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August Always Adds Pocket Pressure, Frugal Friends Thrive Thriftily

996 replies

Wolfcub · 03/08/2020 17:44

New feed

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lifelongfrugaleer · 15/08/2020 07:41

Same here unescorted. School is going to be hell for withdrawal

maddenlightfoot · 15/08/2020 08:08

Well in very, very frugal news we lost out in a bidding war on a beautiful house last night saving ourselves £150k 😂😂😂. Feeling ok about it this morning. We don't have any great 'push' to move, but would like to move on from our Victorian terrace at some point, so I think we'll stay put for now, weather the storm of recession, and then reassess. We also have to step away from RightMove 😂

lifelongfrugaleer · 15/08/2020 10:51

Oh no Madden. Pleased you are ok with it

Lovemaltesers · 15/08/2020 11:15

That’s frustrating madden

Hope your DC are doing ok with their uni decisions north and adora

DP is heading out with the DC soon. It’ll be the first few hours that I get to stay at home by myself for months. I’m slightly excited by this prospect Grin

Rain ☔️ here today. So nice after the boiling hot weather.

ememem84 · 15/08/2020 13:26

Been shopping with ds. £12.40’in naice cafe on coffee milk and cake for a mid shop treat.

£120 next - Tshirts pjs and pants for ds.

£48 esprit in the sale for some bits for dh.

£2.58 card factory. It’s dhs birthday in a week and a bit so ds chose cards.

We’re getting dh a Bluetooth speaker and a voucher for Apple store so he can buy a new phone. Dm is also getting a voucher. As is dsis. So in theory dh won’t need to spend out much himself.

£4.45 amazon on laundry storage bags. Needed for the dc clothes. They are growing!!!!

grannycake · 15/08/2020 13:34

Went to Go Outdoors - partly because they allow dogs in and the puppy in a sling could meet lots of people. Tried n welleis and mcukboots but I have one very wide foot so no joy. Popped into Sainsburys on the way home for a new milk pan and also bought some reduced pies, a light fleece, newspapers and batteries - £47.50 but used Nectar points. So NSD really

Cooked a chicken in instant pot for weeks sandwiches - DH works away but takes food with him and am going to chill out this afternoon. Weather is pants - sorry for those on hols here

Wolfcub · 15/08/2020 14:20

Sorry Madden, glad you are okay with it though. I'm on right Move every day at the moment and I can't believe the price of some of the houses at the moment.

Dropped ds at exes house with bags o shite. Lost my rag as neither of them had told me he was staying for dinner Angry if you want a fucking taxi service call an Uber I actually have things of my own to be doing Angry

Painted 5/8 of the office. Need to finish that 5/8 completely before I do the last 2/8ths because I'm working around exes furniture Angry

All the windows are open because paint but the farmer has chosen this morning to muck spread so the house is a disgusting combination of paint and pig shit Envy(not envy)

Just having a cuppa on the doorstep where I can't get paint on anything and then I'm going back in with a tub of undercoat for the staircase I sanded last night.

I hate decorating. My dad says I'm going mad as I'm going to have blinds not curtains. I have pointed out that nothing has been decorated in 13 years. It was done badly by the previous owners. We've had the cheapest of absolutely everything/stuff given/second hand stuff all my non-single adult life and I'm damn well going to have a new blind, a desk and a sodding futon if I want one

OP posts:
Wolfcub · 15/08/2020 14:20

Sorry that was a bit of a rant Blush

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Taytocrisps · 15/08/2020 14:47

Had a very busy week at work. I've to bring DD to the beach in a while (she's meeting up with friends there). It's very hot and I don't really fancy the drive. There are some horrendous roadworks on the way. But I promised her so I guess I just have to get on with it.

We're going for dinner tonight to celebrate a family member's big birthday.

I've just been ghosted by a friend Sad. We meet for coffee and a chat every once in a while. That wasn't possible when the Corona virus and lockdown struck but we still texted each other and were talking about meeting up when things started to open again. I texted her at the end of June and got no response. I didn't think too much about it - sometimes people are too busy to respond to a text and then forget about it later. I texted her again in July and suggested meeting for coffee and proposed a few dates. No response. I figured something was amiss. I texted her again today and said I hadn't heard from her lately and suggested meeting for coffee. Her reply was simply "Not interested" Shock. I guess I've done something to upset her but for the life of me, I can't figure out what. She has a past history of falling out with people over some perceived slight, so I guess I'm not altogether surprised. A bit hurt though.

