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

Oh gen hope it passes soon and bad news about dad, can you see him through a windows

i got my second ear hole redone and dd her first redone

whispering death is about right

great news on the business need and your lovely team, just goes to show what happens when staff are looked after

Someone stop me from buying Spode Christmas dinner wear to replace mine that’s not dishwasher safe

Life step away from the Spode.

Gen what is it with holidays and sickness? I hope you have a speedy recovery.... apparently gin and rest is good for sore throats.

I did all the present shopping and got back for lunch. I may have accidentally rehomed a cashmere hat (I have been looking for a hat and it was on sale). It was weirdly quite in town. No busier than a normal lunch hour.

The garage ordered the wrong part... No car until tomorrow

Life I really want another ear piercing, but I've had a lot of problems with my skin over the last year or so, so I'm a bit concerned that it might not be wise. I'm actually seeing a dermatologist later so I could ask them if they have any advice about that actually.

Gen Oh no, I hope you're soon better love.

Oh no Unescorted about the garage error, how annoying.

Wanted to go the Post Office and possibly the Asda and Card Factory today with DS but he's still so unwell I can't bring myself to drag him out round the shops so sacking that off. Might go tomorrow if he's feeling a bit better. He seems to be on the mend today but he's still pretty unwell and just sleeping absolutely loads. Going to private hospital later for appt with a derm which I will have to pay for after ££££. Actually got no idea how much that is going to cost, pretty sure they didn't tell me when I booked the appt! But I am only going because my DF wants me to go and says he will pay for it so he will give me the money after anyway. Hopefully it will be helpful but I'm admittedly not optimistic.

Weight it depends on the consultant but a first appointment is typically in the region of £250-£300 for a private consultation. Can be more in London and depending on the condition but I don’t think dermatology would be especially expensive.

incidentally, they are legally obliged to tell you their fees IN WRITING before the consultation so that’s naughty.

sorry you are ill Gen, I hate that ‘getting ill as soon as the pressure lifts’, it sucks, especially when it’s Christmas.

I have failed at Frugal. Due to a very unfortunate set of circumstances yesterday (v busy in the office, then haircut, then meeting a Friend for dinner) I struggled to have time to meal plan a couple of days before Christmas in order to finalise The Big Shop, which cut off at 11.30pm yesterday. I tried to log into my account while in the restaurant but it wouldn’t connect, and then I tried again at home afterwards (with 12 mins to spare!) and it still wouldn’t connect, so I didn’t manage to edit my shop. I had about £50 of stuff that I was going to take out because it’s not needed, and I needed to add a few bits. Am so cross about it, it was on my mind all day but I just didn’t have time to think about it until the evening and then it wouldn’t play nicely. Grrr.

today I am cleaning. I am trying to win the war against limescale in the bathrooms (London water is awful!) and mould on the bedroom windows - I’m regularly having to wipe over the seals on the double glazing. But the bathrooms are actually sparkling and look brand new again so it’s all worth it. I love a clean house!

Haven’t posted for ages due to tech but now back on line. Where are wolf and collie and girlie.

Half can you just refuse the stuff you don’t want and ask for a refund, or some of it anyway?
depends on the driver I guess
but ggrrrr

welcome back the sky; wolf is about somewhere Mia presumed frugal, girlie and collie haven’t been here for ages

panto day for us. £8 an coop beforehand for sweets when I was getting milk and pop from home , still spent on ice cream £21 for 7 but it’s grandparents chrismas presents from us

Boo to wrong car part

hope it goes well weight at your consult

i will see what I get for Christmas and see if the Spode comes down further

Getting up to go to lidl at 8 tomorrow for fresh stuff

Evening all
hope those who are feeling unwell feel better soon
nsd as been in work which is currently horrendous short staffed and very busy roll on 2 pm tomorrow

got signed off from the gynaecologist last week as everything is ok and my horrendous periods have eased off not had one since august and before that were much lighter and not every week. I’ve started today really painful and heavy and had a bit of an upset stomach gggrrr. Had a bath put my joggers on and waiting to pick ds up from work again which will be around 11 pm so feeling a bit fed up tonight

Alfie wonderful news
Gen bless you sweetheart l hope you are feeling much better today
Em that sounds wonderful, enjoy yourselves
Need it sounds really tough for you atm sweetheart l am so sorry
Waves to everyone and l hope everyone is getting better
Spends today 41 Tesco, 3 card factory , 50 petrol

alfie good news about the gynae but sorry to hear you're in pain today. My DD's also has a part time job- the late night pick ups are a killer! Got four next week.
unescorted that's so typical!
halfchocolate I'd try to send some of it back.
life did you get the dinner set? 😊
weight sorry to hear DS still not well. Hope the private appt helps 🙏
Hi thesky

Spends
£94 in supermarket but cost £0 due to work points on DH card. Got almost everything we need for Christmas weekend.
£84 family meal out. Was lovely. Came home ready to watch film with DH but I fell asleep on the sofa immediately. Woke up with splitting headache. Finished work this morning after a crazy term (in local authority but work is driven by the academic cycle), possibly the come down from that.

