Had a Spendy Summer? Join the Friendly Frugaleers as we Segue Smoothly into a Sensible September

[LivingInLaputa]

All welcome. Couldn’t see another thread!

Unescorted
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Em* wow the difference in your teeth is incredible

Ds broke my phone last night, took a screwdriver to the charging port. It charged 18% in the entire night I'm out of contract so should be eligible for an upgrade so will phone today/hopefully do online chat to find out what package they'll offer me.
From what I can see online €55 a month with current provider or €60 a month with other provider would get me similar package except €60 includes 100 international minutes. I've two siblings abroad & rang my sister for 5 mins twice this week at cost of €5 each time so I'm thinking this is better deal. Could ring without worry.
He didn't feel challenged by first day of school said all they did was colour, phone was taken off him to do other stuff yesterday, plus he's going away for 2 nights without us & doesn't want to I'd say, these are only justifications I can figure out.
I've told him when I replace it he'll not get to use new phone at all.

Happy Birthday laputads

lap that’s amazing!!! I hope you have a great time at legoland. You deserve it!!!

unescorted that’s amazing that your employer does that and recognises that a bit of time spent healing mental health is better than the alternative. I’d imagine that it makes people feel more valued too.

My work isn’t very good with mental health. Although I’m a big believer in self care. I’m happy for my team to take a time out if they need it. And do it myself. If I need a moment I go outside. Walk around the block/get a nice coffee from the shop etc. Or even if they need a day off at last minute just to recompose. Providing we’ve got cover it’s ok. And even if we don’t I’ve usually authorised it if I can see that there’s a lot going on.

7am almost. Ds has just woken up. Can’t hear Dd or dh. So am assuming both sleeping. Didn’t hear her at all last night (Dhs turn for the overnight shift). And I barely moved in my sleep apparently.

I’m going to call petplan (or send an email as it’s quicker) today and ask them about a discount. Makes no sense to insure the same animal but in Dhs name at the same cost. Where our renewal in my name will shoot it up to £12 a month. I know it’s only £2 extra. But it’s the principal of the thing!

Dh is going to do car insurance.

Our garden table is arriving at some point today. Yippee!!!

Happy birthday lap ds. Have fun at Lego land. Take a pic nic the food isn't great.

Great difference on the teeth em.

Fantastic unescorted DS and we'll done on being a MH first aider. They are a great idea but I missed the training as I was off

Oh dear happier he is very unhappy/anxious? at the moment isn't he. Hope today is better

Hello! Can I join? Recently separated, now divorcing, and learning to go it alone financially, 2 dc who are with me 50% of the time's.

We weren't well off but comfortable & I didn't used to have to think about spending on food shops or getting decent mid-range products / haircuts, treats for kids etc. Now having own mortgage, bills etc I am having to learn to be really frugal.

Downloaded a fab app where it works out your daily allowance and that's really helping. Finding it hardest to cut back far enough in the food shop- need to start batch cooking cheaper meals! Poor kids are getting used to me saying- can't afford that, too expensive etc!

Just bought did cheeky wipe period pants so thanks for that tip further up the thread. Looking forward to learning more thrifty tips from you all!

Dd not did!

Thanks guys. Wonder if I’m going to regret telling him today as it’s 11 days until we go. The suspense may kill him 😅

Bowling with friends later. Need to get stamps as well.

And welcome changing :)

Can I join please? Have spent money likes it's going out of fashion over the summer.
Not helped by going on a holiday we hadn't budgeted for and couldn't afford

Also far too much buying a sandwich here, a coffee there, which adds up to silly amounts.

Pay day today and after bills go out will be left with very little again. I have to get a grip on spending.

Just to add DD has a pair of Modibod's. Really impressed with them but man, are they expensive! When I can afford to, will buy some more.

Hi changing and dorset

@Dorsetcamping I wanted to get the modi's but sooo expensive, the cheekwipes are £20 for 3 or £8 for one at the moment - haven't got them yet but they've been recommended on a few places in mumsnet recently.