I've some maintenance issues in the house - a problem with the boiler, a leak under the sink and a shower which veers between scalding water or cold water and no happy in between. Need to get some workmen out next week when I'm working from home.

Lots of mixed emotions on the thread in recent days. Congratulations to the DC who did so well in their exams. And commiserations to those who got bad news. I really hope there's an alternative route to their chosen courses and careers. They're all so young and they've had such a topsy turvy year.

Enjoy the holidays Seacow and anyone else who is away.

madden sorry to hear about the house Sad.

Sing I can't believe DD is almost three!

ChristmasSeacow · 15/08/2020 15:19

Hi all

Tayto that’s very strange. I’d someone is peed off the least they can do is say something - and a bit strange if you haven’t actually even seen this person to have a chance to upset them! It’s them, not you. I’d love a coffee with you Grin.

Wolf I’ve lost track of exactly how much of your decorating you’ve completed but you seem to have been at it for ages and have made a lot of progress. Is it starting to look how you want it? Defo have blinds and a futon!

We did indeed make to to Caswell Bay yesterday. It was overcast and we had one very light shower but overall it was a viable beach day and the DC loved running around. And it was a very lovely beach too. As Granny says, today is horrible - torrential rain this morning. I went to Sainies for a top up shop and to find something to amuse the DC, and then we ventured out this afternoon to a botanic garden as we thought the rain was stopping for a bit. As we got here the heavens opened again. DS can’t cope with wet clothes (he won’t even get in the water with swim clothes on) so has refused to leave the car. DD is jumping in puddles with DH while I sit in the car with DS and DM Confused. It is absolutely pissing down right now. Wish I’d just stayed at home and enjoyed some knitting time - should have brought it with me!

The forecast for the whole of next week is a wash out so I’m feeling a bit deflated. I hope it improves.

Lovemaltesers · 15/08/2020 15:30

The whole making do with off casts/not quite what you want drives me bonkers wolf. Been there done that, don’t need to do that now. Have what you want!

Lovemaltesers · 15/08/2020 15:31

I hope the rain stops soon for you sea

Mrsmadevans · 15/08/2020 16:55

Afternoon everyone Smile
Been to Aldi shopping for us and Mum. 22 us 25 Mum. Did a list which is way better for me & l am going to try and do that more often. Bought lots for £22 really Aldi are definitely the most reasonable .
Wolf well done on your painting , l have not got any enthusiasm or get up and go for anything like that Hmm
Tayto it's definitely not you, take no notice !
Enjoy the holiday Sea Smile hope the rain is gone!
Madden sorry to hear about the house, sensible of you to hold of for now in this finacial chaos Flowers
Love enjoy your afternoon of relaxation Smile
Unescorted l hate sorting the pensions and the ensuing paperwork and phone calls and time consuming crap you have to read to understand it all , when Dh and l retired l went through hell to sort it out Hmm Dh didn't have a clue he was oblivious to it all Hmm
Em sounds like you've had a good day out .
Life great refunds Grin
Granny that is an excellent shop in Sains l need to get into my Nectar points Smile
Born l worked for 38 yrs NHS finished at 56 , figured my lump sum would suppliment my NHS pension & would tide me over till my OAP pension kicked in. l had to finish to look after my parents. I loved my job but l must confess l am glad to be out of all this Covid 19 worry.
Hope everyone is ok , have a lovely Saturday afternoon everyone Smile

Wolfcub · 15/08/2020 17:43

Put my brush down 15 mins ago. Omg I am sooo tired and so sore. I feel like I need to Voltarol my entire body. Ow ow ow.

Tayto I'm so sorry someone did that to you. It's so hurtful.

I'd like to say I've done loads Sea but I'm just moving on into room 2 (neither of which are big) which I've been doing today. Both rooms were in a terrible state and awkward spaces, but I think it's the challenge of doing most of it solo is why it takes so long and I have to be careful with the back/hip - I definitely haven't been today. Plus with having time off I wanted to spend time with ds when he's here rather than be decorating so little and often. Fingers crossed your weather improves, I think the forecasts have been way off this week so hopefully next week's forecast is bunkum

OP posts:
AdoraBell · 15/08/2020 17:48

NSD. School have appealed DDs grades and a couple of Unis have said they’ll take her once she has the higher grades. I’m just hoping there will still be places available.

