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Managing Money Mindfully in March with the Friendly Frugaleers

999 replies

Happierwithouthim · 09/03/2020 16:46

Last Thread

All welcome on this thread, we're a friendly bunch who like to get bang for our buck, and manage our money as well as we can.

Pet pics very welcome too Grin

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48
ememem84 · 31/03/2020 21:33

We have 7 icu beds here. For a population or circa 150k.

Interesting facts. 100,000 people a year die in the U.K. from cancer.

And 10% of hospital beds are in the morgue.

Mrsmadevans · 31/03/2020 21:50

7 beds EM Shock that's terrible. WTH!

ememem84 · 31/03/2020 21:54

Yep. That’s it. Which is why we were all stunned that it took 81 cases and 2 deaths here to go into lockdown.

Flights were still coming in (until gatwick closed) now it’s just flights to Southampton for medical stuff and also emergency evacuations.

But yeah 7 icu beds. Hospital is old. We’ve limited space. And population has exploded in the last 10 or so years. So yeah.

Mrsmadevans · 31/03/2020 23:27

Unbelievable , that is just mental Sad

lifelongfrugaleer · 01/04/2020 06:48

7 beds , gosh.

I feel like crap. Headache, stuffy head and throat, body aches especially in my kidney area. No temp or persistent cough

SnugglySnerd · 01/04/2020 07:21

Hope you are ok Life.

7 beds is crazy, Em! That is interesting about 10% of hospital beds being in the morgue though. Birmingham airport is being used as a morgue and they are going to use Milton Keynes ice rink as one too. Feels very morbid.

Wolfcub · 01/04/2020 07:28

Ah Life that doesn't sound too good. Make sure you take it easy. How is your DJ doing now?

ememem84 · 01/04/2020 07:36

That does feel very morbid indeed

Our illustrious chief minister was in tv last night talking about the crisis and panic it’s caused here.

The local news lady asked him whether it true we only have 27 ventilators on island. He bimbled around the question and finally answered “well we definetly have at least 10.....”

Confidence in our current government. Zero.

The husband of one of mums friends has the virus and is in icu. He has struggled with leukeamia for the last few years. I don’t think it looks good but fingers crossed for him.

One thing I’ve noticed here as well is that people seem more suspicious of you when you’re out walking. Almost a “have they got it?!” Type suspicion.

lifelongfrugaleer · 01/04/2020 08:51

DJ?

Paracetamol is doing it's job but yes I will take it easy. Thanks

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 01/04/2020 09:56

Em one of the things I hate most about this situation is the amount of suspicion and distrust it has generated between people and communities.

I turned the calendar over this morning and felt really depressed as none of the lovely things on there are going to happen 😢

However (pulls self together) my plan today is a bit of gardening, take the dog out and start my uni work.

I also need to contact the theatre to find out when we'll get our money back for Les Mis ☹️

Wolfcub · 01/04/2020 10:13

Dh Life, sorry bloody spell check

lifelongfrugaleer · 01/04/2020 10:34

He's fine now. Same symptoms as me but had it at the weekend. Seems to only last a few days.

It's quite a novelty having a blank calendar, but yy a bit sad too

maddenlightfoot · 01/04/2020 11:22

Girlie I get the same turning the calendar over 😢. And felt no joy in moving salary into separate pots this morning. Although I know we won't spend much this month, which is frugally good, I like being frugal so we can enjoy treats. I had a real pang for going out to a restaurant and day-trips and ice-creams over the Easter holidays.

We're having a really slow morning here. Dts have actually chosen to play separately for once, which is quite lovely for them, so as long as it lasts I'm not putting any pressure on learning or list-ticking whilst this happens as I think they'll benefit greatly from a bit of time apart.

Wolfcub · 01/04/2020 11:30

Ds is still in bed so homeschooling not happening. I am having a nice quiet work start to the day though

SnugglySnerd · 01/04/2020 12:50

I felt exactly the same turning over the calendar Girlie, especially about all the nice Easter things the dcs will be missing.

Yesterday I was thinking positively about the money we were saving on transport but we are home using water and heating which we wouldn't be doing if we were at work. Plus dd gets universal free school meals in Year 1 and we are having to pay for her lunch now so I suppose it will balance out.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 01/04/2020 16:04

I'm going to save the money I'm not spending this month as got a feeling things are going to get expensive after all this is over.

I've done a fair bit in the garden and started sorting through articles for my assignments.

Will take the dog out in a bit...

Unescorted · 01/04/2020 16:52

Afternoon lovely people.

Em There is a lot of suspicion here too. I think that is what drove the nastiness in the village. People who are working normally aren't being recognised as "local" because they are not normally out at the times they are now. Those people who are normally bumbling about during the day see them and assume that they are tourists. Cue ranty facebook posts and nasty notes being left on cars. It does come from a place of fear - and thankfully it has calmed down a bit.

life hope you get over your lurgy soon.

I am so missing just being able to go out without having to think about it, or call at a friends to say hi. I want to turn on the news and hear the latest thing that is different from the day before. I want something to look forward to rather than having life in abeyance. We are a nation of Vladimirs and Estragons waiting on our sofas rather than a park bench.

Wolfcub · 01/04/2020 18:06

Afternoon all. Lovely to see you all here.

Busy work day today and ds clearly wasn't feeling the schooling so we just didn't bother. He's either just had a massive dose of hormones and turned into a typical teen or he isn't well. I'm not sure which but he's been in bed for the best part of 24 hours now.

