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 🤗

Had a LS weekend - £34 in Iceland but didn't have a takeaway. 😇 But will be out tonight with DD and one of the other GPs to see a show at the theatre so will be paying for my birthday tea. Show tickets bought and paid for last year so technically not a spend today! 😏Been spoilt today with presents, flowers, cakes and money - so that could pay for my tea tonight making it a LSD as will pay towards petrol/parking.
Spent yesterday afternoon out with DH looking at replacement kitchen cupboard doors, a new three piece suite and new wardrobes for a bedroom refit and decoration. This was followed by a fairly lengthy discussion of time management to allow for delivery dates plus us two having to declutter our bedroom, move into the spare bedroom and prepare for ceiling plastering and redecoration plus new carpet. Need to find a plasterer for quotes and work that into the planned maintenance. We could wait as we are paying down debts (and doing better than anticipated!) but DH says it would be nice for us to enjoy the new things and is part of our life plan not to live in a property which has had nothing done since we gutted the house when we bought his ex-DH out of the property some twenty odd years ago. Back then, we completely re-did the house with new windows, central heating, knocking out walls, new ceilings, new kitchen and bathroom - the whole lot!! But we never got around to doing our bedroom ceiling just re-decorated and got a cheapish wardrobe unit. Last year we began to update with new boiler, modern radiators and blinds and will continue with this as we update. But being frugal and accountable has allowed us the best of both worlds - plus looking around the sales means better value for money. Do people really buy stuff at full price? Or am I a cheapskate? 🤐

I don’t buy full price unless I have to

annoyingly I can’t claim back my recent prescriptions as they didn’t give me the right receipt. £40 I won’t get back. Fgs

stitches out now though

@Rainbow1901wishing you a wonderful birthday sweetheart 😘 hope you love your birthday tea and the show 🥳 🎉 ❤️💐🎈🎁🍰
Sounds like you had a great weekend 😁 . LS with no takeaway is a definite win 👏.
Your house plans sound really sensible . You’ve already done the big work over the years, and now it’s about enjoying your home while still being careful and paying down debts. Buying in the sales isn’t being a cheapskate it’s just being savvy so well done 👍 🤐😊.
Two weeks already @lifelongfrugaleer! That’s flown by , hope getting the stitches out went smoothly and you get some relief after it 💐.
Ooh cinnamon rolls 🤤 very dangerous territory once you start baking things like that! Fresh bread always smells amazing too.
Yeah I don’t think there’s a huge difference between Monzo, Chase, Emma etc really they all do much the same but they are a good fit for budgeting . Funny how a grocery spend can look better on paper but still creep up when someone else is doing the shopping. Happens so easily but needs must l am sure he is doing his best bless him 🤗.
That’s a great NSD @Frugal25 👍 Bread rolls don’t have to be perfect , they’ll taste just as good 🤤😋😁
Good plan adding the yeast and bread flour to the list.
Off to work singing sounds like a good start to the day 😄 Hope the shift went quickly for you sweetheart 🤗.
Thinking of you @BigSkies2022 hoping everything went well for your DDad today 💐🤗

Ugh that’s so annoying @lifelongfrugaleer 🙄 £40 is not small change either, especially when it’s their mistake. I’d be fuming. Typical!
Good news about the stitches being out though , that’s one hurdle over at least. Hopefully things will just get better day by day 💐🤗

Makes sense with the kids @Alwayslearning25, and good you checked with your manager and offered overtime. Glad you’re enjoying the extra day off, even if budgeting’s tighter 🤗
You had a fab weekend @devildeepbluesea! That NSD must have been a nice surprise, and using a Jam Doughnut gift card for Chinese is just brilliant love that bit of triumph over £1.15! 🍜🍩
Oh yes @Shnout, that vanilla M&S one is proper indulgent, isn’t it! 😋 Sounds like you made a real win with the stew too , l love that you used up all the veggies and made it stretch so well. And making stock from the carcass is such a great move, even if it’s a bit lighter than the slow cooker ones , still gets the flavour in there. Proper frugal and tasty all in one!

Aw thank you @RumBananaSundae know it's really tough about my Mum's friend . Poor things l feel like l am the harbinger of doom here tbh 🙄.
Chores always have a sneaky way of multiplying, don’t they? Fingers crossed a bit more protein helps your leg, and well done on stretching that couscous, it sounds like you’ve been very resourceful as ever. Two eggs on Wednesday… hmm, omelette or fried rice maybe?
Can’t believe the weekend’s flown by so quickly either. Hope today wasn’t too brutal at work 🤗
@JohaanahLove that your DH treated you both, and that cinnamon bun clearly hit the spot 😋 .Your soup sounds lush too, butternut and red pepper is always a winner. Well done on the Vinted sale, every little helps! And hooray for your toad in the hole being a hit always satisfying when dinner’s a win. Totally with you on weekends flying by… countdown starts now! ⏳✨

Well done on reining things in a bit @FurForksSake .
Hope your DH enjoys those turkey steaks😁.
I think l have caught up on everyone .l hope everyone is doing well and happy birthday to those who have birthdays and whose beloveds have birthdays too 🍰🎁🎈🎉🥳👏
Mum was fine there today thank God. Ate and drank well for me and comfortable and out of pain, that's all l can hope for . Weather has been awful , foggy , drab, wet & cold hey ho.
NSD for me thankfully, l am busy getting rid of the Christmas food not much left now thank God 👏😁

I spent £4.10 on milk and some chocolate covered raisins. Essentials. Obviously.

