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 😊

Our Clarks also has a sale on, unfortunately none our size but I got a summery pair of shoes the size up for ds. I may also pop in to m&m

Just catching up
pearls you are in the best place to got your help. My mil has been vol sectioned more than once.
we are here to support too

i agree can someone send as much as possible back for refunds?

Magnesium did help me with sleep but I have to take it on the morning so play about

UTis are awful and cause alerted state in the elderly. Pleased mam is on the mend

Bit of a spendy one. Therapy this morning then paid the water bill. I did manage to return the Amazon bits so should get a refund for them. Cupboard supper today. Chickpea Shawarma with boiled eggs.

Congratulations @ememem84.

Thank you for the tip @MaryGreenhill. I will look up linseed putty. I think I’m rattling alongside your husband. Glad Nana Pumpkin is doing better. And I approve of the crisps for sodium. It’s certainly essential.

The Vinted encouragement is much appreciated @pistachiosanscream. And thank you for the linseed putty confirmation.

Ohhh @PearlsPearl . I’m so sorry to hear that. Get through each day. Mental health is something else. Take care of yourself. And take all the help you can get.

@GameOfJones I’m going to have to try and head over to Marks and Spencer tomorrow and have a nose. I’m remembering the 18p profiterole towers at the December holidays last year. Congratulations on the voucher. And yes a very good balance on the practical things and treats.

Spent far too much time today watching Sarközy related news. Not entirely sure what I am finding so fascinating about it. There is a debate about it on this evening. Had a solicitors email today. I had forgotten just how frustrating they are. They did say they would be on leave so at least I will have a weeks break from it. Back to work tomorrow.

Thank you so much everyone, especially to @needastrongoneagain who's words made me cry. Thanks for the reminders.

I've got no access to any kind of money while I’m here which is a good thing but to be honest that part has passed now anyway. I'm in a great hospital with a fantastic team (I've been here before- including for 6 months in 2024 for psychosis) so feel very lucky and beyond grateful to DWs private insurance meaning I'm not rotting in our local 5-to-a-bay NHS hospital. The worst part however is it's back down in London so obviously can't see DW/DS for a while.

Evening everyone - been quite a few days since I posted (last Friday) - has been a mix of very busy/too tired to post.

I've caught up with the thread now and while I can't mention everything that has happened on here I'm sending hugs to those of you with poorly family, and an especially big hug to @PearlsPearl - I had also been thinking it was a while since we heard from you, and hoped all was ok. It sounds like you're in the best place, and what is done is done - and I'm sure some can be undone (getting refunds) but even if not, then maybe Vinted/eBay might work. The important thing is your health, so try not to worry about the past. 💐

I need to catch up with my finances and update my budget, but I think I'm doing ok. There seem to be a few Amazon purchases creeping back in so I need to watch that.

I've signed up for 10 sessions with a PT from next Tuesday, hoping that will kick my butt into getting into shape (and I hear what you're saying about future proofing for your future self!).

I've changed my bedding to the teddy fleece as recommended by @MaryGreenhill and it is FAB! It will be even better now I've got my electric blanket out of storage 😃

We had some drama here overnight when I was woken by the fire brigade just after midnight - my neighbour had a fire in their kitchen. Luckily they heard the smoke alarm and everyone managed to get out - lovely young family with three children and cats. Could have been a very different story - please please check your smoke alarms everyone - they are a literal lifesaver!

So very glad you and your neighbours are all ok @chimichangaz . Def need to check the smoke alarms.

Oooh teddy fleeces.... Now I'm googling...

I've got ds 3rd birthday coming up. DH thought he'd enjoy unwrapping the shoes I bought yesterday for his birthday. So we have got
Main present electric Duplo steam train. £32 2nd hand with box off vinted (would be £91 new)
Colourful Shoes £12
A play tent (£8 vinted) we'll set up with balloons and presents. Kids play tent they loved we threw away in the summer as it was fully broken.

I could get more but he'll get from family (3 childless aunties) so we might leave it at that.

He's excited about the cake and juice as he's been to older kids birthday parties.

@chimichangaz I'll text DW to tell her to check the alarms, thanks for the reminder. Ours are wired in and we had a new system fitted last year but I'll still get her to check. Glad your neighbours and you were ok.

Good luck with the PT sessions. I did 8 at the start of the year and it was brilliant for me as I can now go to the gym by myself more confidently.

@Alwayslearning25 they sound like lovely presents!

Good morning everyone 🌞
Beautiful day here sunny and blue skies😁.
NSD for me today hopefully 😁
@Frugal25 thank you so much re my Mum bless you for being so kind 🤗
Your day sounded absolutely lovely with the twigs and the leaves ☺️
Re the fleece bedding, it's so cosy and dried so quickly 👏
Thank you @lifelongfrugaleer
Bless you re my Mum 🤗
@RumBananaSundaeThank you so much re my Mum & yes to the crisps 😁
Hope you get the windows sorted asap 🤞.
@PearlsPearl hugs galore sweetheart ❤️
@Alwayslearning25 your Ds presents sound wonderful l am sure he will love them 😁
@chimichangaz l am so glad you like the fleece bedding ☺️
Well done with the PT sessions go for it 👍
Thank God your neighbours are ok . Such a terrible shock for them and you 🤗
I have checked my Fire alarms this morning thank you for the timely reminder 🤗
Hope everyone is ok and enjoying good weather 🤞😁

Hello, Ive decided to join and hope thats okay!
This month has financially pushed me over the edge to the point I broke down crying to my sons teacher as they lost his only winter coat (we looked everywhere in school for it to magically vanished!) when I was already at the point of counting every single penny to get by till the end of the month. Ended up with me having to put things on buy back to afford him a new coat & to get a weeks shopping in.

