Jumping into July: Frugal Friends Financial Fun

[needastrongoneagain]

New 'Fred.

Very low spend couple of days.

£12 AdBlue but that's expenses.

Will be back to post fully later.

Weather settled here now after a very u settled couple of days.

Stranraer @HalfWomanHalfChocolate, been here a lot over the years, we love it but it's been a reality check for DH as he can do so little now. Hooray for the patio doors! And getting towards having a working kitchen at last!!

Wine for me too @Gensola when cross.

Hooray re the light fitting @Taytocrisps

Hope you are okay too @TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans 😊

No spends yesterday as we didn't have fish and chips. Nothing planned today but I've ordered shopping for when we go home Saturday, had £14 worth of vouchers so used Sainsbury's.

Have a good day all!

working from home today as i couldn't face the office - feeling a bit under the weather. sore throat and snuffly. not sure if its a "something" or hormonal as period is due. who knows.

settled on the couch with blanket, buckets of water a nice coffee and catface. and laptop so i can work. sigh

sadly i dont feel unwell enough not to work, hence the working from home. and even if i did there are a few things that it's be quicker for me to do than get someone to do for me.

Ah, I don’t know that part of Scotland Need. Love the west though.

Huge electrical storms and hail here today. Loving my doors even more

£40 on balloons and gift wrap for DS. Seems
ridiculous but he doesn’t really care for presents, he gets excited about balloons and his birthday cake. We’ve got him a few small bits for his birthday (books, a bolster cushion in the colours of the London underground lines I’d quite like one myself) and then a swingy egg chair thing for the garden. Bit unusual but it’s what he’ll like (I hope!). Unfortunately DD will probably like it too so I am expecting arguments… 🙄

also 70ish for the half-weekly shop. Will see us through to about Tuesday, I reckon. Included naice picnic food to take to a friend’s tomorrow as I am using her kitchen for the day to make DS’s cake.

Half sounds like everyone will enjoy the egg chair.

Did a click and collect for Dunnes yesterday, it's free and used €10 off €50 voucher so €40.98, I had added pasta sauce to it but didn't check out, jar was €1.89 but I'd returns for Tesco so got pasta sauce there 80c, both own brand got two jars for less than cost of one in Dunnes. Watching offers is crucial too 10 twirls clubcard offer €3.50, 5 twirls normal offer €1.50, only bought one pack though. It was a snacky shop in Dunnes really and mince for animals. Got value mince for them and got meatballs from the artisan butcher for ourselves €8.99 for 8, delicious.

Returns to Tesco €42.50
FYI clothing is included in €16 off €80 vouchers on Tesco app so I had got this on Sat and I still got full value on returned items
However I spent €104 on Very the other day, had a 20% discount code so this made one item free

Em how are you feeling today

This year we didn't have to pay for schoolbooks for either child, Government paid for primary and dd has gone to a Deis school so €160 covers books, locker and breakfast and lunch for the year. I keep a spreadsheet of back to school costs so that I can work out 50% for exh easily and interestingly it has cost the same for last years which means things have gone up a lot.

When I get his portion of back to school it's going to go into my oil tank. 500litres will cost €600 odd. I'm going to order this weekend. I've €160 put away for it, exh owes me another €250 for back to school and I did overtime this week so there won't be much left to find. I've put on heating a couple of times over last week or so and it'll no doubt go up in the budget at end of Oct.

Sorry, I still haven't caught up with everyone. Anyway, I've been doing a bit of financial juggling this morning. I've three big expenses due out this month - DD's college fees (or my share of them), a delivery of home heating oil and holiday flights for next year. So I've been transferring money from assorted Credit Union accounts into my bank account. It took a bit of time to work it all out, but I think I'm on track.

I'm happy to report that my car lights seem to be working fine now. So that's one less stress.

I'll be paying close attention to the next budget (to be announced on the 10th October). There are rumours of income tax cuts and energy rebates. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Not much news otherwise. I was hoping for a quiet night at home to watch a combination of Strictly and the rugby. But DD and I have been invited to an 18th birthday party. So I've to collect DD from work at 7, drive an hour to the party and then drive home again afterwards. But I'm very fond of the birthday girl and I wouldn't like to miss her party.

Right, I'd better head off and do my weekly shop. Have a good day everyone and hopefully I'll catch up with you in the morning.

Hope you’ve enjoyed your break Need. Whoop on the £500. Very nice indeed.

Amazing timing on the doors Half. How is the kitchen fitting going?

Hope you’re feeling better Em.

Thats good news on the school books Happier.

