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Festive frugaleers saving through to the new year!

999 replies

SnugglySnerd · 11/12/2018 07:53

New thread! Tried to post on the old one and it was full. Newcomers welcome!

OP posts:
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Bornlazy · 22/12/2018 19:47

Meadow don’t worry about the house just concentrate on one thing at a time. I am sure it will be evident at your PIP tribunal that you are legit - your anxiety although really horrible for you to be going through right now will probably go in your favour. I will keep everything crossed for you. As for the council tax thing surely someone somewhere will have made a note of your partners correspondence and it’s just been overlooked.

Sneaky do you automatically lose the support worker when you turn 21? Are you feeling ok?

Wrong that sounds like a really terrible time - no wonder you’ve escaped. There is so much pressure on people to be happy at Christmas... I enjoy it for my children but other than that could see it far enough.

Bornlazy · 22/12/2018 19:49

Great bargain Sneaky 😜

SneakyGremlinsBrokeTheSleigh · 22/12/2018 19:52

There's a way to have a worker for another year after I'm 21 but not too sure on the details.

AutumnLeaves12 · 22/12/2018 19:59

Sneaky Have you considered finding a proxy relative who would like a nice chap like you around? I have several proxy grannies, who are just the older ladies in my street. I fix their computers and we chat in the street, but I really like it. My dm had a series of proxy grannies when I was little too.

SneakyGremlinsBrokeTheSleigh · 22/12/2018 20:05

Do I just turn up at old ladies' houses? Xmas Grin it's not a bad idea.

SnugglySnerd · 22/12/2018 20:06

Take care there Meadow you have a lot on your plate.

OP posts:
AutumnLeaves12 · 22/12/2018 20:14

Sneaky I'm not sure actually. I think that for a chap in your position the thing would be to have some kind of useful skill like fixing things (computers or plumbing, or feeding people's cats or whatever) and to just do little bits of volunteer work for your neighbours. If you found someone that you hit it off with, who also had no children (at least locally) then you could be a very nice friend to that person, and vice versa.

The main perk of the job is that you get to hear lots of stories about the 1930s and 40s and you get offered biscuits and general life advice. It's good.

I have three proxy grannies at the moment and they're all fab.

Fluffycloudland77 · 22/12/2018 20:16

Hang on, so you’ve got a pip case, council tax problems, an ill child and your dh accepted to donate stem cells?. Meadow I’d be furious with him. It’s a noble thing to do but it’s really not the time.

If it affects him this much he needs to knock it on the head until the baby’s older. You and the baby come first.

SneakyGremlinsBrokeTheSleigh · 22/12/2018 20:20

I'm good at computers - as in software, and I'm good at feeding cats.

When I get my allotment in 74 years I'm hoping to make lots of friends that way Smile

AutumnLeaves12 · 22/12/2018 20:20

I would go batshit if my dh did that too Fluffy. Didn't like to say so.

AutumnLeaves12 · 22/12/2018 20:23

Sneaky Being good at computers is great! One of my proxy grannies pays me money to fix her computer for her and she is always incredibly pleased when I make the machine go again. One time the cable had just dropped out of the back. If you got a reputation for being a freelance computer fixer you could make good money in that too.

I get about £30 an hour for it, while the shop up the road charges £50. I also get stories about living in Eastern Europe during WWII, and lots and lots of praise for being able to do something, that for me, is about as hard as tying my shoelaces. It's a good job.

AutumnLeaves12 · 22/12/2018 20:27

There's also use of course. We can be your proxies for ever if you like. Grin

AutumnLeaves12 · 22/12/2018 20:27

"us" I mean.

Bornlazy · 22/12/2018 20:42

Autumn 😱 you never charged your proxy granny £30 to put the cable back into her computer did you? 😜 That reminds me of the Catherine Tate sketch with the Grandma having her tv fixed by her grandsons friend and insisting he took money for it and then as soon as he’s out the door being all... “well what a fucking Liberty” 😂

AutumnLeaves12 · 22/12/2018 20:57

LOL! Born That does sound odd, now you mention it.

I ought not to talk about my particular proxy granny on MN, but the general going rate for computer fixing seems to be £30 an hour including the assumption that I will just drop everything and go at a moment's notice when people's email has gone up the chute.
Putting a cable back in only takes five minutes (including travel!). LOL!

In case anyone is wondering, I am not being taken advantage of either. It's all fine.

The caveat with this kind of job is that only 50% of it is computer fixing. With elderly people, 50% is listening to their worries and putting those to rest, which can take a long time.

