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Friendly Frugaleers Festive Preparations and Financial Accountability

999 replies

Wolfcub · 20/11/2019 21:23

New Fred

OP posts:
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41
LivingInLaputa · 30/12/2019 16:04

Oh no girlie that sounds mega stressful :(

I had a swim this morning and then braved town. All stuff we needed in the sales... except the first one :o
Hotel Chocolat £8ish 🙈
Next - size up shoes for Cagletini £7.50
Schuh - trainers for me. I HATE shoe shopping and have been waiting for my current trainers to go on sale in another colour because I know they fit! £37
H&M - gym top, £7 instead of 13.
Paperchase - a new journal as mine is nearly finished (I try and write more days than not) and the family 2020 diary (so nerdy, it’s got a random fact on every day of the year :o) - £14 thanks to sale and my £5 birthday voucher
And then £8ish in Costa I think

ememem84 · 30/12/2019 16:04

whats team rh?

Sinus and throat infection. Antibiotics. Instructions to rest. Ha!

Amazing plan life

I want to do the same. Mortgage free Or as close as possible by the time I’m 45 (another 10 years)

I’ve just signed up to two challenges.

One £10 entry fee - walk 150 miles in January. 4.83 miles a day. I reckon this is easily doable. It’s to raise money for our local Cheshire homes. Not entirely sure what they do but I wanted a challenge which supported a local charity. My sis mentioned it the other day.

The other is my “usual” walk the same amount of Km as the year, so 2020km in 2020. Available via map my walk app.

Okno · 30/12/2019 17:09

Hi everyone,

Absolute newbie here but hoping to get stuck into some frugal living this new year.

We bought our first (and hopefully forever) home this year and would also like to be mortgage free by 2030. Aiming for lots of no spend days and getting into the make do and mend spirit.

Have managed to take advantage of the January deals today and saved £16 on my phone plan and got NowTV reduced from £11.99 to £2.40 for 3 months just by going through the motions of cancelling.

Sitting down with DP tonight to see if there's anywhere else we can save and get started on the overpayments soon.

Unescorted · 30/12/2019 17:22

Happy Birthday lil' Love

Me cool savings - I need to get out to the Supermarket to pick up the remaining bargain vege.

OKno hello! loads of people on here use the YNAB thingy, others have v. elaborate spreadsheets. Both are really good methods for tracking what you are currently spending & what your triggers are.

I am sooooo glad the car is a lease... it went in for new brakes and shoes today. If I had to pay it would have been £1,500 all in.

Frugal task of the day - I bottled the beer. £16 for 45 bottles. It is so much easier with swing top bottles (it is cheaper to buy the bottles full of beer from Aldi than empty from a beer suppliers)

Happierwithouthim · 30/12/2019 17:59

I've a https://ynab.com/referral/?ref=C6r1uf7VKEpniFd8&utmsource=customerr_ for ynab if anyone wants it Grin#shameless

Happierwithouthim · 30/12/2019 17:59

Unescorted well done on the home brews

Happierwithouthim · 30/12/2019 18:02

I'm about to spend approx €75 in Dunnes just to keep in with vouchers so will get me €200 worth of food for €155 over this week & next week.

Dc are with their dad until 8pm so I intend grocery shopping & dog walking in that time

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 30/12/2019 18:08

Welcome okno

Thanks for the sympathy re dd, bloody kids!! You can cut the atmosphere here with a knife atm as we've just had another row about it. She still thinks I'm being massively unreasonable keeping her phone for at least two weeks and is minimising what she has done. I am def not over reacting.

Anyway today's spends were £12 at the cinema, went to see the new jumanji film, had already promised this to dd and her punishment is loosing her phone so didn't want to cancel. The film was okay, dd enjoyed it.

I really need to go to Aldi but I can't really be arsed!

Unescorted · 30/12/2019 18:09

Happier it has had the unintended consequence of DD's new bf thinking I am seriously cool. He is from very upright stock & therefore our more laidback approach to things is v. alien to him. I am not sure meeting you gf's parents should involve her mother having her arse stuck out of cupboard - but he will recover. Bless.

Dh has decided that he should invite one of our waifs and strays for tea tonight - he has been sent to Aldi to get a starter b/c dinner mains would not stretch to an extra at short notice.

