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Familiar Friends in Frugality(Feb 24>)

999 replies

Happierwithouthim · 13/02/2024 19:21

Frugal Friends Facing Forward with Fortitude http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/costoff_living/4957140-frugal-friends-facing-forward-with-fortitude

New thread

OP posts:
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25
ememem84 · 27/03/2024 14:10

Thanks!

I know that if i told dsis she wouldn't mind too much. and she would be happy for me. but dm has form for trying to make sure that everyone is celebrated at every event. so i'm not giving her any ammunition for this.

the wedding is saturday. the sun has just come out. my antibiotics have kicked in. i should be fine for it. i'm so so happy for dsis. we LOVE her fiancé. he's absolutely the best ever. and she's going to look so so pretty :)

Nellieinthebarn · 27/03/2024 14:16

@ememem84 Well done! Very well deserved I am sure. Hope this aids your recovery.

ememem84 · 27/03/2024 14:22

honestly i've worked my ass off the past year so i can be considered in the same light as my male peers. It's tough being a woman.....with kids.....in financial services.......

i'm the most qualified, have the same level of experience, etc. the only difference is i dont have a peen, and took 2 years out to have babies. the boys have wives for that.

shouldn't be like this but it is. i have to work harder to prove myself. sigh.

Happierwithouthim · 27/03/2024 15:07

ememem84 · 27/03/2024 14:22

honestly i've worked my ass off the past year so i can be considered in the same light as my male peers. It's tough being a woman.....with kids.....in financial services.......

i'm the most qualified, have the same level of experience, etc. the only difference is i dont have a peen, and took 2 years out to have babies. the boys have wives for that.

shouldn't be like this but it is. i have to work harder to prove myself. sigh.

Well done em that's fantastic news , and you're right not to announce until after dsis's wedding, it can make for another celebration when they're back from honeymoon Wink

I emailed Sketchers with photos of ds's runners, even though it said that form was only for online purchases, I explained that I live far away from a sketchers store, 1.5 hour drive from nearest one. Success, I've to show proof of purchase & the email I just received when I'm next in store for an exchange. I happen to be going to a city with a store in two weeks time so this is perfect €60 to spend in Sketchers. I did buy ds shoes in the interim.

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BigSkies2022 · 27/03/2024 15:08

Em, congratulations on your excellent performance and commensurate rewards! Are bonuses/rises all very hush-hush where you are? This is one of the ways in which firms keep unfair differentials going! Enjoy the lovely weekend and your sister's wedding.

In the middle of horrible, filthy power-hosing job. God, it never gets any better. Sun is out again, so no excuse.

Unexpected spends (picked up by DH): DS is home from university and has been suffering some weird dermatitis all term. GP treated him, twice, for mites/scabies, no change. He was given some different cream on prescription and had just started that, when yesterday he came out in quite distinct blisters on his hands and feet. Dr Google suggests dyshidrotic eczema. Anyway, one of these blisters on the sole of his foot is large, painful and surrounded by an area of hot pulsing red infection. That boy needs antibiotics, and fast. Can't get registered here at his old GP, can't make contact with his GP in Leeds. So we've paid for a private GP consultation, £100 including any notes or meds.

DH still pondering the fancy and exciting job offer. I'm trying to maintain a respectful distance from the pondering process, but couldn't help remarking that a job which brought private medical insurance for him and Fam might come in handy in these circumstances..

Catering spends mounting, and will hit a peak at the butcher and vintners tomorrow. I feel myself moving towards a 'sod it' moment.

ememem84 · 27/03/2024 16:37

BigSkies2022 · 27/03/2024 15:08

Em, congratulations on your excellent performance and commensurate rewards! Are bonuses/rises all very hush-hush where you are? This is one of the ways in which firms keep unfair differentials going! Enjoy the lovely weekend and your sister's wedding.

In the middle of horrible, filthy power-hosing job. God, it never gets any better. Sun is out again, so no excuse.

Unexpected spends (picked up by DH): DS is home from university and has been suffering some weird dermatitis all term. GP treated him, twice, for mites/scabies, no change. He was given some different cream on prescription and had just started that, when yesterday he came out in quite distinct blisters on his hands and feet. Dr Google suggests dyshidrotic eczema. Anyway, one of these blisters on the sole of his foot is large, painful and surrounded by an area of hot pulsing red infection. That boy needs antibiotics, and fast. Can't get registered here at his old GP, can't make contact with his GP in Leeds. So we've paid for a private GP consultation, £100 including any notes or meds.

