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Jumping into July: Frugal Friends Financial Fun

1000 replies

needastrongoneagain · 04/07/2023 09:46

New 'Fred.

Very low spend couple of days.

£12 AdBlue but that's expenses.

Will be back to post fully later.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
Happierwithouthim · 07/10/2023 10:11

Marthasmum It kinda of makes me nervous for what the extension will cost but it will be worth it. Our house is a tidy 3 bed bungalow, this will create more living room.

The room I made into ensuite is 3m x 1m, so took about 60cm off it to make a cupboard for storage in the hallway, it would've been wasted in the ensuite. He tiled shower cubicle yesterday and I absolutely love it. I've an ikea glass shelf in its packaging since we were furnishing our marital home in 2008, going to put that up for toothbrushes, shaving bits etc, buy a bin, shower door, paint, mirror & shaving light and door handles for the pocket door, then that room is pretty much finished. I suppose another €500.

For my bedroom, I need curtains, curtain pole, carpet and paint, that's that room fully kitted out.

Martha yes you would worry for students whose parents are on the breadline, wouldn't you?

Rum enjoy meal out

I'm at work this morning, so have the office to myself.

needastrongoneagain · 07/10/2023 10:42

Morning.

Hope everyone is okay.

Enjoy Bristol @marthasmum. Nice re your DF, dementia is such a cruel disease. And yes, things are so stacked against less financially fortunate students.

Exciting stuff re the extension @Happierwithouthim. And great that you'll get more living space.

Doesn't sound like a house you'd choose given the opportunity @RumBananaSundae. Sorry about the horrible neighbours.

Enjoy the birthday celebrations @lifelongfrugaleer

We've just fixed @MaryGreenhill, but only because we were an existing customer given a really competitive energy price.

Looking forward to the play @BigSkies2022. It'll sure be nice to be normal!

Spends
£135 Ocado
£40 Sainsbury's including a bottle of Jack Daniels for Christmas though.
£30 hairdresser, just roots done and any dry ends taken off.

I need to menu plan

Tonight - at friends for early tea, she's doing pulled pork and veggie risotto
Tomorrow - salmon and roast veggies
Monday - butternut squash dhal
Tuesday - aubergine and peanut stew
Wednesday - squash lasagne
Thursday - saag aloo shepherds pie
Friday - carrot soup with tahini and rosemary

Probably do a roast chicken dinner too at some point.

OP posts:
HalfWomanHalfChocolate · 07/10/2023 12:28

Hi all! I am still here and still not frugal but really hoping to have my kitchen in use by half term. Not sure that will be frugal initially (I will be cooking ALL THE THINGS! And baking for EVERYONE!) but once the novelty wears off it definitely will be. This has been a very long haul, 6m of manic packing, moving, dust and disruption, but it will be worth it. It’s the small things that are giving me the most pleasure at the moment, my kitchen handles and knobs are going on right now and I can’t stop admiring them! And opening doors without breaking a nail!

Post HMRC shock, I worked through the finances and have calmed down a bit now. We do have less to spend on finishing touches and furniture but that’s not the end of the world. I am sure DM will love having a cardboard box as a bedside table for a while 😂.

Happier I’m so pleased that your works have started. It doesn’t sound too disruptive and it sounds as though you will get a lot of value out of the new spaces. How long will it take?

Need I haven’t posted for a couple
of days but was sorry to read that things were hard. Rehab is really tough.

Ocado today £139. Some batch cooking stuff as I am off to borrow a kitchen tomorrow morning to make meatballs and other sauces for DC meals. And barbecue stuff for tomorrow, family are coming over for the last gasp of ‘summer’ and because it’s the only way we can feed them. I will still need ready meals later in the week though! I did also buy a mop bucket and lots of Halloween sweeties for trick or treaters, stocking up while it is still on offer.

Need to buy a costume for DD, she’ll need it for a few Halloween events.

I am still unsure whether to get a smart meter. On the one hand I’d like the convenience and being able to keep an eye on energy use, on the other hand I think I may end up getting charged more for peak time energy use, which will probably cost us more in the long run.

