Pumpkins, Pies… and Prudence! Autumn Frugal Saving Shenanigans here 🍂🌰All Welcome 🌰🍁

[MaryGreenhill]

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 we are all friends 😊

@chimichangaz cross posted! It is this one:

Oat-So-Simple Cookies | Community Recipes | Nigella's Recipes | Nigella Lawson https://share.google/nrtCzfjqZOCJNhTZL

But I added at least tsp each of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to spice them up a bit. Possibly more as I was going rogue for that bit and not really measuring 😄

Oh thank you so much @GameOfJones ❤️
I am off to have a look at your recipes thank you for including them here, that's so good of you 🤗
I have put the link to your
As you like it cake recipe in case anyone wants to make it hope you don't mind me wading in with my size 10's 😁
www.copymethat.com/r/FAqX6PS3M/as-you-like-it-christmas-cake/

@Alwayslearning25 I agree with the games. I did one when ds2 was born as he was a need a long cuddle to sleep boy / he was my last baby so you know I might have enjoyed those cuddles 💕 (he's fine going to bed now thank god), but it took soo long to get to £10.
I started tester up about four months ago as it was quiet at work (from home) and my friend mentioned they were doing it. I got to about £15 and thought that's enough now, then found out you need to get to £70 before you can take the money out!! It will be nice when I get there, I've managed to get to £30 but taking a break now.

Spending this weekend ds and dd do a dance class in the town centre, at different times, so both of us end up having to spend £5 in tesco.
Dh spent £10 in B&Q for gardening gloves for the boys and shelf brackets but they didn't end up gardening with the weather.
I spent £10 in boots on calpol and bath stuff, did the recycling so got £5 back in points.
£11 in primark for spare water bottles (only ds1 needed a new one but I couldn't help myself with the designs they had, plus ds 2 would have been fuming that ds1 had a pokémon one and he didn't 😂).
When Dh does dd dance class they have to get lunch so I get a £30 greggs voucher for the month (using the sprive app for cash back into the mortgage). We all ended up using it on Sunday so I topped that back up.
Oh and me and the boys got our haircut in the week so that was £52.

We sold dds bike for £175. Her new one cost us £150 off ebay (🙌🏻). We bought her one on my credit card (the one I'm not using anymore and will balance transfer the card soon but it ended up on there as I wanted to pay ebay with a card I didn't have to think about for a bit). The plan was to put the £150 back but I've decided for the sake of 3% of that (it will be cleared in two years so should only be one balance transfer) I'm keeping the £175. I've decided to put £100 in the grocery account so I can start the month not in "debt" in that account, £50 in the spending account and £25 in the mortgage.

Feeling very positive about this autumn. I was planning to use the child benefit towards my credit card to get it lower for the balance transfer but I've decided to use it to help with Christmas plus the boys birthdays are Feb and April so put some aside for that. We have to pay half back with Dh salary but that's almost all saved for now. Only need half of the next payment and enough will be in the pot to pay back.

Thank you all this is really therapeutic to write and definitely helps to focus. Someone mentioned the group has been a savior for focus at it definitely is! Mine is a five year plan, feels very long but I guess it will be habit soon so hopefully will get easier.

@Alwayslearning25 I agree with the games. I did one when ds2 was born as he was a need a long cuddle to sleep boy / he was my last baby so you know I might have enjoyed those cuddles 💕 (he's fine going to bed now thank god), but it took soo long to get to £10.
I started tester up about four months ago as it was quiet at work (from home) and my friend mentioned they were doing it. I got to about £15 and thought that's enough now, then found out you need to get to £70 before you can take the money out!! It will be nice when I get there, I've managed to get to £30 but taking a break now.

Spending this weekend ds and dd do a dance class in the town centre, at different times, so both of us end up having to spend £5 in tesco.
Dh spent £10 in B&Q for gardening gloves for the boys and shelf brackets but they didn't end up gardening with the weather.
I spent £10 in boots on calpol and bath stuff, did the recycling so got £5 back in points.
£11 in primark for spare water bottles (only ds1 needed a new one but I couldn't help myself with the designs they had, plus ds 2 would have been fuming that ds1 had a pokémon one and he didn't 😂).
When Dh does dd dance class they have to get lunch so I get a £30 greggs voucher for the month (using the sprive app for cash back into the mortgage). We all ended up using it on Sunday so I topped that back up.
Oh and me and the boys got our haircut in the week so that was £52.

