Frugal the flip to make the festivities fun

[lifelongfrugaleer]

Wasn’t going to be flip but decided to be polite
46 days or so

don’t panic frugaleers

Hi all,

Dropped off the thread for a bit!

Hope everyone is ok, especially those feeling stressed/ sad / both at this time of year.

Let's not talk about how unfrugal I've been 😱 lots of lovely Christmas food bought!

In terms of my health, still no bloody results this is getting silly. The lab was backed up apparently so it was delayed and now the surgeon finally has my results he needs to review them what ever that means, and will ring me before Christmas. This isn't sounding good is it. Plus I'm bleeding every day. That's not right is it. I have a scan soon so we see what they say. Checking my phone like a mad woman!

I dropped off too.... hope you are all sorting out your Christmas plans.

Big I am impressed by the amount of swearing. I use universal adjectives far too much and I can only doff my cap. I am also impressed by the amount of work you are putting in.... We want pictures so we can live vicariously because there is no fucking way I could do all of that. 😉😁

Need I am having a quiet one here too. Life does have a habit of coming up and slapping us when we are least expecting it. It is the first Christmas without my dad and I have been really churlish to my mum. I need to make amends. Thank you for reminding me.

I have yet to get any presents or food (except the ducks...which my mum doesn't like so will stay in the freezer)... Is it an acceptably frugal approach to ignore it all?

Ah need, big hugs to you.

i haven’t got off the sofa today, such a bad headache and then slept all afternoon. I need to get some energy back to get stuff done. DH has pointed out that there is very little that has to be done and he is capable of doing it if I can’t. I’m feeling very grateful for him.

Decaff I hope the results arrive soon

Ah need I didn't realise that about your DH, having only joined in August (I think?). I don't think you are one of the NE members on this thread either - my hunt for TGTG Greggs bags continues.

Christmas can be a hard time, whether that be emotional, financial or just trying to actually get it all done!

I lost this morning as had to take DD to doctors for chest pain. Oh its heartburn and she needs to stop eating candy canes and Celebrations on the school bus, little monkey. She's got gaviscon on prescription.

LSD - £14 Kindling from farm shop. Not had time to get out to the shops!

big your Christmas food sounds amazing. Yum. And am impressed by your swearing!

need it’s been a tough year for you. Please take care of yourself.

been out for a run this morning. It is 20 degrees here. And the warmth is doing wonders for my mental health (which was crashing around me at home). This is not a stealth brag about being away at Christmas.

I feel like myself again after only a few days. No work stress. No life stress. Am sleeping and eating better. And added bonus that it’s summer.

saw a pukeko this morning (the bird) and a beautiful pohutukawa tree.

taking the kids to pick strawberries today then have them made into ice cream. Yummmm

Sounds idyllic em

Blissful em love the photos

Definitely be frugal unescorted to ignore it all but, you know family.

kessie - I’ve never managed to get a Gregg’s tgtg either . Need clearly has the knack
oh my word re dd, the reflux must have been right up there to cause pain. Kids eh

big - I’m sorry to hear what you went through with your dh and go through with your family.
i have a potty mouth irl but hats off to you there for that swear a thon

needs it’s been a long 7 months for you and I hear you on wanting to rewind time

fwiw I’m sure no one meant to
come across as judging or intent to criticize or hurt anyone.
this is the least judgment place in MN and we are all different. come back ladies x

Oh lord - definitely no arguments. Let's not go back to THAT time!

Someone knocked on my door today and left a bag. No names. It's full of little treats - wine, chocolate, bath stuff, candle. I cried!

Thank you for your lovely kindness. I've struggled these last two weeks. I'm not a hugger generally Half, but I'll take plenty of hugs at the minute. I'm not really a talker either, but it's like someone has popped my coping balloon and I'm letting it out! I'm not going to understand re your DS (it's an entirely different relationship to that of with a DH) but I do associate with that emotion.

Fab budgeting socathe, and glad for a lovely weekend (all the better for not spending!). Love that time when the DC 'get' it!

Bloody hell decaff, you deserve better re health. They are so extremely stretched. That's no comfort or excuse or anything really for your situation. It doesn't sound bad either, without an expert eye. They'd call you immediately I think, the tougher things were. Definitely no expert but no news is good news? Pah! Hate not knowing.

unescorted. It's 'the first' everything that's tough isn't it? Doesn't matter re food or presents, it'll all get done, or not!

time. There's so much about. DD has been badly for a week. Dh is right.

kessie, thanks. Not quite NE, bit lower down. But near a good Greggs 🤣.

Lovely photos em and glad you're enjoying.

Spends
£25 dentist for DH.
£40 taxi, will be reimbursed.

I have caved.... We are going to mum's. I have offered to make the pudding. I now need ideas for presents for mum and brother. Both are impossible to buy for... Town for me tomorrow I think.

em love the pictures.

No we don't want those times..... although I did not start this thread so it isn't going to happen.

So much I've missed, coming late to this thread as I am, but I wish all those who have gone through (and/or still going through) difficult times much love.
Have come to realise this thread is about more than just minimising spending, and that's wonderful.
Managed no spends today.

Extra spends £29 Home Bargains (£15 extra presents for DD's friends, she made a swift recovery at the thought of shopping)
£14.50 iceland
£30 fuel.

