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Frugally Forward To Autumn

988 replies

Wolfcub · 20/08/2022 13:31

New fred

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ThisisCollie2022 · 29/08/2022 08:17

I remember fluffycloudland too! She was so helpful with making my drafty bungalow cosy and warm when DS was newborn! 9 years ago!!

So DS is immunosuppressed and every Autumn he gets pretty ill at school. Consultant said school uniforms are disgusting after one day - full of germs and viruses so to make sure DS has a fresh uniform everyday. Harder than it sounds when we're trying to cut back on washing. I have own brand antibacterial and antiviral laundry stuff. We've budgeted for one more school jumper in our September "buy list".

Our 15 min wash was definitely very economical. I triple checked the smart meter, water meter and manual 😆 I purposely put a teatowel in there that had a little bit of tea on it. It cleaned it up beautifully.

Laska2Meryls · 29/08/2022 08:18

I used to make Sarah Brown's Red Dragon pie years ago, still have her old book , definitely am going to resurrect it . You can used tinned aduki beans or kidney beans or cook your own as in the original recipe. This is a almost the original recipe I think but I have never put kale in !

thinlyspread.co.uk/meat-free-monday-red-dragon-pie/.
I use to spice mine up a bit with some ginger and soy sauce

Wolfcub · 29/08/2022 08:25

The No food or drinks on the new sofa lasted about two weeks here too. The No dogs rule lasted about five weeks! But I'm still proud every time I look at it that I managed to refurbish this house on my own and without debt. The sofa represents more than a sofa iyswim

Cute catface. Dishwasher is on here and ddog has been walked and we've done a little bit of training. Just having a cuppa and thinking about what's next. I also don't want to wake ds up - although to be fair I think he probably is awake it's more not encouraging him to leave his pit for a bit

Pondering what to make for tea. The missing veg box is really screwing me over here, need to have a root around the freezer and see what I can find. I like the idea of the saag aloo shepherd pie Gen

OP posts:
ememem84 · 29/08/2022 08:40

We’ve had catface since sept 2016. She’s 7 (we think). She’s got bigger and fluffier and stupider she is a real life mog.

@Laska2Meryls sorry to hear about your cat. They really are the best. I also like to befriend any and every cat I see.

eggless pancakes were a hit. Surprisingly fluffy.

Gensola · 29/08/2022 09:01

@Laska2Meryls yes it’s that one! It freezes well too so planning to make a massive one and freeze hopefully 4 portions which will be 2 term time dinners for me and DH sorted.
Once I’m back from NI I have 10 days before my tonsil surgery and biopsy for cancer so plan to batch cook loads of stuff and freeze. It’s a GA and I’ve been told to take 2 weeks off work, but also that I won’t be able to eat or drink very easily for 7+ days.

Decafflatteplease · 29/08/2022 09:22

Haven't read through to catch up yet but quick question...

Can someone post the link for the food bird seed from pets at home please? Heading there this morning and want to stock up ready for winter we usually use rspb but that's a bit expensive now.

Thanks

flowerycurtain · 29/08/2022 09:29

The red dragon pie looks delicious. I might even be able to get the kids to eat it with a name like that!

Bornlazy · 29/08/2022 09:50

Morning everyone and thanks for the welcome back.

Easy day planned for today as everyone is feeling a bit rough in this house. DS2 tested positive for covid yesterday but everyone else is negative so think we must have a different bug to him. Me and DH only had it a month ago so hopefully won't get it.

Back to the laundry chat, what temperature do you all wash things at? I've started washing some things at 30 but haven't went any lower yet. It's the drying that I find difficult. I think this year I will need to try and hang stuff outside more and finish it off inside.

Gen I hope you have a lovely trip to NI and that your surgery goes well with the best possible outcome. I'd imagine you'll need those weeks off work to process things and if you're not able to eat and drink normally you will feel weaker than normal.

Just realised that I had a NSD yesterday and will hopefully have another today.