We sold dds bike for £175. Her new one cost us £150 off ebay (🙌🏻). We bought her one on my credit card (the one I'm not using anymore and will balance transfer the card soon but it ended up on there as I wanted to pay ebay with a card I didn't have to think about for a bit). The plan was to put the £150 back but I've decided for the sake of 3% of that (it will be cleared in two years so should only be one balance transfer) I'm keeping the £175. I've decided to put £100 in the grocery account so I can start the month not in "debt" in that account, £50 in the spending account and £25 in the mortgage.

Feeling very positive about this autumn. I was planning to use the child benefit towards my credit card to get it lower for the balance transfer but I've decided to use it to help with Christmas plus the boys birthdays are Feb and April so put some aside for that. We have to pay half back with Dh salary but that's almost all saved for now. Only need half of the next payment and enough will be in the pot to pay back.

Thank you all this is really therapeutic to write and definitely helps to focus. Someone mentioned the group has been a savior for focus at it definitely is! Mine is a five year plan, feels very long but I guess it will be habit soon so hopefully will get easier.

Great post @HP87. You sound in a good place. Very organised.

Thank you so much for the cake recipes. Much appreciated as I've never made a fruit cake before 😳. The ingredients I don't possess have been popped in my basket online for the next shop.

Basa isn't as nice as cod in truth @MaryGreenhill. DH says it's a type of catfish but I haven't checked. Agree re the golf - the abuse was way over the line. The example from the top of the tree (President) isn't exactly gracious though is it?

NSD.

Going to list a few bits on Vinted today.

Shepherds Pie for tea!

@needastrongoneagain it always starts off organised and falls apart towards the middle of the month! Fingers crossed with this group though I can keep on top of it

@MaryGreenhill of course I don't mind! 😊

I had to pop to the shops this morning after doing the school run. £64 spent in Aldi which I'm pretty pleased about as the food shop for the week. This is just a top up really though as I have a lot of meat and vegetables in the freezer so I'm trying to look at what I've got in stock before I go shopping. It also doesn't include DDs lunches during the week as DD2 gets free school lunches and we pay for DD1 to have a hot meal at school as she likes them and then I don't feel guilty if dinner is beans on toast. 🤣

Morning all. I hope you all had a good weekend.

@MaryGreenhill your mums Christmas dress is lovely. i am just loving vinted. I've so many things that are too good to give away but i don't use at all so i'm slowly listing them all.

@Frugal25 it is always so nice when the kids behave beautifully. But i don't envy the worms.

@chimichangaz your candle buy reminded me that its time to get light some of mine i've had for a while. Which then led me to acknowledging that means a fireplace decor change, which means i need to paint the fireplace wall. i'm going to tape it off at lunch time.

@HP87 you re doing great with the budgeting. I hear you though on v=being organised at the start of the month. i did a quick tot up this weekend and there should be plenty of money to pay for the months plans. However most months i'm still left scratching my head wondering how i for got so many things.

Quietish weekend. Friday was the big spend day. Did a small shop, bought winter clothes for small child and stocked up on toiletries and OTC meds. Also bought myself new boots that i sorely need as the ones i bought last year were to tight. i sold them on vinted though.

Saturday was a LSD, just ordered some new cake tins and Sunday was a NSD. Yesterday i did a good bit of baking with small child. Some i brought to my sisters. the rest i will use this week and small child will take in their lunch box. Did put one pear and almond tart into the freezer for another day. I have some new cake storage tins in my amazon cart but not checking them out today.

I've really leaned on the freezer for meals this past week when i've not been well and its really helped. So going to continue with that this week. i'm very good at adding to the freezer normally but not always at eating from it. Menu plan for the week

1. Chicken Satay skewers, Fried rice and an asian slaw. I'll make extra satay sauce for the freezer and slaw for lunches.
2. Enchilladas (in the freezer) will make a sauce to go over them tonight as tuesdays are very busy.
3. Pasta using homemade pasta sauce from the freezer
4. Roast dinner i have in the freezer and actually really want gone from the freezer
5. Home Made Pizza
6. Gyros

We also have easy things like chips, pizza etc if there is a night we just can't be bothered to cook properly but i find having ideas written down really helps.