Wolfcub · 30/12/2019 18:45

£17 breakfast out with a mooch round the garden centre thrown in (nowt good to be had)

Free trip to park for and hour and a half skateboarding, clever seats for adults with a back and a sort of roof, didn't keep the cold off but I was relatively comfy and didn't get shit on by crows

£25 Sainsbury's on something for dinner tomorrow due to new year plans falling through, bread and milk and yogurts

Loooong work phone call this aft (an hour at least) but otherwise escaped reasonably unscathed

But shivery now so skipping tea and seeing how it shakes out

Welcome Ok, Em do try and make sure you rest

Girlie teens can be super sneaky and think we are daft dinosaurs.
Electronic removal is the only consequence that seems to get through in my view

OP posts:
Wolfcub · 30/12/2019 18:49

And I'm trying to remember if pay day is midnight tonight or midnight tomorrow

OP posts:
ChristmasSeacow · 30/12/2019 18:56

Hello new people and welcome! Nice to have some more frugal company.

That sounds horrible Girlie, I must say I’m dreading all that with the Dcs. Glad I grew up pre-mobiles and social media but can indulge my addiction as an adult .

We have 17 years left on our mortgage. In theory we should be able to clear it in 10 years but it will depend on childcare costs and whether I need to scale back work again to support DS (ASD). I am
I am not terribly good at being frugal but am really trying to be more mindful. I wish I could do a 10-year plan but our income is too uncertain. Maybe I should try anyway, to focus and motivate myself?

Just spent £35 in Tesco, mostly on berries and double cream for NY pavlova for 25 ish people. I’ll make brownies too but I have what I need for those. Pavlova was a good idea, thanks for the suggestion people! As it happens, gluten free friend also can’t have dairy at the moment (she’s on a fairly restricted diet as it’s helping her CFS) so she told me not to worry about her after all. I think I can make her a small meringue though and do it with coconut cream and berries, she’s okay with eggs. Sorted.

Anyway, that’s mine and DH’s contribution to NYE festivities with friends so all good. Just need to raid the booze cabinet at home and take some bits with us. We have loads of gin but I might get DH to buy champagne or Prosecco tomorrow too. Sadly I have to get up early with the kids on Wednesday so I can’t give it too large... Confused

Tonight - make meatballs And sauce because otherwise 1 kg of mince will expire, and also meringues. And put away about 6 loads of laundry 😫. And tidy up for the cleaner tomorrow. Will do brownies in the morning. I’ve been working today but have actually made progress with something thorny so I hope I’ll manage to sleep without fretting about work (I sympathise with you Wolf on that front!).

Must get arse in gear... need to pack for staying at friends’ too. Loads to do!

ememem84 · 30/12/2019 18:56

Drs was £44.

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 30/12/2019 19:13

today's spends £4 at the laundrette tumble drying everything. 7 loads dried and wash basket is empty, just a few bits on the little airer. £12 in co op buying bits for new years eve, having my family over.

Christmas tree is down, just got to Hoover now and dust.... so much dust everywhere!!!

im very jealous of the new diary, I love a pretty one but bought a filofax type in Lidl ages ago, might raid the girls stickers to jazz it up a bit 😁

lifelongfrugaleer · 30/12/2019 19:29

Ok working backwards soz if I miss you.

What did Dr say em?
Great on the Pavlova's and brownies sea. I wouldn't get the prosecco of your are taking other booze, unless you want it.

I have a feeling mid night tonight wolf.
Pleased you survived work today. Mine wasn't so bad either today. Lots of people still off though so could do catch up and admin. First being book 2020 holidays.

We are going to see Jumanji maybe Sunday. Yy sometimes they need to be metaphorically hit where it hurts to understand. Removing the phone relates to the incident.

Sorry read further up. Gws em.

Great home brew efforts.

Good mortgage plans chaps. We have paid ours but an offset mortgage helped massively. When we move I will be getting another.

Happy shopping happier.

Nsd today.

lifelongfrugaleer · 30/12/2019 19:31

Welcome new people okno.

Does anyone have the links from back in the day. I know snuggly had them. I wonder if they are worth a refresher.
And a back to basics reminder if anyone already has one written.