MaryGreenhill · 07/10/2023 17:45

@lifelongfrugaleer , Happy Birthday to your Dd 🎂🎉🎁👏
@Happierwithouthim that's excellent news re your builder and extension Yay!
So glad you are happy with the shower cubicle . It sounds great .
Well done on the weight loss too 😊
@marthasmum thank you Martha 😊 after an awful lot of tooing and frooing , l decided to stay on the normal rate with BG because using the MSE calculator the fixed rate was going to be 8% more expensive than if l stayed on the normal rate and Martin Lewis advise was to snap their hands off if the fixed rate was only 1% more . So l know the energy is probably
going up in Jan by 3% and prob down in April by 3% so it makes sense to stay at a normal rate . Phew ! It takes ages to understand 😱
Have a wonderful time with your friends in Bristol 😊
@RumBananaSundae hope you are ok , it's really horrible when you have trouble with neighbours l am sorry lovely 💐
@needastrongoneagain that's brilliant you have managed to fix well done !
Meals sound delicious 😋
@HalfWomanHalfChocolate fingers crossed re your Kitchen ready for half term for 👏😊
I am not keen on a smart meter tbh , so many ppl l know seem to get trouble with them 🙄
Spends today Morrisons 20, Aldi 25
Watching the rugby here , we have had beautiful weather dried 2 lines of washing , every little helps 🤣
Hope everyone is ok take care all 😊

lifelongfrugaleer · 08/10/2023 07:54

Spend on food this weekend have been bonkers
will be £50 on Monday for takeaway
£100 Amazon for revision stuff printer ink and a horse rain coat

nsd placed today. Though I’m taking ds carpet shopping

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 08/10/2023 15:49

Halfwomen I don't think it costs any more having a smart meter, we got one this year and I like being able to see how much were spending day to day. It's definitely been interesting to see what costs money and what doesn't (kettle uses loads, heated blanket almost nothing.)

I've had a spendy wend as have been in town quite a bit which is always costly. There was a food fair on today and I spent £30ish on a few things and lunch.

Spent £40 on various toiletries, mostly hair products, have enough to last a while now though.

Big news here is that dd is going to go on holiday with her bf and his family to France for half term. Will be the first time she's been abroad without me 😬

The flights are £170, dd is putting £100 of her own money in and I'll put in £70. I've just got her travel insurance for £12. Will need to see if she needs any other bits clothes wise.

My baby girl is growing up 🥲

Gensola · 08/10/2023 20:05

We have been offered this - does it look worth taking? The exit fee makes me think they know prices will actually be lower and then we will be stitched up!

Jumping into July: Frugal Friends Financial Fun
Happierwithouthim · 09/10/2023 11:32

Girlie wow she definitely is growing up, do you like bf? It's lovely that you're helping out with flights but that she's paying majority herself.

I've smart meter also but not signed up to plan so don't see that info like you do.

Yesterday dd looked for €30 for halloween costume, that's what I paid for ds's. I thought in secondary school she would be beyond dressing up, which is why I paid so much for his Shock

Got back to school money from exh yesterday so I've almost my oil delivery paid back to my credit card with that. I've just under €22 left to repay.

Since clearing my debt I'm allergic to having a credit card balance but I am going to use it for stuff for the house and just clear the bill each month when it comes from the money df is kindly giving me towards the work.

Would like to book tickets for a show this Sat night but ds & bf not too keen and we've an early start Sun morning, plus going away the following weekend with bf so I'm going to do the sensible thing and not go to show, even though I'd love it!

Went to a 21st on Sat night, was in the company of two non drinkers, so I paid for the drinks, if they were only not drinking that night and they'd be in my company again I'd have let them buy rounds but they're teetotallers €26.40. The way I looked at it, I'd no taxi cost either!

Ran out of gas on Fri night, just managed to get dinner cooked. I put €1.25 into my sinking fund for gas & bought it Sat for €35 exactly what I had put away Grin
Bag of logs €5
Strawberries & raspberries €10, hopefully ds will eat the strawberries, he's gone off clementines in his lunchbox just as they're coming into season Hmm

Mad it's a great feeling to get clothes line dried especially in Oct, I find I'm finishing mine off in dryer the past week or so, cheap dryer meant to be sensor for dryness but that part is faulty so it runs and runs, when it's in utility it'll be easier than now running out to shed to check on them. I set alarm on my phone.

