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Friendship and Falling Leaves, Frugal Autumn Continued

1000 replies

Wolfcub · 15/09/2022 08:11

New fred

OP posts:
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18
kessiebird · 05/11/2022 09:18

That's good to hear gen

Mrs i must find out a way to measure my heating in actual cost. Have a smart meter but it only shows cost of electricity, usage in gas. I will investigate 🧐 I'm paying variable DD and saving the predicted amount into an account to build up my own 'credit' so I certainly don't need a shock bill come December or January! Good idea re the room heaters, I bet DH has a spare at his allotment.

Yesterday £53 Morrisons click and collect (got £10 off for first online shop) , £15 M&S. I was pondering over what to make for tea when decaffe reminded me of the M&S food deals. We got the 2 x mains and 4 x sides deal for £15. Bulked out for DC with freezer fries. Got the piri piri chicken and pulled pork and there was meat left over so that's tonight sorted too. Great idea decaffe 😁**

Today ice-skating lesson and hot chocolate will be £16. Visit to MIL then headed home to menu plan and generally organise life. Probably still need more groceries. Still not caught up after holiday 🤦

HalfWomanHalfChocolate · 05/11/2022 09:22

Hi all, I’ve been reading but not having time to write.

So glad you’ve had good news Gen, hopefully the cardiac tests will happen quickly too.

Em I get a really bad tummy just as my period approaches, every time. Really not enjoyable, I always hope I’m not in the office on those days.

Mrs how do those damp traps work - are they disposable or do you regenerate them by heating up? We are running the heating to a minimum temp, it doesn’t seem to be clicking on every day but on the coldest mornings for an hour or two. I fear damp - our bedroom has shadowy patches (not actual mould, but it’s coming) in the built-in wardrobes as they are on external walls and are cold, and we do get a build-up on the windows due to condensation so I have to keep on top of the cleaning there. DD’s room isn’t great as the radiator doesn’t seem to work well in there and it’s cold, poor kid. (A plumber said it’s not broken, it’s just the last point on the circuit so the water isn’t very hot by then so not easy to fix). Sigh. I might try damp traps in the wardrobe at least, and maybe DD’s room, which isn’t big enough for a dehumidifier or a bed, for that matter

Otherwise not much going on - loads of work and late nights, it’s been very stressful. My work diary next week is much better though so I’m hoping to catch up a bit.

money-wise, we didn’t spend too much over half term, Just a couple of days out with the kids and nothing too fancy. I’ve also had a cheaper weekly shop yesterday, just £69, as I’ve done quite a bit of stocking up over recent weeks.DD needs some black ankle boots for school though - shoes are no good in winter as she get in every puddle going. The last couple of years I’ve bought Startrite ones, which are expensive but I really rate them and they stay DRY!

I’ve agreed with family that we’re doing a cheap Christmas - with sisters we’re going to exchange a book as a gift, same with DBIL and SIL. I’ll do a bit more for mum as I’ve always done her a stocking since dad died, and I usually put good stuff in. I have so many work nights out though, it’s going to be expensive. Because of the way my organisation is structured I’ve got 2 dinners with the department I sit in (am expected to go, as senior - one is for the senior team , with £65 or £100 set menus 😮), the other is pizza express with the whole department but they want the seniors to pay more to sub the more junior staff. Fair enough, but then I’ve got my own department dinners x 2 (whole department, I am director so have to show up, and then my close team, which is the one I ACTUALLY want to go to). it’s ridiculous. And more ‘going out’ than I’m used to these days, I’m not actually sure I’ll cope with all the people time 😂

off to PILs today, they are taking us out for MIL’s birthday. It’s less fun than it sounds as DS finds restaurants and sitting still hard so I will be on edge, but will be nice to see them. Need to pick up some flowers for MIL on the way.

I need to sort out moving some money round to higher interest savings accounts - we have our house renovation pot which needs to earn the most possible while inflation is even higher. Maybe tomorrow. I’ve got the structural engineer’s report now so just need to sort the party wall agreement and then I can appoint the loft conversion people. Get DD out of that cold box room at last!

have a good weekend, all!