Wolfcub · 29/08/2022 11:38

30 for anything that needs a wool or delicate wash (my machine has no 40 wool option), 40 for all other clothes and usually for bedding (unless it's ds's which definitely needs boiling), 60 for towels and cleaning cloths

Experimenting with baking in the airfryer. Interesting experience and annoyingly even my six hole muffin tin is too big. Luckily I have some silicone cake cases. Results are good though (I can see there's a slight hot side too) and definitely better than jumping up every 30 seconds to manipulate multiple switches in a particular (and ever changing) order to get the bastard oven to switch back on.

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AdoraBell · 29/08/2022 12:13

Awww Catface is cute 🥰

Me, NSD. DH paid for coffee and biscuits post gym then £17 odd in Sainsbury’s.

ThisisCollie2022 · 29/08/2022 12:27

Popped into Asda and spent £4 on a few school polo tops

Wasn't planned but DS grew 1cm in 2 days and thought we better be prepared with the next size up!

He's moping, whining and sad. He doesn't cope with growth spurts at all!

ememem84 · 29/08/2022 13:14

Bribing the kids to clean the house.

im washing school uniform so it’s not got that “new feel”

HalfWomanHalfChocolate · 29/08/2022 14:09

Hey all, hope you are enjoying the bank holiday. Long post warning!

Ive had a busy few days, am a bit behind with posting. Just wanted to start by saying North, I am so sorry to hear your news, what a shock. I am
sure it’s hard to think of anything else except the What Ifs but hopefully they’ve got it all and your histology results will be as good as they can be 🤞🏻🤞🏻. hope you can manage a bit of crafting soon to keep your mind occupied. I am thinking of you x

This thread is getting so busy, I’m sorry I can’t retain enough info to reply to everyone. I am still boggling at the revelation that some old posters are back with new names 😂. Fab activity list thanks Collie, I took screenshots and it took three goes to grab it all 😮. Need, is your wonderul
kitchen now even more wonderful? I miss the old Mumsnet envy emoji…. 😉

I also remember Fluffy, she was brilliant, literally the most frugal of the frugaleers and full of brilliant info (no offense to anyone here but she was in a class of her own!) . She also left when things blew up with THAT poster, I wish she’d come back.

Well, the hen do on Saturday was cancelled at the last minute as sadly the bride has had a very sudden family tragedy. It’s really so sad. No stag for DH next weekend either. Not sure whether the wedding is going ahead next month or not. We’ve bought non-refundable train tickets to the city but the accommodation can be cancelled. We’ll just see what they decide. It’s a very difficult decision, I’m sure.

i met up with one of the other hens on Saturday as she’d booked a coach to London anyway. We mooched around Westfield Stratford, as it was a handy meeting spot. I remember why I usually avoid these places on a weekend! Had a couple of rounds of coffee and a food court lunch. Also bought a few stocking fillers and a water bottle for DS. Not sure what I spent but it wasn’t too bad, we didn’t shop much, mostly chatted.

i have been clearing out my kitchen cupboards and reorganising them, they are shockingly overcrowded and also the corner ones are hopeless inaccessible. Things go into the back corner and are never seen again. Spent £30 on more Sistema clip containers so that everything is airtight - we had mice last Winter and it was awful so I want everything in sealed containers. I discovered I have the EU raisin and egg noodle mountain, so won’t be buying those for a bit 😂. I used up some nuts that were at their expiry on making granola. All the family ate it but it wasn’t cheap to make and they ate almost half the batch in one go this morning 😮. That’s won’t be substituting for cereal most days, that’s for sure, but good to get DS eating some variety and more whole foods at least.

I did find flour weevils in my polenta but everything else looks fine. Do you think it is likely to be contained if everything is in airtight containers? They give me the shivers but I don’t want to throw away several big tubs of rice, flour etc because of that if I don’t have to.

