More top-up shops in Sainsbury's and Aldi yesterday - about £35 in total. DS home, and needs more food! Also, we'd run out of all nuts, seeds, muesli, simultaneously.
NSD today - well, actually, no. I'm keeping the Massimo Dutti dress, (£100) but returning the trousers (£70). But that is sitting on PayPal 0% credit, so nothing to pay today!
Maxi - hello, welcome! You will get lots of good tips and support on frugaleering here. FWIW, here's my tuppence ha'porth:
Food: batch cook curries, ragus, pies (in my household that means stuff topped with potato/sweet potato/mash swede/celeriac rather than pastry, but I'm sure the principle applies), casseroles, chillis, etc. Stretch the meat content with high protein plant content - lentils, chickpeas, black beans, peas - any legume. Freeze the spare portion rather than putting it on the table and relying on leftovers for the freezer. This is the only way I can reserve meals for another day, because my family will eat until they fall into a coma. Or take the remainder for lunch next day before I can get to it.
Eat down the pantry/freezer/fridge. Just don't go shopping, make something with what's there. It's what AI was made for!
Soups - very good for using up unlovely veg and yet more legumes. Many nice lunches with a satisfying homemade aura have been produced this way.
Reduce/eliminate alcohol if that's relevant to you. Big savings on calories, money, good for health.
I've never used these myself but apps like Olio and To Good to Go get lots of love, especially for things like baked/breakfast goods that can be sliced and frozen. Is there something similar where you are?
Make a game of frugaleering where you can. I had a lean first quarter this year and my record streak of NSDs was, I think, 16 in March. I'm currently in the middle of a no-book-buying year, using what's at home, and in the library to satisfy my reading itch. A few years ago I lost some weight, and was able to put some old friends in my wardrobe back into use, so I managed a couple of no-new-clothes years. I'm less strict now, but I still keep a spreadsheet of what I've bought, what I'm planning to buy, and I make sure I don't exceed a certain level. Ditto for make-up/skincare/hair care. If you need an item, don't be afraid to ask family if they would contribute towards your new winter coat/boots/jumper fund for a birthday/Christmas gift.
Again, I"ve never used this, but some people do brilliantly with buying and selling on Vinted - is that an option where you are?
Is there a super-local parents forum where you are? You might pick up good cheap/free kids' entertainments hacks from there?