January Jingles, Valentine Capers, Frugal Fun Shenanigans & Looking Forward to Spring!

[DirtyGertiefromno30]

Welcome to the New thread everyone 😊
Here's to everyone of us and hoping 2026 brings us all health happiness and frugal finances 🤗

I’m feeling better each day thanks

it’s hard isn’t it blue when the beige is needed to be used up. You are doing your best though. That counts for loads

I'm still eating down the christmas excess here too. lunch will include some of the cheese, charcuterie but i'll balance that with hummus and raw vegetables. I think DH would revolt if i put us on a solely freezer and pantry menu even though with my freezer stocks it would include plenty of fruit and veg but it would not be as attractive!

DH has unfortunately got used to going to lidl on a friday while waiting from small child to finish an activity. So i have much less control now of the shopping budget.

Today im hoping will be a NSD. I have made the decision though to pay off my car loan. i still have nearly 2.5 years on it so it would save me over €1000 in interest and i have the money in savings. So i've requested a withdrawal from one account. once i have that i'll ring for the final settlement figure.

I've also put a bit of time into thinking about what iwant to do savings wise and will restructure my accounts to do this. good money admin

Afternoon.

Thank you all. ❤️. You are really a very lovely set of people. This is such a very kind, supportive corner of MN. Your messages are so welcome.

I can’t quite get the last few days of DF’s life out of my mind at the minute, I am sure that will come - it’s early days. We are on with the administrative procedures. DB’s have stepped up to the plate re funeral and assorted processes - thanks big - I wonder if they just have more practical bones than emotional ones. DB and I will sort the finances - DF was nothing if not fastidiously organised, it shouldn’t be that tricky a process - we won’t be searching for paperwork. The will isn’t there - it’s with the solicitors - who have been take over 3 times since it was registered, that might be the only stumbling block. My DB is sorting that though.

In terms of spending, I’ve blown the holiday budget (reset in January so not much in it), by booking Valencia marathon, flights and accommodation for December. I don’t actually know how I’ll figure the logistics of DH but every bridge needs to be crossed…. I could steal from another pot, but I’d quite like to see specifics of what we spend over the year. Mmm.. does that go in my running pot actually… it’s about a grand in total, plus what I’ll spend there - Friday to Tuesday. For the first time in ages I’ve actually got a years training block planned.

I don’t have too much Christmas food left thankfully, as I agree - eating beige food in January when you want to be healthy feels counterproductive. We’ve biscuits and chocolate, but using them up rather than buying the normal.

Prawn curry for supper. We’ve eaten rather a lot of bean based recipes for DH’s liking recently.

Big hugs to you and your family need. It’s a really emotional time.

Well, I think I got the job this morning. It was more of an informal chat with other candidates. At the end they said we’ll start contacting references and handed over all the new starter paperwork 😂

This would eventually be a 2nd job for me as it is casual hours, as ideally I would like a separate permanent part time role too. But hopefully this is the start of employment again and this job will have hopefully a lot of hours up until the summer if nothing else comes up. And it is nice to be wanted! I’ve been unsuccessful at 6-7 interviews in the last 5 years. I needed a little confidence boost.

Valencia how exciting need. And tbh don’t blame you wanting something in there

Thank you everyone for your support and inquiring about My Mum.
Mum's next door neighbours of over 70 years , the daughter of the neighbour, her daughter has died of a pulmonary embolism , she was 44 bless her . My friends daughter , we have all known her since she was born bless her ,
We are a bit shell shocked tbh with you.
Mum’s much the same this morning when l rang . We are just going up now . We tend to go later and stay longer otherwise it's 2 visits. l am all over the place ATM. The home are looking into getting a care needs assessment done on Mum and she will probably have to move from there unfortunately.
That is weighing me down terribly tbh l am really upset and stressed about it as well as this sudden death . We weren't close to her but we are to her Mum .God knows what she is going through it's so bad the poor thing .
I hope everyone is ok and sending my love and support to @needastrongoneagain& @lifelongfrugaleer and in fact to everyone ❤️

@DirtyGertiefromno30 oh gosh, a terrible shock and so young.

