Safely into a frugal September saving as we go...

[northender]

New thread. Thought I needed to get back on track.

I spoke too soon, we are now also in tier 2 bah!

Sorry for those going into tighter restrictions. Going into tier two actually eased things for us so I'm relieved rather than concerned.

Pumpkin sorry to hear your news

Life that's a bugger about the fine. Can you challenge or appeal?

I love the l'occitane calendars, they always have fab stuff in

Afternoone everyone
Mum had her legs dressed, her bloods done and a through MOT. I was complimented by the nurses and Doctor for my care for her and l was so touched l nearly cried. I know l am daft but it's like you do all this caring and you do feel forgotten along the way
I have to take her on Monday now . Hopefully they will be much better by then and it will be the last appt. We can get the blood results too.
OMG Life it's never ending isn't it ? Dh got done taking Mum and l shopping for parking in a disabled bay with a blue badge and it was upside down He was in the car waiting for us as well ! I said to him why didn't they tell you!
This tier business is all very confusng for us all. I don't know whether l am coming or going
I am so Sorry for those affected by it. l don't know where this is all going to end but the sooner the vaccinations start the better.
Camden that is brilliant you have had the Boots No7 one , l am really looking forward to it ! I have bought the Dds advent calendars but this was a special treat for myself and Dd2

£60 was the discount. Nope clearly guilty. Can't challenge.

I don’t feel especially sorry for myself with the restrictions, plenty of people are in the same boat and oddly, I am not especially frustrated and restless for myself. However, I am most worried about the kids and older people in my life, and how their narrower lives are affecting them. Things like not being able to see PILs, who are bored and lonely (and BIL can’t see them either - also London). I just wish it would ALL GO AWAY! I’m pretty fed up of it now 🙄. But aren’t we all?!

I think I’d be more frustrated if I wasn’t working. But I’m still super busy and that helps. I am missing the human side of having real life contact with people at work but it still helps! And this time round I hope my mum can keep visiting, as she’s in our bubble. Just PLEEEEEEAAAAASE let the schools stay open....

Hope everyone else is managing okay. Wolf, are you still able to see your parents as your support bubble?

I am considering buying a very unfrugal heavy duty gazebo for our patio so I can sit outside with people over the winter and huddle round the fire pit, even in the rain. This may be a mad plan.

Sea mad idea but you can't put a price on your sanity.

Dd has spoken about wanting to stay in a hotel local to us & I've decided to that if there's still restrictions next apr for her birthday I'm going to book for myself & dc to stay there. It would be her second party to miss out on. Insane but I think a decent treat too.

70c on parking for orthodontist

Sea yes I'm lucky I'm still allowed my support bubble. In case it helps anyone in T2 and T3 grandparents are also allowed to provide after school childcare for children under 14 under the rules.

We are in Tier 2 too although we have had tighter restrictions here since early Sept (I think, I can't remember). I hope the nice weather lasts over half term!

The tier system is a bit confusing! We’re still business as usual here but cases are rising.

One class at a local school has closed here because there’s been a case and everyone has to isolate. Also a watch at fire station. Is in isolation because there’s been a case.

@ChristmasSeacow

I don’t feel especially sorry for myself with the restrictions, plenty of people are in the same boat and oddly, I am not especially frustrated and restless for myself. However, I am most worried about the kids and older people in my life, and how their narrower lives are affecting them. Things like not being able to see PILs, who are bored and lonely (and BIL can’t see them either - also London). I just wish it would ALL GO AWAY! I’m pretty fed up of it now 🙄. But aren’t we all?!

I think I’d be more frustrated if I wasn’t working. But I’m still super busy and that helps. I am missing the human side of having real life contact with people at work but it still helps! And this time round I hope my mum can keep visiting, as she’s in our bubble. Just PLEEEEEEAAAAASE let the schools stay open....

Hope everyone else is managing okay. Wolf, are you still able to see your parents as your support bubble?

I am considering buying a very unfrugal heavy duty gazebo for our patio so I can sit outside with people over the winter and huddle round the fire pit, even in the rain. This may be a mad plan.

I also feel really bad for the kids, mine are all teens and older but this is really affecting them, ds2 is really miserable, his college course is now part time and he only goes in two days every other week. He's worried that his driving test will be cancelled too.

I don't know what the answer is, not sure that anyone does!