DH still pondering the fancy and exciting job offer. I'm trying to maintain a respectful distance from the pondering process, but couldn't help remarking that a job which brought private medical insurance for him and Fam might come in handy in these circumstances..

Catering spends mounting, and will hit a peak at the butcher and vintners tomorrow. I feel myself moving towards a 'sod it' moment.

Yes and no. We haven’t specifically been told not to discuss salaries. But no one does.

RumBananaSundae · 27/03/2024 19:16

Big whoop for the drugs em. And an even bigger one for the 16%. Well done.

That’s great about the shoes Happier.

I laughed at your ‘sod it’ comment Big. I’m nearly there. My bet is I’ve booked a France jaunt by the end of the weekend.

No spend day today. I sidestepped the N Peal sample sale so pleased with that. Left the office with five Easter eggs. No idea what I’ll do with them as I’m not really a chocolate fan and they usually sit in the cupboard for years before being thrown out.

ememem84 · 27/03/2024 20:29

big I love a power wash. I’m like a child and draw willies on the driveway with the hose. 🤣

lifelongfrugaleer · 27/03/2024 21:13

Nice one em

result on the trainers happier

food back for the Easter eggs. Break them up to bake with.

i love a good jet wash too.

lol at the sod it ikwym our food budget is away with the fairies

BigSkies2022 · 27/03/2024 22:43

Ooh, willies on the front path! Power-hosing just got more fun. I will finish up tomorrow, and draw a massive one, with nuts on.

DS now full of antibiotics and cheerful again, if limping slightly. GP told him to get back in touch with his usual GP, when he goes back to Leeds, and request a referral to a dermatologist. Strikes me that what people are missing about the NHS, is the sense of it being fast, flexible and responsive. DS spent 40 minutes trying to re-register with his former GP, and another 20 trying to get hold of his current practice in Leeds, before we said, look, we'll just get you into a consultation today, and pay for it.

ememem84 · 28/03/2024 06:39

Credit card paid off. Remainder of bonus money thrown into savings which I need a months notice to withdraw.

Chile1978 · 28/03/2024 09:34

Sorry to read and run - just taking off ✈️

Congrats @ememem84

Spends
£8.50 snacks/drinks at airport
£500 charity
£85 parking

Acc2
-814

Nellieinthebarn · 28/03/2024 14:10

NS today and yesterday, my pension has been paid in today, and there was a bit left over from February so I managed an extra £40 into the savings pot. Very pleased with this because this month we have been away for a week, I have bought easter bits for the DGC, a lamb joint for Sunday and some nice fruit and cream to make a pavlova, and I bought a coat that was reduced, some new jeans and a top, and a book for myself as well. So quite spendy, but also a bit savey too.

I haven't booked my car in for a new exhaust yet, I am waiting until my dear neighbour can have a look and a listen and tell me what I need, so I don't get ripped off. He is a retired mechanic, and an absolute love. He is a frugal strategy in himself.

needastrongoneagain · 28/03/2024 14:18

Enjoy @Chile1978

Well done Em, that's excellent news.

I can understand you getting a private consultation @BigSkies2022. Good news he seems to be feeling a bit better.

Our food budget is indeed away with the fairies too life and Big. Excellent news re reports for Dc.

Food bank donation point for the eggs @RumBananaSundae?

Good news re the Sketchers @Happierwithouthim!

Sometimes it's just better to pay someone @Pigtailsandall. I have to pay a gardener these days post DH's illness, and me being so restricted in being able to leave him alone to get stuck into it. It pains me, but is kept neat and tidy and one less thing to be stressed about.

Spends
£16 garden centre yesterday, a fleece for DH and a birthday card. Fleece was half price.
£5 coffees.
£150 Sainsbury's.
£40 various items from Amazon.

No big spend plans for Easter and the shop above included food and drink for folk coming round over the Bank Holiday.

Happierwithouthim · 28/03/2024 21:15

I went to ikea today & spent €41.25 and decathlon and spent €99 which included €39 between dd & dn's birthday presents

Other spends were plentiful left house at 7:15, just home now.

Got my car washed badly needed but the weathers just been awful.