Im sorry everything is feeling a bit overwhelming at the moment, the home has looked after her so well. I hope if it is your preference and it’s able to she’ll be able to see her days out there.

can you do something lovely for yourself to give yourself a breather? A trip to a seaside to eat chips and breathe in salty air or a walk up a big hill?

thinking of you.

@DirtyGertiefromno30 your load has grown immeasurably heavier over the past few days. So hard on your lovely neighbour and now the possibility of your mum moving. Fingers crossed your mum has a big rebound and passes the care needs assessment.

Well done @Holidaysandchocolate on the new job. i hope its the start of a good employment path for you.

@needastrongoneagain im glad you have support in organising your dads affairs and you did a great thing in booking valencia. you need something to look forward to.

glad to hear you are feeling better @lifelongfrugaleer i hope you continue to have a straightforward recovery journey.

Jeez, Gert, that’s a shock. Whenever my mum is speculating about how long my dad will live, and whether he will’go’ before she does - which is almost every time I see her - I just say that it’s not inconceivable that she and he could outlive me and if we’re really unlucky, DS - just ask the parents who waved their children off to have a great NYE in that Swiss resort. Since none of know the hour, we can only make the best of each day and hope to god we don’t outlive our kids! This silences her temporarily, never for good, on the subject.

Great work on the new job Holidays.

£6 in Lidl, traded making DS a cheese toastie for him cleaning his bathroom and bedroom. Mushroom pasta for me and DH tonight, chicken leftovers and mash for DS, who hates mushrooms.

I agree with eating freezer down and eating beige in January. Im trying to balance it out like @pistachiosanscreamwith hummus and veg. Salad for lunch features heavily at the mo!

@Holidaysandchocolatewooooooo well done you!!!!

@BigSkies2022your Dec holiday sounds amazing!!

@DirtyGertiefromno30oh Hun I'm so sorry. Absolutely heartbreaking news on your mum's neighbours child. I had a similar story last night from my yoga teacher, the lady that covers her when she goes on holiday, who we all adore, her son of 34 died suddenly. You really don't know what is around the corner, so I do try and be very grateful.
I have my fingers crossed that not knowing what is wrong the corner also works for your lovely mum. She may well be completely fine when assessed and stay put.... I hope this is the case. But if not, I hope the staff look after her and she moves into yes another beautiful place like where she is now.

£3.99 on a sarnie from the office canteen.
Got vegetable stew tonight with feta left over from Christmas. Yummy.

I have just been on the phone to my best friend from when l was little, he said that the home will keep Mum there because they all love her and they won't want her to go anywhere else. I just hope he is right . We shall see . For the time being Mum is ok ATM comfortable and happy so that's the best l can hope
for.
or .
Thank you so much @FurForksSake l took your suggestion and rang my best friend for a good talk as l said . He is very sensible and very devil my care and makes me laugh bless him so l feel a bit better now thank you ❤️
AHH thank you @pistachiosanscreaml so hope My Mum improves, they did say they would give her a couple of weeks to see how it goes bless her and bless them.

It really is utterly heartbreaking @Frugal25 hearing stories like that just stops you in your tracks and makes you realise how fragile everything is. You’re right, we never know what’s coming.
Thank you so much for your kind words about my Mum. I’m clinging to the hope that the assessment, if they do it after the 2 weeks ,shows she’s actually fine and can stay where she is 🤞. If not, I just hope she’s well cared for and ends up somewhere just as lovely like you say.
Your veg stew with feta sounds absolutely gorgeous , proper comfort food. Enjoy every mouthful ❤️

This is sounding like good news @DirtyGertiefromno30regarding your mum... I shall send positive thoughts that it remains this way and your lovely friend is correct xx

This is sounding like good news @DirtyGertiefromno30regarding your mum... I shall send positive thoughts that it remains this way and your lovely friend is correct xx

Thank you so much @Frugal25that is so very kind of you bless you ❤️

Well done @Holidaysandchocolateon the job - that sounds really promising!

Ah @DirtyGertiefromno30, that really is awful news. So young. You just don’t know what the next day will bring in life do you? I’m sure @lifelongfrugaleerprobably feels similar. I assume your lovely DM is starting to need nursing care, as well as residential? That’s the same thing that happened to DF and we had to change homes. It turned out the staff in particular we lovely in the new one, but it is such an upheaval for them when old and frail.

