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

[LivingInLaputa]

All welcome. Couldn’t see another thread!

Hey lap.
We are still here for you. How do you feel about a diagnosis?

Oh no poor hammy wolf. Hope it's just asleep.

Torrid day yesterday with work and mil.
Shopping today and more family round

That is far too early wolf 😴 intrigued about the competition! But obviously don’t say if mega outing. Hope it goes well for him, and he’s not too upset about hamster on return.

Thanks camden I’ll definitely check those out.

lap spa tone iron supplements are good. Much gentler in the stomach than tablets I’ve found.

How are you feeling re the diagnosis?

Payday yesterday. I told dh a week or so ago I wasn’t contributing my usual amount to the joint ac this month. I only had £1200 come in from work. So how can I legit put in £1600? He hasn’t noticed my money hasn’t gone in yet. I did say I’d put in the leftovers once I’d sent money to savings and kept “my” money for riding, beauticians and treats (usually around £200 I keep a month to “play with” and that covers everything and leaves me with about £30).

He’s off to the pub with workmates in a bit to watch the nz sa rugby. Not sure what I’m going to do with the kiddies. Am tempted to take a solo parent two kids trip to the park. Or might rope dsis in so she can run like a loon with ds. He loves her. Can’t say her name or auntie so calls her “buddy”

Minimal spend day today. Nothing planned but if we head out might grab a hot chocolate. Or an ice cream.

lap for you and dd. My dds periods were making her sick and she was in dreadful pain so we've put her on the pill-worked wonders.
camden ooh what's creams?
wolf ah poor hamster have you had him long?
em I'd grab your sister and do hot chocolates whilst out.
HSD day today-passports.
Possibly haircut if I can get motivated.
Dd has dance later and then it's strictly time.

camden thanks for the opinion on Monzo. Ds has got his card now, we'll see how it goes.
laputa hopefully the diagnosis will help you to be able to make progress. Definitely worth taking dd to the GP, that is a long time, bless her.
life sorry yesterday was dire, hope today is better.
Em glad your dh got a taxi yesterday. When we had one car, we used taxis when needed which still worked out better financially than a second car.
wreck dc certainly know how to push our buttons, disappointing that he didn't take part in the trial but maybe a good thing in the long run. I'm quite cynical about the way clubs recruit youngsters & build up false hopes. Our experience has been of cricket which is much smaller scale but similar in some ways.

Work has been very busy here, hence my intermittent posting. Glad it's the weekend & no cricket. Dh had a frugal win, one of his workplaces work with seconds from M&S & he came home with a king size duvet cover, sheet & single mattress protector for £20. He has also been told that a national arm of the government department he works for are likely to approach him about a permanent post with them. It would be a sideways move grade wise, but strategically a great move for him with the potential for progression, so we'll wait & see.
We're watching the Thomas Cook news closely as our Tobago flights are booked with them & it's not a package so we don't have atol protection. We knew it was a risk when we booked & we have travel insurance & paid on CC so feel fairly relaxed about it.
Meal plan has been followed, but we did tart up the leftover curry last night with sides from the local Indian restaurant (£20 ). It was worth it though!

wolf could hamster be in a deep sleep?

North its just an academy nothing more than weekly training really. I've asked them if he can have another go because I actually took part in normal training for the first time last night and did really well. I think it would be good for his confidence.

Wolf poor hammy! Our old hamster had a tumour so my dad knocked it on the head for us

Lap I hope the meds help you. I used to look after the admin for patients on those drugs that's as far as my experience goes!

Glorious day here. Dd is doing homework and I've got my second load of washing on.

Need to finish my job application later. Keep saying I won't be disappointed if I don't get it but in all honesty I will be gutted as I've already spent my first months wages in my head

Sorry things have been hard lap, does the diagnosis make sense to you iykwim? Your poor dd, my dds last period was also awful. I read if it lasts more than 7 days though you should take them to the dr. I was just getting to the point of taking dd and it finally stopped.

Poor hammy wolf, dds old hamster died on her bday! They have all lived about two years to the day.

I'm full of cold here and feeling pretty grotty with it, meant to be going to my dads today for the weekend but struggling to find the motivation to get out of bed atm!!

Lap it’s lovely to have you back. I echo the sentiments of the others frugaleers. I’d be tempted to take dd to the gp but I don’t have daughters.

Hammy is still with us, just. I can’t see him making it through the weekend to be honest.

Managed a bit of a nap, have put ds’s washing on and I’m settling down to watch the rugby

Lap ds is at a national band comp in Portsmouth a quick google will bring up where they are and what they are up to this weekend - it should be amazing for him

Hi everyone,
I've been up since 5.50am and at work since 6.45, and I've been struggling with sore throat/cold etc all week so I'm actually really tired now.

