Frugal Friends Fearlessly Facing February.

[needastrongoneagain]

Thought I'd start the new thread. Been ages since I started a thread!

@WeightoftheWorld apologies I didn’t read back far enough this morning to see your post. I’m so sorry for the crap time you’re having. Hopefully your employer will be understanding re DM. Hope your DS is feeling better soon, it must be such a worry.

My totally shallow news from today is that my hairs too short 😆 That’s the thing with curly hair. Even tho it’s cut dry, the weight cut off it means it’s hard to judge how much it’s going to spring up once it’s been washed and dried. And ooh it’s very short, way out my comfort zone! Luckily it grows fast. A couple of weeks and when I get it coloured for the first time on over a year will make all the difference.

£3.20 parking, £8 ish on food tech stuff for ds2 and a sandwich meal deal for me as I was ravenous!

Ffs just lost quite a long post grrr.

Important bits:
Em It is hard when your workplace is so accommodating to decide what to do. My old workplace was like that, but I was forced to leave for various other reasons unfortunately. Although my line manager has actually moved jobs a few months ago, and really he was the one who made things stress-free for me, so it's entirely possible the new line manager is not like that at all anyway. I think I did leave at the right time and was fortunate to secure a number of other things just in time etc so it did work out well. Just a pain about this workplace being so unsympathetic and having quite a new, young, inexperienced manager whose response to everything is "I will check with HR" instead of taking any responsibility or advocating for her managees.

Thank you to everyone for all your well wishes.

Happier Yes, my DS was hospitalised for a few days in September with a bout of bronchiolitis, think it was his second iirc. He was sent to A&E by the GP for another bout, possibly his 4th or so, but A&E monitored him for a few hours and then decided he didn't need admitting that time. The other times have all been milder and we've managed at home with occasional GP check-ups, but the hospitalisation has really shaken me. I found it so scary. He was 11 months old and couldn't stay fully conscious when I rushed him to A&E because his oxygen sats were so low. I forever feel like he should have had attention sooner and that I 'missed' it. I've never felt panic like it before seeing him like that and the drive to the hospital was excruciating as we got stuck in traffic, I should have called an ambulance probably instead but then I was worried that would take ages to arrive with the state of the services.

NSD today, my DF kindly paid for some groceries, a card, and infant ibuprofen for us. As we went to the shops together and I had forgotten my wallet, oops...

Need to submit my timesheet/claims for job 1.

I lost a post yesterday 🙄but mainly saying to Weight how sorry I am about your mum. My dad died of cancer a few years ago, it was very hard to watch him go through it. I was on this thread at the time and the kindness of the frugaleers really was hugely appreciated.

I’m in Yorkshire!! Late couple of nights so not as perky as I’d hoped to be ( remind me never to volunteer for anything ever again - recruiting a HT is a lot of work!) . Kitchens, here I come… Granny, what sort of kitchen have you gone for?

It’s payday today, hurrah.

I have a trump card in that I am only on 4 weeks notice. This should be at least 3months. If not 6 at my level.

I have said to DH I’d be more than willing for them to ask me to sign a new contract to reflect increased notice period. If they increase salary to where I want to be.

im diligent. Loyal. Highly qualified and experienced. I run my own work. I look after the team. I jump in where required. Etc. they’d struggle if they lost me anyway but to replace within 4 weeks? Not a chance.

this would put immense pressure on other colleagues.

im hopeful something will be done. I’d settle for an extra £5k and wfh one day a week as standard. And a pony but we shall see.

@HalfWomanHalfChocolate it's the IKEA Shaker kitchen in pale grey. One long (ish) run of units plus a small (ish) island. It's part of renovation. We spent many years supporting MIL to live independently but as her mobility got worse her house became a bit of a prison and eventually she moved into a care home

She could have adapted the house but in her late 80s at the time and couldn't cope with building work

So we are doing our house before that time comes. Our large living room is becoming a kitchen plus TV area and the old kitchen will be a snug - there is already a toilet in the utility room and we could install a shower if we needed that room to be a downstairs bedroom. It won't all be finished until late autumn but I should have a new kitchen in July

Think I've managed a ns week other than a couple of bits on Wednesday 😇

Payday Monday, can see it pending, it's about what I expected (not great but not awful!)