In other frugal news, also bought a rotary airer, like another PP. I had a single retractable line before but i didn’t use it much as it was too long (no better place to attach it) and couldn't take much weight, even with a pole prop. We have a decent sized garden for London but it’s not huge by most standards - this new thing is almost as wide as my lawn as it’s 50m of hanging length! Not much point going small though as we can take it down when we have visitors but in the meantime, we can get several loads out on a good weather day. Two on already and another in the machine. Will
need more pegs though. I’m ignoring the slightly dark clouds. Didn’t Fluffy make her own laundry gloop?

I have been researching air fryers too. I defo don’t want a ninja dual or anything that bulky, but like you Wolf, my oven is shit and unreliable so need to take the pressure off it and also save some fuel, especially for just a handful of oven chips or a loaf cake. I have decided I’m going to replace my dodgy microwave (which overheats very easily) with a combi one, so that will do things like chips for the kids. And I will Probably get a ninja 15-in1 or instant pot with a. Pressure cook function, as I don’t have that at the moment and would like to be able to do quick stocks, cook pulses etc. If I get one that cooks rice that can replace my elderly rice cooker too (I have to sellotape the lid shut on that). If you are getting the impression that my kitchen is all falling apart, you’d be right!

So just been looking at ninja 15/1 vs Instant pot. Seem very similar, tbh. Combi microwaves are out of stock a lot though. Sigh.

Next I need to get off my phone and vacuum all through downstairs, mop everywhere plus bathroom upstairs and make cheese scones and savoury muffins for the freezer (DS has gone off sandwiches, it’s such a hassle).

Chicken fajitas for dinner with DM and I must also rustle up a pudding. Yesterday’s cherry Madeira cake has already almost gone.

I must catch up on the frugal Christmas thread when I get the chance. I want to make some stuff so need to start early. Now to find where I have hidden my Christmas knitting… and also where I’ve hidden the Clark’s foot measure thing too. Still haven’t sorted the kids’ shoes.

oh, and spent about £140 on uniform bits and underwear for the DC. Not too bad as they have clean sets of uniform for each day. I already had the logo jumpers though.

Does anyone happen to have a 20% off Lakeland voucher? I had once, just realised it expired a week ago, grrr.

Phew. Vacuuming calls!

Hairband100 · 29/08/2022 14:48

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Crikeyblimey · 29/08/2022 14:50

Wow this thread moves at a pace!

Hope everyone is having a good bank holiday.

Re the ‘eco’ wash. I have an app that talks to my washing machine and tells me how much electricity it’s used. Regular cotton wash (1hr 30ish) is about 13p. The Eco wash (2hrs 45) has just come in at 3p. Yep 3p!

CurlsandCurves · 29/08/2022 15:07

Hi everyone,

Weekly food shop done today. Still in budget despite a couple of extras. DH had run out of beer, he rarely drinks but the last box finally ran out. This new one should easily see him through till Christmas.

DH and DS2 have gone to watch a local football team play, DS1 is gaming so I’m making the most of the peace and quiet. Feet up, cup of tea, might even have a nap. Lovely!

Wolfcub · 29/08/2022 15:33

HalfWoman as you may remember I've had weevils multiple times. vom if you have airtight containers they shouldn't spread. You'll know if they have because the flour will move when you look at the top of it. They will be trundling round the cupboard though so that needs a really good clean, including hinges. Allegedly they don't like bay leaf but I can't say it worked for me

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ThisisCollie2022 · 29/08/2022 15:37

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Maybe the poster who wound me up isn't the same as the poster who wound everyone else up? Sounds really awful and toxic!!

I went for a 5km run because I felt so fatigued and groggy. I have MS and I find a run helps. Strangely!!

I've now swapped fatigue for being absolutely shattered.

Wolfcub · 29/08/2022 15:39

Birthday presents for both nieces sorted thanks to Reasties Xmas bargain thread. I've already sorted their Xmas presents thanks to that too.