I’m furious. Can’t sleep, appetite has disappeared and I feel nauseous.

Wolfcub · 15/08/2020 18:10

Adora have you seen that Leicester are offering places based on mock exam results?

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SnugglySnerd · 15/08/2020 18:28

@AdoraBell

NSD. School have appealed DDs grades and a couple of Unis have said they’ll take her once she has the higher grades. I’m just hoping there will still be places available.

I’m furious. Can’t sleep, appetite has disappeared and I feel nauseous.

Sorry you are having such a tough time with the results Adora. They have really fucked up but did we expect any less from this government?!

Tayto that is so rude of your "friend", I should focus on nicer friends!

Sounds like hard work Wolf, I have some painting to finish. As it looks like rain here for the next few days I might as well crack on with it!

Dd2 has been pretending she is a cat for the last 20 mins or so. She will not speak to us, she keeps meowing loudly and crawling around the house. The actual cat looks quite fed up. I have come to hide in the bedroom for a bit of peace!

lifelongfrugaleer · 15/08/2020 18:38

That's shit tayto.
Fingers crossed adora.
Hot bath wolf and a medicinal vino.

Unescorted · 15/08/2020 19:24

Adora hopefully the appeals process is more straightforward than the original awards. It is so shite - the more I read the more angry I get. I hope that every A level and BTEC candidate and their friends and families remember this.

Tayto she is no friend. Friends challenge you when you piss them off at the time because being a friend means more to them than whatever dreamt up sleight / misinterpreted words happened.

Wolf Paint it your colours and fill it with your furniture. It is your space... And rant away - I do on a regular basis and everyone here is too polite to tell me to shut up.

Mrs - it is such a faff. I want to buy extra years of my final salary pension using my previous pension pots.... or at least have an idea of how much money I have squirreled away. I first started paying in when I was 25 and have only had 12 months where I haven't paid into some pot. Fortunately I have friend at work who is shit hot at pension things (advantage of working for an organisation that employs ex wankers).

lifelongfrugaleer · 15/08/2020 19:33

Not too polite unescorted just a kindred ranter. Grin

£££££ spent on line for wedding outfits. This not being able to try in shops is pissing me right off

Unescorted · 15/08/2020 21:33

Life that is so polite of you to say.... Wink

howlathebees · 15/08/2020 23:04

Hi all we’ve been to a family gathering today, was socially distanced but the DC had a lovely time. Just got home now and we have 3 very tired but happy boys. Will catch up with you all tomorrow.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 15/08/2020 23:13

Adora I'm sorry things are so stressful, I didn't think it was possible for this government to fuck up any more than they already have but I was wrong.

Tayto some people are so weird, I've been ghosted before and it's so confusing but I suppose does highlight who the people are that I can rely on.

Mrs well done on surviving the nhs for that long! I think I'm 16 years in now and I don't want to think about how many years I have left to go!

Wolf I need to decorate my living room but find the mess it creates so stressful so I end up procrastinating for ever!

We've had an okay day, it's rained a lot but we managed a nice walk with the dog. Been binge watching orphan black on Netflix all afternoon!

Nsd.

Ystd only spent £7 on a few food bits.

AdoraBell · 15/08/2020 23:22

She’s tried Lancaster, they don’t take applications with a D so she has to wait for her grades to be appealed. She wants to sit the exams as she knows she can do better if given the opportunity. She’s calmed down a lot since Thursday morning, and the other DD has been very considerate. I’m also annoyed that we can’t celebrate her achievements fully.

Unescorted · 16/08/2020 07:09

Adora it keeps getting worse. Ofqual have suspended the appeals process overnight. It is being "reviewed in due course". It is shambolic and utterly unfair. In years to come I hope employers recognise the class of 2020 and disregard their grades / which uni they went to ... they had "reformed" SATS in year 6, "reformed" GCSEs and now this cluster fuck. They have shown remarkable resilience all the way through.

I am having a lovely quiet morning - normally DD would want me to drive her over to the Boyf in the next town, but dh has lost his car keys and borrowed my car to go to a friends birthday (camping over) with DS. I am not a fan of said friend (she is so self obsessed and dull..) So I waved them off cheerfully thankful that no one questioned why I could not be arsed. All of which means that I am tucked up in bed drinking coffee - contemplating going out for a run when I finish my coffee. It has just stopped raining so will be lovely and quiet for a couple of hours as the visitors faff with rucksack straps and re calibrate their day.

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