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.

Thank you need! I improvised on one from a different website- quite nice but too sweet from the mango chutney addition. Yours looks much better.

NSD today and friend over for lunch which we had in the garden. Lovely time of it. DS on his way home from Ascot- - long days but decent money. In the royal enclosure this year so hoping for some tips!

My friend, who doesn’t love cooking, has a Hello Fresh box for 2, three times a week. Tempted to try, but OTOH, walking to the shops helps keep my step count up!

@BigSkies2022 I had some Hello Fresh deliveries a couple of years ago on a discount, and I think they actually saved me money as I wasn’t popping to the supermarket. So easy with everything portioned out ready to cook.

Although I paid the window cleaner £16 today for last month and this month I’m counting it as a NSD as I didn’t spend anything else (& the windows are a household bill..). In fact I think I’m going to ask if the window cleaner can do every other month to try and save a bit more.

I did my 10 minute decluttering in the front room and have boxed up 10 books to go to WeBuyBooks for £7.70. Also put a load more in the charity shop bag. Am feeling exhausted tonight so I’m already in bed!! I’m going to a NT property with a friend tomorrow using a voucher from last months paper and we’ll take a packed lunch and probably just buy coffee there.

That curry looks good @needastrongoneagain . I might try it next time I do a batch cook. (My freezer is very full at the moment!)

Today I bought milk and oranges. However the shoes I bought Dd last week are too small for her so I sent them back (good) and replaced them with a pair that were £15 more expensive (less good!). She is going to absolutely love them though so that’s worth the extra £15 for me.

I got £350 from Unite the Union which is a funeral contribution benefit. I’ve split £150 between 3 pots and then put the rest in my long term saving (which I think I’m going to put in an S&S ISA very soon). The rebel finance webinars have made me realise that whilst I’m saving a lot more money than I was before, most of it is going on ‘future spending’ rather than investing. I’m going to change that now going forward.

Hello! Can I join in? Ironically I have something on every day this week, but I'm here for all the info and tips.

Today was a high spend day. Bought my weightless injection and a new light for our loo. It was in the sale at dunelm, so kind of a saving, right?

I am pretty good with meal time budgeting and cooking. Tonight it was quick cook steaks, chimmichurri, roast new potatoes, breaded courgette fries. Also made rice pudding and roast carrot with lentil soup for lunches.
One steak left over for daughters lunch tomorrow, she made steak sandwich. Some courgettes and potatoes left too, will make them into something this week.

Anyway, I waffle on. Off to continue reading for inspiration.

Welcome @Seaside3 . I've been on these groups almost 2 months now and am finding them super useful for both info and accountability.

I have a question about dog insurance - as we seem to have quite a few owners on here (I hope dog is still getting better @lifelongfrugaleer)
So, I have a fairly expensive policy with PetPlan. I opted for one where the premiums wouldn't go up with claims etc, although I pay about £75 a month for it already. I've never claimed on it. Dog has been to the vet a few times - mainly for stomach issues. I think he's had one bad bug and a few times it's been stress or maybe eating something. A bad stomach seems to be his 'go to' issue but it's usually cleared within 36 hours. Vet bills are always less than the excess.
I was tempted to switch down to a cheaper insurance - but I guess stomach problems will now be seen as an existing complaint and won't be covered if I switch? I'm not sure if this is a problem given that he's never needed much treatment other than prokolin so maybe I should do it anyway?
The other thing I'm tempted to do would be to cancel the insurance all together and put £75 in his pot each month instead. He's already got £500 in there so it wouldn't take too long to get a decent amount in there.
I was just wondering what other people do? Or would do in my situation? Dog is 5 (and my first dog incase its not obvious!)
Thanks!

@SockHop I have 2 dogs and their insurance is £130 combined. It started off way cheaper but increased year on year. One dog has never used it (she's 4) and the other has used it more than I'd like! (he's 5). I would never be without it. He costs me £70 a month in a medicine he'll be on for life so I like to think his insurance is basically free as a result as they pay for it. I would never risk not having it, my friend's dog got hit by a car and their bills to try and save his leg were 12k.

Also, you're right that stomach complaints won't be covered. ManyPets used to cover pre existing complaints but not sure if they still do- worth looking. But what is he got a big stomach problem in the future? Or ate something he shouldn't? Xray, blood tests and charcoal and monitoring came to a grand.

