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990 replies

northender · 19/05/2019 06:40

Lots of support and advice here for frugaleers old and new.

OP posts:
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happytobemrsg · 20/05/2019 18:09

So you’ll be having just over 6 months off em? I can’t go back to work until DS1 is in school next September- I don’t think DH will have both boys at home on his own.

That’s so frustrating Wreck!! Hope you have a nice time 🍷

Today I’ve spent £2.55 on a chai latte yes it’s an addiction & £2.15 in Tesco buying snacks for work for this week. So not too bad today.

Wolfcubisthefemalenominal · 20/05/2019 18:20

£8 McDonald’s breakfast for two after orthodontist I appreciate neither necessary or healthy but it was a treat for ds (cough that’s my excuse anyway)

Ds’s trainers have arrived but I haven’t opened them yet. Will let him do it after tea and check they fit

Washing dried on the line frugal win and watered my pots

Keep looking for a cheap cottage for next week. No joy so far

MeadowHay · 20/05/2019 21:14

Sweet things is mostly fruit, and sweet yoghurt, and to a much lesser extent sometimes baby jar desserts or cake. She is at nursery Mon-Wed, she eats a bit better there than at home but they do give dessert with lunch and tea. Thursdays she's with DM where she basically eats sugar all day because she's still too terrified to let her eat proper solids and she knows she refuses savoury purees Hmm but I'm not too arsed about that as it's only 1 day out of 7.

She used to eat a little bit of mashed up baked beans and the last few weeks hasn't touched them Confused. Trying to be calm and lots of praise when she does eat something but it's so hard. She has 3 bottles of formula a day, we make up 6 scoops of formula but she often only drinks 4oz or so. We just dropped a bottle about a week ago on the advice of the HV. The HV said to withdraw all the sweet stuff too and my friend said her friend did that with her son who was similar and it worked after a few days but he did scream for days. She is also under investigation for asthma atm and the screaming makes her chest worse so not sure I can do that to her. Plus the BLW woman from the children's centre has told me not to do that and just continue as I am. Everyone gives conflicting advice so it's hard to know what to do.

lifelongfrugaleer · 20/05/2019 21:42

There will be conflicting advice cos everyone has different things that work for their child.
You need to get your DM on board for a start to feed her less sugar on her days.

When are the asthma tests? Until that's fine then your thoughts of not making it worse seem sensible.
In the meantime try reducing the sweet stuff without making it too cold turkey iykwim. Bit of best of both for now.
Can you get to see a dietician?

lifelongfrugaleer · 20/05/2019 21:42

Done not fine. Until that's done

ememem84 · 20/05/2019 22:04

Yep 30 weeks. It’s flown by. Ds was born at 39 weeks. So if I’m honest I’m hoping for early baby. Not too early. But early.

Yes mrsg just around 6m. I had 8m off with ds. And thought about asking for the same time with dd but I’ve got my 4 day week now so don’t want to push my luck.

Girliefriendlikescake · 20/05/2019 22:49

Meadow honestly your dd sounds fine, I was bought up on sweet stuff (typical late 70s parenting) and have always been a normal healthy weight. I think the key is to be relaxed, offer food and not react if they eat it or ignore it (easier said than done I know!) Also babies and kids change their minds over what they like alllll the bloody time! Dd didn't eat bananas for about 3 years and now eats two a day 🙄 your dd is prob just has a little tummy and doesn't want/need loads of food.

Nice day here, first day of doing my own thing at work which I think (hope ) went okay!

My mum completed her walk today, incredible achievement - she has walked 779 km across Spain in 6 weeks 😲 inspirational, so proud of her.

Nsd.

lifelongfrugaleer · 21/05/2019 06:12

Well done girlie and girlie DM.
Forgot to log yesterday spends 6 fruit, £8 .60 skate park.
Nsd today except for planned activities

lifelongfrugaleer · 21/05/2019 06:28

Watching GoT before the DC get up. Can I fit the whole lot in?

Wolfcubisthefemalenominal · 21/05/2019 06:33

Life what time do they get up?

WreckTangled · 21/05/2019 07:04

I remember giving dd a mouthful of savoury between her yoghurts because she wouldn't eat it otherwise Grin meadow your dd is definitely not the only one who prefers sweet.

Happierwithouthim · 21/05/2019 07:46

Yesterday's spends
€12 Lana Asian street food for lunch
€2.95 magazine & a Lindt paw 🐾
€1.55 fruit scone & chewing gum
I'm at a course & all this will be covered by expenses but I've been smarter today & brought the aforementioned scone with me & made lunch & going to use my lunch hour to go for a walk today.

Approx €18 on topup shop, not going to do full grocery shop this week as Aldi shop last week was expensive.

Meadow I was always taught food for fun until they're one, they get their main nutrition from milk at that stage, they're all different and she'll be fine.

Life did you get through it before dc got up, I've never seen even one episode Smile

Girlie well done to your mum

Paid for delivery €2.49 from shoezone for wellies for dc to arrive last thurs still no sign Angry

ememem84 · 21/05/2019 07:48

life can’t believe you’re only just watching GoT now...!

