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Cost of living

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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:
Thread gallery
25
lifelongfrugaleer · 15/06/2024 07:45

And gcse are done. We survived mostly unscathed.
Now I might get some time back to be frugal

Gensola · 15/06/2024 08:59

fell off thread again! Had a final surgery on my leg this week, at home recovering.

Frugal fail as was up all night the day of the surgery, combo of pain and meds made it impossible to sleep so I shopped online all night 😂

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 15/06/2024 10:18

I've managed to have a fairly low spend week, the dog had his annual haircut for the summer which was £40 but my mum kindly paid for that.

Don't think I've had any other spends 😇

I've also heard from an insurance company re a policy that I took out 15 years ago. It was a 15 year life insurance policy and the deal was if I didn't die at the end of the 15 years I get all my contributions back, looks like it will be around £2700 😃 so I'm really happy about that (or will be when I get the money!)

My plan is to save some and spend some on the Paris trip (planned for September.) I'm hoping to get the money before our Devon holiday as I could do with some new clothes.

Where do 45yo women buy clothes from these days that aren't frumpy but are also not really expensive?!

Got my dad and his wife coming for lunch tomorrow for Father's Day so need to do some shopping today.

Nellieinthebarn · 15/06/2024 11:39

Phew just got back from shopping, I remember now why I don't do Saturdays! Only £57, mostly because I lost patience waiting to get to the shelves, and forgot to go back for the meat I was planning on buying. I could kick myself. So its mostly veggie dinners this week, I might go to the co-op for a packet of sausages.

@Girliefriendlikespuppies NIce one for the unexpected bonus, that's brilliant. I got some bits off ebay Whitestuff outlet last week, but I cannot guarantee they aren't frumpy as I've got the stage of having no more fucks to give. They are however, good quality and comfortable. So on reflection, almost sure to be frumpy.

workworkwork123 · 15/06/2024 12:03

Can I join please? Really need to rein in on my outgoings and the amount of pointless spends, I went over my outgoings for last month and it was shocking home many small contactless payments we've made and it's added up! And my shopping bill is out of control so I need to get organised, I'm not great at meal planning but my cupboards are over flowing so todays aim is to go through them have a sort out and then do a list of what small bits we need to complete a meal

Happierwithouthim · 15/06/2024 13:00

My fixed rate mortgage is up so my payment will be an extra €222 for July, I've been trying to sort out a switch since February through same brokers I used for initial mortgage. Late last month I contacted my own bank, and yesterday got AIP for switch including €30k topup for my extension for an extra €183 per month, €39 less per month for an extra €30k.
Its 2% cash back payable 40 days after draw down so this will cover solicitors expenses plus a bit extra I think

I follow Eoin McGee on Instagram and he does question box on Sat, leave existing pension and start afresh with new work is his advice so I'm going to do that.

Frugal win
Scuff mark on suede adidas in sports direct they hadn't another pair in my size mentioned at till, got 20% disc.
Dd14 is now a size 9 in runners so limited options, she got asics in elverys which were on sale & I picked up a lovely light pair of walking boots for myself for €35.

Girlie that's great about policy payout enjoy!
Gen nighttime shopping is deadly Grin

OP posts:
Happierwithouthim · 15/06/2024 13:01

@workworkwork123 welcome
Can you identify what kind of stuff the contactless payments were for?

OP posts:
2024Hackathon · 15/06/2024 14:15

Still being frugal with a majority of days NSDs although I did need another pair of cycling shorts as the ones I have weren't drying overnight in this dismal June.

I'm trying not to think this is related but DH wrecked his wetsuit by leaving it wet and crumpled so it went mouldy and it's now leaking. He managed to tear the staircase wallpaper in several areas (long, wide scratches and tears) because he carried the laundry basket downstairs yesterday. It's not repairable so I need to live with it or think about redecorating.

It occasionally feels like I'm living with a 5th columnist saboteur.

Happierwithouthim · 15/06/2024 15:54

Hack he sounds very careless!

€19.90 lunch out with ds while dd met her friends to go around the shops
Thurs I had lunch out with dd €30 while ds was out getting his haircut with his father

€13 book, cards & gifts for Father's Day from ds
€32 Pepco on outfit for d niece & random stuff as you do
€3.20 parking
Handful change to bucket collection

OP posts:
Girliefriendlikespuppies · 15/06/2024 17:15

Nellie I like whitestuff I'll have a look.

Happier ugh re the mortgage payments going up. I'm dreading next mortgage review.

Hack it's shit like that that makes me glad I'm single, that would completely do my head in.

Spendy day £74 in Morrisons- got a lot for that though.