Three days at the office this week. Spent £10 on Wednesday on a donation to a friend’s charity endeavour. Thursday and Friday both no spends. £9.90 today on groceries. I’m trying Aldi washing up liquid. Bought yellow stickered truffle Brie in Marks and Spencer. It’s not nice.

Took the bus every day for my commute. Spent close to 23 hours on it. In rather wet weather. Missed the start of the rugby on Thursday it took so long. I have my eye on a cardigan so think I’ll tot up how much I’ve saved by using the bus then reassess.

Looks like the Rossignol sample sale is back on tomorrow. Will look at my holiday to buy list and see what is left to get. Do need some hiking socks.

Spending this evening watching the rugby too Tayto. I noticed Amazon have something John Wick related so I might look at that. And do some excursion planning for my break in December to get some idea of what’s left to pay for.

Hope everyone’s having a good weekend.

Have been AWOL again but hopefully should be able to get back to posting more regularly again now (famous last words!)
Last weekend was busy as after I'd safely delivered dd's stuff & left her settling in halls dh's parents and friends had arrived for the weekend (football related) so it was busy but very sociable.
Sunday evening was spent rescuing next door neighbour from her kitchen floor where she'd fallen. She's ok and now home from hospital.
Then Thursday my mum fell coming out of the gym. She's 84 and pretty frail but manages gym (for people with long term health problems) twice a week. Anyway she had a pretty nasty fall, ds took her to A&E as I was away for the day. She stayed with me for 2 nights but is home now. It has been pretty stressful.
When she'd gone home yesterday I dived headlong into decluttering and a full kitchen audit! It felt good & needed as September seems to have been haemorrhaging money so need to pull things back.
Look forward to catching up.

Ds is 6. How’s that happened?!?

I was planning to go to lunch with my Dad today but he has the flu, so he advised me to stay away. I'm sorry he's not feeling so good but I'm delighted to have a relaxed day at home. The last two weekends have been very busy, with a lot of driving. I mean, I've to clean the fridge and empty the dishwasher and do the hoovering and do some laundry etc., but I'm relieved I don't have to head out anywhere. I dropped DD down for her bus and now I'm snuggled up under the duvet. There's a weather warning for today - looks like we're in for a lot of rain.

I've read back over the past week or so.

Rum a Christmas market trip sounds lovely.

martha good news about your DP picking up extra work.

Nice to see @Wolfcub popping in. You've been on my mind - hope all is good with you and DS.

Mrs sorry to hear about your aunt . Sounds like you've made a good start on your decorating and DIY project.

need hope you have a nice break in Scotland. Nice bonus in your payslip .

Half sooooo relieved for you that you got your patio doors in. You won't know yourself when you get the kitchen sorted - I know you're a great cook. That's so sweet about DS getting excited about balloons and a cake. Hope he loved the egg chair.

north sorry to hear about your Mum's fall. And your poor neighbour too.

em happy birthday to your DS.

Nice to see you North. Sorry to hear of all the falls. Hoping your mother is OK. And your neighbour too.

Happy (belated) birthday to your son Em.

I’m following your example this afternoon Tayto and relaxing. Work can wait.

It’s been a spendy two days. Bought two base layers and a mid-layer from the sample sale yesterday. Spent just over £150. Happy as the base layers are >£70 each at full price. Now crossing my fingers my light fingered neighbour doesn’t makes off with the package when it arrives.

Today was £100 at the dentist and £12.60 for the train fare.

Fallen off the thread, but hoping to jump back on properly soon. Dmum is being a nightmare, around money. It’s a terrible combo, money and family

Anyway, I’m currently on the countdown to our holiday. And I paid a deposit, and set up a payment plan for a long weekend away next year. Not really sorry, sorry frugal friends

@Timetoswitch sorry your Mum is being so difficult
Hope you have a great time on holiday
@northender So sorry to hear of your Mum falling. Hope your DMum and neighbour are on the mend lovely

@ememem84 Happy birthday to your son
Hope you feel much better

@RumBananaSundae
Have a nice relax after going to the dentist , God knows it is enough
Good bargains hope your neighbour keeps their mitts to themselves !
@Taytocrisps
Aw your poor DDad hope he recovers soon and hope your enjoyed your quiet afternoon. Thank you re my aunt bless you. The decorating is slow but steady
@Happierwithouthim that is great you can get your oil in & have so much towards the cost
It is getting cold here in the evening too . l am dreading my fuel bill for the Winter tbh

@HalfWomanHalfChocolate Happy belated birthday to your Ds too lovely Wonderful news about your Patio doors too
@needastrongoneagain
@Gensola Honestly this weather is all over the place, flash flooding , windy & cold , we haven't had any flash flooding but it's gone so cold . l am resisting the heating going on yet though tbh
Spends today , Aldi £22 , TKMaxx £8 , Tesco £65 , Home bargains £24
Dd2 bedroom slowly getting done , dropped off another 2 bags of charity stuff from the grand declutter
A huge tip load today from Dd2 bedroom , bed , wardrobe and chest of drawers .
Hope everyone is ok or getting better if you have been poorly

@needastrongoneagain so sorry l posted about your patio doors under @HalfWomanHalfChocolate name sorry both

Oh Time you have my sympathies. There is nothing quite like money and family. Focus on the holiday - where are you off to?

