Countdown to a Frugal Christmas, The Friendly Frugaleers still knitting,nattering and money saving!

[QuiteFabULousDahling]

New Fred

Born, thanks for the converse heads up I’ve just ordered some men’s trainers and T-shirt for ds for Christmas

North I did take glucosamine a couple of years ago but it’s sort of fallen off the list of things I buy. I should look at it again thank you. I

I just printed out the F horn parts for 160 tunes as there wasn't enough sheet music to go round last night. Being a Mum is a very varied job.

Oh my goodness! My clarinet exam result is out and I got Distinction. Gawd, that makes me very, ridiculously happy.

I wonder if it would in order to have that tattooed on my face?

I got a good deal in the L'Occitane shop yesterday. They had an offer that if you spend €65, you get 3 of their gift baubles free. So I got MIL the advent calendar (I'll have to give it to her before Christmas but I don't think she'll mind), got a luxury shower gel for me which I'm saving up for Christmas morning and I got three baubles which will do for smaller Christmas presents. They also threw in a few sample sachets and a gift card for 20% off my next purchase.

I'm trying to get up all my shopping done by the first week of December (barring a few last minute gift cards). Then I can sit back and relax and enjoy the run up to Christmas without the usual running-around-like-a-headless-chicken panic. I've a good few presents bought already and I know what I'm getting for all the rest. I also picked up a Cadburys advent calendar for DD today because I left it too late last year and DD wasn't too impressed . I've been doing my best to space the shopping out between pay days and it's working out fairly well. I'm leaving the gift cards until the last pay day because I don't have to think about them (the people in question have asked for gift cards) and there's no danger of the shops running out of them.

I spent €3 at the Ladies group today. We had a talk about nutrition and healthy eating. I bumped into some of the women in the shop afterwards and we were joking about the contents of our shopping baskets. Next week one of the women is doing a session on Christmas flower arranging which sounds nice.

I'm treating myself to my first Christmas movie tonight - 'Meet me in St. Louis'. It's free except for the cost of the Hula Hoops and Minstrels which will accompany it.

I have to sign off now and do some cleaning and make dinner but I'll be back later for a catch up.

Lovely update tayto I plan to visit L'Occitane shop on Sat in Birmingham. I love the scents of it & the luxury, got gifts there 2 years ago with similar deals to what you've mentioned. Might do the teachers gifts from there this year rather than Chocolates that no one wants to see coming Something small like handcream or similar.

Was talk good?

I wanted dc to watch Christmas movie on Sat while at dp's using their sky and both rubbished the idea as it's too early

Well done autumn

Autumn well done!!! Really pleased for you

Ta! I'm very chuffed.

Well done Autumn & North.

Em You just got marketed 💄

£10 petrol.
£7 Aldi, mainly cat food and litter.

Still weighing up different energy suppliers. Ovo is winning. £50 a year more but £60 a year rebate for only contacting them online (fine by me I’m unsociable af) and £36 cashback. So I’m £46 a year better off.

My dn is on mn 🤦🏻‍♀️

I resisted. 💄

I did spend £80 in M&S throw pillows and bedding.

Who are you with now fluffy?
Well done Autumn

Well done Autumn

Fluffy does she know your secret identity?

£12.60 Quidco cashback transferred to bank account

Not a nsd due to converse purchases but I’m quite happy with what I ordered and the discount and cashback were good.

Thanks. I will look into a good multi vitamin.
Jam what's a good beginners veggie book. We need more veggie and I work near the library now.
I get plenty of fitness as I walk 4-5 miles a day and do 3-4 weights classes a week. It's good for me that's the issue.

Did you enjoy your weekend away mammy? Or is shopping still to come? Hate those middle of the nights brain churn.

Well done on the exam results.

Very well restrained on the make up em.

Lsd today but I didn't get a lunch so no town. £10 on flowers for a colleague who had a death in the family at the weekend.

Possibly Wolf.