£30 on new bedding in dun elm, it's my last splurge to finish my bedroom off.

£16 dog food.

Do you think cooking my dad and his wife lunch is enough of a 'present' for Father's Day? I've got him a card but not sure if I should get a gift as well. Father's Day is two weeks on from his bday so it always feels a bit soon to buying him more stuff 😬

BigSkies2022 · 15/06/2024 18:13

Girlie - my current go-to brands are COS, Zara and Massimo Dutti. Russell & Bromley good for shoes/loafers, John Lewis AnyDay do a nice line in those sturdy Chelsea boot styles. I'm still Adidas for trainers (90's). Trinny's Closet Confessions on YouTube are good fun - she's my age and I find her way of putting together outfits and making your wardrobe work a bit harder quite helpful. I'm old enough to laugh off her Notting Hill posh bird schtick now.

This time next week we'll be in the Loire, hopefully on a boat puttering down the river and working out where to eat dinner.

This week's expenditure mostly about DS and his birthday. I have given him money, and taken us (me, DH, DS) out to dinner and to see The Matrix. Dinner was great, the movie...well, let's just say I don't get the fuss. DH bought him a new suit (Hugo Boss sale - yes, I was surprised too) and some shirts as he'd grown out of his existing smart threads and needs some for a wedding tomorrow, and more generally, for life.

Next few days all about packing, stocking the fridge and pantry so DS doesn't spend all his money on crap takeaway while we're away and getting various holiday jaunts booked and lined up.

lifelongfrugaleer · 15/06/2024 19:37

£15 scouts fundraiser bits
£105 post gcse meal
£130 food shop

yeah on the payout girlie
Great you got the extra money and the slightly lower payment happier

gws gen. Step away from late night shopping
enjoy en France

workworkwork123 · 15/06/2024 20:12

Happierwithouthim · 15/06/2024 13:01

@workworkwork123 welcome
Can you identify what kind of stuff the contactless payments were for?

Thank you!

Yeh it's all just wasteful spends, I'm sure we're keeping the local corner shop in business then things like I popped to b&m for some fabric softener but seemed to spend £33 and then in the garage I got petrol but got extras like a drink or costa so that's all stopping!

Happierwithouthim · 16/06/2024 17:49

I need to pit this back into operation myself but one weekly shop getting everything and staying out of the shops is a game changer. Allowing for all eventualities such as snacks drinks even the odd ready meal is key, milk in the freezer ditto bread or else change for these things only when you do go.

I went to pepco on Sat serum for my hair razors for bf roofing powder it all adds up

Giving dc pocket money helped too because it eliminates can I get x y or z

€56.22 dunnes click & collect today, I'll need to get sardines for cats & dogs before I head to New York on Sunday

OP posts:
Donkeysdontdance · 16/06/2024 20:04

@Happierwithouthim new York how exciting
nsd yesterday and today.

Nellieinthebarn · 16/06/2024 20:13

As well as what Happier said some things I found helpful was meal planning, but I only do the main meals. Breakfast is usually toast and eggs or porridge, and lunch is sandwiches, salads, soups or leftovers. I plan and shop for 7 main meals, and then try to make 10 meals by doing things that are made from store cupboard items or bits and bobs. Things like pasta with tomato and vegetable sauce, mac and cheese, homemade pizza or omelettes. Doing this means I can sometimes get away with 3 shopping trips a month rather than 4, or even 5 on a 31 day month like May was.

Another thing I do is cook double of things like spag bol sauce or casserole, this way I'm more likely to have something quick to defrost on days I don't want to cook, it helps prevent the takeaway temptation. Not completely, but it helps.

I rarely have a coffee out, or buy food out, but sometimes I still do this and have other small treats. I find that it's easy to become so bogged down with saving money and this makes me resentful. I start thinking 'Sod it all, what's the bloody point, I'm really miserable.' and go on an Amazon spree.

For me its like an over strict diet, I start out ok, but then break out and eat my own weight in jaffa cakes because I'm feeling deprived.

Chile1978 · 17/06/2024 09:35

@lifelongfrugaleer well done! And now everybody breathe and relax 😌

@Gensola good luck with the recovery 💐

@Girliefriendlikespuppies I like uniqlo for unfussy basics and a few colourful bits. Or autograph m&s for staples like tailored linen trousers etc. But I'm not fashionable! Having gone up a few sizes since kids I tend to stick to plainer items.
Great news on the policy refund! 💰

@workworkwork123 welcome

@Nellieinthebarn sounds all very organised and that you've got a system that works for you

@BigSkies2022 bon voyage 🌞

Sorry to anyone I've missed.

