Friendly Frugaleers Festive Preparations and Financial Accountability

[Wolfcub]

New Fred

Spendy again, new dressing gown for ds. Jacky Daniels and two pairs of jeans for me £60. Brow makeup for between-dye emergencies £18.50. Lunch out £14.50. Ds haircut £18.50 ( it's gone up!). Tesco shop £26

Spoke to ds about potentially moving. He's cool with it so that doesn't help with decision making at all (as in he hasn't clearly plumped one way)

Lots of convos with soc serv re ds contact with h and booked myself an eye test which is overdue

No judgement please.

I’ve just sent a complaint/report to our ambulance service.

Followed up the hill home (no where safe to stop) by ambulance with blue lights and siren going. Horn blaring. Headlights flashing at me to pull over.

Ambulance doesn’t indicate which way it’s going. So I had no idea. It followed me almost home (no safe space to pull over - I could have smashed car into a wall to let ambulance past...) flashing headlights all the time which reflected in My rear view mirror. So it’s dark. Windy road. Headlights flashing. Nowhere to stop. Very intimidating.

And relax. I have said in my complaint that I hope everyone was ok and that I think emergency services do an amazing job. But still.

Hmm wolf.

I think it's a cost benefit situation

You could stay, buy h out and live there with all of the benefits you state. But that's without doing the work. How much will that cost and will that negate any lifestyle savings.

Moving to a potentially more expensive but newer house will mean although your are paying more maintenance should be less so no hidden surprises.

Could you live with the house as it is and do the work over time? At the risk of being ride things seem tight now works staying ease that enough to do the work or have you factored that into your calculations.

No judgement em, blue light drivers are also supposed to drive safely even on blues and twos. If it's not safe and your can't pull over then that's that.

Morning did I kill the thread?

Morning Life I was thinking that about myself

Very frosty here today

Xmas party later so likely to spend a bit on booze and taxis. Food mostly paid for

Morning. Ds slept through again!!! Maybe we’re over whatever it was that was bugging him...

He was awake at 530. But slept from 730 last night so not complaining about that. Especially as dh got up with him.

I went down at 730.

Riding today. £32.

And we’re getting things down from the loft today. Christmas decorations and the jumperoo.

Yay to ds sleeping through Em. Enjoy riding.
Really thick white frost here too Wolf. I've re-read your posts about the house & I think I would go with your current house, from what you've said. The work can be a nightmare at times, but sounds like it would be worth it in the long run.
I am finally feeling a bit better today, hopefully after 3+ weeks I'm finally getting rid of this bug. We're going to town this morning where there is a big "makers" market going on. Going to make Delia's Christmas chutney today or tomorrow, so it has time to mature for Christmas. May also make a few mince pies as I've lots of mincemeat left over from the last couple of years (I make Delia's mincemeat and it ages well!). Dnephew's Christmas bunting needs to be done. It's his advent calendar present for the 24th, all the other bits & bobs have been posted off already, the bunting wouldn't fit in a pocket anyway so the delay won't be a problem.

Hi everyone sorry I've been missing in action
I owe €580 on cc that I use for spends, my Christmas club at work will probably pay out next week €750 I've saved there so that leaves me with €170, however I usually have all my hols used up at this stage of the year & this year I don't thanks to h using his hols also to look after dc!
I had hoped to keep this money for deposit for renting house, instead I will use tax return money my df is kindly giving me.

Spends this week with Black Friday must be admitted to but most very very sensible so far.

€125 on 3 months vitamins saving myself €60, these have been a lifesaver for me. I now have enough up to beginning of April.
£22 echo dot used vouchers so this only cost me £2
€45 Lego for dd
€27 Dorothy Perkins on this dress for my Christmas party was reduced by 50%
€80.72 snapfish on a photo book of my year with dc & a metal collage print of their Christmas photos & a couple of wallet prints too, some prints for Christmas present for my auntie & my parents used 50% discount code & must mark this into annual expenses on ynab as I intend to do this every year, our life post separation
€13.95 on Beverly Hills teeth whitening strips reduced also

Then not reduced
€12 takeaway (felt sorry for myself to be without dc on late late toy show night)
€8 oven gloves & new sistema bottle for ds
€30 approx in Penney's on mattress protector for my bed, it's quilted & lovely think I'll get one for bf too, a lovely star shaped tea light holder, underwear for ds & a thermal vest for me
€50 on DC's first official school photos, h will give me €20 for his share of them
€5 replacement pin for my Fitbit

I don’t think this thread will ever be killed :o I was too tired to post last night, I was out having a totally wild Friday night at the kids’ tae kwon do grading :o

Meal out with friends (and lots of strangers!) at Bill’s tonight though, that should be good. Already paid.

Gorgeous dress happier you look great!