Mowed the lawn when I'd finished baking and running the dishwasher (sockets all screwed in the kitchen so have to run wm and dw off a long extension. I think our kitchens are in similar states Half. My lovely a3 book of beautifully planned kitchen has not quite made it to reality

Ds refused to get up so I went out for a nice walk without him and treated me and ddog to ice cream. If he can't get up he misses out. Simple

Hairband you must be an oldie too and I don't know who you were before. Argh. Hopefully I'll catch on

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northender · 29/08/2022 15:41

Thanks for all your lovely messages, they are really appreciated.
I made it to ds' early 21st party on Saturday which meant a lot to me. DD helped me to do his cake too.
half I have ds' quilt to complete before his birthday on Friday. Just the last bit to do, probably max a couple of hours under normal circumstances but definitely will be longer this time.
Laska interesting about the cook bags. I saw them promoted locally recently, brilliant concept.
Fluffy and I used to bang the drum for spin dryers, she inspired me to get one. Because it spins horizontally, it uses less power & does a great job. In winter we spin all washing & then it's quicker to dry them whether air dry or tumble dry

ThisisCollie2022 · 29/08/2022 16:33

gen have a lovely break. Really hope everything else is ok. Sending you my loves xx

I'm quite lonely at the moment, and it's really getting me down so I've joined a yoga club to help me make friends and help with my MS. My first session is free but I really need to justify the cost! I won't need to pay until mid September so have some time to think

Fearofawelshplanet · 29/08/2022 16:56

Free bus to town, took a frinl from home in my cup, had a walk around, bought a can of dry shampoo from savers for teenagers and caught bus back, then walked to matalan to use up a gift card, did really well in sales, got 5 prs of socks, a Reed diffuser, a lovely mug and 4 new thongs! Happy days! Walked hone thru the park in the sunshine. Batch cooked chilli, potato dauphinese, jam tarts and thr tiktok chirdtmas tree ( made of pastry and Nutella! Lovely day ended by walking my dog. Very lsd!

needastrongoneagain · 29/08/2022 17:22

Great batch cooking there fear!

Hope you're okay collie, we are here for you. X

I knew and loved fluffy, we messaged quite a bit too. A real frugaleer and nice person. Wonder if @fluffycouldland77 is one and the same? So many miss you. Some old poster are back if that helps?

And yes north she was Queen of the Frugaleers for sure.

Fair play re your DS wolf

Was it me that wound you up Collie?🤣.

Enjoy the peace curls

Agree hairband, be lovely if they all came back, the thread got really difficult and that was absolutely not what this thread is, such a shame.

half, the kitchen, with the extension is a thing of beauty and we spent a lot of money on it. It'll add so much value though and we saved hard to do it well. My sadness is that DH probably saw the finished product twice before becoming so unwell. Really sorry to hear about your friends difficult time. I've been kitchen sorting too, who knew plaster dust could get so far into cupboards! 🤣

That Saag Aloo Shepherds Pie looks immense!

So, £76 in Lidl. One of those shops where you can't believe how much stuff you have actually got for your money, rare these days. Really chuffed.
£3 TGTG Greggs - my best one yet. Unbelievable amount of stuff. It's basically shit that the DC like more than me, but a lovely cheese salad baguette and tuna salad baguette that I'll bag for me,

Normal standard veggie Shepherds Pie here, I've 'traditional' veg like broccoli, carrots etc to use. Will do two days.

Laska2Meryls · 29/08/2022 17:33

Just about to fire up the barbecue for Ottolenhgi chicken kebabs here... We had all of the ingredients ( except the dried rose petals, who on earth has those in their cupboards?🤣) It has the most amazing sauce I have ever made.. and which far too much but ill keep the rest in the fridge in a jar covered in a layer of oil.. Recipe here Fesenjoon chicken kebab recipe

Laska2Meryls · 29/08/2022 17:33

I so want to know who That Poster is ( now it was established that it wasnt me!)