Frugally Forward To Autumn

[Wolfcub]

New fred

I would like to work for CS too Collie, but the onerous application processes put me off as well. I have actually been offered two jobs with them in the past but ended up declining both for various reasons, iirc one of those was actually just a short application/CV submission type thing for a huge recruitment drive they were doing in a particular department a few years ago. Not sure how often they do those types of things though. Another way in might be agency work for a CS department and then later moving to work for CS proper, I know someone who did that. Have you looked at NHS jobs too? In my area there is absolutely loads of quite flexible, part-time work in the NHS at the moment, that's what I'm moving to myself and the pay is a bit more than what I was getting in my private sector job, and the work I'm doing in the NHS is much less complex.

Thanks for the recipes. I can't remember the last time we made soup at home you know, we used to make it a lot before we the kids, actually DH often did, one of the few dishes he would often take the lead on. He hardly ever cooks these days, but I don't mind too much really as I quite like cooking and he does the jobs I don't want to do (e.g. washing up and sorting the bins hah).

May be going out for lunch with friends today which will be ££, but in fairness have not done so for awhile.

Morning. First school run done. 😩😭 ds was fine. Just strolled in without a look back. He is so ready.

dd and me chilling at home with catcace until we take her to the vet.

Pick up ds at 12.

dds nursery teacher coming round at 130 (I think).

food shop.

pick up DH.

spinning.

thats my plan for today.

Thanks weight, I had no idea they did that so I'll keep a look out.

The heating is on to dry out our coats after being caught in ANOTHER lightning and rain storm!!

It's only on for 30 mins though...

Been to The Food Warehouse, the Iceland/Food Warehouse 10% off for over 60s is proving popular, it's got busier every week but this morning I didn't think I was going to be able to park it was so busy but someone left and I got the space. I did a £30.70 shop and got £3,07 off, doesn't always work out exactly as some offers don't work with the offer. I didn't even spend any money as I put £100 on my bonus card last month as they had an offer of put £100 on before 31st August and get £15 in December so I went for that.

Thanks to everyone for support re GS. We had family visiting so when they left last night I had a talk with him. He was young but does remember how ill his GF was and how awful his last visit was so we talked about his liver, think I scared him as he got a bit upset but I reassured him that if he doesn't drink for a few weeks any damage will repair itself. Fingerscrossed it has made him think.

I tried the eco wash on my machine today, I hadn't been keen as it didn't do a fast spin and I thought I'd have sopping wet washing but it didn't feel much difference. I'm watching the weather now as I have a line of white sheets and towels blowing in the wind but it looks like it might rain and I don't want it getting soaked.

Gran hopefully it's all just bravado with your GS. I have a 17 yr old and I'd be raging if grown men allowed/encouraged him to get into that state and then just left him to it.

Need I don't think I'd have space for an air fryer as big as that as my kitchen is quite shit small. I might buy a cheap one first to see how I like it and if it's a hit I can always upgrade and use the cheaper one at my caravan.

Good luck on the job front Collie. You wonder why some jobs have such off putting application processes.

Nsd today unless I buy a Christmas present online. I have tentatively started but really think I'll be doing a token gift with money for most people as I can't face any more than that.

I need to start running our garage freezer down as it's stops working in the winter and I've been caught out before. Maybe about a weeks worth of food in there but not food you'd want to eat every night in a row so will try and spread it out a bit.

Can't believe that's your ds started school em time really does fly. Enjoy your hour of freedom.

Collie I put the heating on for 30 mins earlier in the day too to help dry laundry. It was supposed to be rain showers here today hence why I didn't put it out on the line, but I don't think it's rained yet at all! Fuming! Got another load on a wash dry cycle now too, the bills 😲

Hope your DS has a good first day at school Em. I can remember when you were pregnant with him, how time flies!!

£12.80 lunch out with two friends. Not too bad I suppose, they had two drinks each but I stuck to one and had tap water after. Small savings...I think I'm going to make sure I don't do more than one social trip like this a month now tbh because we need to cut down our leisure spends to afford the energy price increases. Grim but thankful we are able to do that without too much worry.

Ah so pleased his first day ata school went well em

lsd as needed milk

born. I initially bought a cheap Lidl one but it wasn't big enough for our family. Sold it to a family...for their caravan 🤣.

Great news re DS em.

Did buy the Warhammer stuff £40. Job done. Planned spend. And £3 ish in Aldi for toilet roll.

Use ups for tea.

Fully shattered tonight, the daily hospital visits are hard work on top of everything else.

need that's funny 😄 Our site has gas bottles that are going up in price all the time and a gas oven so an air fryer would probably be much cheaper to run.

Hospital visits are totally exhausting. The ward I work in covers a vast area and some of our visitors travel for miles. We tell them all the time to take time away so they don't burn out but I know myself that sometimes you just worry when you've not visited and it's counter productive. During the lockdowns it was horrific as we had no visiting and I cannot tell you how awful that was. It went against every moral fibre to deny people that basic right.

Weight I got a washing mostly dry outside today and then it absolutely poured with rain. If I'd been out and not there to take it in on time it would have been soaked.

Big hug need, daily visiting must be so tough. How is your DH doing?

I try and visit my dad in his care home once a week, and that’s hard going as he has no idea who I am. If I can’t go one week, I do try to not beat myself up! My mum also visits him and I ignore her jibes when I can’t visit

Big hugs collie for the job hunting. I have a job, but I’ve been looking for my next job for 2.5 years.

£2 on a new swim hat for DD2
And I’m going to order DH a wedding anniversary gift later.

Pretty uneventful here at the moment!