Half I'm not sure how long it will take, but I'm quietly envisioning eating my Christmas dinner in it Grin, En-suite has taken 2 weeks so far but it's almost complete. I must go shopping for shower door yet.

I do have plans to replace fireplace in sitting room but I'm hoping he'll do extension next.

I'm lucky that I'll get a discount on blocks/readymix/stone and I can reuse current back door and kitchen window in the extension so that'll keep costs down. I've furniture from my marital home that I will be able to use also.

You must be itching to get the whole place cleaned up and enjoy the kitchen once again.

needastrongoneagain · 09/10/2023 14:24

Afternoon.

I'm not convinced energy prices will go down @Gensola, especially with even more uncertainty in the world. We've fixed for a year and I'm not worried about doing so.

They grow so quickly don't they @Girliefriendlikespuppies. Great that DD is contributing to the cost of the flights. Be odd without her!

Pony rugs are so expensive aren't they @lifelongfrugaleer. Ours ripped his soon as he put one on!

Is there any furniture that you can just not buy until you get what you actually want @HalfWomanHalfChocolate? Nearly there now!

Spends
£60 beef pack from local farm but we only eat beef about once a month so this will last about a year and they are local, reared cows.
£80 delivery pass for Sainsbury's. I don't have the capacity to get to the store much.
£40 Amazon, the usual bits and bobs
£20 veg box, hardly using bought veg because of SIL's allotment but needed a few bits she selfishly hasn't grown 😂

OP posts:
needastrongoneagain · 09/10/2023 14:26

Ps - exciting re the extension @Happierwithouthim!

OP posts:
needastrongoneagain · 09/10/2023 16:53

And thanks for the inadvertent reminder re meter's/fixes/tariffs, I just submitted mine on the final day before our new tariff kicks in tomorrow!

OP posts:
lifelongfrugaleer · 09/10/2023 17:11

Ours holds the yard record for quickest shredding of rug. A rather dubious honour

I’ve just got a Sainsbury’s delivery pass for the same reason

oooo exciting happier

I would also be inclined to hold off to get the furniture I wanted or do a temp from the chazzer. Though some of our temp is still here 2 years (at the end of the month) later

Timetoswitch · 09/10/2023 17:51

Fallen off the thread again.

Good, I guess, frugal news on our upcoming holiday though. Got an email to say our cabin has been upgraded for free to a balcony, and also found about £400 of euros which we must have exchanged before covid. Hopefully that may cover the spending on land.

Work is nuts at the moment.

Happierwithouthim · 09/10/2023 17:59

I got a temp sitting room cabinet in ikea & never liked it, had it for 12 years, I briefly thought of painting it for new snug area of kitchen but copped myself on, it's going into garden shed for storage there instead and I'll paint my console table that I do like & put it in its place instead.

€65 diesel

Happierwithouthim · 09/10/2023 18:00

Great find time

needastrongoneagain · 09/10/2023 18:24

Great find @Timetoswitch

Agree - anything bought to tide us over tends to still be there 12 years later!

OP posts:
RumBananaSundae · 09/10/2023 19:52

Good speed for your extension and Christmas plans Happier.

Nice find Time. And wonderful news on the upgrade.

I’m hopeful for your half term kitchen Half and I’ll join you in the not frugal side.

Saturday dinner was rescheduled to this coming weekend. I didn’t have groceries I felt like eating so spent £35 on bread and cheese. My friend and I had planned to go for pizza so I think eating out would have cost me less. Also bought some Berghaus summer walking trousers in TK Maxx for £24.99.

Got a cheque in the post from the utility company I opened the ombudsman case with. I have banked it - it took four years to get to this point so really could not be bothered anymore. Should now be looking for a new provider.

HalfWomanHalfChocolate · 10/10/2023 20:01

Ooh, a cruise, Time? Never done that but it sounds very relaxing.

Same Need - temporary furniture never goes! I am definitely trying to buy good furniture slowly, where it makes a difference, though sometimes a Kallax hits the spot 😉. My priorities for now were a new dining table (old one won’t fit), a sofa to make a cosy living area in the extension end of the kitchen, and soon, a Big Girl Bed for my tall DD who is practically hanging off her toddler bed. I want one of those trundle things so she has space for friends to stay in her room or DM, when PILS nick the guest room at Christmas 😉. The rest of my wish list will have to be added gradually. I will need to be really frugal next year so I can fill in the naice furniture gaps. The new dining table is coming tomorrow though, woo hoo!