Well I think we all need a bit of a hug and an opportunity to relax, don’t we? I can see both sides for what it’s worth. I’ve been spending hand over fist here - most of it is budgeted for, and it’s partly because we ‘go big’ at Xmas because we don’t at other times of the year. But also, it’s the first time I’ve hosted Xmas (shamefully, I am 50) and I want it to go well, and to impress my dad who is 85 and rude and will no doubt find something to complain about 🤗 but the rest of us will find the humour in it. Christmas is full of emotion, isn’t it?

on a more prosaic note big I’m scared by your butcher bill. I’ve ordered mine through the butcher DS1 works for and I’m a bit unnerved that I didn’t accurately pin him down to price per lb. I’ve budgeted £100 max, surely it won’t be more than that for turkey crown for 10 plus pigs in blankets?!

decaff that sounds so stressful still not knowing. Like the poster above (was it need?) I’m hoping no news is good news
em and gen glad you are having lovely times away
unescorted nice to see you back and hope the family times smooth over
One more day of work and can’t wait. DD and DS1 were poorly with a very high temperature (DS1 still poorly). I’m so hoping I don’t get it for Xmas…

Picked strawbs in the rain. It literally chucked it down.

have had a swim in the hot pools (blissful) and am now enjoying a g&t on the deck. Both kids had a nap. They’re still getting over the jet lag.

mil is being a bit crazy. But that’s normal.

we’d organised (but not paid for thank god) a photoshoot with her and her grandkids. It would mean kids having a late bedtime (to get the best light photos would be taken at 7pm). Mil decided it wasn’t the best time and we needed to have them done at lunchtime. Photographer said no. Mil adamant she can find someone else. So told me to cancel. Which I did. We had time to cancel etc. now she’s struggling to find someone who will do what she wants.

im leaving her to it.

spoke to dparents this morning. They’re freezing at home. But they’re looking after catface for me and she’s having a lovely time getting all the cuddles.

its awful that you are still waiting Decaf. Hope you get some reassurance soon.

has anyone heard from @Wolfcub recently? Hope she’s okay.

I started my HRT 3 days ago and I can’t quite decide how I feel. Knackered still mostly, I will be very relieved to finish work tomorrow!

Let mil do her crazy em. It’s usual for her

sorry you are still waiting Gen.

no idea about present unescorted but whatever you get won’t be right so don’t stress too much

hope the butcher bill isn’t too big. Lots of shops doing 19p veg at the minute

no dexter it’s far more than just spends as spending is impacted by life events and emotions so it’s the support and chat too

martha - I went mad at the butcher and bought loads, as I plan to keep duck legs, boeuf bourgignon and various chicken dishes for the fridge and freezer. Plus I finally managed to find the 3kg of duck fat that I was after. It will last forever, but it added £££s to the bill. I have gone overboard but it will be the last time in a good long while. I've done my spreadsheets for 2023, and will be doing very little beyond walking, home workouts and reading for several months! Really will be embracing frugal again.

ahh right thanks big . Sounds like a nice peaceful frugal life after Xmas!
It sounds very satisfying em that you can just leave MIL to it! How are you managing with the jet lag? I went to NZ years ago and remember being wiped out for a couple of days.

Hi, jumping back in after I fell off the thread too.

We have a tenant! Signing the agreement today and she can move in from Friday. She’s a lovely girl, early 20s and wanting to strike out on her own. I hope she’ll be happy there.

Almost there re Christmas. One final food shop tomorrow, the butchers on Friday and I’m done. Frugal wise it’s not been too bad, especially considering what I’m spending will do us for over 2 weeks.

Steadily working my way through house stuff. Towels and bedding today. And the conservatory, which is dreadful. A lot goes on in there, the boys have their gaming desks, we eat in there, do homework paperwork wrap gifts etc. So I’m pulling everything it and blitzing it.
Then my friend has invited me over for coffee and Christmas treats!

We have sunshine today, and the house is currently 18 degrees (heating off) and nearly all the windows open. I opened the windows upstairs, then came in the lounge and decided it really needed fresh air too.

About to get third load of washing on. I expect it will have to be finished off in the tumble dryer later, but out on the line it will go!

@Timetoswitch I've enjoyed having all the windows open this morning too. So nice to be able to freshen the place up without freezing!

Great news about the tenant
nice and warm here but no sun

£9.35 prescription

£50 on a couple of last minute presents for DH - a bottle of whiskey from me and an afternoon tea voucher for him and DS (that's DS' present to him), thought they could go one Saturday while I'm at work. About £30 on Amazon - a couple of Christmas books for DS and a Mr Men My Daddy book as part of his present for DH (will put the afternoon tea voucher inside and wrap). Oh also a Polly Pocket as a last minute Christmas present for DS, he was playing with his cousin's the other day and absolutely loved it. Plus it's nostalgic for me as I loved them as a child!

£10 in Aldi and will collect the big £130 shop this afternoon after work.

I've invited the PIL to our Santa visit Friday so will be an extra £8 for their entry plus fish and chips or something similar after and I'll offer to pay for it all. I've booked pizza express for before the panto on Saturday and realised I have £33 Tesco vouchers for it so that's a win.

Such a spendy time but I feel like we're doing okay. Better than previous years. I feel more in control. We're not hosting on Christmas Day so that's a big expense spared. I offered to cook some dishes to take to my BIL's but they've said don't worry about it and to just bring drink.

My PIL said they don't want to host Christmas any more after last Christmas (to be fair they are in their 70s and have 4 local children so can expect to be hosted by now I think!) so I'm sure our turn to host will come around at some point. But this year we are spared that expense as BIL offered.

curls that is great news re the tenant.
em I was jealous until the photoshoot drama.

How can it be 18deg anywhere in the UK. Not quite thermals here but not far off. After the cold it got really humid so there is condensation everywhere.

DS has replaced the mirror on my car... The glass fell out because the glue failed. £10 for the mirror & heater and £2 for chocolate. Gerty still has to go to the garage on Thursday for his heater to be fixed. I am dreading that....

wolf pops up on the Strictly threads from time to time.