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Original poster

The Lockdown Saving and Spending Continues! May Frugaleers continued

999 replies

LaneBoy · 12/05/2020 08:46

New thread!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
56
lifelongfrugaleer · 30/05/2020 13:11

That's good em.

The new good food mag had a few summer salads. I get it free from the library app. Halloumi and watermelon sound nice. I guess they will also be on the website if you search.

ememem84 · 30/05/2020 13:30

I think ottolenghis books have a ton of salads. The Israelis love a salad.

TheDuchessofDukeStreet · 30/05/2020 13:30

I’m off to the farm shop in a short while Lifelong, you have prompted me to purchase leeks as well as baking potatoes and sausages. My DP loves leeky mash.
Mrsmadevans, don’t you just love Iceland! I’ve been so grateful to them for my Mums shopping orders and saved money too. Your Mum and Bob sound very fortunate diners, always the most delicious sounding meals😺
I’m baking oatmeal cookies, then we’re off out.

MeadowHay · 30/05/2020 16:23

Ahhh we met a friend and his son in the park and got ice cream. Soon nice to have a little bit more normality. Distancing wasn't an issue as neither of the kids were particularly interested in each other after not seeing each other for ages hah. Lovely weather here.

We are making a cheesy vegetable gratin for tea which all the veg and cheese was prepped this PM ready too.

Ive got some nice salad recipes in a cookbook that is like how to make quick budget meals that me and DH bought when we moved in together at uni hah. I made one with chickpeas in it from there this week and last week made a couscous one with feta etc in which was nice too. WFH means we are eating much healthier dinners as I have time to cook them properly at home now. Whereas before we were eating super quick ready made stuff etc at least 3 times a week.

SnugglySnerd · 30/05/2020 16:42

Same here with the healthy meals Sea. especially lunches as we've had time to make soups, salads, jacket potatoes etc instead of just a cheese sandwich to take to work!
Thanks for the salad ideas. Ottolenghi is a good shout, I've been looking for an excuse to buy one of his books!

SnugglySnerd · 30/05/2020 16:43

Meadow sorry, I replied to the wrong person! I'm trying to cook 3 different meals at the moment!

Happierwithouthim · 30/05/2020 16:54

Why does it take you getting to breaking point before your parents and husband notice you need help em? Is it because you're competent and capable and carry on regardless like I do?

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 30/05/2020 17:00

Hi all, we're just back from visiting a friend, had a lovely time, my friend has a huge garden and dd was loving the trampoline!

Ystd met up with my dad at a lovely country estate gardens which have just reopened. Felt so nice to be out and about again, everyone was sensible and friendly re social distancing. My dad paid for our entry and ice creams, my only spend was £2.50 on a drink.

Can't believe my week off is slowly coming to an end 😭 tomorrow i want to go to the garden center, could do with a few bits like bread as well but nothing too spendy.

Lovemaltesers · 30/05/2020 18:01

I can’t believe we only have one more day to go of “lockdown” life. Back to work/school Monday. I know lockdown still won’t have really have ended, but we don’t do that much normally during the week anyway so work is like normal.

NSD here. First one in ages!

Hope DH is ok em

Lovemaltesers · 30/05/2020 18:03

We’ve been thinking about the things we have enjoyed about lockdown. Not rushing to school/work everyday. Not getting over committed with things to do at the weekends. Especially not missed Reception birthday parties! I’ve even grown fonder of DP again 😂

Wolfcub · 30/05/2020 18:03

No school here to September Love so not much will change but am looking forward to prosecco in the garden with my friend on My birthday and taking my car to my dads for a wash next weekend

Lovemaltesers · 30/05/2020 18:13

I feel quite lucky in some ways that my DC can go back now wolf, but on the other hand we really have no choice about it if we want to keep our jobs.

The nice bit for us with this phase of lockdown is one of us will have to take the DC to and from school each day. The DC will appreciate the extra time in bed!

SnugglySnerd · 30/05/2020 18:45

No school yet for us (dd or me). So more online teaching. Being in the classroom is so much nicer. Well, with most classes anyway! I am hoping we can see my mum this week for a walk maybe. Otherwise I don't think much will really change for us for a few more weeks.

Wolfcub · 30/05/2020 18:53

Love in that sense I am (I know) incredibly lucky to be able to do my job from home in extremis

Wolfcub · 30/05/2020 20:30

Ds has come home in full temptemental nasty mode. To be fair to ex this is not his fault. His neighbours had a serious domestic in the wee small hours and neither of them slept so I am copping the brunt of it.

SnugglySnerd · 30/05/2020 22:05

Oh Wolf, I'm sorry to hear you are having a hard time with ds again. That sounds like it could have been quite scary for him to listen to too. I hope you both get some sleep tonight.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 30/05/2020 23:24

Wales here, so no school yet for dd or me. Although I can go to my classroom on Thurs to sort it out in case we hear about opening this week. And I'm in the hub school a week on Mon.

Money in, money out today.

In: 2 x refunds from Amazon. One from audible because I forgot to cancel my trial renewal and was cheeky and emailed to tell them I forgot and could they refund me. And they did! And another for some makeup that arrived for DD leaking in the packet. They have refunded and told me to throw it away.

Out: Takeaway tonight from the local chinese that's open.

And some groceries from Iceland. I'd have gone to a different shop, but really get put off by the large queues so just stay local usually.