It also involves figuring out when it is a computer problem, and when it is a scammer on the computer or phone who is trying to rob the person. That further involves explaining the reality of that, and then calming the person's fears about why such a thing could happen.

There is also the regular job of hacking back into their email, when the password is lost. And setting up the 2-factor authentication so that we can get back in next time with less hassle.

So in fact, the computer fixing is only a small part. Most of my time is spent explaining what the heck is going on. That's how I earn my £30.

AutumnLeaves12 · 22/12/2018 20:59

Reminds me, I must do my tax return.

Bornlazy · 22/12/2018 21:15

I know Autumn I’m only teasing 😀 I’m sure they value your company and reassurance as much as your skills and you’re right the stories that older people can tell are invaluable. I love listening to my mum’s cousin who is 90 her stories make me realise how much better we actually have it compared to then. My Granny and her sister both had stillborn babies and then both lost their husbands and were left to bring up young families on their own 😨.

Girliefriendlikesflowers · 22/12/2018 21:19

Blimey meadow out of all those stresses I think I would just focus on poorly dd, the other things although very stressful will sort themselves out. Agree with others re your dh's crap timing though.

That's good you're getting support sneaky good bargain on the battenburg! I love battenburg! Some volunteer work might not be a bad idea to get some skills and new friends maybe. I did a volunteer thing at your age working in an inner city school in brum, I enjoyed it and it taught me that I never wanted to work with children ever again 😂

My dd is still struggling with leaky ears, have put her up to bed and hoping she goes to sleep pronto so I can finish wrapping her presents.

AutumnLeaves12 · 22/12/2018 21:21

Thanks Born. It's really hard to tell when people are joking on here. I know I make really dry jokes all the time and they get completely lost.

Your friends sound fantastic. I also can't imagine living the lives that our grandparents' generation lived. Whenever things get tricky here I just thank my lucky stars that we're not actively being bombed from the air.

There's a good thread on MN actually about fab stories from grannies' and grandads' lives. I read it with ds when I was living in that bonkers little holiday house recently. It was really interesting.

FWIW recently an octogenarian friend got scared by an internet scammer and said to me "Why is everyone on the internet so awful?" and I told her all about the frugaleers and she felt much better. Star

I'm now filling in my tax return instead of looking at the Next VIP sale. Halo

ememem84 · 22/12/2018 21:25

We are a bit comfy here.

Presents wrapped. Al but ds’ and mine for dh. Phew. Ds finally asleep. He cried for about an hour in total. We had a lovely cuddle though. During which he slapped my face and laughed a few times. I think his back left teeth are coming through. The right ones are there. Not all but some. But he did not want to sleep. Eventually he’s obviously tired himself out poor babbooo.

Have any of you used the gro-snugs (swaddling blanket bags) I’m tempted to get some for dc2. We just used swaddle cloths for ds. But wondering if there would be better. Or just be frugal and use the cloths that I already have. But opinions welcome.

Think this time I might really try harder with a sling.

MeadowHay · 22/12/2018 21:45

Thanks for the nice messages [flower]. I feel a bit better now although v. tired as DD was screaming hysterically for like an hour before for no discernable reason, maybe just cos she's feeling poorly with her cold.

Greengrass I don't think we can pay this online because the account is closed now as we don't live there anymore and they've already begun proceedings against us, not 100% sure though. I will just make sure he calls them on Monday and sorts it. He seems to be on the up so sure he'll feel a lot better by then.

Someone asked about proof - well they will have recordings of the phone calls and DH will have somewhere too as we both have a call recording app on our phones, it's just a case of digging them out though as I can't remember exactly the dates, the first will have been in August or September after we moved house and he spoke to them again about a fortnight ago but possibly a further time in-between, I can't remember for sure. They also must have records because otherwise how did they know to send this letter to me now? They were simulateneously sending us bills for this property whilst at the same time sending letters addressed to the same people, to a different property Confused after we had told them we had moved, wth?

Sneaky I am so used to being the youngest on this thread I don't know what to do with myself now I am not!! Grin Whereabouts in the country are you?

