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

My DF is fine thanks for the good wishes. We took him in because he had a temp of 38.4 and symptoms of a UTI and that led to sepsis last time. But just a UTI this time, I was torn as didn’t want to waste their time at Xmas but also didn’t want to leave him overnight. He also has dementia which make him quite rude (though luckily not to the hospital staff). He perked up enough when he got home to be rude to the teenagers who luckily find him funny 😂
we also had the issue of things not cooking fast enough - all came out in the wash though.
mrs sorry to hear about the Xmas row, tends to happen when everyone gets together and the pressure’s on doesn’t it?
hope everyibe one has a relaxing Boxing Day.

@TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans i have three siblings, one I call my normal sister to friends and the other two I love v much but...🤯 I keep out of it which is what my DM always advised. DM seems to have gone as chaotic as the other two since my DB moved in with her.

Pleased DF is okay martha

Run was more of a trot / walk. DD swore she would keep up (I've done 8 miles at school kind of thing). Five minutes in, she has a stitch, then they was black ice she didn't like. I ran a few loops around her and then walked home. I think I was v patient and we had a nice chat and fresh air.

Popping in to wish you lovely frugal lot a very happy Christmas. I've been fully AWOL, just never seem to have enough time, but have spent ridiculous amounts over the past few weeks so need to get back on board

Had a nice day. Lovely weather so walking plus dog. Had a picnic. Spends just petrol,milk and bread. Hope everyone had a good day

Hello everyone, and joyeux Noël all round. To those who struggled with timings, can I recommend pork belly - if appropriate to you, it is the sweetest tempered of roasts, you can do pretty much what you want with timings, and it will still be fine. Gen, really hope your pneumonia has improved - what bad luck, sounds awful.

Christmas Eve was our big family do, and it went really well. Everyone had a good time, the food was good (although the Elizabeth David chocolat au St Emilion is a serious, take-no-prisoners pudding, and I will serve it in much smaller quantities next time - never thought I'd see my youngest niece defeated by a chocolate pudding), no-one got too tipsy, my dad didn't fall over on the stairs. Yesterday was a quiet one for us, lovely walk, dinner was Christmas toasties (leftover pigs and variety of posh cheeses, plus chutneys) and bed after Call The Midwife. I'm cooking the ham now and we'll have that tonight with baked potatoes and salad.

More walking and yoga today, plus drinking loads of water - my face is puffy after Christmas indulgence and I am looking forward to frugality on all fronts and a return to blessed normality. Have fished out next year's diary and pondering my goals...less telly, more reading would be a good one.

Will catch up on thread over bank hols can I come back please? We were made homeless by our landlord but have found somewhere and are moving soon. Happy Christmas all!🎅

Of course you can come back fear, don’t even need to ask
sorry you were made homeless, good luck with the move

Spent Boxing Day with wider family here. So lovely. Kids spoiled with simple pressies - drawing books crayons! Nothing huge to pack!

I’ve already told kids that some of their stuff will be posted home before we leave for Australia. So they’re not taking it home. But will see it again. Mil bought them beach towels as a first night gift. Which was lovely. But I’d packed some. So if I’d asked her….I wouldn’t have needed to! So our old ones are being posted. Along with their wetsuits we bought them.

im currently doing laundry. Waiting for the washer to finish so I can peg it out on the communal line at the campsite we are at. Washers are near communal kitchen and it smells amazing. Bacon. Eggs. Coffee. Yum.

we are in a self contained unit so have our own kitchen etc. but the communal aspect it lovely.

soends today £1500 on splashbacks for kitchen. Final invoice sent through and paid.
NZD6 toll road fees.

beach this afternoon having a quiet morning. Then packing up here and heading up to Auckland tomorrow where we’ll no doubt spend more on attractions. Museum (T rex skeletons) sea life aquarium (kids want to see sharks and there’s a shark tunnel thing) zoo etc.

Sounds like you’re having an amazing time @ememem84 I’m loving reading your updates.

Hi @Fearofawelshplanet , looking forward to seeing you back properly in the new year.

Had my usual Boxing Day realisation that a) there’s only the 4 of us and b) yes I have once again have bought too much food. So we invited the in-laws over and had a lovely early evening buffet. It was nice to do something for them as FIL helped us out so much with the house renovation. We still need to take them out for a meal in the new year to say thank you properly I think.