Hope today went well and that you’re relaxing at home now and your father is comfortable @BigSkies2022.

Thank you @lifelongfrugaleer and goodo on the stitches but arse to the wrong receipts.

Rice is a good shout @DirtyGertiefromno30. Thank you. Might throw some tofu in too. Work stank today. You have to laugh sometimes. It’s utterly ridiculous. It’s made me determined to enjoy my day out with my friend tomorrow. Glad your mum is ok and wow on you still working on the Christmas food.

Tomorrow will be spendy but I’m taking that on the chin and hoping it helps me destress. I know stress impacts health but I’m now getting ulcers on my fingers. Not the most pleasant experience.

@RumBananaSundae ouch, finger ulcers sounds very painful! I mostly have a skill of keeping work stress at work, and family stress at home, compartmentilising, but understand I do carry some of the stress, even if I don't actively think of it. Some things are hard to just brush off though. I find it helpful, and for that reason don't really like the movement of bringing your whole self to work, it erodes boundaries the other way round psychologically I feel. Enjoy your day tomorrow.

I really struggle to keep track of this thread. I had a nsd today.

Uclers on fingers do sound ouch, I hope your lovely day off tomorrow destresses you @RumBananaSundaeand absolutely chocolate covered raisins are absolutely essential. Gets you through life some days I find... Ahem.

So glad your mum is having another good day @DirtyGertiefromno30 this makes me so happy!!!

How were the stitches coming out @lifelongfrugaleer did it go ok?

Hope you're ok @BigSkies2022 have been thinking of you today.

I had a NSD. My colleague wanted to do lunch but she paid as it was her idea. I had already eaten so two lunches for me!!

I’ve had quite a spendy day.
£93 for dog food - I buy (nearly) 2 months supply at a time which works out cheaper in the long run.
£11 on basics - milk/bread/juice etc. Was had intended on treating myself to a chocolaty desert, but couldn’t really justify it. None of them looked particularly tempting and were all pretty expensive.
£15 on a gift for a friend.

Tomorrow will be cheaper!

@RumBananaSundae I hope you’re ok, work stress is awful, try and take care of yourself- easier said than done I know ❤️

@DirtyGertiefromno30 your posts are amazing - I have no idea how you keep up with everything here, hope you mum is doing well and you get a bit of a break 🤗

Nsd today, very early morning walk with dh and the pooch, followed by a reformer class( paid for monthly) ran to drop dds musical instrument off at school as she forgot it 🙄 got suck in traffic on the way home - round trip took an hour and twenty and it was my lunch break. Came home caught up with work, another trip to collect dd from school as she had an exam and missed the bus - no time to spend any money today!!

Made a chickpea and butternut curry for dinner was great 👍🏻 I can highly recommend M&S aged basmati rice, it’s very good.

Hoping for an NSD tomorrow and possibly Wednesday too.

Have a great evening everyone.

Evening! Left over beef as wraps for dinner, used the leftover wraps dh brought home from beaver camp and peppers from the freezer. Very frugal!

Looks like our boiler has broken a bit, the diagnosis is that something is stuck in the on position. Hoping it will be a cheap and easy fix!

Those ulcers sound ouchy. Try and rest up

stitches. Didn’t feel a thing. Still can’t wash my hair though for a few more days😢

Happy birthday @Rainbow1901 i hope you enjoy your night out.

so good to hear your stitches are out @lifelongfrugaleer it seems like no time at all. Though that’s really annoying about the receipt.

i can’t imagine how painful finger ulcers are @RumBananaSundae you can’t seem to catch a break lately.

lsd today, just €2 in work. Though I may checkout a water bottle for small child on Amazon. It’s one I know won’t leak!

