Lockdown (almost) over and frugalling continues!

[ememem84]

New thread. All welcome

We've been told the same Em, here will be none there by October when everyone has a cold!

Same here, any symptoms isolate.
£131 Sainsbury's but got my sub's refunded. Spend in co-op to replace sub's.
Today £25 stables, £5 b&q for post Crete, £10 b&m pebbles, at some points need some bits that are Aldi specific

Great news about the wedding Love - I can’t believe how quickly it’s coming together!

I’m up with the kids this morning - Ocado didn’t deliver last night so there’s no blueberries for pancakes so they had choc chip and glacé cherries - DD was impressed! We’re off to the seaside today, it’s about 90 mins drive so we don’t go often, kids are very excited. We can’t go till the afternoon due to high tide, but then have to be back for rearranged Ocado delivery so it won’t be a long day out.

Yesterday - c £30 fruit picking with DS (he hated it and begged to go home - I picked quickly!) and £25 on SEN yoga lessons - that’s for 2 shared with another boy. In his garden, very civilised! We stayed for DS to have pizza with his friend and I made cookies to take with us as a thanks.

Picnic today so not much spend, but I do need to buy more jam sugar and some Bramley apples. I made blackberry and raspberry jam yesterday but still need to make raspberry jam and also blackberry and apple. 😋

Have a good weekend everyone!

I've totally lost the place when it comes to what we are all supposed to do in this COVID situation, and I dare say my rules will be slightly different from some, as I'm in Scotland, but surely they will test people and only have them staying off if they are positive. I know the tests aren't always accurate but right through this the advice has been,if you test negative, and feel well enough you can return to work. To do otherwise, during the winter, will have the country grinding to a halt again

Mrs thanks for flower link. They'll be perfect for my mum, however I am now thinking who else can I send a wee surprise bunch of flowers to? 🙈 I am a disgrace to the frugaleers 😜

I think everything is just a bit flat at the moment snuggly I know when I stopped for my two weeks annual leave I was so looking forward to it but then was a bit like what now??? Good weather helps so I hope you get lots of sunshine to enjoy nice days out.

Hoping for a nsd today.

Been absent without leave for ages
I've not been misbehaving as a frugaleer though
This week I saw the benefit of my gp visit card three times. Got burned on a patio heater sat night on my right leg and upper arm. Had to get it dressed three times by the doctor. It's painful & I'm awake most of the night tonight with it being sore. Ds is sleeping soundly beside me we're at dparents for the weekend.
Also discussed cryotherapy for dd as she has mosaic warts/verrucas on her foot. It'll also be covered by this

Born that must have been very frightening with your 14 year old, will you discuss it with him?

Wolf that's fair shit, is there anyone higher than your boss you can complain too. Is ds going to his dads for any bit this weekend for you to have a break?

Mrsmadevans/unescorted we went to library week before last, there was us, staff and one other library member

Unescorted get dh to write it down, accounts numbers passwords etc & keep it in a safe place, just in case. I used to think when I was married dh wouldn't have a clue either, he still wouldn't for dc if something were to happen me.

Welcome sayaka sounds tough but you're handling it well & remaining positive. I use BorrowBox app from library, they've ebooks and audio books plus RBdigital app has lots of magazines on it for free too.

Em is the zoo close? I think it's a great idea to get membership, a blogger I follow on Instagram has membership for Dublin zoo and they definitely knock value out of it.

North great news for your dh

I sold a car this week, au pair will buy the car she drives off me. It cost me €7500 in 2012 and I sold it for €800 without the faff of advertising it & having to meet people to test drive it so the deal is I'll hold her pay from now until she leaves & then when she returns in September she'll pay the remainder in two instalments. Rather than this money disappearing I'm putting it into an online savings account called Childcare Fund & it'll be there when I need it going forward.

My dm can't do the three days in August now after all so I'm going to be booking childcare for that. She's got a good reason she's caring for her 93 year old mother instead. Three half days will cost me €180

I got letters saying I've been awarded €2.22 per hour towards government childcare, not sure yet what it costs but will see next month.

Life's pizza spends reminded me I need to post some spends too
€32.35 on Supermacs
€2 trocaire donation (it's gone very modern just tapped at till!)
€19.98 pair of sunglasses each dd & myself, mine broke last sat night
€20 birthday gift for dc's niece
€28.79 petrol station stop on snacks basically
On the plus side I think I need very few groceries this week so going to stretch it out until vouchers are ready to expire next Friday

During the week I spent €10 on loose denim culottes as I can't wear regular clothes with my leg burn, €64.82 on groceries, upgraded my iCloud subscription to €2.99 per month, €30 on Unislim subscription, for m&s refund of €16.50, spend €64.65 on easons who had books reduced by 25% plus I got a further 27% off, mainly books for dc but I preordered The Meal Prep King Cookbook for me , €6.50 on yellow sticker items, €52.98 on diesel, and €83 on dinner for 5 adults & a couple of drinks last Sunday.