Gensola · 05/11/2022 09:29

mrs £2.80 an hour is bad enough! I haven’t worked ours out, how do you calculate that?

I cried in work yesterday when DH texted to say the CT was clear. It’s all been a bit much!

Just made a huge vat of pumpkin, chilli and ginger soup and used up old carrots, celery and onions in the base.
also made a tray of mini crust less quiches with some withered mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. Will freeze both for lunches/breakfast next week.

does anyone have « healthy » bake recipes for me to make DH something to take into work? I usually make flapjacks but would be nice for a change.

Decafflatteplease · 05/11/2022 09:55

Morning all

Glad I could be of help @kessiebird 😊

@Gensola that's wonderful news congratulations 💕

I'm a bit of an emotional wreck today my surgery is next week. However I'm off for a very frivolous, non frugaleering pamper afternoon, got a head back and neck massage booked and tea and cake provided too and I can't wait!

DH is doing kids dinner bath and bed and then we are getting a sneaky takeaway just the two of us and watching a film with a bottle of wine and a much needed switch off!

kessiebird · 05/11/2022 10:31

That sounds very lovely Decaffe enjoy!

Gen not sure whether these would count as healthy, they do contain fruit 😁 I take out the walnuts and add 50g of chocolate chips. Freeze them, then take out and warm up for DC breakfasts, after school snacks. www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/banana-muffins

kessiebird · 05/11/2022 10:33

Whoops take our pecans not walnuts. And often replace the buttermilk with sour cream. Which is more likely to be in my weekly shop.

lifelongfrugaleer · 05/11/2022 10:55

Enjoy our decaf

WeightoftheWorld · 05/11/2022 13:46

Will catch up later but - Thurs & Fri both NSDs wahoo.

Todays spends:

  • £11ish Boots on sanpro and children's paracetamol
  • £20 on Xmas gifts at local makers markets, and £3 on a piece of cake for me. Cake a luxury but DH and DD are away so I figured I could at least have a nice piece of cake tonight myself when DS is in bed. I've been doing well with cutting down my leisure spend and frivolous spends over last few months, definitely noticed my bank balances are healthier for it, so it's good to see the impact and also making me a little less anxious for the coming months financial squeeze.
AdoraBell · 05/11/2022 14:50

£9-ish in Tesco, pizza’s for tonight, crumpets and fruit.
£49 online for DH’s main present.

AdoraBell · 05/11/2022 14:53

£9-ish in Tesco, pizza’s for tonight, crumpets and fruit.
£49 online for DH’s main present.

AdoraBell · 05/11/2022 14:53

£9-ish in Tesco, pizza’s for tonight, crumpets and fruit.
£49 online for DH’s main present.

AdoraBell · 05/11/2022 14:54

No idea how that triple post happened 🤦‍♀️

northender · 05/11/2022 15:50

I'm on the countdown to going back to work now, 3 weeks to go & then a 4 week phased return. Feeling okay about it but really need to get organised so I don't get overwhelmed managing home and work!
Have spent £250 on groceries this week, but that included an aldi shop for a month (tins, packets, non-perishables), meat for a month & we had friends over last night, so bought alcohol that I normally wouldn't. Now the challenge is to spend as little as possible on top up/fresh groceries for the rest of the month.
Today we are eating up leftovers from last night. Tomorrow will be something created from the chicken thighs I slow-cooked yesterday. Monday is going to be roast shin of beef which I've never done before but was good value.
No other spending that I can think of.
Dh & I had covid & flu jabs today. Fireworks at cricket club tonight, helping dd with UCAS personal statement tomorrow.
Heating came on yesterday as the temp in the house dropped to 13.5, back up to 15 today so no heating.

Decafflatteplease · 05/11/2022 16:03

Just arrived for my treatment and already started crying FFS had to explain to the woman 😂

And breathe.....

CurlsandCurves · 05/11/2022 18:52

Aw bless you @Decafflatteplease Hope the pampering afternoon was lovely and relaxing once you’d got those tears out!

@Gensola fantastic news!

