Significant Summer Saving, significantly less spending, super (non) splurging. Frugal folk continue being frugal here. All welcome.

[needastrongoneagain]

Making a new thread!

Please check in regular posters and welcome new people.

This is a super friendly thread to contribute to. We are all wanting to be as efficient as possible re spending but all have different budgets and priorities. No judgement here.

NSD (no spend day) for me.

Dd1 has ordered MJ from Med Express ,starting dose 2.5mgs £108 we paid . Aldi £9 for Quorn nuggets .
Been Raining here all night and all day so far . Hopefully it stops so l can put the washing out later

@MaryGreenhill let DD know you can swap suppliers every month. That’s what I’ve done so far. Mine was £99 for the 5mg this week. Use monj.co.uk for the list of retailers and prices 🙂

Oh thank you so much @PearlsPearl . I will have a good look at that now ❤️

NSD yesterday and goal is same for today. I did pay Ddog’s travel health certificate out of joint account yesterday -£234, thank you Brexit- but that has been planned for.

More ferrying of Olds today, but it’s a party rather than a hospital appointment, so more fun.

Another quiet weekend ahead:planning to tidy the garden ahead of our trip. Hoping if I deadhead, stake, weed and mulch now we won’t return to too much mess. DS is going to deal with the woodworm in the garage for us, so I will be helping him clear it out first.

nice weather here, have a good day everyone!

Were on a hunt for topsy and Tim books today so there will be a small spend.
Been to the bakery for some cottage pie for dinner and some veggies accidentally brought scones and a sausage roll £18.
Brought a new water bottle for work I'm on the hunt for a bottle that just works I find it hard to find a water bottle that works, odd I know. £3 Asda.

NSD for me today yay!
Did buy home ins for my Mum's house but it was her money not mine thankfully.
Went through the price comparison sites but the original quote was the best unbelievably!

Some of you may remember me and others may need an introduction. I was a regular on these threads for a few years. I got busy with life (well, busier than normal) and wanted a break from thinking/posting about money constantly. I've been around though and you've probably seen me pop up on other threads.

I'm separated a few years now. It took a few years (and a lot of hassle with banks and solicitors) but I finally transferred my mortgage into my sole name.

DD is 20 and entering her final year in college. She will probably go on to do a Masters, but I'm told a Masters costs in the region of €10k. Not quite sure where we're going to come up with €10k. DD may need to take a year or two out and work to fund it. Or she may take time out and go travelling for a year or two - who knows? She passed her driving test earlier in the year. We're sharing my car, which isn't going particularly well. We have the money to buy a car for her (second hand car, obviously) but she asked if she could hold off until she finishes college. She's mindful of the cost of insurance and petrol and maintenance and NCT etc.

Earlier this year I set up a dedicated Christmas fund.

I've also set up a high interest (but secure) savings account for a big holiday I'm planning. The account can only be accessed once a year. I'm setting up a Standing Order, so the payment automatically leaves my bank account on the 1st of each month. Isn't technology great? . I don't have to remember to call in and lodge my payment each month.

My child maintenance payments will probably stop once DD finishes college in 2026. I'll miss the money, but I'll be glad to sever that tie with my Ex.

I need to consider a health insurance policy.

I also need to consider a meeting with a pensions expert. But I suspect they'll tell me that I should be paying more money into my pension/AVC. So I might hold off and do that in the new year.

I need to revise my monthly budget to factor in the holiday payments each month. I'll probably need to trim my spending a bit. I'm guilty of the following:-

• thinking I deserve a treat because I work so hard. Like nobody else works hard! <rolls eyes at self>

• take aways because I'm tired/stressed/couldn't be arsed cooking

• failure to plan/remember to do things. Stuff like, I discovered a plate of turkey leftovers in the fridge earlier which I forgot to put in the freezer. It's in the fridge a few days now and I'll have to chuck it

So I may need your help to keep on the straight and narrow.

Hope all is good with you guys. I look forward to catching up with those of you I know and I look forward to meeting the new frugaleers.

Hi @Taytocrisps think I remember you from circa 2023 but I didn't post much then disappeared (plus I've likely named changed) good to hear your update and plans. I also need to sit down with a financial advisor once I'm back from holiday!

@MaryGreenhill hope the rain stops soon and good luck to your DD with the MJ (if I read that correctly)

Last two days:
£46 Tapas for me and DH
£27 Japanese for me and DD
£4 Primark sale for 3 x vest todays (DH holiday clothes sorted!)
£15.99 tailors as I had some Gap linen trousers take in. They were only £10 on Vinted and it means a perfect fit.
£56 Asda. Really busy week so I did a click and collect to avoid my usual Lidl shop
Payment came out for hotel next week which I think is very spendy but it will be worth it! Fly in a weeks time.

Wow @BigSkies2022 on the dear dog. Completely worth it though, they are our babies. And I bet your garden looks fab!!
Welcome back @Taytocrisps !!! I hear you on the treats and takeouts....
@ChipshopPickledEgg I hate it when I go shopping for salad and a donut jumps into my cart... Yummy though!

£2 on parking
£6.75 on wine (it's been one of those days, I didn't think it would end at one point)
£6 something on tea and coffee in pret. OH was going to buy but was busy chasing DD through shopping mall so.... (Hence the wine)
Really desperate for some NSD. Thank you for all the advice everyone on summer holiday spending. I've come up with a plan for next year after reading all that you do 😁

On the plus side, I seem to have decluttered about two bin bags full of books and clothes and will put on vinted this weekend. One cook book I had twice and never read either. Sigh.