My trip to tayto Park is cancelled because my cousin's nan died and it would be way too much rushing to be home for the funeral, even though I still haven't 100% committed to not going. Just €15.50 wasted so not the end of the world. Had promised dd dinner out just the two of us but it can't be helped really.

There's an attraction near my nan's that I haven't taken them to yet with a fantastic play centre and restaurant maybe I might just do that instead.

Spends yesterday
€6 top for dd
€92.16 Groceries Dunnes Stores (€20 off €112.16 total) I'm torn between wanting to cut back & clear out our freezer(only bought one bag of frozen chips) and cupboards and wanting to keep myself getting €20 off €100 vouchers, I'm not at the stage that €50 worth of groceries will suffice yet.

I spied a nice bed for ddog in Dunnes also €15 just need dd to pick which one we'll get for her. I wonder will I be able to use a discount voucher on it, must read fine print, I have one to be used by Wed for €5 off €25 and need cat food and could get dog food too, last few weeks it's been reduced to €7 and I said oh I don't need it yet, back up to €9 now compared to €10 in my local shop! It's not gone yet so will have lasted 5.5 weeks. Dd wants to get a pink bed though

laputa glad you're getting looked after, and hopefully the meds will help reduce the overwhelming feeling, your poor dd, that's a long long long time isn't it

Sorry not caught up with everyone else, flying out the door here again.

Want to drop off at electrical recycling pop up station today

Sorry to hear the trip has been cancelled happier.
££££ on food, no idea what we are eating. Mil is coming for tea but i refuse to eat quich so she will have to buy her own as only m&s will do. As is near the hospital I'm not being too U

Dh is back from rugby.

Ds Dd and I met dsis at garden centre. We had brunch (dsis paid) and then had a wander round. Spent £17. Fireman Sam noisy book for ds’ birthday on Tuesday. A Christmas tree ice cube tray and a Christmas tree soap dispenser.

Dsis bought ds a windmill for the garden. Which he’s taken to bed with him. Wouldn’t let it go. I picked my battles.

Dh came home as Dd was mid bottle. He took her and started feeding her but still hasn’t quite grasped the concept that she needs to be kept as upright as possible while she hasn’t a cold and is feeding as mucus. Lo and behold. She sicked all over him. So I’ve had to clean the carpet again. Dh moaned about how that’s every day this week she’s done that. It isn’t. I made the point I didn’t know she’d done it yesterday. Or the day before. Or the day before that. Exaggerating much?!

I’m now having a rest as am still feeling all full of cold/sinusey. Which sucks when kiddies are little. Ds doesn’t understand mummy wants to rest. Dd certainly doesn’t.

Just bought a new printer. Ours died as we replaced the ink anyway got it through very £80 reduced to £70 had a £30 credit if I spent over £60 on buy now pay later and hp are doing £20 cashback on purchases so when I finally get the credit and cashback I'll only have £20 to pay

Thanks all, nice to be back. I think I’m going to ring up on Monday for DD. Poor kid is absolutely mortified so I’ve said I’ll ask for a phone call first, I think she needs bloods for anaemia and other vitamin deficiencies. Turns out my stepdaughter also went on the pill young for her period issues (whereas her twin has had zero issues ever). So will bear that in mind too.

I shall google that wolf sounds great!

FML em yes how very dare the BABY be sick. He has met babies before right..?

Sorry about the family bereavement happier :(

Re the diagnosis... it’s not a surprise exactly as I kind of realised maybe a year ago. So it was more of a shock back then as previously I’d thought ADHD, no way, because I’ve never been hyperactive. But there’s a whole other type that doesn’t involve that and is far more common in adults and women. Really I’m just happy they are letting my try medication. After years (since 14, I am now 32) of antidepressants doing fuck all, I’m pretty ready for a change. :o

£15 stuff from farm shop plus bread and milk
£88 on birthday present for ds from df but he will pay me back
£20 takeawa
£4.99 book (this is the sort of spend I always forget to count)
Two loads of washing dried outside, rugby watched, book finished, bit of gardening done and nice chat with neighbour who is closest in age to me

Went to supermarket (£40), farm shop (£44), then went to my dm's & had a lovely sit & chat in the sun & came away with more plums & damsons, tomatoes, runner beans & flowers. Tomorrow is going to be making chutney, jam, starting damson gin, piccalilli & tomato soup.

Spends today €6 on newspaper & hot chicken wrap

Used the credit balance on one credit card to buy 3 months supply of revive active utilising discount for buying in bulk plus code to get 15% off. €142.50 vs €179.85.

Paid €100 off 0% transfer cc, received €29.08 from closing one card. Will close second card on Monday.