20% off school uniforms at Sainsbury’s I heard on the radio this morning. We’ve used it and its decent

now I don’t declare ddog stomach issues as they are just due to him being a dog.
The insurance is a tricky question as I’m having the same thoughts but I kept insurance this time.
old ddog we had insurance for 16y and never claimed

We don't have insurance on our dog and touch wood never regretted the decision. It is going to sound cruel of me but she's had a fantastic life and has been healthy and happy throughout I have to be honest and say I wouldn't pay to prolong her life now yes I would do a script of antibiotics etc but hundreds a month I wouldn't.

NSD for me today yay
Been very hot here but have enjoyed ourselves just chilling .
Hope everyone is ok and has this weather too 😁

Up early this morning for some reason (5:30…) so I deep cleaned and decluttered a few areas.

Had a lovely day out to a NT property a few miles away which had a lovely plant selection in the shop…..so I spent £10…..

Other than that, I drove, we had packed lunches and my friend bought coffees (we got in free with a voucher) so a good day out all round.

My slightly late update for the second week of June (Mon 9 to Sun 15 June)

Mon: NSD
Tues: £8 travel to hospital (appointment for X ray)
Wed: NSD
Thurs: £3.30 lunch (unexpectedly out of bread); £4.60 travel to DD activity; £4.60 drink and snack while waiting for her
Fri: £1.50 bus to work (took my own coffee as suggested)
Sat: £5 bus fares; £30 backpack repair (worth doing as it’s very good quality - I’ve had it for over 20 years and only needed to replace the zip); £8.65 cafe for me and DD
Sun: £6 travel to swimming class; £7.70 bus fares (three trips)

Total: £81.35

There were other costs during the week (top up food shop; present for DD’s friend; cinema trip), but these came from the joint household account and I’m only tracking my personal spends this month.

My pay was £1,691 after tax etc, and £1,046 was committed spend (bills etc) leaving £645 for everything else, which I have split into categories. Total spend from 1 June to 15 June is now:

• £300 Groceries (main shop): £130.67
• £120 commute/ travel: £27.30
• £20 coffee at work: £5.60
• £50-60 credit card payment: not charged yet
• £143 everything else: £78.75

Total: £242.32 out of £645. Less that half spent while we’re halfway through the month, which feels good.

Yesterday I spent €9.50 in the farmers market on bagels and a beetroot salad. €60 in B&Q on spray paint and contact paper and €19.95 in home savers on snacks for the summer for small child.

today was a NSD! Yippee. Utility glow up is coming together, hope to finish the painting tomorrow and then it’s time to put it all back together.

welcome @Seaside3

@EllieQ that’s a really good round up. I might think about doing something similar. The daily check-ins are useful but bigger picture is important too

Meant to be a NSD but spent £5.50 in pret although I had taken lunch. But. Pret.
Made £25 on vinted.

Pay day Friday. Whoooo. Got Lidl shop and play group tomorrow but should be a cheap shop. Famous last words.

Meal plan:
tagliatelle with tuna sauce (had it tonight too but it was that good)
Dominos (pay day treat from OH, he will pay)
I'm out at a friend's house so taking hummus and crackers
Beans and cheese on toast (just fancied it!)
Veggie stew , already made and in freezer
Cream of celery soup
Sunshine salade and halloumi skewers

Two months ago my small team of 4 were saved whilst the wider team got culled.
Now my team of four has been halved. Just me and another left. Feeling grateful to have a job.

Dropping in and out of this thread! But still conscious of being frugal. Like @PearlsPearl that expensive time of the year is approaching and I don't feel prepared! I've been musing that sometimes its expensive to save money. Eg. Moved energy suppliers to save £20 pm but it's cost me £60 for final bill, plus £142 upfront DD with new provider! Paid it and determined to keep on chipping away - hoping it will all pay off in the end!

Weekend away with friend coming up. Suppose one good thing is that it's only me to pay for, rather than me, DH and DC. Reading between the lines she's happy to have a low cost weekend.

Today was
£3.75 Boots meal deal
£44 Lidl
£4.80 co-op

Pleased Doggo is on the mend @lifelongfrugaleer

Sorry to hear about your colleagues @Frugal25

Welcome @Seaside3

Morning.

Doing well with the monthly budget @EllieQ

I started a thread just a few weeks ago re pet insurance. Lots of valid points and no real consensus in truth. Here's the link. Mine are still insured, but I might reconsider as I'm not fully decided it's the right choice of money spent.