So here I am ready to actually learn because this cost of living crisis is kicking my arse.

@ComfortFoodCafe welcome. That's so sad about the coat. Vinted I found it great for childrens clothes. I'm lucky, most of my kids coats are hand-me-downs.

Ive used vinted before (christmas presents) but its annoying when you need something like a coat instantly. seen some lovely ones on there for under £10 but as its so cold up here Ive had to go & spend £50 just because its the convenience.
Im starting to think I should double up on things like coats incase this happens again, but is that frugal? 😅

Perhaps look in the charity shops or vinted for the next size up? £50 is really very expensive for a child’s coat. The supermarket coats are usually around £20 and are pretty good.

Welcome @ComfortFoodCafe join in everyone is lovely 🤗
That just sucks l am so sorry about your sons coat going missing , another vote for Vinted here 🤗
I don't suppose it is very frugal having 2 coats but if you can find one that costs next to nothing then it makes sense

Today was reckless spending. £40 on two boxes of tea. One as a gift for a friend and one for me. I have tried it and well it’s an acquired taste. £19 in Waitrose on Babybels and KitKats. £16 on Amazon on rehab things. Blimey that’s more than I remembered.

Thinking of you this evening @PearlsPearl. I hope you’re feeling a bit better.

Goodness @chimichangaz I was thinking the same thing about the Amazon purchases. When I’m back on my feet I need to sort out my smoke alarm. I took it apart and haven’t put it back yet.

I think he’ll love his presents @Alwayslearning25. They sound fab.

Welcome @ComfortFoodCafe. That’s dreadful about your son’s coat. Please can I be nosey and ask what your comfort food is?

Did enjoy the sun today @MaryGreenhill. Warnings for rain and wind here tomorrow so quite a contrast.

I spent today thinking it was Friday. No idea really how that happened as I didn’t work yesterday. Tonight’s plan is to try and get some more concrete ideas for France next month. Apart from one exhibition nothing is grabbing my attention.

@RumBananaSundaeglad you enjoyed some sun today 😊
Where are you going in France?
Perhaps some of us can suggest things we have done 😁

Have you read all the books @ComfortFoodCafe ? I have the latest one on my birthday wishlist!!! Sorry, had to ask as this book series is my absolute fave! Welcome!!! Re the coat, I'm so sorry. I've been there too with my DD. Vinted is amazing and I do have a back up coat but it's a cheapy from Amazon. Mind you, her main coat is Amazon too as it was warm and cheap.

Went to buy magnesium tablets today and Dmum gave me hers as she can't take them anymore.
Spent today baking cakes with mum and DD. Had a lovely time.
£9 on yoga session.
£1 on a book on vinted for brother for Christmas.
Window cleaner came. I think it will be around £40. I cancelled him last time to save money so it did need doing this time around. Windows were black.

I’m sure the teacher would have mentioned but it’s worth seeing if they or your surrounding area has a uniform bank. It’s donate stuff people have finished with but they make sue it’s clean and in good condition

@ComfortFoodCafe welcome to the thread. It’s horrible when unexpected costs come in. How old is your dc? £50 is mad expensive, could you return it and get one from a supermarket maybe? Then get a spare from vinted?

Yesterday’s spends were £10 on Amazon for 2 v shaped pillow covers after a nose bleed destroyed the one I brought with me, pink and green. And £12 on an orange room spray because I hate the clinical smell.

Morning.

@ComfortFoodCafewelcome. I’m so sorry about the coat. What a ball ache. Some of these things you might already do, but most of us on here would suggest reviewing all your outgoings, subscriptions, food costs, bills etc and see where you can make any savings. Is there anything you can cancel? Could you batch cook? Could you add a tin of lentils to a chilli to stretch it out? Appreciate others have said use Vinted but what can you sell on there to pay off the buy back?

How are you today @PearlsPearl? There’s a lot of MH within our immediate family, DH is bipolar. I’ll never say that I get it because you can’t unless you live it, but I do have a reasonable understanding. If one day at a time is too much, 5 minutes is just fine. Just fine.

Good luck with the PT @chimichangaz- investing in yourself is never not money well spent.

Lovely idea re the tent @Alwayslearning25

Tomorrow is ‘payday’. We are largely on track, although most of my pots have pennies left in them. Just sitting down with a cuppa on an awful day to review them all for next month. I’ll be back!

Afternoon everyone 😊
Weather taken a turn for the worse here . Raining and windy and cold 12C and so overcast.
Been to see Mum who is so much better thank God 🙏 😁
@needastrongoneagain well done in keeping to your budget and yay for payday tomorrow 👏😊
@PearlsPearl those v pillows are so comfy , enjoy your lovely room spray . Hope you are feeling brighter today sweetheart 💐
@Frugal25ah what a lovely. Day you had with your Mum yesterday bless her ❤️
Great tip @lifelongfrugaleer 👏👏👏

Afternoon everyone 🥰

£93 in Lidl. Way bigger than normal and that was after the 10% was applied. But I did get a couple of Christmas presents in that. (And I might not have stuck to the list. Rookie mistake)

£8 play group.

Was going to spend £10 on swimming but they didn't have any space so That saved a few pennies today but I booked it up for the week after.

Spent the afternoon wrapping a few Christmas gifts. Might do a few each day and then it's done. Have asked family what they want for main gifts but no one has got back to me yet so I'll start food prepping and freezing it I think.

Oh well done @Frugal25 on your Christmas shopping and wrapping . You are doing so well 😊 👏