Frugal dinner using second half of a butter chicken set I bought a few weeks ago, made 4 portions of Mexican chicken using Maggi spice bag kit & 3 portions of meatballs in tomato & basil sauce. Will portion out when cold.

Lap no relation to me at all but thanks
Wreck brilliant bargain there

Life spending pocket money & gift vouchers in smyths tomo & on to play centre where we will eat too & visit my own nan plus allowing them stay up until 10pm means dc are happy & I'm happy because I'm in my pjs since 1pm

I'm definitely back in the term-time way of life - 6am on a Sunday and I'm wide awake 😩!

It's been an annoyingly spendy weekend so far. After having a brilliant start to September, some old spending habits have crept in.

1. dh has had a super stressful week at work so I went to the corner shop to buy some treats on Friday - £10 - and he went off last night (not sure what he spent). Must get some treat items in with weekly shop to avoid this.
2. I was travelling on Friday and despite packing water and an emergency packet of hula hoops, ended up spending £6 in Starbucks. Not a regular occurrence but extra in weekly shop might have avoided this too.
3. dashed out of the house yesterday to enjoy the sun. Did pack a picnic but accidentally left dhs sandwich in the fridge. He did get another one from the shop rather than detouring to a cafe but still annoying.
4. had to pick my mum up from the airport but got the timing wrong. Rather than

Good to see you Lap.

I need to get back to posting daily and spending less! Work is so busy!

Just rewatching Strictly with the dcs. So happy it's back and as DH pointed out that means it's nearly Christmas!

I've got dd tickets to see the strictly tour for Christmas. She's going to be so excited.

Today I'm taking dd to a farm with a special event on that is the same as her topic from school. We've arranged it ourselves but a few from her class are going. Will cost me £19 🙄

Moi it’s a really good point about constant vigilance

Hey Peeps... sorry I keep appearing and wandering off again.

Love that is so stressful. It is such a difficult condition to deal with. There is some great support out there - Mind, Alzheimer's Society, Dementia Care UK et al. Also this is where I go to get information LIN Housing It is mostly about dementia friendly housing design, but there are links to support services. It is set up an maintained by housing & care professionals as a learning and knowledge hub.

Sea our reports are exactly the same... do 90% of the work and then everyone piles in on it because it makes them feel important. Doesn't add to the content or improve the logic chain.... just massages the egos.

Our TV has died so we are finally going flat screen ( it has taken that long for the old one to die) so we are getting a new one. I feel sorry for the old one - it was given to us because it had stopped working ...the auto swivel to give optimum viewing angle without having to get off the sofa thing, not the TV itself. We have had it for about 5 years. I am going to miss it.... although looking forward to having the corner of the room back. £349 for a 55 inch HD smart one. The frugal advantage of being too lazy take the old one to the tip but not lazy enough to mind manually changing the angle.

And there’s another good frugal principle Unescorted

1. Be constantly vigilant with your money/spending
2. Keep things until they break beyond (affordable) repair

And one from me thinking back to my car mirror replacement

1. Check if you can do the work yourself rather than paying someone to do it

Morning everyone. It's raining cats and dogs here . DD is with Ex this weekend so I might treat myself to a cinema trip to see the Downton Abbey movie. I know I said I'd be reserving cinema trips to school holidays going forward. But I feel I deserve a treat for making it through the latest mediation session. And I'd only have to pay for one cinema ticket. No McDonalds this time.

NSD yesterday

em that was so sweet about DS showing DD around his nursery

Girlie sorry to hear about DD's meltdown. Is she very excited about the prospect of the ski trip? Hope it doesn't work out too expensive for you. It's hard saying no to DC when they're so excited about these things. But essential sometimes.

Wolf glad the garage staff are so decent but sorry to hear about your hamster.

Curls what's a PGL weekend? Is it in the UK or abroad?

Meadow my Public Health Nurse also said that you should talk to babies and explain what's going to happen next. They come to understand what you're telling them and it make for calmer babies because they know what's happening next. Life/the world becomes less scary and unpredictable for them. Well, that's the theory anyway.

mog your poor DD. All excited about her first party and then it's cancelled

Laputa hope the diagnosis helps to explain things for you and that the medication helps with the symptoms. I'd definitely take DD to the GP - 18 days is a ridiculous length for a period.

Wreck good luck with the job application. DD would love to see a Strictly show. I wonder if it's coming to Dublin - I should check it out.

Get well soon em and Happier and Girlie

Just checked and Strictly is on in Dublin but it's a Tuesday night so I'd have to take her out of school to get her to Dublin and back. I'll think about it. We don't have those strict rules here about fines for non school attendance but I'll be taking her out of school for Swan Lake in October. So I don't want to be seen as that parent. And she's doing state exams this year so I don't want her missing school if I can help it.