OP posts:
lifelongfrugaleer · 29/03/2024 08:24

£££ on food. Payday yesterday so bank will look healthy until Tuesday

Happierwithouthim · 29/03/2024 12:38

Nice Easter weekend planned life or just food prices gone mad Hmm

No maintenance in today, I'm assuming it's because of bank holiday & banking issue so I'll leave it be a while before I mention it to ex

€112 on stuff from IKEA last night including €15 delivery charge could have purchased them instore but ds wasn't having it, he doesn't like pressure. Saves me buying him new storage so I'm semi ok with it Grin

Dinner out for my voluntary work this eve, will be reimbursed. Think I'll do expense claim every six months.

€30 on breakfast & charging leads for dc yesterday
€47 on dinner, dd's first time ordering from adult menu Shock, restaurant was a new one to me too, just off motorway. O'Gorman's in Portlaoise for any Irish lurkers or TaytoCrisps, it was fabulous, tip when they ask for mild/med/spicy say mild, med was very spicy to me and I like spicy food. They've a varied menu so not just Chinese/Thai food and service was super quick.

€9.60 on return journey snacks
€7.80 on two small pieces of rocky road
There was no lunch out though so spends were reasonable.

€6 on 28 pack of persil pods on special offer, random purchase, I usually use powder. My repair guy says it's better for machine.

Need to go to chemist and get UDOs Choice Super 8's, I've had tummy issues for a few weeks, dd had vomiting bug last week and ds diarrhoea yesterday.

OP posts:
lifelongfrugaleer · 29/03/2024 13:23

Just food in general. Stocking up for school holidays

northender · 29/03/2024 15:46

Well done on the pay rise Em hope you're feeling better and your sister's wedding goes well
Bigskies it makes me so cross that you have to pay out for private GP but don't blame you at all.
It's going to be a fairly low key Easter weekend here I think. We went to the pub for pizza last night which was the last day of a deal so £50 for 4 of us (drinks too)
I've made sourdough hot cross buns this morning which have gone down well
Fish pie & cottage pie for tea, leftovers to be frozen for tea one night next week
£90 grocery shop but that should do us until we go to Paris on Thursday. It included some treats like smoked salmon. I'm doing a big roast on Sunday so still need the meat.
Had a body composition scan yesterday which was the last of my 3 month gym challenge. It has been really good & I've reduced my body fat by 3kg and my metabolic age by 4 years. Just need to keep the momentum going now. Went for a run this morning which was good, gym class tomorrow morning.

RumBananaSundae · 29/03/2024 16:43

Glad your son is on the mend Big. I cross my fingers about medical and dental these days.

Have a grand time away Chile.

Spending yesterday was £240 to Eurostar. I didn’t last very long. And 16€ for a ticket to the VR impressionists thing at the Orsay. Today I’ve been to Lidl, Poundland and Asda and spent £14.06.

Having a quiet day. Might take a stroll later. Not doing anything on my to do list. Tomorrow I’m meant to be meeting Flakey. Haven’t made any plans yet.

Happierwithouthim · 29/03/2024 20:38

north fantastic result from gym work well done. Keep her lit as they say!

Rum are you uk based visiting France a lot or are you French & returning home? I Lol'd at flakey Grin

I forgot I spent €39 on diesel yesterday until I spent €47 today Grin
Collected my treat from my fuel card got March which was a bottle of water & either a Kit Kat chunky or a prodigy protein bar which was the choice I made, it was to mimic a snickers it was delicious and I would chose it over a snickers. I must check label for calories because I enjoyed it. Value of treats €4 approx

€14.50 dinner will be expensed
€17 charging cable
€22 toiletries Aldi

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Happierwithouthim · 29/03/2024 21:53

Ex text to see did money arrive in my account he'd noticed that it hadn't left his.
Wonders will never cease

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ememem84 · 30/03/2024 07:19

It’s wedding day!!

the dc are up and about already so it’s going to be a long day.

lifelongfrugaleer · 30/03/2024 07:52

Well done north ace results

wonders indeed happier

have a good day em. Hope the weather holds

Timetoswitch · 30/03/2024 08:51

I hope your sister and family have a lovely day em

I’m waiting for your update on flakey friend rum 🙂

Attempting to have a low spend weekend. DH did the big shop on Thursday, but the small list of things to get today of forgotten bits keeps on growing. Booked us all in to see Wonka at the cinema, as it’s the kids club. Dmum coming round for lunch tomorrow.

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