Lockdown (almost) over and frugalling continues!

[ememem84]

New thread. All welcome

Thanks Wolf, will give that a go too!

I love gnocchi!!!!

I've never thought of roasting gnocchi. That sounds lovely. Supermarket today but we don't need loads so it shouldn't be too horrific. Have a things to get for my mum but her list is short too.

Welcome newbies. Lovely to "see" new faces. I am paying off debt slowly but surely. We have a credit card debt (used it to pay for big ticket item, can't remember what), but have it on 0% interest, paying it off gradually & switch once each 0% deal finishes. I use a spreadsheet I've built up myself to monitor our finances. Meal planning is crucial I think and although lockdown food spends have been high, I've liked doing a weekly shop & think it's a good frugal tool, but only with good meal planning!

Busy week, work is crazy busy, but good. Great news for dh this week, he didn't get a job he applied for, but was in top 3 and so is now on a "merit list" meaning if another post comes up in the next year he could be appointed with no recruitment process (and was told there is a good chance of that). He's so pleased as it's the first job he's applied for in a good while & he's been really unhappy lately with his current job. He'll keep looking too, but it's a great start.

The other good news is that ds is actively investigating the uni option for September & seeing it as a realistic and positive option. Just need him to make the grades now....

Had positive news on our endowment policy (matures Dec 1st) at the weekend as it's worth considerably more than we anticipated despite recent events. We took it out to cover part of our first mortgage many moons ago, but now it's not linked so will be a very welcome bonus.

We had chippy tea last night (£23). It was lovely and very worth it.

Need to get ready for work now, boiler being fitted today, will catch up properly later.

@Unescorted

Mine is just a spreadsheet - Each month I take off the monthly and 1/12th of annual bills off on payday. Each time I spend anything I take it off the running total. At the end of each month I take any balance & put it in savings.

Wolf that sounds lush. I am trying to get excited by sausages, beans and chips.

Happier - I guess they won't be waiting to move anytime soon.

very doubtful!

Morning all

I am planning to actually have my nwd as an nwd today

Trying to push boss to do the paperwork for my new job so there's a small chance I'll get paid properly at the end of July. It's unlikely so I think July's pay is actually going to be 3-400 short of what it's been for the last year so will need to dip into savings. Mutter mutter grumble. But two years ago I wouldn't have had any savings at all to cover this off. Being frugal is great

For the newbies a bit like Unescorted I've had some very serious debt problems, a lot related to house issues but also just some really poor financial management and overspending. About 9 years ago I took charge of sorting the family joint debt after (then) h was given a ccj. That debt was huge and with the help of some threads on Money saving expert and some irregular attendance on this thread I dug us out of a 4K overdraft and gradually reduced a 12k and 4K credit card!

I was also reducing my own massive personal debt across multiple credit cards and making big inroads into that

About 2.5-3 years ago I was really committed to getting through the last of that and committed to coming to this thread every day (I don't always post) rather than coming jan-June and then giving up. I transferred about 13k of remaining joint debt into my own name to reduce fees

Then overnight I became a single mum and had to pay all those joint bills and mortgage on one wage.

It's not been easy but not only did I do that, I also paid off the rest of my personal debt, built a health pot of savings and reduced that 13k joint debt to 8.5 on my own.

So I still have debt but it is significantly less than it was 9 years ago and I have full control of my finances, I know where every penny goes

All of that was achieved just by being focussed and frugal. It's hard work but it can be done

Wow this thread moves quickly! I have read the whole thread now so know a little bit more about you all now ( you seem like a lovely bunch) and got lots of tips already ( thanks) .
Had some more bad news yesterday my job is now at risk . There will be another role ( basically the job I already do) that I can apply for but it's added stress and worry that I don't need. So treated myself to wine last night as I was so upset .
On trying to get my finances sorted switched credit card to 0% deal , switched energy suppliers next thing to look at is Sky .

Ordered a new shower hose as mine has split. Hopefully that arrives tomorrow so I can fit it.

Bed stripped and bedding is washing now. Kitchen cleaned, did the inside of the fridge yesterday so did the outside today. Floor swept. Living room dusted and inside of upvc door washed. Banana loaf made. Ocado order put in to secure spot so I have three booked for the next three weeks. I am certain we will either be going back into local or national local down soon.

I'm so pissed off! Mumsnet ate two posts yesterday, and then didn't post again in case they all turned up and you all got cross!

Anyway, I didn't go out yesterday, didn't spend any money, and am chugging along.
Made waffles and woke the house up at 1130, it's 11 now and again it's only me up!

Tea was baked spuds with tuna mayo, cheap and easy is totally the way to go.

I was very brave and listed some of my sewing gubbins in a facebook cross stitch group, no bites yet, which is a bit demoralising really. Ho hum.

And today... Well I recorded my first you tube video!!! Based on cross stitch, there is a huge community on there, who knew? It is not a frugal hobby! Still needs editing and uploading, need to wait for dp to get up. But if anyone wants to watch it and "meet" me I'll let you know (eek!!) My cats were very naughty throughout.

Here's the picture I tried to post yesterday, Erik eyeing up Hank. I don't think my silly kitten has any idea that Hank is over 6 foot long...

em we go from talking about nappies and sleep to poo's in potties!! Your ds is a total (my ds didn't potty train until 3.5), there's nothing quite like not needing nappies anymore!