We are early. There’s a chance (dh faffing aside) we might make it you Nursery for just after 8...

Wolfcubisthefemalenominal · 21/05/2019 08:01

GIrlie well done to your mum that’s amazing

Stuck on a massively delayed and packed train, at some point today I may make it to London, not on the list of things I needed today as I need to run a board meeting when I eventually get there and have my head in the game

lifelongfrugaleer · 21/05/2019 08:10

Scout meeting last night so was out after work. I have 13 minutes left to watch. That will be tonight hopefully

ememem84 · 21/05/2019 08:43

life I’d have just been late for work....

I watched it early doors yesterday. Dh refused to get up. So I knew before work how things played out. He didn’t speak to me the whole day. And then I rewatched it with him last night.

happytobemrsg · 21/05/2019 10:40

I went back to work at 4 days a week last time after 13 months off then they changed their minds. Needless to say, I quit within a week of finding out! So I don’t blame you for not pushing your luck em. I’m planning on having 13 months off again this time & if they want me, go back 2 days a week.

I’m still on series 4 of GOT. I’ve been dodging spoilers like bullets. Bloody nightmare!

Girliefriendlikescake · 21/05/2019 11:52

Day off today, the plan is to catch up at home. I haven't been able to keep on top it as well since starting the new job, not sure why that is as the hours are the same! I think maybe I'm missing getting the extra days off in the week when I used to work a weekend.

It's scary how quickly the house descends into a shit tip 😵 wish I could afford a cleaner. How much time do you working mums spend a week cleaning? I don't mean keeping on top of the day to day crap but actually hoovering, dusting, cleaning the bathroom etc? I think I need to get more organised.

Today I'm blitzing the downstairs loo, the bathroom, hoovering throughout, sorting out a massive pile of washing and having a general tidy up 😑 not a massive housework fan but mess/grubbiness annoys me!!

Need to put some money on dds school dinner account but no other spends planned.

ememem84 · 21/05/2019 12:16

mrsg for me going back was more for my mental health. I just couldn’t have been a sahm. I absolutely admire those who can do it though. I just haven’t got the patience!

girlie I try and do a little each day and save the “big” stuff for Saturday or Sunday mornings. Today the dishwasher has been put on this morning and will empty it this evening. Will empty bins and then will empty washing machine dry laundry and throw another load on to be finished by the time we get home tomorrow.

Kitchen is given a wipe down after dinner. Bathroom after ds’ bath. And also while he’s bathing. I haven’t done the floors for a week or so. That’s a weekend job!

It’s tough. But I need to get into a routine now.

I’ve said to dh however that when I go back in January we’re getting a cleaner. Even if it’s only a couple of hours every couple of weeks. It’s money well spent.

lifelongfrugaleer · 21/05/2019 13:36

I love my cleaner more than DH. Grin

About 30 minutes a day in fits and starts for house jobs

Wolfcubisthefemalenominal · 21/05/2019 15:55

Girlie mine is all done on a Friday which is my day off (compressed hours) except for washing, kitchen surfaces, dishes etc. There is no time the rest of the week or weekend between ferrying ds and long workdays. I do a job, sit for 15 mins or so, then do another one. Bathroom is always the first job. Upstairs does not get vaccumed very often because I can’t lift the vac upstairs very well.

So i seem to have accidentally walked into a temporary promotion today. No idea how long for could be a couple of weeks or could be months and lots of extra work stress but I was in need of a challenge anyway. If it proves too much I can always sack it off, I would be unpopular for doing so but would at least keep my sanity

Em I am the same as you I wouldn’t have coped at home, I’ve no idea how people do it and every admiration for those that do

lifelongfrugaleer · 21/05/2019 16:51

Well done wolf

SnugglySnerd · 21/05/2019 16:58

I'm trying to persuade dh we could afford a cleaner. I'm sure we could, maybe once a fortnight.
Nsd but realised I forgot several things in my online shop so will have to pop to the supermarket at some point. Annoyingly they are things we eat all the time like oats and bananas otherwise I'd leave it.

happytobemrsg · 21/05/2019 17:08

My sis is a SAHM but rather than understanding that it’s different horses for different courses, I think she judges me for wanting to work, even part time. It’s good for my mental health too.

God I would love a cleaner. As soon as DH’s business starts bringing in money that’ll be the first thing I ask for. When I worked 2 days a week I was keeping on top of everything using the organised mum method. Working 3 days/ being pregnant has zapped my energy now. I see how much I can do for 1-2 hours then I say I’m done!

Well done Wolf!

NSD so far as I’m at home today. Did washing, cleaned kitchen & hoovered downstairs while DS was at preschool. Had anti natal check up at hospital this afternoon (strong heartbeat 👍🏻) & whopping cough vaccination. DH treated us to a Zizzi takeaway on the way home.

lifelongfrugaleer · 21/05/2019 17:43

Good news baby g is developing well.

I need to buy some stuff for scouts but will be refunded.
£6 Sainsbury's on fruit.
Might do my Aldi shop while in there too

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