To cancel insurance or not - very fit 13 and 12 year old Spaniels www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse/5340098-to-cancel-insurance-or-not-very-fit-13-and-12-year-old-spaniels?msgid=-5340098#-5340098

Today is a £150 Ocado shop, which will easily get us through until next Wednesday, which is 'reset' day in terms of budgeting. I've got about £190 in the general spends pot, so I'm happy with that, but there's nearly a week to go and it's surprising what crops up!!

Beautiful day, enjoy it Frugal Folk 😁

Ddog (6year old spaniel) costs us £30 per month insurance plus £21 pet health club at the vet which covers flea and tick treatments, worming and vaccinations (not rabies, which we pay for separately every 3 years). He has had investigations for an eye condition and drops, which were covered, and for bum problems. He had an undescended testicle and an op to remove it, and then, when he kept running after girls and we couldn’t get him to recall, we decided to try chemical suppression of testosterone followed by another op to remove the remaining mister. I think all that was paid for out of pocket. Fingers crossed, he hasn’t had any issues in a couple of years.

I expect we’ll keep insuring himm, even if the excess may mean stuff isn’t covered/economic to claim. It just feels safer somehow, possibly not very rational. There’s the accident/3rdparty angle too.

£22 yesterday in Sainsbury’s, including weed killer which I can use at my mum’s as well as here. Need to wield the ant powder too.

Spendy day yesterday
Brunch out 25€
Ice creams 15€
Fuel 23€
Final bits to bring home ?
But taken from holiday pot so already accounted for.
Out for dinner last night but treated by friends.
Hopefully a NSD day today then back to the reality of retirement tomorrow

Checking back in.

I have gone through my bank and budget this morning and still on track for the month. Had a couple of extra unplanned expenses in the last week, but saved in other areas where items came in under budget.

Hoping for a quiet weekend, though we do have a fair bit on again. I feel exhausted and really hoping I get a bit of time to relax in the garden in this weather this weekend.

We're heading to London in a couple of weeks, so I'm going to buy myself some new light jeans with the remainder of a voucher I have.

Afternoon everyone 😁
Had a £20 cashback from Eon for going with them for our energy supplier.
Other than that it's a NSD
Boiling hot here, 28C, all the windows and doors shut and it is lovely and cool indoors thank God 😁

Ooh love a good cash back deal @MaryGreenhill you reminded me I have one due from Outfox Energy soon 👍

£12.74 Amazon - toothpaste and magnesium tablets. Hoping they may work for the terrible withdrawal bleed cramps this time 🤞

Away for the weekend from tomorrow so will check back in after that.

Hope everyone enjoys the weather (or at least stays cool if you don't like it!) ☀️

Thanks everyone’s for your dog insurance opinions - and @needastrongoneagain for linking to your thread. I haven’t fully decided yet - but I think I’ll probably stick with it.

I got a food delivery today for £51. Mainly bits for our weekend at Center Parcs. Other than that no spends.

No idea how expensive the weekend will be. I think we’ve paid for most things upfront so potentially it’s just ice-creams and maybe a few evening drinks (although I’m not drinking so it won’t be a big thing). I’m totally aware though that we might end up booking/buying something unexpected so it could better quite spendy. I’ve given myself a limit form my holiday pot so hopefully it won’t net out of control and it’s sort of accounted for.

Just popping on to record another NSD - so I think I’ve hit my target of three this week. Just as well as tomorrow will definitely be spendy and probably Saturday too….

£22 in Sainsbury's again! Seems to be some kind of rule with me at the moment.

Very hot and sweaty PT session this morning, reckon my triceps and hamstrings are going to know about it tomorrow. I feel like I could eat the world today - eggs, turkey mince, protein shake, cottage cheese, greek yoghurt, I'm chowing it all down!

Tomorrow I am visiting Dmum and then taking her to see Ddad in the care home. We are still waiting for social services to do their job, and the temporary care home is self-funded and expensive. And very much not permanent (it only takes self-funders and my parents will qualify for and need financial assistance). So we're all in limbo, albeit a very luxurious one, waiting for a more permanent solution to emerge. Don't know what it is yet, but it will be 1000 per cent better than how they were living before!

Evening all!
£61.88 in Lidl. Saved £8 with yellow stickers, freebies and discounts so I'm happy.
£6 for DD playgroup.
£10 for a birthday gift from Amazon. I try hard now to use this site anymore but I had not found anything in the shops so had to be done.

Building work finishes tomorrow. So very happy this time around. Amazing what good quality tradesmen can do against cowboys. The difference in their work...
Pay day tomorrow too. And for the first time ever I've set up pots. Quite excited to get started.
Hope everyone is ok in the heat.