Arrived home from work about an hour ago Dh and dd1 picked me up from the station with a dominoes pizza £20 but well worth it!

Also spent £40.10 in M&S as I had A 15% off voucher on the Sparks app, picked up a pair of slippers for Dh birthday and a pair of jeans, saved £7.50 couldn't resist the food hall and spent another £10.40 in there.

I consider myself very lucky in that my kiddos are young enough not to really get it. Ds is 3 and doesn’t question much at the moment. He accepts that if I say somethings closed it’s closed.

Dd doesn’t have an opinion being only 1.

Dd went to sleep. In her bed. By herself. This is the first time she’s done that for a couple of weeks.

I’ve had an absolute win today. My tax assessment came back with a new rate. Up until today I’ve been laying 23% tax plus 6% social security every month.

Social security for everyone here has dropped to 4%. Because covid.

My tax rate however has dropped to 0%. Wahooooo so. That’s a wedge of extra cash for me until at least december (when they frig about with it again). Have sent new rate to our payroll lady this evening. So she can update.

Which will top up savings nicely. Phew.

Great tax win em. Hope dd stayed in bed
Need food bits today. Not much as want to run house down.
Mortgage approved yesterday post valuation

Em I've just remembered that dd1 went through a weird not sleeping phase when she was about 18 months old. It was awful but it only lasted about few weeks then she just went back to sleeping in her bed again. I hope you got some sleep last night.

I’m hoping were almost through it snuggly

Dh has ordered the Joseph Joseph cutlery organiser from amazon on prime day. Yay.

Great news on the tax Em. I really really need to do my self assessment tax return.

Flu jab today. Also need birthday cards and wrapping paper for ds and a friend

Bit of furniture moving today.

£74 Pilates pass I'm booking some extra lessons as I'm doing less than I was in lockdown

Moved money out of my isa to pay balance of the carpet

Im going to my non frugal happy place

booths Christmas book [[https://online.flippingbook.com/view/318371/]]

Happy Friday!

On my lunch break and I just popped out and picked up free fries from Leon, Free Christmas cards from Paperchase and a free muffin from M&S, I was about to claim a nsd then I remembered I spent £30 on £5 Fridays at Boots, 3 x Yankee candle scented reeds, 2 x face halo reusable make up removers and a moisturiser. Good stocking fillers for teens!

Life I really wish we had Booths down south, I always drag Dh there when we visit friends in the north, they laugh at my pronunciation and tell me it's Booves!

I used topcashback when spending money at bookdepository the other day, just got notification from my bank earned 20c from the transaction there also!!

Em superwin on tax rate

Dd was at orthodontist yesterday - bill €3900, obviously that's divided by 2 but her father doesn't want to do the work to her teeth.

There are payment options. €3700 upfront gives €200 discount or €900 upfront and balance over 15 months of €200 monthly payments. This is €25 each per week, totally doable.

So ex has finally sought legal advice on our consent order which we agreed informally about 10 months ago and which he's had formally for 9 months. Basically the verdict is reject it and screw me for every penny!

Oh Wolf that's awful. I don't understand these men and how they seem to have no pride. Do they never consider how bad it makes them look to their children. I hope he ends up with nothing

Chuck the rest of his shit out now wolf, no more Ms nice wolf

Surely the fact you house, clothe and basically do all the parenting of DS should count for something when it comes to finances?

Did your ex have a decent income before the incident that led to this though wolf?

Love yes we were very close in income. I started our relationship a grade lower than him. By the time he departed I was a grade senior but at the bottom of the scale, he was the top of his. My first subsequent promotion was the day he left and then I've had another this year. So the income gap has grown during separation and as we know he quit his job rather than be fired and is now on benefits. All choices, none of this my fault. The law is an ass!

Afternoon everyone
Wolf l am so sorry l do hope you get a good outcome finanacially after all this upset
Em that is brill re your tax and Dd sleeping
Happier Good for you looking after your Dd , l know orthodonists are really expensive but so worth it , only one lot of teeth we get so we have to look after them
Life thank you for the Booths book download
Been to Lidl's , spent 40 on lots of crackers and crisps and chocolate for Christmas, then to Primark spent 58 , Dd2 stuff and Christmas presents for my Mum's Bf great grandchildren.
I have managed to get an appt for Mum for the Dentist end of November so she may have new teeth for the new year. She hasn't had a complete set since she went to Bob's he puts stuff everywhere!