Same old same old here today, working on the house. But we finished early as DH is working tonight doing the PA and music for the bonfire and fireworks night at the local cricket club. Shouldn’t be a late one thankfully. Think he’ll be home by about 9.30-10. DS1 has gone out with friends so it’s just me and the youngest.

Chorizo and king prawn paella for me. Quick and easy to make and so yummy. No one else likes it so I don’t get to make it very often.

TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans · 05/11/2022 18:59

Gen Kessie have looked it up .
A 28 kW boiler will use 28 kWh of energy per hour. Mine is 28kw.
If yours is a 24kw then it will be 24 x 10.3 p per hour
So from 1 October 2022, if you’re on a standard variable tariff paying by direct debit, the average unit price will be frozen at 34.0p/kWh for electricity and 10.3p/kWh for gas (including VAT).
Oh l have overpriced mine it is 2.80 with vat so that is better again.
Halfwoman the damp traps absorb all the water , you can get refillable ones from Screwfix and the absorption material in packets to refill them . I find them very good they do absorb the water. As for the damp we go around every week and spray the damp with a damp spray , it's from Astonish . It is excellent l find it really helps . Excuse the huge link Smile
www.wilko.com/astonish-mould-mildew-blaster-750ml/p/0489033?gclid=Cj0KCQjwk5ibBhDqARIsACzmgLTsJhXmJ6kFVj3Wd8Q4BwQAv6CXZPqKwOfWkolpnzSDJGQJZmIUXukaAimdEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

needastrongoneagain · 05/11/2022 19:00

Decaf. We've got your back and are here. Post as little or as often as needed. Message if better. X❤️

north hope the transition back to work is okay? You are organised anyway so I'm sure you'll be well placed to cope. Our heating kicks in a little in the morning and evening and takes the chill off the house in truth.

Post, post and post away adora 🤣

Well done on the reduced frivolous spending weight

Gen, I'll did out some healthy bake recipes for you. ❤️. Soup sounds lovely,

Agree re a cheap Christmas Half

Spending mad this last few days because I've basically spent so little recently but it was putting off the spends.

£45. DH's birthday present, an electric toothbrush!!!
£30 tops that are easy to slip on and get dressed with for DH (loose, no zips etc)
£40 accessible taxis
£45 extortionate Wi-Fi charges at the hospital
£7 a bottle of wine for the weekend.
£40 The range.

Phew - cheap few weeks needed now. Cupboards are full. We have a roof over our heads, we can afford to stay here, the business is very busy and Strictly about the start! We don't need anything else.

Meal plan later.

TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans · 05/11/2022 19:01

Halfwoman www.screwfix.com/p/streamline-moisture-trap-1ltr/4159h
these are huge and refillable l think hence the more expense .

TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans · 05/11/2022 19:02

Decaffe bless you sweetheart Flowers

TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans · 05/11/2022 19:08

Spends today 11 Morrisons
10 towards the Woolly Pack/Woolly hugs Charity
They are a fantastic little FB craft group that do a hell of a lot of charity work all throughout the work , if anyone would like to join l will post the link below. lf you need a kind caring environment with very kind supportive sweet members then this is the one for you Flowers
You don't have to spend anything or pay towards the charity no one expects anything off you Smile
www.facebook.com/groups/2430821847247831

AdoraBell · 05/11/2022 19:21

Fabulous news gen

Awww Decaf 💐

Hope return to work goes well north

lifelongfrugaleer · 06/11/2022 07:38

Need to go to Asda for this drink the teens are raving over. Will do a top up while I’m there

£40 petrol yesterday

good luck with the return to work north
that Wi-Fi charge is extortion need
hope the relaxation helped decaf

TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans · 06/11/2022 08:42

Good morning everyone 😊
Life what drink is this in Asda please? 😊
Going for a no spend day today fingers crossed 🤗
Have a lovely day everyone 😊

lifelongfrugaleer · 06/11/2022 10:13

Its called prime and due to social media kids are going crazy for it
they had none

Gensola · 06/11/2022 11:30

mrs thanks for the recommend to the FB group, so cheering 🥰
my students all seem to drink CBD drinks life - it’s an alternative to alcohol, they’re called Tripp or something?

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