Amigos actively attempting austere actions August 24>

[Happierwithouthim]

Link to last thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/cost_of_living/5007277-familiar-friends-in-frugalityfeb-24?latest=1

All welcome, the vibe is frugal life to make the things that matter possible, which is different for everyone, some of us have overcome debt, separations etc. All are friendly and we're sometimes chatty, sometimes quiet.

Don't lurk, join in

Good luck getting an appointment. We get redirected to 111 off there are non left

Lost track of the thread so place marking again!

Nothing spent today but need to call at the local shop later for washing up liquid! Cupboards are bare so it's dhal for tea but I've managed to eke out 8 days rather than 7 for an online shop.

NSD, had a dinner concocted from leftovers from last weeks planned meals. I made a thick cheese and onion sauce, (cheese left over from when we went on holiday and I froze it grated) with a slice of ham chopped up (ham egg and chips on Monday) made pastie type things with leftover pastry (chicken and mushroom pie on Tuesday) and the hammy sauce. We had it with sauteed potatoes, carrots and broccoli. It was really nice, it might become an on purpose meal.

Tomorrow we are having lentil, squash and mushroom curry, (Sundays traybake, and Tuesdays pie filling) with rice and I might make some flat bread.

I'm leaving the big shop as long as possible.

We're in Paris!!

Have spent £££ but had a good trip, it's flown by and we come home tomorrow.

We've done: The Eiffel Tower, Disneyland and the Louvre museum over the three days so feel like we've ticked most of the Paris boxes.

Have spent in the region of £600 though 😳 mostly of getting into places and food. Last night we got a MacDs to save a bit of money. I've kept some euros back to buy dinner tonight.

Found an amazing free museum (Petit palace) on Tuesday which we walked to from the Eiffel Tower, both dd and I really liked it.

Disneyland was fun but very busy and I feel a small sense of relief that I don't ever have to go to an amusement park again now dd is 18!!

Did the Louvre Museum today, saw Mona Lisa and a million other artworks. We ended up spending about 5 hours there - it's huge!!

Absolutely knackered now but it's a been a good trip and a lovely thing to do with dd who has also really enjoyed it.

The rest of this month is going to be v v tight though 😬

Sounds fantastic, well worth the money!

Sounds like ££&& well spent girlie

Curry sounds good nellie

My lemon and cardamom dhal is smelling good.

Holiday sounds fab girlie

£15 local shop. Wine, washing up liquid, homemade bhajis.

Some nice meals on here 😋

Paris sounds amazing girlie

After a good start, from Wednesday tea time, it's been a bit more spendy

£30 takeaway last night. Was lovely and a rare treat. Leftovers for tea tonight.
£13.84 coop.

Today
£25 lunch in a coffee shop with DH
£27 DH dentist
£65.76 Lidl, used the 10% off from the Lidl Plus app plus a free baguette. Saved over £8.
£8.50 tickets for pick your own pumpkin event at local farm shop in October. 🎃 Was good day out for DD and our friends last year and I ended up making pumpkin pie from the puree.

I think my household and grocery spending is back on track, likely thanks to the thread! I'll know on the 24th when the credit card bill is added up. I pay it off every month and it helps me keep a track on spending.

Just catching up on the thread. Hope ovens, cars and DH's are all fixed now!

Paris sounds amazing Girlie, glad you had a great time.

Been a fairly low spend week, just bus and train fares and some salmon for the kid's tea tonight as I thought I had some in the freezer but didn't. Need to get some new PE trainers for DC2 but will probably head to Decathlon for those as they're pretty reasonable. Though now need to find £300 for a school trip for DC1 😬

Thank you for good wishes about DH, he is recovering but it's knocked his confidence a bit.

Our main expenditure last month and this was the hotel stay to facilitate the logistics of his treatment. We may need to do that again later this month or next month, depending on the reports. Our savings are taking a knock at present but, without being reckless about it, that's what they're for.

That's exactly what savings are for Hack, hope your DH is recovering a little more today.