Em team rh

www.facebook.com/teamrhfitness/

lifelongfrugaleer · 30/12/2019 19:31

Not snuggly, fluffy

Methenyouplus4 · 30/12/2019 21:19

Girlie- phones are massively addictive, it's not surprising young adults/kids struggle. I'm teach inna secondary school and have witnessed some of the smartest, nicest kids get themselves in a mess with social media, messaging, sending things etc. We constantly battle with our eldest son (15) who will try to sneak his phone overnight etc, but was just saying to hubby that it is a battle WE choose to keep having, many parents just give in and let kids have it 24/7, we can't be surprised he kicks back against us. It is draining though.

Spent £6.15 for swimming today (not bad for 6 of us, hubby and I get in free as disabled person gets two free carers to swim), little 3 get a discount as they do lessons there (so only £1 each) so were only paying for teenager (£3.15). Spent £12 after a local fruit and veg shop topping up fresh stuff.

Hubby and I had 'words' as he wanted to go to McDonald's after swimming, not only do I think it's a bit crap (tasteless and always hungry half an hour after I finish eating), but pointed out it would take almost all our 'slush' money for those week. He was stroppy at first but fine after, think he finds it hard occasionally that he works so hard but can't just have such indulgences, but pointed out that we can, but it means sacrificing elsewhere. Nit sure I want to give up other nicer things for a grotty fast food meal.

We still have 30 years left on mortgage! Aim is to pay an extra £2500 off this year, that'll be tough though.

A bit cross with myself that, after spending ages fannying about with budget, I forgot that I hadn't paid for parents crimbo present yet (£120). Quite a lot to try and make-up when every £ has been allocated, only option is have £200 weekly (£120 food (loo roll etc) and £80 slush fund) so can try to put aside some from there. Other than that, it would mean reducing payment to one of allotted 'envelopes', which would feel crap to do in the first month. Sorry that was a waffle, just thinking 'aloud'.Wink

ememem84 · 30/12/2019 21:23

life sinus and throat infection. Yuk. Yuk. Yuk.

Methenyouplus4 · 30/12/2019 21:24

Sorry for all typos, am tired and house is still upside down so feeling a bit grumpy. It's my turn to do DS's night care and he hasn't had a breat afternoon, I'm already sleepy but also knowing I am probably in for a night without much sleep. In theory I could leave the house but busy tomorrow and NYD and it will drive me wild if I don't try and get it a bit more sorted. I'm certainly not a neat freak but find it hard to relax if still dishes all over the bench etc.

ChristmasSeacow · 30/12/2019 23:08

Huge vat of tomato and pepper sauce and meatballs - done. Enough for around 6 adult helpings or many for the small people.

Kitchen tidied - done

2 huge meringues in the oven - done

Laundry putting away - not done.

Watching the Profumo thing - quite good.

Me, do you mind me asking what happened to your DS? Tell me where to go if I’m being nosey, it just sounds as though it’s had a profound effect on your family. My DS has ASD - he is doing relatively well but will almost certainly never be independent. He’s a very sweet and lovely boy but it’s often hard going... and we worry a lot about his future. I took a career break to get his EHCP in place and get him into a suitable school, and I can’t go back to work full time as I cant get wraparound childcare. It’s had quite a big effect on us financially.

Anyway, DS has had a good day today been on his favourite bus and has been very jolly. I always feel more optimistic after a good day!

CurvyInAllTheWrongPlaces · 31/12/2019 07:30

Morning all, hope everyone is ok.
I've not posted much because I've been a bit ill, but feel better now.

Love, hope your dd had a lovely Birthday yesterday.

lifelongfrugaleer · 31/12/2019 07:31

Ikwym me both about McDonald's and messy house.
Sorry can't relate to the poorly kids.
Rant away lovely it's shit when it's down to the penny then you realise something else is needed.

Nsd planned today. DD helping at the stables so free. DS and I will do movie marathons while I work

lifelongfrugaleer · 31/12/2019 07:31

Happy birthday love DD.
Knew something would be missed, sorry

ememem84 · 31/12/2019 07:43

Nsd planned today. Ds is going to nursery so that only leaves me with dd to handle while dh is at work.

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