Looks like everyone had a good weekend, I spent £14 yesterday on some UpCircle shampoo cream, I've seen it advertised quite a bit and DD has a extremely sensitive/dry scalp which she can't seem to get on top of, the shampoo her GP prescribed hasn't really helped much and it has a very strong medicated smell to it, so I thought I'd give it a go and see if It helps, I found it on Vinted for £10 plus fees and postage so around £14 all in, although stupidly I got it shipped here rather than to her uni accommodation so I'll either have to post it to her or wait for her to visit and pass it on.

I'm really in need of some very warm PJ's for wearing around the house - not nescessarily for sleeping in but I am always freezing cold, and I can feel the very cool evenings coming up are going to be a struggle. I don't want to go into primark, buy the first pair I see and have regrets so was wondering if anyone has recommendations? I was planning on asking for some for Christmas but I don't think I can wait that long.

Hoping for a NSD today, no plans to make any purchases anyway. Cheesy Quesadillas for dinner tonight, have all of the ingredients ready to use.

@HP87 swagbucks you can turn into a voucher every £5. But there's many time delays. Supposedly I'll have a £10 Amazon voucher in about 5 days posted. Not sure why there wasn't an email option.

I have not gone for Legoland preschooler pass. £50 for the year does not include any parking discount which is £12. And my nearly 3 year old is short and a long way off 90cm. Under 90cm is free anyway as there aren't many rides he could do. So the pass would be for his accompanying adult.

Today we went to a local farm park for 10.50, then £8.50 on a cafe for unnecessary but nice cake and coffee as I'd brought a lunchbox. Last time we went to the park on the way home I realised they assumed toddler was less than 18 months and free! Unfortunately dss nap was not successful, but weather was lovely.

Hi, can I join you please? We’ve been living beyond our means for ages, not by much but we’ve gradually gone from still having a decent cushion of cash left at the end of the month to having nearly nothing.

Yesterday morning I sat and went through an entire months transactions to see exactly where we have been spending it all. The place I can see we can cut back the most is in the fortunes we’ve been spending in the supermarket. A combination of fussy kids meaning cooking different meals each night, generally just buying lovely (expensive) food and a large amount of nice wine 🤣 I've already got things to pay for in October that I have been putting off 🤦🏻‍♀️ not to mention that Christmas is lurking on the horizon.

Can anyone recommend a good budgeting app please?

Welcome to the thread @clare8allthepies 😁.
I don't know of any apps tbh but l do know of the Monzo bank account app, it allows you to use pots to be able to sort out the individual spends you have like Christmas, . birthdays, good, fuel, utilities

@Johaanah I live in Chelsea Peers pjs, they’re thin but pure cotton and skin tight so keep me so warm. They’re expensive but you can get on vinted. Size down as they come up large!

Today is the first day of poverty as I am officially unemployed again 😔 feel rubbish about it, but mental health is most important. Will check Indeed every morning for the previous days jobs and apply for any I see. So few part time jobs around here.

Today has been expensive but all in the name of my new dog walking/boarding business. £144 for a license from the council, £25 for a Disclosure Scotland, and £55 for a dog first aid course.

Well done re your organising l am in awe of you @HP87! 👏
@needastrongoneagain yes it's type of catfish , l think it's a good price though TBF .
Cod is just so expensive.
No you are right the abuse is from the top of the tree 🙄.
Lovely Shepherds pie 😋
Oh thank you @GameOfJones🤗
I agree with you if your Dd likes school meals then that helps you out if you just want a quick tea . I love beans on toast myself 😋 🤗
@pistachiosanscreamoh thank you so much re my Mum's Christmas dress , every year l get her something special to wear but Vinted has been amazing for me with my Mum's stuff and honestly every seller has been wonderful and one of them l even sent a pic of Mum in the dress , she was so chuffed . Good for you putting your stuff on Vinted good luck with it . I really like Vinted. l think it's because it's a more personal experience tbh.
My Dds always buy thick fleece pyjamas with a thick pile ,from Asda George, M&S and Primark @Johaanah
Hth 🤗
@Alwayslearning25 your farm visit sounded lovely 😍

Oh my Dds have Chelsea Peers pj's too and yes they are thin but like you say warm to touch @PearlsPearl.
Oh bless you re the unemployment, something will turn up you'll see 💐
Also well done on the dog walking business that takes time to set up and sort out .
You did the right thing , don't be down on yourself sweetheart.
NSD here at last

Thanks so much 💖💖

You are more than welcome @PearlsPearl it will all work out ❤️

I've had a day to myself today and had some lovely food and mental space. Much needed. Definitely didn't need to spend money on food etc but I've had a lovely few hours of space.
£15 wagamama
£6 parking
£6 in Starbucks.
£7 medicines for my daughter Calpol etc.
Tried some autumnal clothes on but nothing scratched the itch.