£250 Ocado but we've guests twice this weekend and that included a nice bottle of whiskey for a birthday, that'll come from a different 'pot'.

Our big spend this month is hopefully the last one we will need to spend on the house for a while, replacing the fence between ours and neighbours house. £1700. The payback for having a very big garden I guess.. concrete posts this time so hopefully will last indefinitely. You can tell the house is 13 years old now - things need doing that didn't!

Up until today, I had managed four NSDs but I have chipped into GDs Brownie Uniform and got one or two Christmas Bits too. 👀Picked up some DIY bits for DH but he's been spending money too today - at the dentist. So will need to tally it all up. But I will consider it being a low spend day in the grand scheme of things. Particularly as the window cleaner didn't turn up!!
Freezer is being run down as GKs opening the Freezer door looking for ice lollies has caused a build up of ice. So we are into weird and wonderful meals once again. But hopefully will be able to defrost in good time before placing a meat order and visiting Iceland at some point. It would have needed doing before Christmas anyway - so now is a good a time as any!
The shed is finished - all bar some painting to be done by DH. We are gradually sorting/decluttering the patio, green house and 'his den' which houses all his pond gear and tools.
Also been to the tip this week to get rid of some rubbish - can actually see some clear spaces now. 🤗 Progress is being made despite the weather!. 🌂

Sorry about work Sorting.

I'm rather enjoying my concoction eating Nellie. Though I’m having to restrain myself from replacing the leftovers I’m trying to finish.

Glad you had a good trip Girlie. Paris is worth every penny (or cent).

Lemon and cardamom dhal sounds good need.

Bit of a mixed week. Tuesday was £69 booking a podiatrist appointment and £3.39 on the TGTG bag. Wednesday was a NSD. Yesterday was the hotel for France and £2.59 on a TGTG. Today has been a NSD.

This week is cauliflowers and sweet potatoes in Lidl’s pick of the week so will take a trip there tomorrow. Meant to be meeting up with flakey this weekend. Not heard from the solicitor. Trying to not think about it. Will distract myself with Paris planning.

Thanks @RumBananaSundae . Today was last 6 September I’ll work there. Countdown in progress

@Girliefriendlikespuppies im so pleased you’ve had a lovely time! Xxxx

kids went back to school like a dream. Phew.

I’ve had a chilled few days.

did food shop £191 Waitrose on thurs
baked things yesterday (bagels) and went to Pilates.

fils gf has raised her head again. I’m being “unfair” apparently not letting her go to my appointments. Apparently she “does” the medical appointments in the family. This is the first time I’ve been accepted by her as family. So I asked why now? Why is she now interested?! No answer. Dick.
shes “demanded” a copy of my diagnosis letter and wants access to my medical records. Just in case. She got me a LPA form. No.

dh mentioned to fil that genetic testing is happening and she’s done me a list of people she knows who have had cancer. Some dhs family. Some hers. Bear in mind she’s no blood relative.

Oh still a fucking crank then em. Err fuck off is the appropriate answer to all of that

agreed that’s what savings are for hack

good attitude sorting. Don’t let the bastards…….

rum❤️

Jeez Em, that's bad enough from family never mind that far removed from you!! I wouldn't engage further in truth.

Glad you had fun girlie

I need to defrost my freezer but can't get motivated to do so.

Any ideas re cauliflower rum?

Early spends this morning

£150 Warhammer voucher for DS birthday as his main present. He's been a rock these last two years, gives a lot, asks for nothing. Worth every penny.
£40 rare takeout with friends last night.
£50 yearly subscription to media stick thing.

Doubt I'll spend much else this weekend unless I find holiday clothes on Vinted. I have a present 'pot' that now needs topping up.

Cauliflower recipe @needastrongoneagain

https://pin.it/mDvZ6mE72

jve made this one and it’s delish.

yep she’s an absolute crank. But whatever. She knows best allegedly. DH has told her to back off.

what she has been doing is showering the kids with sympathy. Because mummy has cancer. Ds asked what cancer was.

