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Frugal Friends Forging Forward Toward February and Further Financial Freedom

999 replies

Wolfcub · 16/01/2021 19:43

New fred

OP posts:
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Eileen101 · 10/02/2021 18:39

Gensola - the 2WW is awful. The longest two weeks ever. I will keep everything crossed for you 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Evie, I'm also sorry to hear that you were in such a dark place. Do you have a plan in place?

I've been decluttering a bit around the house recently and have been listing a few bits on eBay, that I probably otherwise would have put on my Freecycle (currently closed) or the charity shop. I'm quite pleased that I've made a few pounds as it will certainly help the bank account! Some of it is baby clothes which feels a bit final 🙈

Eileen101 · 10/02/2021 18:40

P.s thank you for the welcome everyone.

Wolfcub · 10/02/2021 18:44

Welcome Evie

Fingers crossed Gen

OP posts:
Unescorted · 10/02/2021 19:14

Evie this thread is really supportive without any judgement. They supported me through the paying off of a huge amount of debt (40kish). There is no amount of financial crap that is worth your life.

In fact deciding to do something about it is the hardest part. My first decision was to approach one of the debt charities - we used Payplan who were good . There are others - Stepchange is the best known and therefore can take some time to get a place on their books which is why we went to Payplan. Do not pay for advice!

The next step was to write down everyone we owed money to and how much (including things like the last 9 months of Council tax and the childrens saving accounts that I had used for groceries). That was so scary but necessary so I knew what I was aiming for.

Then came the budget - everything that I knew would be coming up that I had to pay (food, getting to work, energy, housing). Make this really detailed - it is best to use your bank and card statements so you know you aren't sugar coating it. Then you can calculate how much is necessary and how much is discretionary spending. This gives you how much you have to pay towards your debt.

You can do this and we have your back Smile

Unescorted · 10/02/2021 19:15

Shit gen I have every single thing that can be crossed crossed for you.

lifelongfrugaleer · 10/02/2021 19:24

Good advice unescorted

We don't judge at all on here

ememem84 · 10/02/2021 19:35

Absolutely no judgement. (Unless questionable food choices are made - I’m sure there’s someone in here who hates mayonaise...?

Gensola · 10/02/2021 19:58

em I don’t like Mayo unless it’s aioli Grin

Thanks all - this is such a great group. We are meal planned through to Sunday and hoping to stay out of the shops and get a few NSDs apart from direct debits etc.
I broke the NSD today by amazoning two books to read this weekend to try and get myself to the official test date without cracking and testing early Grin

SnugglySnerd · 10/02/2021 20:01

Welcome Evie and Eileen, you are both very welcome.

Well done on the volunteering Sing and good luck with the 2ww Gen.

Em I'm not crazy about mayo so you might be thinking of me, although I like it for dipping a crisp jacket potato skin.

Today feels like a frugal fail gas and electric-wise! It's been bloody cold and snowed on and off so we had the heating and the dryer on this morning. Decided to do jacket potatoes for lunch which were in the oven for 90 mins. Planned a previously batch-cooked and frozen pasta bake for tea but forgot to get it out of the freezer last night. Got it out this morning and after 30 mins in the oven it was still frozen in the centre so that ended up in the microwave for 10 minutea. I don't want to think about the electric bill!

Oh well, try again tomorrow! At least I haven't actually bought anything today.

lifelongfrugaleer · 10/02/2021 20:12

Well yea questionable food choices are ALWAYS judged. Especially those weirdos who like marmite Grin

Wolfcub · 10/02/2021 20:16

Life is this a good time to tell you I have some marmite hot cross buns to try?

OP posts:
Mrsmadevans · 10/02/2021 20:18

Fear thank you she is doing well getting back to normal 🤗👏
Enjoy your time off 👍🤗
Life l love the wedding mags lol been married 38 years and l would love a renewal of our vows 🤣🤣🤣
Gen have everything crossed for you 🤗
Evie you are very welcome so sorry to hear how upset you have been 💐
Unescorted great advice lovely 👏 thank you re Mum she is fine thankfully 🤗
Sing that sounds like a great idea good luck with your future plans 🤗
Em hope you are feeling ok tonight bless you 💐
NSD for me today about time yay!!

Gensola · 10/02/2021 20:20

mrs we only got married in August 2020 and I’d love to renew our vows Grin we said we’d have a big reception as we had a lockdown wedding so I will be getting the dress out again!!

Oh dear I like marmite and don’t like Mayo. Am I still allowed on the thread?!?! Shock

lifelongfrugaleer · 10/02/2021 20:26

Both consider yourself judged expect luckily for you I'm currently too fat for my judgey pants.

Lol

lifelongfrugaleer · 10/02/2021 20:27

You can judge me now for using a lol Grin

Mrsmadevans · 10/02/2021 20:30

Snuggly l get what you mean re the energy useage/ frugal fail , the last few days we have had the heating on non stop! What with that and the tumble dryer needing to be used l can see the meter spinning like a top every time l go in the garage Grin I always start my jackets off in the microwave & finish them in the oven so the oven doesn't need to be on so long.I don't know if that is a waste of time but at least they cook quicker lol Smile
Life love Marmite Grin
Wolf what are they like ? am drooling at the thought yummy lol !
Gen l hate Mayo and love Marmite and l am still here lol Grin
Ahh l can see why you want a renewal of vows after being cheated out of your dream wedding . l don't blame you lovely Flowers

Mrsmadevans · 10/02/2021 20:31

Life LOL Grin

Unescorted · 10/02/2021 20:33

Snuggly nuke them for 10 minutes and then stick metal skewers through your spuds before putting them in a hot oven for 20 minutes or so.... the heat conducts down the skewer cooking it from the inside and you get a crispy skin.

I worry about the Marmite lovers... we are a strict Vegemite household. DH has to buy his own Twiglets even. Wolf I worry. However I do have a confession - Marmite roasted cashews. I liked them but they tasted nothing like Marmite which I think added to the enjoyment.

Mayo in all forms is lovely. It what they invented salad for.

Unescorted · 10/02/2021 20:36

life Grin all of my pants are too tight.... so judge me.

Mrsmadevans · 10/02/2021 20:38

Unescorted l buy the Marmite cashews too they are not very frugal but omg delicious! I like Vegemite too it's less acidic imho but it's not easy to get anywhere as you l think know 🤗☺️👍

lifelongfrugaleer · 10/02/2021 20:45
Grin
Unescorted · 10/02/2021 20:52

mrs Sad

Mrsmadevans · 10/02/2021 21:02

Unescorted I know it's like gold dust Smile

Unescorted · 10/02/2021 22:24

Don't remind me.... B'Stewards. My Brown addiction is costing me a fortune.

northender · 11/02/2021 00:03

Welcome Evie and Eileen
Got everything crossed for you Gen
Our gas meter readings (mainly used for central heating) show a 30% increase Nov, Dec & Jan compared with previous year. Not surprising with 3 of the family at home for all that time and it's been cold too. We normally wouldn't have the heating on at all during the day.
Good day at work today which makes a change at the moment.

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