Tbf the stem cell thing was organised weeks ago, before I got the letter about the council tax court proceedings, and before DD was unwell, and she has not been super-unwell, just a virus (still feeding fine and until today has been ok tempeament-wise) and he was in a neighbouring city so if there was an emergency he could have came back easily, I have a lot of support here too, DM came over for a bit both the evenings he was away and both the mornings too. It's not something he could have rearranged really as obviously the person is in dire need and having treatment in prep for the donation etc - I totally supported him going to do it, it was unfortunate that he had to be away for two nights rather than one because the first day his sample clotted which wasn't picked up til halfway through as well so he had to have it done again the next day, but that was very successful so although it's been a particularly difficult and stressful few days, he has saved or at least extended someone else's life and I can't complain about the inconvenience when that would really mean the recipient could well have died. There is a slim chance he may be called again for the same recipient within 12 months or something like that but hopefully neither he nor the recipient will be that unlucky to have it needed, and he is pulled from the list for 2 years or something like that now so he can't be called to donate to anyone else for that period. But I do support him doing it - the recipient could be like me and have a baby for all we know. I would join the register myself but I am just on the cusp of the lower weight limit so want to ensure I stay a bit more comfortably above it before I do and my weight is all over the place atm.

SneakyGremlinsBrokeTheSleigh · 22/12/2018 21:49

Sorry to take your Sash, Meadow Xmas Wink

I live in a northern town known for the water!

AutumnLeaves12 · 22/12/2018 22:16

You're very kind Meadow to think of the recipient like that, and I'm glad you have help. Don't listen to us and our criticisms. You know what's right for your family. Flowers

Happierwithouthim · 22/12/2018 23:02

Catching up on now on two days of posts

Spends yesterday
€10 on sweets & drinks for our journey yesterday including 6 pk of 500ml water for the car
€55 diesel on fuel card
€35 babysitting
€260 to au pair incl holiday pay

Today
€10 on minerals at a family part

Yesterday got €180 back on my paye so bumper wages Grin it's to last until thurs week but I got paid on thurs too so I've ynabbed it all out.

Got lots of cash gifts too so I've budgeted that out too.
Regifted a bottle of wine to my sil

Was treated to meal out by df, it was beautiful & lovely to get 13 adults & 5 children together Grin

Received boohoo order yesterday €119.61 including delivery charge, I realised after ordering entire wedding is in hotel so I don't need anything over my dress so everything's going back without trying on as even looking at it them through plastic. Everything incl del charge will be refunded.

Lonely that's fantastic

Lovely gift sneaky

I'm home alone in my parents house, everyone's gone out for the night so I'm off to bed for myself soon, for some reason I stay up later here but get up later too

Meadow that sounds overwhelming

Wrong that's awful what you've been through Thanks

ChristmasSeacow · 23/12/2018 00:51

I’m Struggling to keep up as I’m having a manic few days - and I’ve also come down with a filthy cold so I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself and everything is a bit foggy. But hopefully I’ll feel much better by The Big Day by which time I’ll probably have given it to DH or DCs

I’ve been up late cleaning out the fridge and washing all the drawers etc. Ocado order is coming tomorrow morning. I’ve spent an absolute fortune (Howmuch is a gammon?!!! And prawns?!! And pecan nuts for a pie? And don’t get me started on the turkey!) but I’m looking forward to having my family over. Really missing my dad though Sad. And feeling very sad about Granny too.

Just wanted to say: Meadow I’m not surprised you are stressed out! Sounds like DH did a great thing - I couldn’t have said no in the circumstances, matches are hard to find - and it’s just really unlucky that so much shit is happening at once. But. Poorly babies do pick up and DD’s mood will no doubt improve with that. The PIP thing - get your money’s worth out of your legal rep and give it your best. It’s all you can do. As for the council tax, if they really want to pursue you for extra fees their case will fall apart pretty quickly as there will defo be evidence of what you’ve tried to do to put it right. No point worrying on a Sunday, you can’t talk to anyone about it but nor is anything adverse happening behind the scenes. Same with the bank holidays over Christmas. So while nothing more is happening try not to worry about it, and just get DH to pick it up on business days when he is better. I am sure that problem will go away once someone with a bit of sense looks into it at their end. Concentrate on Getting everyone well and enjoying your first Christmas with DD. Good luck, we’ll be rooting for you over the next few weeks.

Wrong I hardly know what to say. That sounds like an utterly awful and life-changing series of events. You enjoy your sunshine Flowers.

Sneaky you’d win the frugal crown for that Mr Kipling bargain except... it’s marzipan 🤢.

I’ve been really bad and ordered a huuuuge amount of sale stuff from Boden. I doubt I’ll keep much as I find Boden very hit and miss but while it’s on my credit card I’m feeling awfully guilty about it. Somehow the combination of losing weight and going back to work (and wanting to feel a bit more polished and ‘together’) has unhinged me Blush. Am defo keeping the swishy mid-length jersey skirt that I found though - I’ve been looking for one of those for ages and I feel fabulous in it. That’s properly lifted my snotty spirits today! Grin

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