Frugal fun in February - the one with the Spring spring

[Unescorted]

New thread continued from this one

All are welcome - just dive in.

Re NHS and bullying, that's awful to hear about. I've just been doing some study on leadership and have a leadership module coming in September. It's all about compassionate leadership and I can only hope that the more people learn about it, that the reality on the shop floor will change.

In Contrast to all yous guys the sun is shining here. Coffee is on and hot cross buns have been eaten.

£40 riding today.

Study day here too North. It's grey here but looks like we might miss the rain, or just briefly catch the edge of it so the washing is out
£15 home bargains. This is mostly stuff for a work event which I won't claim back but also some tinfoil takeaway containers for banging things in the freezer.

Still feeling rough, like someone has taken my internal organs and given them a damn good kicking.

I felt lousy last night. We had fish and chips. Turns out that didn’t agree with me and the old IBS flared up. Fun times. The name of the game here today is hydration.

Hope you feel better soon wolf. Sunny here as well just paid £37 for my green bin garden waste collection Should be included in council tax imo have a good day everyone

Hope you also feel better em

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all keeping well. I'm taking Monday off so I'm looking forward to a long weekend. And we have a double bank holiday on Thursday (St. Patrick's Day) and Friday (extra Bank Holiday because of Covid - commemoration of those who have lost their lives and to recognise the work of frontline workers during the pandemic ). So it will be a short working week.

I haven't posted on this thread since Russia invaded the Ukraine. What can I say? It's just devastating for all concerned and that includes the Russian soldiers who have been sent to fight (and possibly die) on foreign soil. It's really scary for those of us watching and wondering if it will all end in another world war or a nuclear war. But I'm old enough to remember the '80s and the cold war between the USSR and the west. We managed to pull back from the brink then. As I said to DD, it's better to focus on the positive. How can we help? I've given donations to the Irish Red Cross and the UNHCR. I've no doubt there will be thousands of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland in the next few weeks and months and I'm wondering if there's some way I can help out with the relief effort when they get here?

Like everyone else, i'm conscious of the rising fuel bills and the likely impact of the war on prices of everything including food. I'll be holding a conversation with DD shortly about the need to cut back on non-essential spending. Priorities for now are:-

(1) spending money for our holiday (we booked it in 2020)
(2) cattery costs for DCat1 and DCat2 while we're away
(3) cost of my crown (dental not royal ) but I've the money set aside for that
(4) driving lessons for DD. She has saved up her birthday money and Ex will contribute also.

DSis is talking about a weekend away but I don't think I can take on any more commitments atm. Thing is, if I tell her I can't afford it, she'll probably offer to pay. Maybe if I ask her to put it off for a bit?

My car insurance quote arrived and it's considerably less than last year so that's a relief.

Having said all that, we're going dress shopping this morning for a debs dress for DD and we're both looking forward to it. It will be a welcome relief to focus on something frivolous after all the grimness of recent weeks. And then I've the prospect of the rugby later.

It's a sunny morning here. DCats have been out for their morning walk and are enjoying a snooze atm.

Ok I'd better get dressed and pop down to the shop for some bread.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Mixed sunny/ cloudy here with a cold wind. School shirts on the line
£55 farm foods and same sainsburys
Well stocked up now larder wise

Feeling ok. No more “episodes” since last night. Eaten etc. so all good.

£40 b&q 2 bar stools for new kitchen.

Our kitchen renovation is coming along. Plastering is done. Windows go in on Monday. Electrician Wednesday. Timer starts Wednesday. Kitchen in next week. Eeek.

Tayto this is shaping up to be an interesting match. I don't think England can keep the pace in the second half so your lads will have this one no doubt

Oooo exciting em. Pleased you are feeling better
How are you doing wolf?

£163.9 per litre- fuck me it was £148 last time I put fuel in and I balked then

Tayto it is lovely to see you. Ireland is doing so much more for the Ukrainian refugees than here. The official response here is quite shameful. Too many weasel words.

life the fuel prices are bonkers. My bike is now dusted off & I will attach a basket to the back so I can use it to shoot down the old railway to the shops instead of using the car.

Alfie how can they charge you extra for a green bin. Or do you not get green bin collections? We have a fortnightly green bin collection that is the same size as a black wheely bin. They take all the waste, compost it and sell it as peat free.

Em I can't wait to see your kitchen when it is finished. Hopefully you have recovered from your F&C incindent.