Need to do an Aldi shop at the weekend but no other spends planned.

Oh a frugal fail, I bought the cat some cheaper cat food (still cost £20 for a big bag!) and she really doesn't like it 🙈 I was trying to call her bluff and not give into her pitiful face but I can't do it, the guilt is too much.

So will be buying more cat food tomorrow 🙄

Have you still got your cat em?

Oh girlie how annoying
spending shopping days for me and as event but will get expenses back

Yep! She’s just as fussy. Royal canin biscuits at £25 a bag or nothing here. I tried mixing the cheaper stuff in with it in her bowl but she just left it.

we’ll have had her 7 years at the beginning of September. We think she’s 8.

she’s currently. Sitting on top of me in bed. And kneading my tummy right where my bladder is. Such a jackass. This means I’ll have to get up to go for a wee. And then she will get fed.

Morning everyone. I got up early to drop DD to work 'cos she was out last night and never checked her work rota and then discovered she's in at 8.30 this morning. She's not usually in this early. Better go throw on some clothes. I'll do my shopping while I'm out.

Morning, I can remember you getting your cat em! I think mine is about 8 now as well, she's getting a bit more older lady like now, has a routine and likes what she likes bit like me

This is my current view from my bed...

Morning everyone 🤗
Girlie that's the best view to wake up to ❤️
Shopping yesterday was £100 in Tesco , out of which were 2 dresses for my Mum for £16 each, lovely light Spring/ Summer dresses that l know she will get a lot of wear from . I also bought her a beautiful duvet cover from Asda for £11 . It's absolutely gorgeous will look to see if l can find a pic and post it 🤗
Hope everyone is ok no plans for today l have a load of washing and drying to do and have to wait for the air fryer to come so quiet day at home today which l could probably do with 🤗
Have a lovely Saturday everyone 😊

https://direct.asda.com/george/home/bedding/duvet-covers/strawberry-print-reversible-duvet-set/GEM1002171,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M04G04C02&shareProduct=true

Excuse the long link it's from George .
I promise l am not indulging in my terribly addictive duvet cover buying habit , it is for my Mum honestly 😂

We believe you Mrs, thousands wouldn’t 😂

Hmmmmm............

Back from the supermarket. I dropped a rather sleepy DD to work earlier. She was due to open up but maintained that she didn't know what the opening up procedures are. I don't know if she's just clueless or genuinely hasn't been trained in properly. She was thinking of phoning a colleague and asking them to talk her through it. But they probably weren't too thrilled to get a phone call at 8.30.

Anyway, I got some good reductions in Tesco and bought double on a few things that were reduced.

Came home and had brunch. I'm getting kind of sleepy now after my early start (I stayed up late last night to collect her from the bus after her night out) but I've loads to do around the house, so I'm hoping the activity wakes me up a bit. It will be a very early night tonight.

Really happy about the clocks going forward this weekend. I've had enough of winter and dark nights.

Strawberry bedding! 🤣

Any chance you could mix the cat food up with more palatable options @Girliefriendlikespuppie? Love the photo.

Loads of spending in the last few days....😢😳.

£48 hair cut, highlighted and coloured, plus a fiver tip. Covers the grey and I've gone blonder. Must budget for this type of thing better but it was payday yesterday
£45 car vacuum cleaner, budgeted for (sad as that is). The vacuum from the house is tricky to use re the car.
£13 charity dresses for mil funeral but they will go back as they aren't suitable.
£107 John Lewis on black dress and shoes again for the funeral but I only ordered the shoes to get free delivery, I'll buy similar on Vinted. I haven't given myself a clothes budget this year so this will come out of a contingency pot of savings.
£48 chargers (work expense though so just a matter of claiming it)
£125 Windows for my laptop now I'm working from home more, again that's a work expense so not 'real', I'll pay it next week.
£193 Sainsbury's, however there were two pairs of jeans for DH that were reduced and some wine. Still, that's a lot. We've survived on staple fruits and veg like apples etc recently but since DH is home and it's important his diet is good, things like grapes, blueberries, oily fish etc are being bought again. It's Lidl next week though as even with the other items, it's too much.

Need to menu plan soon!

£50 pet shop on more bloody cat food, dog chews and poo bags. I donated the bag she didn't like to a friend who has lots of cats.