The big excitement for today is that my ovens are in and working! Well, the displays light up anyway in German. I don’t speak any German. I am honestly so excited. Though I still don’t have a sink so won’t be getting too creative until I can wash up. Quartz templating tomorrow and then I should be on the home straight 🤞🏻

I’ve been in the office today but only bought one coffee and tea as I took one of my team out. Otherwise low spends, mainly because it turns out I forgot to check out the changes to my Ocado basket yesterday and missed off half the shopping! Sigh. I keep falling asleep on the sofa of an evening. I’ll be lucky to make it through Bake Off this evening.

Happierwithouthim · 10/10/2023 21:33

Half I thought that had happened me with my click & collect order, I approved in my banking app but never clicked through that I'd approved it on the order. Saw it when I woke at 6 & thought cut off time was 11pm last night turned out it was 12pm today so I was able to get my full shop.

Dd came home with a list of stuff to be bought for art & woodwork, no single 2B pencils to be got so ended up with a pack of 12 for €1.99 vs 49c for a single pencil, we will never need another 2B pencil Grin €15.60 in Mr price
Dunnes was €54.10 taking advantage of €10 off €50.

Happierwithouthim · 11/10/2023 09:15

Yesterday was budget day in Ireland.

There were a number of measures that will benefit me.
3 x €150 energy credits, I'm not a fan of this measure but not going to say no to it either, usually what I do is I continue my sinking fund for electricity and when the credit hits my account, I use this credit to put oil into my tank or buy something for the house.

Single Parents Tax Credit is going up by €100
PAYE tax credit is going up also
USC will be charged at lower rate to a higher amount
There will be a double child benefit payment in December
Secondary school books will be free for first 3 years, dd is in a DEIS school so her books are covered by a fee charged at beginning of year so this will reduce I guess
Secondary school bus will continue to be at reduced rate for another year.

In time college fees are reduced for parents with incomes under €100k so that will benefit us too.

I'm on a fixed rate with my mortgage so the one year concession for tracker/variable rate mortgages won't apply to me.

Tayto I hope it will benefit you also.

ememem84 · 11/10/2023 12:58

We have a meeting on Monday to refix our mortgage. We’re looking at 5.84% on a 2 year tracker with HSBC’s. This is the best option for us. Sadly it’ll cost us around £2300 pcm. But not much we can do. 😭

in lighter news. I’ve just picked up a pretty much brand new Barbour jacket for £30 in the charity shop.

MaryGreenhill · 11/10/2023 16:26

Afternoon everyone Smile
I am sat here listening to lovely Christmas Carols they are so relaxing and familiar. Raining here . Been a busy week . Drs/Hospital appts , shopping, decluttering/decorating / finishing Dd1 bedroom, car needed new tyres etc etc Hmm
Spends today
Tyres £140
New tv for Dd1 150
Aldi £20
Iceland £15
Asda £30
Lunch for Myself and my Friend , we take it in turns to pay £22
Hope everyone is fine Smile

MaryGreenhill · 11/10/2023 16:30

@Gensola Your prices are cheaper than we have been quoted from British gas by a few pence for the cost of both the gas & the electricity and about 10p a day for the day charges on the electricity . Hth Flowers

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 11/10/2023 16:59

Your mortgage repayment is more than my take home wage Em 😳 crazy.

In the end I went halves with dd on the flights so £85 each. She's just got herself another part time job so that's good, I am lucky that she's motivated to work and earn money! She's paying for all her own driving lessons as well bless her.

Yes I like the bf, he hasn't done anything to piss me off yet 😉😂 have arranged to meet his parents before they go as well, dds met them and said they're nice.

Will be weird without her, I'm thinking I might do a little get fit boot camp as I'm so unfit atm and am still carrying the lockdown weight I gained 😕 can't do anything like that with dd about as it's too triggering (she's recovering from an ED.)

Found out I'm going to a conference with work so that's exciting, get three nights away and there will be a gala dinner 😋

MaryGreenhill · 11/10/2023 17:11

@Girliefriendlikespuppies that is smashing l hope you have a brilliant time Smile l would love to go to a Gala dinner Grin

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