North Out fix the market. They want to raise my dd from £55 a month to £93 for dec, jan, feb, March then reduce it to £40 for 8 months. But that’s a lot to pay out when I’m averaging less than that. I’ll talk to dh later before I do it.

Well done north and autumn.

Waiting in supercuts to get my hair cut, but it will be free as they had a promotion, get 8 haircuts and get the 9th one free.

Then will do a bit of Christmas shopping.

Jam, a question if I may?
If my work paid me more than the starting apprentice's wage, after the first year they should pay me NMW for my age right??
Sorry I know I've spoken about this before and I have pointed them to the gov website and they are coming out with
"Well we pay you a bit more than the starting wage and if you want it charged, then we have paid too much".
TIA

I know nothing about law but surely the clue is in the title. National minimum wage?

curvy, they are wrong quite simply. Anyone over 19, who has completed over one year of their apprenticeship is entitled to the NMW, so they are breaking the law if they don't. This is a link, but I bet there's an official link on the DWP website if you dig around.

successatschool.org/advicedetails/509/How-much-is-the-apprenticeship-wage%3F-Updated-for-2018

Life - I'll have a think of the best one and post then, not ignoring you x

I'd say it was their choice to pay additional over the minimum, but not the expert in these matters. A quick call to CAB or even asking on a forum such as MSE probably would give an answer, I think even Mumsnet have an employment forum. I don't think paying extra in the past is tantamount to pay in advance certainly.

Evening all.

Well done north and autumn

Jam I am really enjoying running ATM. It is lovely to be out in the sunshine.

Wolf I am such a wimp when it comes to pain. You have my sympathy.

Curvy has your apprenticeship finished? If not your employer could argue that you are still in training and the nmw does not apply.

I cycled to the station today which took less time than I thought it would...missed the train before my target by a minute only to have my train cancelled. I was stood in the cold for nearly an hour until a train turned up. Loved the scoot to and from the station though and it saved me £5 in bus fares as well as being quicker.

Lonely I have found a random bearing race in the washing I took out of the dryer. I am trying to decide if it is a bike bit that has come out of a small boy's pocket or the dryer is self destructing.

Hopefully it come out of a pocket unescorted !! When we had the bike shop it was spoke nipples. Handfuls of them. They fit into the washing mashine drum holes and clank a lot

So pleased that replacing the washer isn't scary anymore. Already paid off 1/3. I have a day of leave tomorrow, I'm going Christmas shopping. Lots of little bits for stockings from primark/tkmaxx hopefully. Might see in Pandora for a 16th present for dd1, they have a very cute free bangle on £120 spends just now.

Plus I need to go to the range for some art pens and a hot glue gun for dd1, fimo for dd2. I must must must take a list!

You reminded me.... I forgot to get some white acrylic and white pencil for DD. I remembered the worm tablets.... Fun for all he family.

It is from the fidget spinner which died in the dryer. Boy pocket treasure. He used his sister's white t shirt as an oil rag last week. He has no sense. But my diplomacy skills improved and both parties are still alive.

Well done on the exam results and to those who are running. I try and run 1.5-2 miles a few times a week (from work to the childminder's house), but haven't done it as much since it's been chilly outside.

Low spend today, £3.50 on food at work and £1.90 for the bus with ds.

Does anyone have recommendations for how much to spend and what kind of gift would be appropriate for our (amazing!) childminder?

NSD. Very tired. Going to watch Only Connect and go to bed unless the dts have other plans...

H and I have agreed a budget for joint Xmas presents for ds and individual presents. I have a plan for what I need to buy from the pair of us.

snuggly I wish you a lovely snoozy night.

Moi no idea on the gift etiquette. A box of chocolates would be my go to...given in plenty of time so they can be regifted if they are unwanted.

Evening all not caught up properly but did just see that autumn you passed your exam, I really am so pleased for you - well done! I hope this gives your confidence a little boost 🌟

Busy day with work and pilates tonight, few days off now though thank god!