I’ve not shied away from using the word cancer around them. They have no negativity towards it. It doesn’t scare them like it might an older kid. But it’s the way it’s being turned negative that’s annoying DH and me if that makes sense.

im all “oh yeah I have cancer” casual as if I have a cold. Because that’s the way I need to deal with it. She’s all “oh you poor children your mummy’s a cancer victim”

I’ve been called brave for having treatment (why wouldn’t I have treatment when it’s curable?!) I’ve been called vain for trying to save my hair (if there’s a chance I can why wouldn’t I?! I’m fully prepared for it to go though) she’s suggested I’m not taking the “c word” seriously enough. Because I’m honest and upbeat and feeling good.

But whatever. She’s an idiot. Mil (who my relationship has improved with massively over the last couple of years) is so supportive. She’s taken it upon herself to be the “night shift” and to be available if I want to talk to someone middle of the night. Because of the 13hr time difference between us and NZ this works for her! And she’s said if we need help with anything she’ll be here.

em - she sounds like a ghoul never mind a crank! Who on earth is she to interfere in the way you've decided to handle your cancer and current circumstances with your children. As for access to your records, the LPA etc.…

I'm going to text DH to look at the cauliflowers when he's in Lidl because your recipe looks good.

There’s a reason I refer to her as the “misery” @2024Hackathon

the recipe is yum. My kids eat it.

can obvs sub the cauliflower for any other veggie. But butter caulk curry is a win here.

Frugal win. The apple trees at the stables are laden with cooking apples. So I picked a huge bag. Promised my instructor and her dad (who’s trees they actually are) that the apples will come back in pie and jam form.

Bloody hell em it's like she's read the book on how to be a dick when someone has cancer and followed it to the letter 🙄

We're home, the journey home was not great, 3 hour delay on the flight which meant we missed our bus and had to rebook another one. We got home around midnight when originally it should have been about 8pm!

Anyway it was a good trip overall but it's nice to be home, the dog was delighted to see us (he's been staying with my mum!)

I've moved a bit more money out of savings to get us through the rest of the month.

Today I've spent £16 on a necklace for my best friends bday (it's personalised and was in the sale on Etsy) and am about to do a big shop in Aldi as fridge is empty.

I also need to pay for my Pilates class which is £56 for 7 classes.

I'm very tired today so am factoring in a nap after Aldi 😂

Ah bless mil em. Glad she’s still being ok.
I’d be furious with gf.

Boo to the delay girlie. Pleased you enjoyed it though.

Gosh, what a nightmare @ememem84 glad to hear your mil is being supportive and you have a better relationship

@Girliefriendlikespuppies hopefully you can claim some compensation- I think mse has a template email for flight delays

Absolutely horrendous work week coming up, really not looking forward to it (and seem to have some low level virus). Seen family for last bbq (in the rain 🌧!) So £140 spent on food.
Doing some batch cooking too - use the leftovers for a big mixed meat bean stew low and slow. Will try and store in lunch sized portions to take into work.

Avoided spends : didn't get a takeaway on Fri, and cooked some leftovers into a curry instead.

Sunday! Hooray!

@Girliefriendlikespuppies she seems to really like being involved with sick people if that makes sense. She’s also a terrible gossip. So this meant DH could tell his dad anything until I’d told my parents. Because although they were in France with minimal mobile signal at their place they would have got a text from someone who had found out from her.

anyway. We move on.

another frugal win for me yesterday. I had bags of stuff to take to the charity shop. Then had a wander inside. I found a couple of le creuset baking dish for £2 each. So obvs snapped these up. Perfect condition. One needs a bit of a scrub on the outside but nothing I can’t do. I suspect someone mislabelled them.

watxhed Beethoven with the kids last night. I’d forgotten a) how lovely the movie is and b) how many famous people were in it. Stanley tucci?!

dparenrs are coming up for coffee and croissant in a bit. Best get the oven on! (For the frozen Waitrose croissants - I do not bake my own)