Thanks Lap sorry that was a very me me post I will catch up with everyone though

Gorgeous dress Happier

You look lovely happier

Dyeing my greys this morning, what a faff. Then walking into town for Christmas shopping, should be about 1 hour walk so plenty of steps

€99.20 on M&S using 20% off code Yesplease got two pairs of jeans, 2 pack of bras (bought last 2 in feb-white one is yellow from washing ) 5 pack knickers and a lovely corduroy dress set with tights & bodysuit for my niece for Christmas, she's done now

Thanks guys, I've got shoes bags & accessories so all done. So for wedding & Christmas party my total clothing & accessories spend was €45

A worthwhile faff placina

I've just made a list for smyths Toys's and dc should be pretty much sorted then for Santa

Must check my list from last year

Grr kitchen sink outside pipes have frozen and seal on sink has burst. It's currently emptying about 10 litres of water and milk into the cupboard below (I have put a bucket under it now I've found it). I'm supposed to be doing my nails, instead I'm going to be reseating the waste pipes

Fixed the dyson. Wahooo. I’m a genius. #smug

It now picks up all the dust. Also changed the filter. The old one was full and clogged. Have washed it out and am leaving it to dry. So minging.

happier lovely dress!!

We watched two more episodes of the crown last night then I was in bed by 10.

Currently at the stables waiting to ride. It is freezing.

Have my thermal base layer on. Brrrrr ❄️❄️❄️

Anyone here a 32D I've got a wonder hands strapless wonder bra in nude going begging, hate to throw it out if it's any use to anyone.

Last two hours spent sorting out room I've been living in since Easter. One bin bag of rubbish, stuff from when dc stayed here not just mine & a handful of clothes for washing & a small box of receipts & one of stuff packed away for moving house

Aargh wolf nightmare

Well done em want to try sort mine
I replaced a handle on a shovel during the week #strongwomen

Think I'll go lay fence for electric collar for dog now before it gets chilly for evening

No sign of washing machine repair guy so think I'll be bringing my washing to outdoor laundry again

Sure happier either ship it to me or ship me to it!!

Back in the room :)

Sorry about the dramatic swearing. I had just found out that Miss don't peck my head, I knooooooooooow what I am doooooooing DD had forgotten to confirm her interview on time, DH was being a total twonk and DS was having a sulk because he didn't want to be left out of the drama. All on top of my DM deciding to invite her mates x 4 lots to dinner / lunch before Christmas - except she cannot stand …. so guess who was expected to cook for them on top of working. And work was being shitty too.

DH has now gone away for a week (planned not storming out, but frankly either reason would have been ok by me), DD has had confirmation they are still expecting her and DS has turned into angel child. I have cancelled my mothers social life. Work I will continue ignoring.

Wolf It is a difficult one re the house. Are you thinking New house or new to you house if you move? If it is the former look at the resale value for the developer you are considering - some hold their value and others not so much.

Lap that time has whizzed by. 5 years! I remember you just starting out. You have done an amazing job.

Em long may his sleeping continue. At least until his teenage years - I wouldn't wish the voice destroying shouting required to get my 2 out of bed in the morning on anyone. They have learnt to tuck the duvet in on the side away from the bedroom door so I can no longer run away with them.

After two hours shovelling and hauling stuff I've gathered all this shite, hopefully ex will take it away, otherwise it'll be a skip & I'll be ruthless with what I put into he might regret that.

Washing machine repair guy has been & I now have a working washing machine again €95 for new part vs €40 for second hand so I went with new & because he got the business of boyfriends dishwasher repair & had fixed mine recently he didn't charge a call out fee so I gave him €10 for a drink

Going to walk dog now before it gets dark& then I'm having a long hot shower

Didn't do fence for dog but there's always tomorrow isn't there?

Scream totally justified unescorted

That bra would fit me actually Happier. Is it completely strapless or does it have detachable straps?

Very spendy day today. Top up shop plus some festive treats in Aldi. Haircut then went in charity shop to look at a toy in the window which I didn't buy but found some of dd's favourite series books for 50p each and bought a load of them plus some little dinos as stocking fillers. My kids hold the view that you can never have too many dinosaurs!

Sorry meant to say I was sad to read about Fluffy's cat. I miss her too and the rest. If any of you are lurking please come and say hi!

That is a well deserved shower Happier
I miss fluffy too. And all the others too - can we have an amnesty / name change re joiners.... I promise never ever to start a new thread ever.

Tonight we are having enchiladas - the family are surprisingly open to new food now. Last night was Mackerel and Chorizo & potato hash*. Maybe I was just trying to flog dead horses getting them to eat things they weren't keen on. It helps their friends come over and hoover up what ever is on their plates.

• very easy, quick and cheap meal.... but uses every sodding saucepan.