Evening all. Hello @Taytocrisps.

a shocking £196 on Tesco today for an impromptu Home Group BBQ tomorrow. Really looking forwards to it but blimey o Riley food is going up exponentially. That did include 6 bottles of wine but since when did 3 tubs of olives go on offer for £8 at Tesco?! Can fund it out of my social category in YNAb, there will be 21 of us and I reckon a good two days of leftovers so not all bad

6.99 on doughnuts for the kids as I was tired and grumpy and said yes when I meant know.

Welcome back tayto

food is so expensive. It’s our biggest I think

£37 Iceland but 13 of that will get back from mil
£115 Sainsbury’s
£49 gusto
£71 horse supplies and rug cleaning
£61 winter duvet washing

spendy and some of them are annual expenses so will come from that pot

treat day out to Whitby today £40 fishing trip £?? Chippy

NSD for me on Thursday but a spendy day yesterday.

£14 TK Maxx on candle and a perfect plant pot (been looking for the perfect one for ages)
£2 library sale (3 books; also borrowed 5!)
£2.95 Greggs lunch
£4.40 car parking
£14 on two cards and a small ornament
£34 Tesco shop
£13.50 two packs of beer (one is a present)
£20 Hobbycraft (only called in for some cord to hang my crystals!! Ended up buying gift bags, tape and some cute pumpkins)
£1.75 charity shop on a bowl for the pumpkins
£4 charity shop book (I can see I have a book problem…..)

Planning a NSD today except for airport parking fee (picking someone up)

Should be NSD for next few days.

I’ve also booked a cruise for 2027 but managed to move a deposit from a different cruise so no extra charge.

NSD yesterday, planning the same today. Excellent party at the care home yesterday- great food, drinks, a magician and a live singer doing some C&W classics. Everyone in good form!

Ddog very itchy- think it’s allergies. Taking him to vet on Monday as I really don’t want a restless, itchy, miserable dog for our holiday. More expense, sigh.

Ok, this garden won’t tidy itself. Have a good day y’all.

Welcome (back) Tayto. Sounds like you've got good plans on the go there. I joined this group in Feb, I think it was, with an absolute financial mess. I'm doing much better now thanks to the gang here 😊

£20 on a Chinese yesterday, was planning an NSD today but we're going to the cinema (free, have a paid for yearly pass) and DW will definitely want an ice cream! So £4ish.

Afternoon everyone 😊
Hope your Saturday and your weather has been kind to you 😊
Beautiful here 😍
Food shop today
Aldi £75
Morrisons £13

Welcome back Tayto.
l remember you 😊
Oh @chimichangaz so exciting 😊
AHH thank you @Mochi1fudge she can't wait to start it but it takes a while to come of course 😁
Hope Ddog is ok @BigSkies2022 poor little thing 😍

Happy weekend all!
NSD here finally. Hoping for a few more of these too. I don't need anything so all good.
Although OH did chuck away my body lotion (!?)
And broke my garden bench (!?) so will have to rebuy these, although lotion can be put on lidl shopping list and bench can be saved for.

You can never have a book problem. There is no such thing as too many books in my eyes!!

Hi tayto I've seen your name floating on other threads and always loved your name.
Desperately need to stop spending so much money!

@MaryGreenhill yes my cruise is exciting!! It’s a reunion with two women I met on a cruise in 2023 😊 (we’ve already had one reunion cruise and we meet up regularly online!)

@Frugal25 great minds - one of my favourite ever things is a trip to a bookshop or the library 😊

Aw @chimichangaz that's so lovely for you to all go together it sounds just fabulous 😍

Hi,
Had a ls few days, but if the holiday at my parents. We went for lunch in one cafe otherwise my dad bought days out and ice-cream, provided meals and we took picnic with us.
Just thinking about our upcoming outgoings.

£150 w doses of chicken pox.vaccine.for our 2 year old. I've been keen on this vaccine and finally got DH onboard. Found out from hv that they're Rolling out the vaccine on the NHS but ds is too old, it will be with the MMR.

Both cars have problems and will need repair, they'll also likely both.be serviced.

I'm considering a board game rental service. It's £22 but £11 for the first month. For both adults and kids. DH thinks it's a n unnssersary cost. But, we don't have a TV licence and it's only a bit more expensive, and more wholesome entertainment.

And we have new windows installation coming up.

Summertime days out. Got the kids pass free from Asda, with a credit card but it's not got discounts on any places we'd go.

I admire you paying for the vaccine for your DC @Alwayslearning25 any money spent in ours or our families health is an investment as far as l am concerned . Good for you 👏👏👏
Glad you have had a lovely time 😁

I agree. Money spent on the vaccine is good money! DS was so poorly with chicken pox.

Morning.

Been rather AWOL this last week. The sale of the business is only about 4 weeks away, so I've been busy in this regard. Hopefully off work next week though, so should be a good deal quieter and I'll keep up.

Day to day spending is within the budget I've set for the month, so I'm happy with that. Things that need to come out of savings just keep seeming to happen so that's a bit depressing - new dishwasher ordered yesterday 😢. HOPEFULLY that's it, but I keep saying that and then something else happens. My phone only charges half the time at present so I'm sure that'll be the next thing....

Spends yesterday
£5.60 pint and a packet of crisps at local sports club for DH.
Today
£120 Ocado.

Menu plan
Meditation chicken.
Bolognaise (beef, but will bulk up with lentils).
Veggie chilli and wraps.
Salmon and Mediterranean roast vegetables with feta and pesto.
Dhal.
Carrot and coriander soup with crusty bread (soup may change but there will be soup and crusty bread on the menu.

Dsil has lots of veggies to give us and we are avidly foraging for blackberries on dog walks so saving a bit there, which, coupled with at least staying within the day to day budget feels about the only frugal thing I'm doing at the minute!

Weather is lovely today, so a long run and then some tidying of the garden in order.

Welcome back tayto. 😊