Happy birthday @Rainbow1901

£4.10 is well spent on milk plus delicious chocolate raisins , that feels like a very sensible life choice to me @RumBananaSundae 😋😁Tofu in egg fried rice is a good shout too, bulks it out nicely,my Dd1 loves Tofu , the very firm one , she marinades it in loads of different flavours 😁 .
Work sounding utterly ridiculous is unfortunately very common 🙄, sometimes all you can do is laugh, otherwise you’d scream. Good on you for being determined to enjoy tomorrow , that mindset alone is half the stress relief. And yes, a spendy day that actually helps you decompress is money doing its job properly!
Ulcers on your fingers sounds miserable though, bless you sweetheart 💐😕 stress really does show up in the most horrible ways. I really hope tomorrow with your friend gives you a proper breather. Enjoy every minute ❤️
Thank you re my Mum that's so lovely of you 🤗
@Alwayslearning25 don't worry about keeping up to date with the thread lovely just go with the flow it's fine 💐🤗

Ah thank you so much re my Mum @Frugal25❤️ yes it's taken each day as it comes now and make the most of the good ones .
That's brilliant you had a NSD. Free lunch always tastes better, especially when you’ve already eaten 😁😋 two lunches is definitely allowed especially if your friend paid 🤣 yummy 😋 🤤

That doesn’t sound spendy in a bad way at all @Shnout , it’s mostly sensible, planned stuff. Buying dog food in bulk is exactly the kind of ouch now but win later spend that saves money overall , so it's a good move 🐶
Basics are unavoidable, and honestly resisting an overpriced dessert is a win in itself well done. The birthday gift is a lovely, intentional spend too 🤗
Blimey, that was a full on day @Johaanah and still an NSD, well done lovely 👏 . An early walk, work and all the school taxi duties… no wonder it disappeared. That curry sounds lush, and yes, M&S basmati really is excellent 😄
Fingers crossed for another NSD tomorrow (and Wednesday!) 🤞 Hope you’re having a quieter evening now.
You deserve it sweetheart.
I keep up with the posts here usually because my DH and my Dds love sport on the telly . They are watching it and l am on my phone lol .
I also do a lot of the writing by speak to text it saves a lot of typing tbh. It keeps me occupied and out of trouble and stops me spending lol 🤣

@FurForksSakeThat’s a cracking frugal dinner 👏 using up leftovers and freezer peppers is always satisfying well done you . Love a random Beaver camp contribution too 😁. Fingers crossed your boiler is just something simple and doesn't cost a lot 🙏🤞🤗
That's marvellous news @lifelongfrugaleer it won't be long now before you can wash your hair , bless you 💐
That non leak bottle sounds like a necessity to me for small child @pistachiosanscream.
Go for it 🤗
Am watching Jamie's feasts for a fiver , omg he's a miracle worker, that chicken hotpot he cooked last week looked absolutely delicious 😋

@lifelongfrugaleer that doesn't feel like two weeks (or it could do for you) good the stitches are out but boo to the £40

Amazing on the half marathon @needastrongoneagain respect and pleased it felt good (although a little sore today!)

Hope your DF procedure went well @BigSkies2022

@RumBananaSundae chocolate raisins = essential spends! The finger ulcers not so pleasant, hope your lunch out is a good stress buster - been there with work and it's awful.

Pleased your DM is comfortable @DirtyGertiefromno30 foggy and drab here too.

Happy Birthday @Rainbow1901 lovely you got lots of treats. You share a birthday with my DS who turned 20 today. We've had two days of lovely food and company.

£7.49 Superdrug as DS had run out of E45 shampoo and his excema flared up.
£15.75 at a brownies and cookies bar as we ate all the birthday cake yesterday!
Could have been more spendy - made soup last night for work today.

I also struggle to keep up with the thread so hope everyone is okay and sorry where I've missed updates 😊

Happy birthday to @Rainbow1901!!! Have a fabulous time celebrating 🎁 🎉
Happy birthday to your lovely DS too @Lockin26sounds like the cake was delicious 😋

Evening all. Today was long, although I did get a breather while dad was actually having his op and I sat in the cafe. Horrible drive back from the hospital to the home through dark winding country lanes. But dad is done! He’s going to be rather bruised and battered for a while and we won’t know for a while if there is nerve damage and if there is whether it will alter his facial movements permanently or not. But the nasty is gone, hopefully, and he can finally start to heal fully.

everyone at the hospital and then at the home was super kind, patient and thorough. Dad very pleased with his bottles of wine and I left him with his dinner on a tray in his room, glass of red to take edge off- he was probably asleep before I was back on the A25!

Fingers crossed he heals well. DH sorted dinner and I am decompressing with some telly and tea. Quiet day tomorrow methinks. DH in work early, DS has driving lesson, DDog has a haircut. I plan to walk, get some french practice, do a workout, do some food shopping, maybe buy some daffodils. Read my book group book!

Oh I'm so pleased @BigSkies2022it sounds like it went really well. Was your lovely dad able to go back to the home afterwards? If so that will make his recovery even better.
Daffodils are my fave flower, they really do brighten the mood and make you smile don't they? I hope you're doing the trick. Enjoy your french and walk, very much well deserved for a slow day. What book are you reading for your club? I've just finished the kite runner and it was probably the best book I've read. Heartbreaking but ridiculously well written. Make sure you take today slow my lovely. Well done xxx

Happy birthday rainbow

pleased it went well with dad. Rest and decompress today big.

don’t worry about keeping up frugaleers. And input is good

hello fresh coming today. £55 but does us 4 meals for 3 with leftovers and takes the thinking out atm. From food budget
Amazon subs tomorrow about the same