Also the app I am using I had helped me really cut down on all the little things you mention that just add up. You put in income, all expenses, any amount you want to save and it works out a daily budget- then you put in what you spend - if you underspend your allowance the next day carries over so is up and if you overspend it goes orange! Having to see my daily amount go down every time I buy has really helped me to think about whether I really need whatever it is etc. Happy to post or be pm'd for the name of it if anyone's interested, but don't want to be accused of advertising on their behalf

Cheeky wipes- I am not being a successful typist today!

Thanks for all the hellos!

Thanks Em
Would be very grateful for any advice/techniques on how to cut spending and save money.

Reading about those of you with LOs, how I miss those days. I am now surrounded by entitled teens who just suck every last penny out of me

@ChangingStates yes please to details of the app. I need to make a start!

I keep meaning to get period pants.

Having breakfast with ds. We’re watching go jetters. He’s just bumped me and spilled my tea all over my lovely fluffy white dressing gown. At least the tea didn’t go on him....

Today is “benefits” day. As in my mat benefit gets paid into my account. Wooop. So I’m £200 richer.

Also thanks for the CheekyWipes tip. Much cheaper than Modibod. Wondering if anyone has a discount code?

@LivingInLaputa not anymore. You choose which branch of nursing before you start. Adult, child, mental health. Obviously they overlap as you can’t have good mental health without good physical health etc.

Aah that’s good choc thanks. Such an important job you do ❤️

DD is happy with her modibodi - I got some on offer but still pricy! Will try cheeky next. And for myself too.

And the actual wipes for toddler. She’s now naked most of the time 🙈 she knows and indicates when she needs to go... won’t go on the potty though (have tried, she gets immensely stressed) so we are now putting a nappy on her when she says she needs one 🧐 bit annoying but at least no accidents I guess.

DS is very happy with his presents (some major bargains like good as new minecraft books from a charity shop) and is excited for legoland 😁

Morning all,

Happier naughty ds, sometimes kids are just naughty for no reason I was one of those kids great news on the house.

Lap happy birthday to your ds Lego land will be fab, have you got water proof trousers for the wet rides?! They were a god send for dd who would have had a breakdown if her actual trousers had got wet!!

Em teeth look fab, it's good to have a proper look through the budget, I need to do this again.

Puppy got me up at 6.30 but I fell asleep with him on the sofa for last 2 hours!! Was having some very weird dreams though 😳🤪🤣

Welcome newcomers! Changing that app sounds great. What is it called please?

I keep meaning to buy period pants too Em. Then no more plastic pads!

Just had an email clear out and unsubscribed from several annoying mailing lists. Hooray!

Also went to Sainsbury's and spent £33 on a top-up shop. We get through so much expensive fruit. I know I could get it cheaper in Aldi but they don't do twin trollies which makes it much more difficult.

Hopefully the rest of the day will be spend-free!

Car insurance renewed. Switched providers and premium down from £304 to £212. Winning!

Welcome everybody new! Nothing like September for fresh starts (and one of the reasons I'm a teacher I think - I love September!)

That's really interesting snuggly as our Aldi is one of the only places I can reliably and easily get a twin trolley without having to search around a huge car park for one. However, as much as I love Aldi I had to make the switch to home-delivery about a year ago for sanity sake. It was one of the things that had to 'give' when we were at breaking point parenting and time-wise.

Only spends in last few days have been £3ish on milk, bread and spread. Shopping is arriving tomorrow (around £60 atm). We probably could have held out til month start but I want to get some batch cooking done over the weekend - bolognaise, bean burgers, falafel, coleslaw and hummus ready for the week ahead with hopefully some dinners for the freezer too.

girlie I'd say he's unsettled alright, and he lashes out then. I'm only there on Fridays to put them on the bus, today was second day at school. He said he feels different that all the other children have their Mammy's there to put them on the bus and he doesn't.

Plus last night dd wrote me a note that I love ds more than her, my heart breaks for them both.

And there's more change ahead with house being sold too.

ChangingStates I'm in similar situation to you, welcome to the thread
Welcome Dorset

Girlie and you're such a responsible adult

All your talk about periods reminds me I must pick up my pill tomo will enquire about cost of filling prescription vs just getting it monthly my sister told me there's a big saving