Agree with you about the weather New. Last week was wet and wet this week sunny and warmer. Should do some decluttering too. I’ve managed my T-shirt drawer so far.

Spending today has been about £12 in a combination of Asda and Aldi.

Had my SARS booster today. Feel like I’m drunk, going to be sick and have a huge headache. Feel rather sorry for myself so am on the sofa lost in a YouTube rabbit hole. Hoping it’s gone by tomorrow as I have to go to the office. Just my luck. I’ve felt fine after all my previous vaccinations and always had them on a Friday in case I’ve felt unwell.

Happy belated birthday to your D's Em blimey, I remember you were on these threads a long time before that pregnancy, we've been here a long time!
Half glad to hear the doors news, hope kitchen fitting goes smoothly I know how long awaited this is & you will love it when it's finished.
Time definitely focus on the holiday
Rum dentist bills are horrendous aren't they?
Mrs well done on the decluttering

Has been a quiet couple of days here with DD at uni & D's away with friends. Teas have been using up what we've got already, it's amazing what you can do when you're focused! 2 nights of HM beef & veg pie, roast chicken last night, chicken & bacon pasta planned for tonight. Decluttering continues, DH is now installed in his new office (ds' old room), ds' new bed for the loft room arrives today.
My day off today & I've got a big to do list so we'll see how I get on....

Have fallen off the thread 🙈

Hope everyone is okay.

It's payday 🎉 it's quite a healthy one thanks to my increase in hours. I've put £200 straight into savings for Christmas, my Christmas tally currently stands at £500 which is decent and means I can start buying a few bits. Think I'm going to get dd a new iPhone, you can get reconditioned nearly new ones for around £350.

I've given dd £40 as she's bought herself a lot of clothes recently and I said I'd chip in towards them.

I finish work at 2pm today and am planning on going to B&M to get all the random bits I'm running low on. Things like cleaning stuff, some food bits/snacks and dd needs a new bedsheet.

I'm so gutted that Wilko is closing down, I used that shop for loads of stuff ☹️

Hi all!

This thread has gone very quiet, have people all
migrated somewhere else? I should post more (to stay accountable and for the company) but life gets in the way too often. Was good to hear from you Wolfcub

I don’t know whether to envy you empty nesters or hug my DC closer 😂. DS just turned 11, it goes so quickly. I joined this thread when he was small! He’ll probably never leave home though so I won’t waste time looking forward 😉

Not much frugality here. The house project is getting to the exciting stage of second fixes - loft bathroom is in, downstairs loo will be finished today, kitchen units are mostly in. I need them to lay the utility floor so they can install those units and then I can get the quartz templating done. In another couple of weeks I am hoping to have a functional kitchen! No more horrible ready meals! I am so pleased with how everything looks so far, and very relieved to have no regrets about what I’ve chosen. Phew.

I am buying loads of stuff right now but it is all budgeted out of the renovation pot. I got an unexpected refund on something a little bit faulty (but useable) so have put that to good use buying the fancy cupboard handles I loved and a really nice clock for the kitchen. I also have to buy a mesh system for the Wi-Fi because the thermostat and burglar alarm systems need really reliable wifi. So that’s going to use all that bonus up! Ha ha.

In general spends I’m not doing too badly, there’s not much time to spend anything other than sorting essential house purchases! We have eaten out a couple of times in the last week though, pizza on Friday for DS’s birthday and carvery on Sunday (to eat together as a family and relieve the boredom of microwave slush). We don’t normally eat out much but I think it’s been a good experience for the DC and we should try to do it a bit more often.

In the office tomorrow, that’s where the frivolous spends are (on a bad day it’s coffee, breakfast and lunch 😳) so I must try harder!

I am starting to think about Christmas - I have booked my Ocado delivery slot! <smug>. I am trying to resist the lure of naice decorations, of which I already have many…. And the lure of Christmas clothes for the DC as I always get too many….

£3.70 in coffee republic for a sub par flat white. Why? Why did I do this to myself. 😒

it is a prime people watching spot though.