Pearls - seems to me that you have tried something, learned from it and pivoted to something different - the hallmarks of the practical entrepreneur! Enjoy this period and remember how far you have come in paying off credit cards and being more frugal.

I am having one of those weeks where I live in ratty tracksuit trousers and t-shirts as I use DS' absence (Manchester, for different gig work and GF's birthday) to get into his rooms and give them a proper clean - like hoovering under the bed and sofa, cleaning windows and paintwork, dusting blinds and bookshelves sort of clean- and change all the bedding over to winter weights. DS is good on keeping things ticking over, but would not notice the dust on the skirting boards, ever.

Otherwise the week is going to be admin-heavy (still Olds...) and errand-packed (dentist, dog groomer, dropping keys off here, queuing in post office there, returning library books, etc). But then off to Devon on Friday. The forecast is more wet than not, but I'm confident of an excellent time whatever. Plan to eat everything in sight from the farm shops and local restaurants. DS will be joining us on the Monday.

NSD today. Finished yesterday's chicken dhansak and rice for lunch, omelettes and remaining green veg for dinner tonight. If I can muster the ingredients without shopping, I might make a simple cake.

Was due for a NSD today but I didn't take lunch in so bought m&s salad for £4.75.
Got a refund from vinted as item wasn't posted.
Had to issue a refund through vinted as buyer didn't like the item I sent.
Think it all evens out.

I'm always envious about your freezer @pistachiosanscream .
Absolutely going to make that Christmas cake @HP87

Think we have curry tonight that I made and frozen last week. Will do a new meal plan tomorrow but it will be basic and frugal like last week's.

@PearlsPearl your mental health and happiness is worth this temporary situation. I'm so excited about your new dog business! Well done you.

Had a very spendy weekend as was visiting my son and his family. We had a lovely day out on Saturday to a Nature Reserve and Sunday Lunch out plus two lots of filling the car up with petrol. But all worth it for family time!
On the income side sold a shirt on Vinted!! so that has been sent off.
Pay day tomorrow!

Thanks @PearlsPearl and @MaryGreenhill for the PJ recommendations, I have ordered some Chelsea Peers ones from Vinted - £16 all in. I looked on ASOS but they are £45 a pair although they do come in petite length there which would have been handy, I’m hoping they don’t come up too big! Today was supposed to be a NSD but hey ho- there’s always tomorrow ☺️

Thank you @MaryGreenhill ,i have to plan it all out in spreadsheets otherwise I constantly think about it. Sometimes I wish we didn't and we just spent all the money we're saving and just not think about money but I know in the medium term it is better this way. Less overall on the mortgage and sooner for me to drop my pay. I am secretly hoping I end up transferring on the same pay to a different department I will enjoy more but I'm not gong to broach that yet as I'm using my flexibility to my advantage (to counter act the fact I dislike it!)

I have worked out we only need £300 more for ds2 bedroom furniture. So that will be ready from October's pay. No bites on the furniture on Facebook yet but we've got until end of Oct until we need it gone.

Then it's priority mortgage with a bit on the side saving for all the decorating left in the loft conversion. We have about £1,000 of stuff to buy like curtains, blinds, wall stickers lamp shades. And the cost of a decorator, with it being hallways and landings left there's areas we can't reach so can't do it ourselves, we have no idea how much that will be.

NSD today, my first one 🤗

I think you are to be admired @HP87. Your attention to detail and your determination to stick to your goals are amazing. Well done to you!

Good morning everyone 🌻 🌅
Gorgeous day but only 10C 🥶
We are off to Costco and maybe IKEA (doubtful because DH didn't want to go) and the charity shops . Will put my spends on after 😊
Been watching a lovely lady on YT called Allie , Frugal Granny UK . She is very on it as regards her finances and makes lovely recipes.
She did waffles this morning and she made it look so easy .
Have a lovely day everyone 😊
She's got a very nice calm gentle way about her , she's my age 64 so she probably isn't for everyone 🤗