I'll go to the Asda by work when I am next at school on Thurs for a proper shop. Aiming to have no spend days between now and then. I've really, really cut down on the tat I buy.

northender · 31/05/2020 00:25

Another monumental food shop here. We've decided that we'll try to make the food we have go further so we don't spend anything like as much next week.
Tried going for a walk at a local beauty spot on Thursday morning and couldn't get anywhere near, it was so busy. I would love everything to go back to normal, but with the level of infection we still have (and the NW seems to be worse than other areas at the moment) I don't think it can. Maybe if there was much clearer guidance like in other countries, but not like this. So today has been like every other Saturday, shopping for us & mum & dad and zoom quiz tonight.

ememem84 · 31/05/2020 07:40

happier I think it’s because I just carry on. I push through the pain if you like and hope to come out the other side.

My therapist is interested in this.

Dh was waiting in ooh for almost an hour which was annoying especially given that he actually had an appointment. Anyway. Not sure of the diagnosis because he didn’t actually tell me. But he’s been given some stronger painkillers and has been told to keep taking them and keep on top of the pain.

He’s emailed the accupuncturist too and has asked for an appointment first day she’s back. So fingers crossed he’ll get one. He’d usually be in the gym 5 times a week (either training or Pilates classes) so he thinks because he hasn’t done any of this for 10 weeks it’s affected his back. Probably true.

Dsis and her bf came round for bbq. It was so so nice. We sat outside. They played with the kids. Dsis bought ds water pistols. Which were fun.

Lovely local burgers (jersey Angus burgers which are just delicious!) nice cold wine and beers. Homemade humous and some crispies. Nothing fancy. Just nice.

Dsis put the kiddos to bed and got sucked in to reading stories to ds for an hour! Which meant they missed their planned bus home. But they just stayed to get the next one.

Watched an episode of money heist then bed.

Incredibly I am still in bed. Dh is downstairs with dd. I have a cup of tea. I’m staying here for as long as I can.

lifelongfrugaleer · 31/05/2020 07:51

That sounds exactly like the night you needed em.

We went for a walk yesterday but not until 3 as it was hot. The reservoir was still busy then and looking at the state of the cars had been crazy.

Wolfcub · 31/05/2020 07:59

Em not doing Pilates probably has affected his back. For me Pilates is like regular physio therapy. But there are so many online classes he could be doing - I'm doing more in lockdown than I would normally because I know I'm stiff from not moving enough. Can you encourage him to try some classes when his back has eased?

ememem84 · 31/05/2020 08:29

wolf I’ve suggested online stuff but for whatever reason he won’t.

SnugglySnerd · 31/05/2020 08:39

I agree about pilates. It's one of the things I really miss. Pleased you are getting a lie in this morning Em.
Ds decided that 5.45 was a good time to wake up today Sad. He is full of beans but that won't last, he'll be tired and emotional by 10!

InstantMango · 31/05/2020 09:01

@ememem84

happier I think it’s because I just carry on. I push through the pain if you like and hope to come out the other side.

My therapist is interested in this.

Dh was waiting in ooh for almost an hour which was annoying especially given that he actually had an appointment. Anyway. Not sure of the diagnosis because he didn’t actually tell me. But he’s been given some stronger painkillers and has been told to keep taking them and keep on top of the pain.

He’s emailed the accupuncturist too and has asked for an appointment first day she’s back. So fingers crossed he’ll get one. He’d usually be in the gym 5 times a week (either training or Pilates classes) so he thinks because he hasn’t done any of this for 10 weeks it’s affected his back. Probably true.

Dsis and her bf came round for bbq. It was so so nice. We sat outside. They played with the kids. Dsis bought ds water pistols. Which were fun.

Lovely local burgers (jersey Angus burgers which are just delicious!) nice cold wine and beers. Homemade humous and some crispies. Nothing fancy. Just nice.

Dsis put the kiddos to bed and got sucked in to reading stories to ds for an hour! Which meant they missed their planned bus home. But they just stayed to get the next one.

Watched an episode of money heist then bed.

Incredibly I am still in bed. Dh is downstairs with dd. I have a cup of tea. I’m staying here for as long as I can.

em sounds like you had a lovely afternoon which was much needed.

The pushing through thing is the case for many women, I think .
DH would just step further back if I did that and then be baffled,as to why I was so angry with him.
One thing which helped hugely was taking what I needed.
Men dont give a second thought to going for a shower, run or whatever they need and so I adopted that approach.
Its not negotiable and no one should have to negotiate having their basic needs met.
So I took it, gave him the DC and "Im having my shower, run " etc
I extended this to the DC also.
Im showering now , so they were put somewhere safe for 5 mins, going to the loo, nope no one is coming in thank you.
I appreciate its not possible for those with SEN but Mothers should not be bottom of the pile.

ememem84 · 31/05/2020 09:26

Agree mango

So this morning I’ve just got up. I stayed in bed for a bit. Had some tea. Had a shower got dressed etc. And then came downstairs. Dh has just gone up for a rest/shower. If he does this I don’t mind because he’s said and made it clear this is what’s happening (as did I).

It’s the “Im going for a quick shower” and then spends an hour upstairs not showering that irks me. If he said I’m going for an hour and don’t want to be disturbed...fine. I think a lot of it is about expectation.