. You need muslin, beeswax (obv), pine resin . You could probably use patterned fabrics too.

There's a £10 eye test at vision express, you have to show your Tesco clubcard at the branches inside Tesco.

YY to freezing sandwiches, not egg but most meats & cheese do freeze well.

Does that mean it’s only in the VEs that are in tescos and not the one in the mall for example? I do really need an eye test. I could’ve sworn you get those with the maternity exemption but nope. So I’m dreading the cost of lenses and all that. But my glasses are in an embarrassing state frankly.

And yay this for being on time!

Sympathies on the packed lunches BTW. I am glad they aren’t needed here nowadays. DH used to do them for school. I’m thinking it’d be worth doing things like prepping veggies anyway though as then the Caglets would be more likely to eat them (they get their own lunches). And on days like today when we get home at lunchtime and are tired it would be better to have something ready (or theoretically we could stop off in the lovely park and eat there).

I need new Tupperware anyways. It’s all very well freezing portions in those bags but they all stick together in the freezer and it’s a right PITA. I could freeze them separately but don’t have the space. It would be easier to have stackable boxes especially as they could go directly in the microwave to reheat rather than having to decant the bag into something anyway (which always leaves a bit behind and is frankly a bit messy)

Yes, they took over Tesco opticians which offered free eye tests. The mark up on glasses is phenomenal so they made the profit there I imagine. Or not if everyone took their prescription and looked on moneysavingexpert for glasses.

Oo. I just went on the Tesco store locator and the nearest big one does have a VE. Who knew 😂 I may do that then. I’m not likely to get an eye test cheaper than a tenner am I?

I don’t even know how much they usually are actually. I always went to boots but haven’t been in, errrrm... dunno. Not as long as the dentist that’s for sure, but still too long!

About £25 Cag

Mine is £45, so a tenner is good.

Pack lunches are a pain, I make up a bowl of tuna mayo at the beginning of the week so just have to spread a splodge on some bread for dd and she packs up the rest of the bits. I wouldn't have a clue what a wheat free pack lunch would look like tbh!!

Survived another day at work, quite enjoying being back tbh but thats partly because its not too bad at work for a change. Dd has an emergency audiology appointment for tomorrow, am trying not to worry too much....

Spends today
£1.64 drink and a delicious salted caramel chunky kitkat!! Was so good
£5.50 carwash, my car was disgusting!!
£2 collection for a work colleague.

£70 on Italian cooking evening for dh and I. We are waiting to go in.

Ooo enjoy em save us some pasta please :o

Oh dear now I’m going to have to try a salted caramel kitkat aren’t I.

Crispy chicken soft tacos (those ones shaped like boats) for dinner followed by a crumble made by DH (apple pear and blackberry) le yum! DS is now playing football with the baby :o

Thanks all I’ll definitely go for that then. I think I’ve seen them for a fiver on Boots pharmacy bags but we are unlikely to get them for a while. I’ll get the test done soon as I don’t want to miss the offer. I don’t have to buy glasses straight away do I.

Ohhh that reminds me. DH got DD’s prescription recently and they said the doctors is no longer doing repeat prescriptions sent automatically to the pharmacy. We now have to phone every time. WTAF? Does that not create a load of extra work for them? Actually they used to not like doing it over the phone either so you were supposed to go in. Not sure how that helps vulnerable or disabled patients 🤔

wreck regarding your life insurance definitely make sure your broker is whole of market, different underwriters will rate smokers (vapers) at lower rates and the same for medical conditions. I have had one recently where one insurance company doubled the premium based on a medical condition but another accepted on ordinary rates. - this is my day job :-)

regarding packed lunches for the boys I normally do pasta for the boys it keeps better and is cheaper than sandwiches plus I can mix it up during the week easier.

em enjoy your evening that sounds a lovely way to spend it

Cag when I was at the drs surgery we weren't allowed to take medication requests over the phone because there's too much room for error (same at my surgery). It has to be done online or written and you have to do it every month.

Hmm thanks kitkat tbh I feel like I really just can't be bothered with it right now as a) it's too much hassle b) I can't afford £20 a month and c) the broker people on the phone piss me off trying to be all friendly and sly when they ask you questions. Just spit it out and get on with it ffs.

just vet bill is going to be painful three lots of sedation, plus teeth, plus the farrier for feet. I don't see much change from £250 coming my way :-( bloody rescue pony! We had a vets bill a few years ago which was over £10,000 I was very happy she was insured!!!

cag your dinner sounds lovely, you have inspired me to make an apple and plum crumble with some plums that are over ripe.

I have just stuck a chicken in the over so I can cool and fridge it tonight ready to make either chicken pasta bake or chicken pie. Will also be making a chicken risotto with the scraps to freeze.

wreck depends on the purpose of the life insurance. If you would be financially screwed if either you or DH died it can be the best £20 a month that you spend. If you have been sold something you don't need then that is a different story. Life insurance through a broker is generally the same price or sometimes lower than going direct. If it is too much hassle though broker has done something wrong along the way, it should be simple, 30 minute conversation about what you need and why, wait a couple of days they email or post a recommendation, you say yay or nay, assuming yay you spend 10 minutes doing a medical questionnaire over the phone it is either accepted immediately or deferred as underwriters need medical info from doctor (takes about 4 weeks)

Pasta for a packed lunch is a good idea @kitkat6; I might try that using pasta with added protein to make it extra filling.

Spends yesterday:
£5 work collection
£1 drink
£27 Tesco on chocolate for trick or treaters and two Christmas presents for DS.