Time... I am curious. I cant be the only one who is looking to see who hasn't posted. I may put a bingo card together .... slow motion wordle ps everyone if I change my name I will put a few tehs in just so you know it is me.

Thanks for the funeral love. It went well, with a good turn out. DM has taken to visiting the grave every day..... I can kind of understand but at some point it will have to stop. My less charitable side says it is because she has a need to be seen to be grieving "properly".

We have to pay separately for our garden waste collections £37 a year I thought that was the same every where

We pay £40 odd a year for garden waste too.

If I put too many hints then a lurker would work out too unescorted

£15 in school shop, two pairs of PE socks and a PE t shirt. Annoyingly I have to go back for PE shorts, and it’s a trek there.
£12 on two books for DC using their world book day vouchers

I was going to get DD some new navy leggings for PE as she’s gone through the knees of two pairs already this year, but her school is quite forgiving on uniform rules so I’m going to send her in black ones until it’s shorts weather. She’s too skinny to wear the next size up I already have.

A successful day all around. We bought DD's dress. It's a mint green colour. It was reduced in the sale. And we won the rugby although it was looking a bit dodgy at one point.

Time taps nose knowingly....... I think. But maybe not < tootles off to make bingo card>

It has been a sad night..... my £6 mini shopper from Aldi has broken. I bought it to puree DS weaning food. I have used it almost every day since. 16 6 months years - give or take a couple of months.

Finally a nsd 🎉

Unescorted I am very curious and I think I know who Time is. Of course now that I've said that, the poster I'm thinking of will post again and prove me wrong 🤣

Don't worry Time I'm so crap at guessing you're completely safe.

Update on the dd and dickhead situation I was convinced she was still in contact with him and was lying. I haven’t mentioned this before as didn’t want to come across as homophobic but he is transgender so biologically a female he was having a row with one of his friends over something about it in Facebook and the girl got quite personal stating he neglected the puppies he did 11 dogs 2 flea infested cats and 2 gerbil in a 1 bed flat dogs shitting in the bathroom left for 3 days while dd away at university to me is neglect and I have told dd my views well dd pops on there defending him the friend said no wonder dd name left you to which dd told her to but out of her relationship
Dd then posted awful when your parents won’t accept your sexuality this was not aimed at me I know it was aimed at the boyfriends mum

I text dd this morning saying I don’t have a problem with your sexuality I have a problem you have chosen to go back in to an abusive relationship and are lying to us when there is no need you are an adult
I got a reply I was just resolving some thing was never about my sexuality don’t message me unless you are in a better mood it’s freedom of speech if it was to with you I would of text
Then hope you feel better?

I’ve never said I felt unwell I presume that was him texting on her behalf anyone need a patio doing ???? Asking for a friend lol

Alfie I am so sorry that she has gone back to him. I will be back in a bit - I don't think I have anything constructive or inciteful, but you sound as if you need a space to vent and be heard.

Oh Alfie , I don’t think for a moment you are homophobic and being trans is not a get out of twat card. Poor animals and poor dd going back to him
Vent away

Share your bingo card unescorted.
I hear you on dmam. Let your unsaid words be said.

alfie that sounds really tough, I’m so sorry ♥️
em glad you’re feeling better, IBS is the worst.
Quiet day today for us. £80 on a weekly shop yesterday, lots of gaps in the supermarket too.
Meal plan done for week - I’m away with work for a week from next Saturday so DH will have to fend for himself!

Haven't posted in forever
Did a non frugal thing yesterday, I needed one case and bought three but I'm excited about trip as are dc and these will be used for visiting my parents too when I get back into doing that.

My friends came to stay for the night and took me for dinner yesterday we drank wine and had the chats until 2am, I ate so much rubbish

alfie

Not a lot happening here, council tax bill for next year arrived. £200 more. We should get the £150 rebate though, guess we should be thankful for that

I’m getting better at only using the dishwasher and washing machine when a full load, apart from DH helpfully puts a load on. I should have really been doing that anyway!

Ooo not long now happier. Sounds like a great night

Frugal win. The milk was on the turn but I just served out the bigger lumps. It passed the smell test. Dh was disgusted.
It was either that or no milk

And I am back.....Alfie as Life says gender fluidity is not a free pass to be a nasty person. I have understanding for their need to be angry borne out of frustration and non acceptance, but it should not be directed at those they proport to love (human & animal).

Happier that sounds an amazing night. I am loving the colour coding.

I have opted for Raspberry & Vanilla muffins today..... I am feeling less stressed it appears.