Welcome to the newbies, honestly jump in and post, however it works for you. For me it helped me out of a huge hole (still massively in debt, but on min wage and with 6 people to feed that's not going to change soon) and helped me not to panic about my financial situation 💖

Iwont bin sky! Honestly, best £46 a month I ever saved. With free view (your sky box becomes free sat), a fire stick and Netflix (which most of us have already) you won't miss it!

Well done North DH. Fingers crossed for a role soon.
Well done on being brave lonely.
£29 Amazon on protein powder and iron. Cheaper than h&b by £15.
Super drug order to do in a bit. I'm redoing my stash too wolf. May need to bagsi Sainsbury's slots too.

Thanks @LonelyOversharer . We don't watch sky at all but do get internet and phone through them so not sure how it will work?

Catch up later. £12 car wash because ds wanted to go in one. The minute we were in he didn’t want to be there. Cried the whole way through. #traumatised.

At least I have a clean car though

em how old is ur DS, my DS1 is starting potty training do u have any tips?

Thank u life will have a look!

Sorry about the job stress iwont

Can I ask those that use a budgeting app what app they find worked best?

I haven’t spent anything 2day can’t rly get out cuz of shielding which I’ve found has helped me save.

Welcome to all the newbies and sorry to hear about the job worries iwant

I’m probably going to be the unfrugal one here for now as currently wedding planning. We’re going to look at a venue tomorrow, which looks lovely. Basically somewhere with lovely gardens and we could have ceremony outdoors or indoors and reception there, which could be an afternoon tea thing or a normal wedding meal. I’m quite nervous about booking something for next year, but I figure we can’t completely put life on hold.

In frugal news, my engagement ring which we bought on Sunday has now doubled in price as no longer on sale!

I joined this thread when DD2 was pre-school age so childcare costs were high. I was also spending 3 hours commuting to work on the train 3 days a week, and had a hot chocolate/pastry and buying lunch habit. Our spending each month was high on work related costs.

Since then, I now work closer to home although earn less, without places to buy food nearby 😂 and DD2 is now at school. The money still goes, but last year we managed two short holidays and various days out. Which I am very grateful for as we won’t be going far this year!

mummy ds is 2.9m he’ll be 3 in sept.

Tips would be don’t rush it. Let him do it at his own pace. We started with pull ups in February and just went from there. Let him sit on the potty as and when. And eventually he did a wee on it.

Getting him to wee on it at nursery was another matter.

But we’ve persevered and not forced the issue. Since being back at nursery (and probably seeing his mates do it) he’s way more confident on toilet and has today conquered the last hurdle - poo on toilet at grandmas! He now tells us when he needs to go. Sometimes too late. But he does it.

Nighttime’s he’s in pull ups so we’re leaving this in place for a while!!!

Dropped charity stuff off. Wahoooo

@ememem84

Catch up later. £12 car wash because ds wanted to go in one. The minute we were in he didn’t want to be there. Cried the whole way through. #traumatised.

At least I have a clean car though

I can totally imagine ds doing this!

Love Erik and Hank Lonely.

Supermarket was more than I expected. I bought a case of beer that was on offer and a huge box of washing powder that increased the cost quite a but but mainly it's fruit. Most of the trolley was fruit and it'll be gone by Tuesday. Dcs have already had a pear and a banana each since I got home at 1pm.

£££ Sainsbury's about £100 I think.
£30 super drug but restarted stash stuff.

I joined I can't remember how long ago. No debt anymore but saving to upsize the house as want a small a mortgage as possible. And I have Yorkshire blood in my veins so I'm naturally tight

Well done ds on the poo.

Frugal win on the ring.

Hope you didn't log in wolf. Boo on the pay not going through. Finger crossed for July

Life I successfully avoided work and no-one WhatsApped me about work either which is a miracle. After a lot of faffing and refusal we are just starting schoolwork

House is clean though and more boxes of exes shit including more years of unopened post are packed for tomorrow. Yay

Been for a walk. It drizzled. It's now binning it down so timed it right.

Read a bit of my book.

That's good wolf. Will exs furniture go in your cellar? At least it's out of your way. If it gets wet tough. He should shift it

Good luck with school work.

God you have all been really busy here😮 l don't think l can catch up 🤣

Lonely Hank is a beautiful slithery.
I would love to see your YouTube channel - I will even sign up so I can be one of your subscribers.

Just reading everyone's stories makes me realise how much we have all gone through, it has had more storylines than Corrie.

Roasted gnocchi - that is an amazing idea wolf. If it is raining tomorrow I will dedicate it to gnocchi and pull tabs. Sod the washing.

I want that sucks re the job. I work for an organisation that is lovely in lots of ways, but we are constantly restructuring. It is so tough even if you know that you aren't at any real risk. I can't imagine what it is like at the moment, but we are here to support you through it.

North that is great news about both DS and DH. Does your DS know what subject he is interested in? Or is he like me that only got to Environmental Science before finding a course that would do?

We have joined the Kallax club.... do not send DH and DD out for a new bathroom.

wolf ds has done eff all school work either if it is any consolation. I don't think we are alone.

I have written 2 posts and still can't see them here . I don't know what I am doing. This app thingy is really difficult, l am Not used to it at all !! 😂