Mummy sorry to hear about your custody order being necessary, hope that you can find support somehow, I'm lucky that ex stepped up to being a good dad when he moved out, and it's working quite amicably at the moment.

Girlie glad you had a good night, sounds like you enjoyed the company, it's not about the meal anymore sure it isn't!

Sea & north great savings! I'll be getting money back on au pairs car insurance next month when I cancel the policy, hopefully it'll come back through my account and not a cheque to ex as policy is in his name

Had a horrible phone call with solicitor on Monday re house purchase, basically we've made zero progress since she started handling it on 22nd April, so I sent a strongly worded email to auctioneer, solicitor rang again yesterday and it had desired effect things are moving along nicely now and paperwork should be with my bank next week.

Unescorted well done on cv

Ok massive post I know but I miss you guys

Oh have found the right blend of dove farm malted strong flour plus plain strong flour and seeded strong flour to suit dd in making sourdough so I'm delighted with that

Morning everyone.

Ouch happier that burn sounds painful! Hope it heals quickly for you.

Exciting re the wedding coming together love 💕* *
*
Snuggly* it's the weirdest end of the term ever I think 😕 normally such an exciting day and I didn't even think about it until Ystd evening.

I spoke to a dr Ystd re dd, she was nice but said dd wasn't starving herself enough to be referred to anyone 😐 she's given me some advice though so will see how that goes.

It was lovely to go out with my friends on Thursday, like therapy! It was very relaxed and the pub was busy but well organised.

Today I need to take some clothes back to topshop and I'm getting my haircut finally!! Because of the timings I think we'll need to get dinner in town so just need to work out the logistics of that.

It's my nephews bday so am putting £15 over to him and need to pick up something for my sil (to be) bday which is today 😬

The account looks very empty but it's been the first month in ages that's happened so I'm not too worried.

Happier OUCH... that sounds grim.

Girlie that is shocking. Would they say to someone with a hairline fracture soz that leg isn't broken enough, come back when it is crooked and half hanging off.

Snuggly & Say happy summer holidays. You guys have earnt it. It is one thing to be working from home and home schooling - if you are pants at it people are sympathetic, because most of us can't teach for toffee. But everyone expects teachers to change to WFH, home school their own kids and work out how to teach a class full of kids via Zoom and babysit keyworker kids at the same time. All in an environment that has the clarity of a mud pie. Enjoy your G&Ts & I hope it is a lovely sunny and relaxing holiday for you.

Born that must be such a worry - every time I get in a grump about having to get up for work I remember I am getting paid and it is the same job just a different location.

Love how exciting Pictures, zoom invites to the reception we can buy our own bubbles and cake for the toasts

Today I am being bought a hot chocolate at our weekly stand outside the local cafe in the rain to keep our single friends sane get together. I then need to go shopping - my DM has invited us for dinner tomorrow, but her salad making ability is low. She hasn't quite got the idea that if she starts with items that should be in the compost bin the dressing is not going to mask the hint of swamp.

Unescorted my mothers fridge always has soft peppers in it, like constantly, like they stay hard for ages I just don't get it!

I am glad it isn't just my Mum.... It infuriates me that we go up for tea and she asks me to put together the salad saying - there is loads of things in the fridge. And I look in and it is grim. I end up cleaning her fridge and we stir a lonely lettuce leaf (with limp bits removed) around our plates. My awkward Bro has unintentionally played me a blinder - he over populates the kitchen with things that no one is allowed to touch. Which means I have to make the salad before I arrive. The swampy fridge does not have to be engaged with. Shame not

Sea have a lovely day at the seaside. I am liking your thinking on choc chip and cherry. That would make a really good flapjack flavouring as well.

happier I'm also a bread maker. I love the Dove Farm range too and often add some of their buckwheat or rye flour to white bread flour. The flavours are so good.

Also, thank you for your welcome, I am trying to stay positive, and I have found so many things to do that don't cost. I have downloaded the Borrowbox and RB apps after a previous poster told me about library audio books. I'm now reading Crazy Rich Asians and listening to a brilliant Lisa Jewell audio book.

Also, since deleting Netflix and Amazon Prime I've found some brilliant stuff on Channel 4OD. I loved Passengers and am currently bingeing my way through some Scandi noir. Utter bliss!

£26 Aldi, £6.50 post Crete to collect Monday.