Yo, frugal peeps! I've been away from the keyboard for a bit, two weeks in France, came back to house guests and DM with an infection that fortunately didn't migrate into the bloodstream, but which required four different antibiotics, one of which was administered intravenously. So... :

• DM on the mend
• The guests were lovely - they looked after themselves during the day, joined us for dinner in the evening, took us out for dinner on the last night and left after 4 days - you know the saying about fish and guests, and this length of stay was just right.
• France was fantastic! Now all I have to do is find the means to raise £300,000 to buy my own manor house in the Périgord Vert...

A quiet month at home awaits me, between podcasts and the floor renovation project. The latter is progressing slowly - I had no idea that cutting the strips used to fill the gaps between the floorboards would be so laborious, nor that wood chisels were so tricky to use. God.

After the holiday, I did a half-yearly financial mini-review, paying off a credit card balance and redirecting the available money to my savings pots. We still have to pay for the second holiday, coming up at the end of October, but I'm parking that one for a few weeks.

I splurged on a skirt (frugal failure), but it turned out to be too big for me, so I returned it (saved from myself, there). I've signed up to the Borrow Box app, so I can download free audio books from the library, and I'm hoping this will encourage me in plentiful daily walking - my first loan is Atomic Habits, which appears on practically every blog/podcast I subscribe to.

Great news on the renovation, Half, and thank you (I think!) for the reminder about Christmas! **

Glad you got the benefit of the extra hours girlie
Half still a lot to be done then? Sounds like you've held things together well, all things considered!
Glad you enjoyed France Big can't wait to go back again next year

Productive day today. Following the conversion of ds' old room to office/study at the weekend, the new bed for ds' loft room came today. Went to the gym, then lunch with friend. Parcelled up some treats for dd & got it posted. Booked my flu jab. Feel quite satisfied with what I've achieved. Another use up meal tonight, chicken, bacon & pesto pasta with peppers & leeks.

I've been reading but not posting, would love to do a catch-up post but todays not the day I feel.survived storm Agnes because it was no different to any other day where I was despite our county having an orange warning even go out for a walk yesterday evening with bf!

Demolition has started in my house my bedroom wall currently has a door sized hole in it which is not where we agreed it would go but I'll get over that. Unfortunately it means my ikea dressing table shelf thing no longer fits anywhere in my room so I'll need to rethink that, possibly buy a narrower version of the same thing!

Finally pay day today, it’s been a long month!

Managed to catch up on some life admin jobs today, finally ordered a new cheque book. Went to write a cheque the other day, and realised it had my old name on it. DH signed it instead 🤣

Am going to try to be more frugal and accountable in October!

Just bobbing in with a reminder to submit gas and electric readings tomorrow due to the price cap change on Sunday. Hope all are well, miss you guys but just don't have the mental capacity to keep up at the moment.

Thanks for the reminder wolf hope all is good with you?

I bought two coffees in costa(packet) the other day Em and nearly had a heart attack at how much they cost!!

Blue it sounds like you've more or less rebuilt your house! Your poor mum that sounds like a nasty infection.

Happier that made me laugh re storm Agnes being like any other day 😂 we are too far south for it to cause any problems although I did lose my large dahlia plant in the wind 😕 annoying re the door being in the wrong place!

It's been a really busy week here. Ystd I finished work at 5, did a bit of gardening (tried rescuing my poor dahlia but it was completely snapped) went to pilates for 6.30-7.30, then had to drive to collect dd and her friends from a local fair, dropped various friends off in various places, finally get home and dd and I had a break down as the worlds biggest spider was casually walking around our hallway 😳 dealt with that (after much screaming) then took the dog out, ate something, cleared up, sorted dd out who had stomach ache and finally collapsed into bed just after 10!!

Spent £70 in b&m on Wednesday, got loads for that (food, toiletries and other random bits) also filled car with petrol £55.

Have given dd more money towards the fair £15.

Will be glad to get to the weekend.

I'm reading too but haven't had a chance to post!

We had a nice break in Scotland. Bitter sweet for DH, as he's obviously less able to do so much now, but we still enjoyed it. We've also had his DF's funeral, so that's both parents lost in 6 months on top of everything else.

Sounds like you've had a lot on @BigSkies2022. I'm glad your DM is on the mend. Your guests sound perfect!

Still here @HalfWomanHalfChocolate. Just doing that catch up week after being away! And exciting that you are getting to the nearly done stage of the extension. Done in time for Christmas and you've reminded me re Ocado!

Love a good declarer @TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans!

Spends are pretty minimal here and nothing out of the budget. Had to fuel the car to get to Scotland and back but it's been on electric ever since. I've done my budgets for the month and hoping to stay true to it!

Food £38 so far but about to do a big shop as guests this weekend.