My folks gave us some money for Christmas as I didn’t know what to ask for. But I’ve decided. Our tableware is old, scratched and chipped. My SIL used to do Jamie At Home many years ago and I bought it but by bit from her. It was lovely but it’s definitely done for now. So I think I’m going to check out what Dunelm has to offer tomorrow. I’ve seen a range or 2 I like on their website but obviously I want to see what it’s like in real life before I commit.

@CurlsandCurves we are. This time mil seems to have mellowed a bit. She told to tell her if she’s being silly. And to let them (her and DH) know if I need space etc.

havent needed to yet as she’s been spending loads of time with the dc (has almost taken over if I’m honest but she hasn’t seen them in real life since summer 2019 so I’m going with it!)

Sounds like she is really trying this time em. Sounds lovely

dh and ds going shopping with his money today, train tickets from account credit and ds is taking his savings

Curls great idea to have something to show for money, I was at bf's sisters house and her range of good quality plates and bowls was amazing, far too many for someone who lives alone but beautiful all the same. And she's a single lady who can spend her money how she chooses.

I've decided to hire an electrician in new year, I've seen that an acquaintances 19 year old is one so will be nice to give him the business. I wrapped Christmas in the garden shed with a head torch so going to extend power out there. I've only one socket in bedrooms and hallway so going to get that sorted. Ds wants a dimmer switch in his room. My outdoor sensor lights no longer work so going to replace them with more efficient ones. I might change some of the light fittings from traditional drop pendants to more pretty ones.

Yesterday's spends
€57 diesel
€16 dogfood massively inflated price due to it being a convenience store but everywhere was closed & she was going to kennels for a few days
€9.29 on milk for dm & snacks for the journey to my parents.

Em** sounds like she appreciates ye making the journey & you're really relaxing this holiday too great to read

Morning. Happy Christmas everyone.

I'm sitting in bed with a cuppa, DD kindly walked the dogs. I'm going to have another easy hour then make a turkey broth and veggie option too.

Sounds like your having a super time em

Welcome back fear

The buffet sounds nice Curls. We have Derby, which I use for everyday use and add to when things get chipped etc. But use the chipped stuff too in truth when it's just us!! Haven't bought any for a long time though.

Sounds like you had a super festive period Big, Christmas toasties sounds fab!

MrsEvans, That sounds awful. I'm so sorry you are having to go through that family crap especially at this time. Very wise to keep the head down. DH's family (some of them) are the bane of my life and cause me more stress than they realise. Hang in there lovely,

Sorry the dinners didn't quite work, but folk will only remember the effort put in and family time. Without minimising anything, promise! My turkey was on the dry side, I'm usually pretty good at turkey.

kessie everyone I know that eats out on Christmas Day doesn't regret it one bit!

I'm recharging this week with my amazing children supporting me by carrying the load so well with me. DH was home for Christmas which was nice but very hard too. DD's boyfriend is lovely and slotted straight in, it's his first ever Christmas as he is from a different cultural background.

Yesterday was £30 accessible taxi
Today £10 emolument cream for sore skin for DD.

Glad mil is easier this time Em sounds like you're having a great time.
We were going to go out for a walk with soup & sandwiches today, but forecast is crap so it's a film & games day I think, just the 4 of us.
Food wise, did the full works for Xmas dinner & am working through the leftovers. Today is turkey fajitas, tomorrow turkey curry courtesy of DH and the Raffis spice box leftover turkey curry kit I gave him.
I'm not going to plan a no spend January but definitely planning to spend as little as we can.

Soup making for me too today need. Turkey remains were slow cooked yesterday in the gammon cooking liquor so that's the stock. Leftover veggies & some fresh ones will be added.

'Denby 🤣

Not sent anything on the sales and trying to stick to it . Just before Christmas l gave 3 huge bags of my present stash of Christmas gifts l bought I the sales in previous years, to my local charity for underprivileged children . I was so pleased to give them a good home . I am not buying stuff again. I have decided it's all going to be Amazon prime deliveries and money in future. I am so pleased & feeling positive about the amount of money & room l will save this year . Going to set up an account for Christmas and put money in every month . I thought £100 a month . Is that about right do you think ? I spend about that much but l might put more in because of inflation.
Hope everyone is having a lovely Break ❤️