Frugajobs : wfh today so get washing on the line; £185 switch bonus in - £100 will be donated to charity and £85 to either dd2 party or overpayment to cc1, will now look for any other switch bonuses; budget has gone a bit pear shaped this month and not overly sure why but don't have the time currently to go back through it.

workworkwork123 · 17/06/2024 10:24

Thank you, I need to invest in some tubs to freeze extra portions that would make my life easier.

I had a low spend day yesterday only £1.80 because we needed some squash and my food shop isn't due until tomorrow. I found out my flask for work today so took a coffee to avoid costa.

I'm tempted to go to Costco and do a bulk shop of things we use often to try keep my weekly shop down but not sure if I'll just get sucked into buying more then what I would and then spend more

Chile1978 · 17/06/2024 11:38

Frugajobs: washing is out 👏 new switch applied for 👏 closed another savings account - was a natwest instant saver only offering 1.74% amd didn't have anything in it anyway as moved most savings over to chase.

Having an early lunch as hungry! 🍽 Huevos rancheros.

@workworkwork123 we stopped going to Costco as the savings weren't worth the extra money we spent on unnecessary things. Do you have a friend that has membership that maybe you could go with once every 4months? We try and go with a friend at the beginning of December and stock up on a few things and any Christmas offers.

Chile1978 · 17/06/2024 12:01

Also got the 2 x £10 gift cards for the sim network referral through which should part pay for some of the party food.

RumBananaSundae · 17/06/2024 14:21

I fell off the thread. Apologies to all for not keeping up. Will go back and catch up.

Spending has been somewhat wayward. Work is pants and the thing that shall not be named is about to ramp up so all round a tad stressful. Had an impromptu jaunt to France last week to help relax. It worked while I was there.

I will be saving a bit as my trainer is moving gyms and I don’t think I’ll get another. I won’t be saving that much but better saved than spent. Feel I might need to spend the saved money on a new fridge. Mine sounds like it’s about to take off.

marthasmum · 18/06/2024 21:36

Hello everyone, good to hear everyone’s news.
Welcome to the thread work. Like chile, I think going to Costco every few months is probably optimal, and for very specific things. I tried what you’re suggesting and found I just ended up spending more. In fact I’ve come to the boring realisation that like happier said, one weekly food shop is best. I’ve tried to mix it up going to various places like the Company shop and a local wholesaler, but in the end I just end up spending more. A weekly shop in one place is more boring (I like variety in my food shop!) but cuts down the opportunity for buying extra novelty stuff.

something else I’ve realised, which might be an oddity for me and not work for others. The more complex my budget is, the better it works for me. For example I’m now paying for supermarket shop out of one place and butcher, veg and milk delivery from another. Having a very specific target for my money is better for me, otherwise I ‘cheat’ by working out a budget for different things and then overspending and trying to borrow off against something else. Don’t know if that makes sense but it’s helped me realise how I ‘work’ financially.

I recently did a job I’ve been putting off for ages and created a ‘death list’ for DP of where all the money goes, what each account is for, what all the account access codes are etc. it will blow his mind as if he was doing the finances I think he would just have one account with all the money coming out of it. I have about 15 inc current accounts, savings pots etc 😂

TheOnlyMrsW · 19/06/2024 16:06

Can I join you all please? I've been lurking for what feels like years, but need to come out of the closet and be much more frugal. A house move with renovations that were much more expensive than budgeted for has left us with a couple of big debts to pay off. I've pulled together a plan to do it hopefully by the end of 2026 but it will be a massive slog, currently doing a mass Vinted listing and boxing up some stuff for Music Magpie to try and boost the coffers a little so we have some treat money for the summer.
DD is off to uni in September as well assuming grades come in ok - she should be ok for accomodation through student loan and has enough saved from working to cover living costs for the first year but there will be extra spends there too................we supported DSS1 & DSS2 so feel that we should give DD the same, luckily they're just finishing so they're not all there at once!

workworkwork123 · 19/06/2024 16:46

Thank you @Chile1978 and @marthasmum I think I'll give Costco a miss for a little while and see how I get on.

I did a strict meal plan and sort through the cupboards and freeze and I was surprised at how much I had in there so I done an online shop spent £146 but hoping to drag that out as long as possible and have money aside for top up fruit and veg as needed!

I've had a NSD day today

workworkwork123 · 19/06/2024 16:49

I'm also debaiting buying a offer for a trip to the zoo return for 12m free offer for the summer holidays, it would cost around £80 but thinking it could be a weekly trip with a picnic to get the kids out but keeping costs down