Thank you @pistachiosanscream😊

Oh - I noted the 12kg weights @BigSkies2022, I’m getting there myself re that weight but broadly similar to you - that’s pretty heavy for me too.

£2.45 on some tomatoes and also paid for some medical things. Have been hoping things would resolve but finally gave in and put my hand in my pocket.

Aahhhh freezer surprises @Frugal25. I’ve found some bags that I can’t decide if they are beans or cooked mushrooms.

Glad you have support @needastrongoneagain. And roll on Valencia.

Onwards and upwards @lifelongfrugaleer. Happy to hear you’re feeling better each day.

That’s amazing news @Holidaysandchocolate. Well done.

Ohhh goodness @DirtyGertiefromno30. That’s a lot at once. I’m sorry about your mum. I hope she improves and the assessment goes well. Please try not to stress though that’s probably impossible (and I can never not). Love and support to you too.

Quiet enough day today so thankful for that.

£6 on McDonalds
£7 husband forgot his lunch at work and didn't have his bank card so I did a delivery.
£9 school tights as my Dd appears to have grown over night and now has a builders bum

Sending love and sympathy to all in the gloom right now.

@needastrongoneagainyes that is absolutely the same scenario with my Mum as with your DDad . I am hoping against hope they will keep her there. They absolutely love her and she them and it would be heartbreaking all round if she had to move . Terrible news for my friend it puts my Mum's age into perspective and l need to remember my Mum has been very fortunate to have , up until now, a very happy life .

@RumBananaSundae AHH thank you so much ❤️
Yes it's a lot for me to digest ATM , my poor friend she must be going through absolute hell. You are all so lovely here and so supportive thank you all so much . I hope you are ok sweetheart

Well done on the delivery for your DH @MushyPeasAndMintSauce
I bet he was so grateful.
Lol at the builders bum bless your DD ☺️
Thank you re the love for us all it's very well received and returned in full ❤️

Today was a note pad from TKMaxx £5.99 for work - we have a paperless policy (large public sector) and don't get personal stationary so I buy pretty notepads!

Took my lunch to work again and due to a meeting I had to travel to I didn't get my normal urge to visit Tescos for crisps at 3.30pm! Tomorrow I am taking soup again but I am going to have a walk to a bubble tea shop that does the best strawberry milk tea with tapioca bubbles! It'll be a 30 min walk to get some steps in.

@DirtyGertiefromno30 ah no that's so tragic about your neighbours daughter. So sad. Also I hope your DM can stay put. What a time for you.

Not too long for that cruise @chimichangaz

Well done on the new job @Holidaysandchocolate ! Great news.

@lifelongfrugaleer good to hear that each day you are improving

@needastrongoneagain I remember the whole admin procedure with PIL in 2024, they passed three months apart. It's an awful lot to deal with, DSIL and DH did most of it. There was a will but it hadn't been signed! The will said exactly the same as the law - split equally between children. So we entered probate without a legal will or solicitor help - did it on gov.uk and I think it was £300. MIL was hilariously frugal (she taught me well) so we thought she'd be pleased we'd saved money 🩷 Valencia - a good goal there.

Ah that's lovely doing the lunch delivery @MushyPeasAndMintSauce

I'm not healthy eating until after DS birthday on Monday although i am not overindulging now either. A January birthday means that the treats and cakes come back into the house so it begins in earnest in February! Trying to get up the energy to go for a run (I am nowhere near marathon level 😂) but think I'll just book the gym classes for Saturday.

Sorry to hear about your friend @DirtyGertiefromno30 she was the same age as me(ish) it must be a shock for all that knew her ❤️

NSD here today, met a friend for a. Wry early morning coffee, it was lovely to catch up and she treated me which was very kind. Had a fitness class booked, still trying to get a handle on both diet and exercise.

Salmon, veg and potato gratin for dinner, all from the freezer, would prefer fresh veg but I'm sticking to my guns and using up what we have.

Hope everyone here has managed to get through the day.

He puts up with a lot bless him and doesn't really ask for much so I love when I can do acts of service for him.

Mid spend day today.
I bought dd an add on package for Simms which is her current game of choice. £20. I’d much rather her play that when she’s having screen time rather than scrolling tik tok or something so feels like money well spent really.
£2.50 on a pint of milk and a bag of monster munch.