@Socathe butternut squash Dahl sounds delicious. Do you have a recipe?

NSD here for me today.

Thanks born and time, I'm knackered. It's the mental strain of being positive and cheerful and understanding, swapping over washing, toiletries, charging the IPad and phone. Working, being a parent, house etc. It's been nearly 4 months and no nearer an end date in truth. Ho hum. I am generally fine though 🤣.

I use this recipe and swap in squash for dhal. It looks way more complicated than it is, these guys tend to explain things in depth or add steps that don't need to be there!

www.bosh.tv/recipes/roast-sweet-potato-dahl

Will read full thread later, really busy with work and now starting pgce.

NSD ! Yay!
2 free drinks from work, free cake and tool pack lunch 😋

£86 vet for catface. Annual check up and boosters. She’s perfect according to the vet <preens and twirls>

£76 Waitrose. Followed a list and a meal plan. Win.

also been spinning just now. Legs fallen off.

£3.45 in a station M&S on a bag of naice salad leaves and some chocolate covered cashews to cancel the salad out. Bit naughty but I’d come out if a 3hr technical meeting about insurance and I’d only eaten a few bites of my lunch and I genuinely needed sugar!

Need that sounds so draining, I can only imagine. How long is the round trip? Are you having to work FT or can you flex your hours? I hope you get a. Chance to recharge…

Weight I am still trying to work out who you were back in the day of EmDS birth! Glad he had a good day Em.

my two went back yesterday .DD has taken to it like a duck to water and came home with the class award today - she struggles socially and with creative stuff (ASD) but is pretty good at the technical stuff like maths, which was what she did today. DS (Asd with LD) really struggles with transitions and there have been a lot of outbursts - he’s a screamer. My reaction depends a lot on my own mental state at the time, usually I roll my eyes a lot but today I had a little cry. It is so draining, it must be even worse for him but I can’t take his stress away.

DH is doing bedtime, I am cooking hm turkey and apricot burgers. Starving!

I remember you expecting DS too em 😊

batch cooked vegan lentil and bean chilli and the spinach and chickpea curry, saved 2 portions for dinners this week and froze the rest. DH is making a massive batch of tomato risotto to freeze also, we can then jazz it up with prawns/chicken/roast veg/cheese etc as and when.

I also spent £60 on Vinted for 3 pairs of boots, 3 tops and a cardigan. If they all work will be such a help with winter work wear.

£13.98 in a charity shop on two pairs of curtains as part of our attempt to insulate the garage. These will make a door curtain. One pair is beautifully thick and lined but too short and the other plenty long enough but not lined. I am also terrible at sewing 🤦‍♀️.

Really tough day yesterday and I'm feeling a bit emotionally battered and bruised. Hoping to plough through today so I can go back to bed and sleep.
Ocado shop coming today, should be around £42
Nice dinner last night of roasted courgette with feta and couscous. Tonight might be something with butternut squash

Frugaleers group hug

wolf I hope you're OK x

DS back to school today. My first full day of peace since July. My ears are ringing at the thought of the eerie silence already! I won't know what to do with myself. But I do need to take some time for my mental health somehow. I planned to go for a walk but half the sky is blue and the other half is black and lumpy......

I have 2 questions though

1. does central heating make anyone else feel poorly?
2. do clothes like sweaters shrink / tighten when in storage for long periods? My winter jumpers feel too small, but I'm definitely smaller than I was last Winter! I've lost a dress size since then...

NSD!

Hey collie and wolf.

Joining you in the battered and bruised and overwhelmed. So much going on at the moment.

I'm also feeling the eerie silence of an empty house. Im doing an hour's work then going for a nap!

decaff the silence is so odd!

Just did the weekly shop. So flipping boring for £59

Veggie Chilli con carne
Fish fingers and homemade wedges
Salmon, New potatoes and peas
Pizza and salad
Veggie Meatballs and spaghetti
Toasties night
Veggie pasta bake

Meals are getting a tad heartier but still reduced meat consumption.

Also includes packed lunch, detergent and treats.

And an abundance of fresh fruit and veggies! :)

LSD yesterday although DD did spend £3.80 on her first school lunch!

So far today NSD but I need to top up at Lidl.

DS sorted his bus pass out at college, 300 days for free which is worth £1410 over the year. He's delighted but reminded him it doesn't cover weekends. We are middle income home so we don't normally qualify.

Sorry you had a bad day Wolf.

I'm fine with central heating Collie although I do need to open my windows every day.

DD and DS both in college / secondary school. Only taking DS to his bus stop (10 mins drive) one morning per week . Feeling liberated after juggling 13 years of twice daily school runs with work.

Hopefully more time to be organised and frugal!

I get headaches for the first few days when the central heating first goes on collie

I’m feeling quite cross with my DMum. She just assumes I have nothing else to do on my day off and I can always go round on demand. I’m just gritting my teeth! I was really looking forward to my day off, not so much now.

Virtual thumbs-ups, cheers, hugs and comforting carbs to everyone feeling a bit shit at the moment. Family life is full of rewards, but also bloody hard work too.

DS came home unexpectedly yesterday ('Oh, I thought I"d told you'), and will stay a while before the start of term. Which is lovely, but don't the cupboards empty faster? I made a cottage pie with 750grams of beef, plus 400g tin of lentils, extra veg and cheesy mash topping for dinner. It's all gone. Over a kilo of protein, just vanished.

£212 on an evening course, starting 12 October. It's online classes, so I won't be paying fares every week (and classes won't be disrupted by transport strikes), but I will be going in from time to time to use the library. Looking forward to structured, regular study again - good for my mental health, and helps maintain good habits.