Morning all
spends yesterday £4 on mr muscle sink and drain un blocker as the bath was draining really slow and driving me mad. It worked phew
had stuff in online baskets sale shopping but resisted checking out really don’t need anything and most of it is out of stock now

going with dh to walk the dogs then will walk our dog. Ds working at 2 pm til finish going to dsis for a buffet tea should of done it yesterday but both dc working and dd didn’t want to miss out ds isn’t bothered so doing it tonight back to work for dh tonight tomorrow for me but then off Thursday Friday as only had 2 days annual leave left

need to get organised for ds 18 th birthday on 4th jan and his small party on 7 th

have a great day everyone

need that's lovely that DC are supporting you. I can imagine great to have DH home but hard too..

curls great idea about the dinner set.

alfie pleased the sink drainer worked. My DS is 17 in January, feels never ending!

big your Christmas eve sounds amazing!

mrs I reckon on £100 per month but always seem to spend the savings on other things! Then it's not so much the presents but all the food, eating out and things like decorations I don't factor in.. I was thinking of tucking savings into an old building society account I have so it's more hassle to withdraw.

The electrician is a good plan happier we got a rewire three years ago in this old house and have plugs and lights galore! Now just need the heating and roof sorted out 😊

I've woken with a sore tummy from chocolate log and crisps. Turkey soup a possible plan! Turkey fajitas also a good idea north

Struggling a little with DS (16) over his part time job. He doesn't want to go in over Christmas. In the grand scheme of things it will come out in the wash and not worth an argument over but will need at least to talk it out with him. Need the break from work to decompress so feeling a bit fed up.

Morning all. My insomnia is bad currently, so my 'mornings' are seriously sluggish. I am about to haul myself out to walk.

I have a lot of ham stock from yesterday's baked ham. And a lot of ham. Will freeze at least some of the stock and, inspired by the soup makers here, might make a chickpea and pasta soup today with the rest of it. DS has requested macaroni cheese while he is home, so that could be new year's eve dinner sorted (plenty of ballast for those who will be out partying i.e. DS, not me and DH).

Fear - I hope your move goes well. Great timing on your landlord's part (not).

Mrs - your donations and plans for Christmas sound extremely generous and well thought out.

I've been doing my spreadsheets for January and I think I'll have a bit more wiggle room than I thought, but I am still watching the No Spend January thread for inspo (waving to those from here on there) , and will be adopting that strategy for at least one month, and likely two!

January brings increased dog insurance (by £6 per month), house insurance (will increase, because we made a claim last year, and I need to shop around before renewing) and the first full month of serious energy usage, so we will go into deficit. Urgh.

Thanks everyone! Avoiding sales, decluttering and packing. Waiting for everything to open back up so we can crack on. Its a good thing in the long run. More energy efficient house and lovely walks for dog. Donated tins of stuff. Fresh year fresh start.

Morning all!

Waves to @BigSkies2022 and others from the Jan no spend thread! Christmas toastie you say big that's sounds fab

@Fearofawelshplanet welcome back sorry to hear about your housing situation

@ememem84 hope you are having a nice holiday di you say you are there's for 2 months? How does that work with work and school?

Lovely quiet few days here, it seems we make Christmas more and more simple each year and each year it gets better and better.

We've been eating leftovers and hopefully not going to the shops for a few more days, bread milk eggs and juice get delivered from milkman.

New year new start here too! We got some Christmas money so have put some aside for a day out in Jan and the rest will go on Jan nursery fees . We really want to find a way to keep it up as it's only until August.

Can't scroll back without losing place but who was asking about putting money away each month for Christmas? We want to do that too I was thinking £100 but also need to save for new windows, one doesn't open one doesn't shut so hopefully putting money aside each month for that too. But ATM there's no money to put aside hence this thread 😂

Hope all are well.

@TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans @Decafflatteplease I save all year round for Christmas and have done for quite a few years now. Currently save £80 a month but might increase to £100 if my working hours increase which I’m hoping they will in the next few months. If you can save a bit id totally recommend it, takes the pressure right off. Come December I’ve got a nice pot of money ready to go. Which is now sitting at zero! But Jan 1st, right after payday, the first lot goes in for next Christmas.

I went to Dunelm and was unimpressed with their tableware. I did like a couple of the ranges, but the side plates and pasta bowls were tiny. Sainsbury’s and Habitat look like they’ve got some nice stuff, might go up there at some point, there’s no rush.

I do love Denby, and live within driving distance of it, so I might see what their factory shop has to offer.

£25 pets at home on coat and toy while collecting dog food, bugger all left in home bargains