Our HR dept have being spectacularly stupid again. We are in despair at how bad and at a loss for how to explain it to staff Sad

I can't decide what to make for tea and I really can't be bothered either.

Did Pilates after work.

Moved a little more money to isa as insurance payment won't be in this tax year by the looks of it although they have finally sent an invoice.

Mortgage company were supposed to write last month about reduced rate and payment. I can see they've put the rate down online but have no idea what the payment will be

ChristmasSeacow · 01/04/2020 18:26

Hello! Sorry some people are feeling down. I think we go out less than most families because DS’s ASD means he can’t cope with crowds. So oddly, we are probably not finding lockdown such a huge adjustment to our family social life, though the wfh /home Ed thing is a definite strain! Respect to teachers and to Lane, it’s proper hard.

1st April brought some tears and high-pitched screeching here. DS knows it’s April today (dates are his thing) and he knows Easter is in April, therefore...? Where are the eggs?! There were maaaaany tears. Lesson learned by me. No more ‘Easter is in April’ talk. I shall remember to always be specific in future!

Anyway, I am jubilant because I made chicken curry for dinner and we ate with the kids (an opportunity we don’t normally have in the week). They didn’t eat it 🙄 but they both ate the rice! Carbs-wise, DS only eats pasta and roast potatoes so this was a Big Deal. He did have his favourite tomato veg sauce on it as backup (usually served on pasta) but I am thrilled. Now need a plan to nudge the ‘something and rice’ away from the usual tomato sauce to something a bit different. Incrementally, over a good period of time. Ideas? He basically likes tomatoey sauces at the moment so I need something I can morph from that into new idea thing.

Anyway, that was nothing to do with Coronavirus. Or frugality, for that matter. But it has made my day.

No work tomorrow so I can concentrate on the kids a bit more. And it’s going to be 19C here on Sunday - phew! I’ve promised the kids a picnic in the garden. Complete with exciting crisps if Ocado brings them . I’ve spent money on Garden bits (planters and plants) too but it’ll all balance out as we’re not going anywhere, and probably no summer holiday either.

Pub night with friends tonight. Over zoom. If I can stay awake.

Wolfcub · 01/04/2020 18:37

Sea just on the tomatoey rice thing, I make a baked tomato risotto. You could potentially gently morph that into a butternut or chicken risotto and could then morph those to mushroom.

Alternatively the Cajun/Carolina red rice I make you could do without the spices for kids, adding the sausage and peppers, then start to morph into something like a jambalaya and maybe even getting as far as a biryani if you took it really slip

Unescorted · 01/04/2020 18:42

Good work sea Getting my lot to eat anything new is a major challenge. What about a tomato based risotto thingy... gradually reduce out the tomato until it is a Paella.

Wolf I am not doing well on the home ed stuff. DD is doing hers because she wants to (she loves her A levels) and DS is ignoring his pile of exam papers he needs to have completed by the time they are due back after Easter. I do not know how lane and our resident teachers do this either. Sod all the expensive "inspirational corporate leaders" - just try to be more teacher.

LaneBoy · 01/04/2020 19:10

Aww thanks guys but honestly as a home edder I normally have a much easier ride than this - you’ve all been thrown into this while dealing with huge changes in the world, at work, not being able to see friends, anxious kids whose entire lives have changed overnight. We muddle through as it is under normal circumstances 😳 there are some home edders who are incredible but I am Not One 😂

Teachers on the other hand. I have NO clue how they do it and despite obviously being not entirely positive about the school system, I have undying respect for them!

I managed to walk a little further today - just round the little lake in the park. Feel a bit chesty now Hmm :( which is making me anxious TBH. But a salmon risotto helped!

Excellent news on the rice sea I am very happy to read it!

Accidentalaccountant · 01/04/2020 19:50

Filled up with petrol just in case further restrictions. £35. Also got so bored I tidied the shed. Meant to do it yesterday. Never did get round to it

Mrsmadevans · 01/04/2020 23:15

< Saunters in like Calamity Jane> Grin
Guess who got a Tesco delivery slot ? For Sunday mark you
To be fair it has to go around us here and the neighbours over the road and My Mum and Bob grin am so relieved to get it though , just hope it all comes.
Have cooking plans tomorrrow , beef casserole & dumplings, lasagne, Banana cake , Coconut cake and a Victoria sandwich, so help me God
Lane you still sound poorly love Flowers
Accidentalaccountant we are keeping the cars topped up too just in case Confused
EM l hope there is good news about your friends DH soon.
Seacow love the giraffe Grin
I am off to bed been very busy , ironing and looking for a delivery slot , it took all day HmmGrin Grin

ChristmasSeacow · 02/04/2020 00:09

Yes, also keeping the car topped up! Though with the short infrequent journies the battery light is permanently on. I bought a trickle charger to avoid needing to get jump started at some point Grin. Probably £30 well spent as I don’t have a home start service at the mo, and goodness knows what the service would be like anyway now to figure out how to use it

I am glad you guys appreciate my rice achievement Grin. Love the suggestions - I think Cajun rice might be the way to go, thank you! I tried risotto recently and neither would even try it - I think they were suspicious of the texture. Normal basmati rice is closer to what they get served at school /nursery, I think . I am very thankful for institutional food broadening their horizons!

Though if either ever eats a mushroom I will literally faint Grin

Lovely pub night at The Zoom. I am tipsy and have eaten a lot of mini poppadoms. Gotta have a pub snack at the pub 👍🏻

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