£96 Aldi, over my £80 budget but it did include £9 on a massive bag of washing powder and £4 on a cute birdhouse.

My friends mum has offered the use of their caravan in Devon for the second week of Easter hols. Would be Mon- Fri for £240. I really can't afford it but have said we'll take it 🙈🫠

I'm hoping all the overtime I've put in this month will cover it....

mrs I love that bedding!

looks like I might need a new washing machine. The fucker didn’t respond to the troubleshooting guide we used. Dickhead washer.

two loads done at dsis house today. Taking the rest to the laundrette tomorrow.

Love the bedding mrs we still haven't replaced the robin and holly fleecy bedding from Primark that I got after your picture on here 😂 Waiting until it warms up in April. Its still 6° and miserable here some days!

girlie that's a bargain for Devon, often we need to grab that chance and wing it.

Forgot about the clocks tayto meeting a friend at 9am for coffee, so that's an early start in theory!

I've missed bits of the thread but sorry to hear you need funeral clothes need

Today I've spent:
£20 ice skating for DD
£23 DS driving theory test, took him yesterday and forgot his provisional licence! I keep it in a 'safe place' as convinced he will lose it so that's kinda on me. Although he was good natured and said it was his fault too.
£35 takeaway. Had a bad night with DD last night (she slept in our bed) and was awake half the night. Hence no food planning done, had a nap this afternoon instead. Rare treat and it was v nice indeed.

Sold my old car on ebay for spares and repairs for £420. V happy with that. Went to a trader who says he can make a profit. £100 on treats, rest into savings.

Think I need to up my grocery budget by £40 per month to £110 per week. Really not managing that. Need fruit, veg, meat and milk for the DC so needs must 😔

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!

Ps. Boo to the washing machine em

Gorgeous bedding mrs. I love it but don’t think DP would sleep under strawberries 🤗
I’ve fallen out with Tesco. £170, I needed to do a big shop for things like washing powder, shampoo etc and it did include Easter eggs. But I couldn’t believe the prices of individual items. I like Tesco because you can scan and shop, and I pay £7.99 a month to get 10% off two big shops (saved £19 today on with that). But I’m going to go back to Aldi on the basis that their prices are just lower.

On the other hand I bought meat from the butcher for the week for £25 - that’s £5 per person for the week which I actually thought wasn’t bad.

2 football matches cancelled this weekend which has given me a bit more free time. Need to fit in a run somewhere.

£12 on haircut for DS2. DS1 couldn’t be arsed to get out of bed. But then DH did ask why am I still paying for his haircuts when he earns a full time wage? Fair point, I just carried on taking them as I’d always done. Have handed the baton over to him now.

DH paid for a takeaway tonight. Am stuffed full of pizza and sleepy.

Tayto Your DD is v lucky to have you collecting her at night and dropping off early for work etc. Very kind of you.

Em Oh no about your washing machine. We have a washer dryer and the dryer part seems to have given up the ghost recently. Been tough doing without it these past couple of months. I should probably see if it's fixable. Wouldn't buy another if it isn't, will just have to manage without as we jave been doing.

Spends today, £5ish in new play cafe on croissants for me and DS and coffee for me. Wasnt planning to buy anything but he's not soft and crawled over to the counter pointing and shouting. Then I figured in for a penny, in for a pound...we are getting a free food bag tonight as usual so that's always exciting to see what we get. We also had a takeaway at DPs tonight and they paid as usual which was kind of them, and frugal for us.

Me and DH want to sort power of attorney, is there just forms online to do on the gov website or something?

Annoying about appliances breaking.

Go on the gov website and I think it’s the office of guardianship. But put poa into Gov.uk and it’ll be fine

cute pic girlie

urgh clocks altering

Agree re cost of groceries, it's harder and harder to stay in budget.

We had pizza last night but DS paid. That's the deal, he pays quite low board but then covers our occasional takeaway meals and anything I ask him to bring in while he's out - eg some razors for DH today. Although why I'm paying both DC's mobile phone costs still I don't know 😂.

Agree - boo re the clocks changing and appliances breaking.

Holiday sounds nice @Girliefriendlikespuppies.

Nice one on the car @kessiebird!

Just need a few nice ales buying today. DH has a friend coming round to watch the match and he always kindly brings lovely beers round so want to repay the kindness.