Thank you I spent 2 and a half years begging for a hysterectomy as my periods were so bad. Due to covid long delays between appointments didn’t hear anything for ages by the time I got an appointment again they had eased off but the repeated scans etc and because I hadn’t had a period since august agreed I could go on low level hrt if I wanted. Then started with sore boobs a few days ago then today came on merry Christmas to me lol. Hopefully it won’t be as bad as they used to be.

ds finished at 10.30 so not to bad back home in my pjs now he’s working tomorrow night then off til Monday thank goodness

Half viakal from Iceland is amazing for limescale. My shower door here was white & nothing would shift it, got this left it on for 5 mins and wiped off, like new!

I spent from 4:30-7 shopping yesterday & I'm done except I've nothing bought for dc from myself , since separation their dad goes big on this, I concentrate on Santa. I think I might see what's on in local theatre & get tickets for there.

In the last two years I've had my ears pierced two more times, I actually love it! I didn't wear earrings for years because my first set were uneven but I got it fixed last year. I just wear 3 pairs of matching studs usually.

Last day of work today, thrilled. They changed our pay system & it's going to be a good thing, got a basic week this week, will get another basic week next week & then get paid for this week which includes overtime week after which is when I'll be back to childcare expenses etc

£80 lidl but forgot eggs

Duck leg confit done and in the fridge. Boeuf bourgignon done and about to be frozen. Pork belly being salted and skin dried out. Decs all up, apart from one set of lights. Wish I had a bit more for the sitting room but have concentrated firepower on the hall and dining room. Table extended. Laundry all done, just a delicates wash to go and a bit of ironing left. Sort outfit for tomorrow.

Still have presents to wrap. DH going to pick up last bits of salad and fruit. I will be cleaning, getting the table set up and making all the cutlery and glassware sparkle. Making the puddings and putting them in the fridge. Can I peel spuds and parsnips today and keep them overnight in water? The internet says yes. DS home tonight, guests arrive around 1.30 tomorrow for canapes and negronis. Pork belly roast will be on the table around 3/4. My goal is to relax and enjoy myself whilst not drinking too much! Will be returning to zero booze post-Christmas and DH promises to join me this time for 100 days before he goes to Oz. Progress!

Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be a chilled for us - lengthy dog walking, lounging around, gifts, telly, and either food that is already prepared, or a ham which will be easy to bake if that's what we fancy.

I will have time to do some yoga and maybe even paint my nails tonight. Paris Red! very festive!

Hope everyone has the best time possible, all things considered with everything that is going on in your lives right now.

I always do veg the night before inc spuds and parsnip and it’s fine

bigskies I love boeuf bourguignon- my DH is French and he makes such a delicious one. Have asked him if he will make one over the next few days.
Turns out I have pneumonia, I don’t know why I’m so sickly these days. I used to always be quite healthy but it seems to be one health issue after another. Is this just being middle aged?! 😥😬
I have lots of meds and am resting in bed. Had to cancel so many plans which we were really looking forward to. Sigh.

Oh gen you have been through it this year though.

phew big

my words eggs are dear £2.75 for 6!!!!!

Oh no, I hope you get well soon gen

€2.20 on a whopper from Burger King I had brought a can of Fanta from home for my long journey up to my parents, what a difference compared to when I travel with dc in tow!

They're with their dad tonight so I'm scooting 180km up the road to meet my baby niece, can't wait 3 more days!

Gen how horrible, hope your dh looks after you well with tasty nourishing food, heat and plenty of rest.

Gen look after yourself sweetheart 💐
Pneumonia is awful l hope you get better very soon sweetheart massive hugs to you sweetheart ❤️

Only spent £5 on ice cream from Waitrose. They have 2 x Carte d'Or Ice creams for a fiver. he Ch l though wasn't bad. Madagascan vanilla and cookies l hope it's as nice as it sounds 🤗

Ah blimey, get well soon gen

Life DH tells me we are headed for an egg shortage. He does work in a related industry but hoping that's just speculation.

Spendy day
Lidl £33
Fenwicks £11 macarons for tomorrows breakfast
B&M £6.50
IKEA £18
Home Bargains £17 needed kindling but spied some lovely star shaped white plates. Will do for starters and dessert on Sunday and keep for future years. They look expensive. Only £3.49 each
£17.95 for DD hair.

Engine light came on the car - its going in Wednesday. Its done this before and needed reset so not hugely worried.

Think (hope!) my pay will show in the bank tomorrow. Other than a mooch around the market tomorrow where we will get some lunch from the stalls, we will pretty much stay close to home for the next week or so. Meeting spendy friend and her DC one day next week, will try to keep it under £30 though! Trampoline park and Macdonalds rather than cinema and food!