Ouch happier

happier that burn sounds nasty. They hurt so much at night don't they?

Sooo got a long and worrying email from my boss, basically saying we need to cut staff and hours or there won't be a business. I really feel for her, it's 40 years of work for them, and a real viable business, just no orders atm. I have to call them on Monday, before a staff meeting on Tuesday, so will find out a bit more then. I'll wait until then before I really panic.

I did more shopping yesterday, so the house is stuffed with food (£30 voucher filled 1/2 a trolley with asda "everyday value" basics. Shopped for my parents, they are going to go out next week and try shopping for themselves. It's been a long time and they are quite nervous.

I'm making them masks today. I was loathe to use my fabric stash hoarder until I knew they would be mandatory!

It's time to be a big girl and log into all the accounts and work out where I can trim payments for now.

I didn't take any of the payment breaks as I was still getting paid, and I didn't want to get further behind on anything. With minimum wage I tread water, there is no way I can catch up or get ahead. But still very grateful to have my job.

I guess it’s the usual isn’t it lonely utilities, phones, food, tv, internets etc.

Happier I have spoken to ds and told him I'm not putting up with outbursts like that. Dh has had a stern word too. He's normally my more placid child but I think too much isolationand Xbox has taken its toll. We've came down to our caravan (which was the cause of the fight in the first place) so I'm hoping some fresh air will make us all feel better 🤞

Unescorted it is a worry but I'm conscious of the fact that I have a secure job and I'm luckier than lots of people. It's not a bad thing as the fear stops me spending frivolously or at least curbs it a bit.

Lonely yay for making masks!! I'll buy some if you've got a link. I've developed a mask addiction also hoarder

Enjoy your day out Sea

Don't panic yet lonely. You may be kept on. However an audit of bills and pay outs won't harm plus looking at how you can make more money.

Lonely Hopefully it is salvageable for her. I will have all my fingers & toes crossed for you all.

The outcome of this lockdown is such a lottery for households and the effects of that will be so long term.

Fingers crossed for a positive outcome lonely but making sure your outgoings are trimmed back as much as possible will stand you in good stead anyway.
Happier that sounds painful. Good news that the house process is moving again. Will keep my fingers crossed for you too.
Welcome Sayaka I have started doing sourdough through lockdown & am just about to start playing with flour mixes now that I've got a plain white loaf sorted!
Have a lovely seaside day sea. Definitely not a seaside day here, weather has been grim so far, just clearing up now. First proper day of cricket too!
unescorted My mum's kitchen can be a bit like that, but particularly the fridge!
Love how exciting about the wedding!
Girlie I hope the GPs advice proves helpful. It must be such a worry for you.
xmummy selling things is great, it creates space and the money, however much, is welcome.

Good news from here. Dh is almost certainly being offered this job, just waiting for some HR confirmation. He is excited now as it sounds more up his street than the one he originally applied for. He probably won't hand his notice in until after our leave, so it's likely to be end of September/early October before he starts. Short term it won't make much difference to us financially, we could be a little bit worse off, but long term it'll be very good.
Had a quiet night in with a glass or two of red last night. Today I have taken dd's sewing machine, my old one and my mothballed overlocker to someone locally to be serviced. Am hoping it won't be too pricey, but we'll see. Dd is quite keen on sewing now & she has my mum's old machine which hasn't been serviced in many years. The overlocker hasn't been used in years but I'm giving it a stay of execution and am going to try to use it more.
Then drove ds to cricket, called in on my dparents. Dh is working a volunteer shift at the cricket club, so it's dd & me at home on a grey grim day. Hoping to list some things for ebay.

Great news North

That is awesome news North

Wow everyone has been busy 😃
Mummy room looks great like that😃
Thank you Born l so hope your Mum loves the flowers 🤗
North well done on getting the sewing machines sorted it's so satisfying sewing 😃
Happier that sounds awful, hope it heals quickly , good news about the house though 😃
Hope you have had a lovely day Sea 😃
Girlie hope you are happier for your DD now you have seen the Gp 💐
Lonely it's worrying times for you sweetheart, l know if we can help in any way we will , don't suffe in silence , a trouble shared 💐
Saya l use borrow box and Digital downloads from the library 😃 you can read hundreds of magazine's online with it. Also lots of BBC radio plays on You tube 😃
I am sure l have missed ppl out not intended but so busy here.
Have a lovely Saturday evening everyone 😀

That's good news North!

I lost another long post earlier due to being interrupted by a small child! I can't remember everything I said but thank you for the end of term good wishes!

Have made another £10.50 on Ebay today and listed a few more items.

Em was it you who was watching The Bureau