February faffing, wig mischieving, pancake stuffing, bargain gymnastics and looking forward to Spring Shenanigans ❤️

[DirtyGertiefromno30]

Welcome to our new thread everyone 🤗. All are welcome to our supportive, kind , frugal thread .

Your day sounds amazing @DirtyGertiefromno30 and gorgeous presents from you both too. So glad your mum is well 😌
Oooohhhhhh 5?!?! @BigSkies2022id be the size of a house if I had that. I try so hard to be vegan. But I do slip and I do blame cheese. When I've cleared this debt I've promised myself a monthly trip to the farm shop that has the most beautiful cheese counter. Roll on December.

Thanks for the birthday wishes. It has been a bright and lovely day here too, we tried to go for a family walk down to a nearby lake but we only got 5 mins down the road before DD went very pale and announced that she was feeling horrible (she has a stinky cold) so she and I came back. I revived her with a hot chocolate and we had a singalong till DS came back (he doesn’t tolerate our singing 😉).

I went for a mooch in our high st today and spent a bit. About £8 in the card shop, £15 in florist on a pot plant for friend’s birthday, £14 on orchid for my mum, and raspberries, cream and a newspaper in Tesco. It does all add up very quickly! Need to buy some vouchers for Dm tonight for a craft place she likes.

Random spends today and yesterday. Mostly on gift cards except for some milk this morning and a tin of blackcurrants.

I was reminded of the half term hoards today @needastrongone. I thought I’d go to the Samurai exhibition but it’s sold out for the weekend and most of the week. Happy anniversary for tomorrow.

Mountain? Opposite your house? Really??? @DirtyGertiefromno30. I’m rather envious. It must be beautiful. Noticeable shift in the weather here too. Chillier. A Saturday chinwag is a great way to spend the day. Glad your mum is well.

The amount I’ve spent due to FOMO @Johaanah. Hope it’s an easy decision on the dress when it arrives.

I’m relieved I don’t live in your neck of the woods @BigSkies2022. Five cheese shops? I’d be bankrupt. And wearing togas.

Was at the office yesterday. Today has been quiet. Am watching the sliding from Cortina. Need to meal plan.

Ah thank you @Frugal25. We had a lovely day. Mum was good today, she ate and drank loads for me and she was happy,it WAS a good day ❤️
Roll on Dec sweetheart 🤗.@ArmDimples
What a lovely day even with your poor DD feeling poorly bless her . Hot chocolate and a singalong sound perfect! Your shopping sounds lovely but it adds up really fast. Hope she feels better soon 😊 💐.
@RumBananaSundaeShame about the Samurai exhibition being sold out, that would’ve been excellent. Noticeably more chilly here too, definitely feels like Winter’s clinging on. Sliding from Cortina sounds exciting not seen the Olympics today will catch up later and yes, meal planning always seems to sneak up on us.
Yes it's the Blorenge mountain
Opposite us . It's a lovely view but like everything when you live somewhere for a long time you tend to take it for granted.
I do love it here and couldn't think of moving out, mainly l think because we have bought the girls up here and it's home of course . It needs stuff done but l find as we get older we don't want to do anything.
I am too busy with my Mum to do anything anyway. That's my excuse and l am sticking with it 🤣

Lovely day here yesterday. I came out of my gym class and people were coming out of the hotel admiring the sun!

Spends yesterday Lidl £36.37. that was a top up - remembering when a top up was around £15!

Cheese shops nearby and mountains opposite houses sound amazing.

We had Valentine's deal from M&S but I fell asleep on the sofa (bad habit which was NY resolution to stop) so struggling to get back to sleep. Must put phone on airplane mode, work out plan for tomorrow and back to sleep!

Ooh @BigSkies2022 tell us what you think of Crime 101. I want to see that this week. Might go and see The Housemaid later today. Read the book on my holiday and enjoyed it.

Sounds like all had a busy productive day yesterday. @Johaanah the dress will be an investment if you love it so don’t beat yourself up!

@Frugal25 talking of DVDs, on Friday night I sat down to watch my Christmas present to myself of Aliens in 4k ultra HD only to discover the PS3 wasn’t compatible. Looks like a second hand player will cost between £50-£100 - not worth it when the PS3 plays dvds. Might have to sell the 4k version instead.

@RumBananaSundae if you do manage to get to the Samurai exhibition let us know what you think. It’s on my list to look at doing when I’m in London with my friend in April (sounds like we’d need to book up now!)

Cant remember if I updated spends - Friday was a LSD - just a top up birthday present. Yesterday I went to the gym in the morning (took me a while to get going yesterday…), then food shopping £64. I bought a whole chicken and some turkey mince, topped up some household stuff and a big jar of coffee so not too bad. Couldn’t find my Morrisons £5 voucher though so will have to look for that. Then last night £15 on a romantic night out with my friends to watch my local sports team!!

Planning a NSD today - colouring my hair, cooking up a load of stuff, catching up on finances. If I go to the cinema it will be ‘free’ as I have a Limitless membership and I bought drinks and snacks yesterday. But may just hunker down at home.

Ah happy belated birthday arms
nsd yesterday

Belated Happy Birthday @ArmDimples
Spent about £60 yesterday at the gig. Hit the merch stand and bought a t shirt (got a last minute cat sit to justify it) and some drinks. Had a fun evening!
Today will be a LSD. I need a couple of things at Boots/Superdrug and we need something for dinner.

Morning.

@chimichangaz I really recommend Song Sung Blue if that’s still out at the cinema had me in bits!

Thanks @RumBananaSundae - your toga comment made me really chortle 🤣.

Get you @BigSkies2022 all bougie, although there’s a stark difference between the £55 per kilo Raddicio and £4 disposable gloves in terms of both cost and the realities of life.

My budget for food is high too @ArmDimples - I love cooking, eating optimally is a priority for us and we very rarely eat out. Other aspects of our live we spend very little, but a warm house and food in the fridge will always be on top of the list.

Spends
£330 breakdown cover which is for work, but must have been set up to come off my card. I’ll cancel with the bank and ask the company to pay me back, or contest it as I had no notification of the recurring payment.
£20 local shop.
£95 Amazon Prime. It’s worth it for us now we are more restricted to the house, but I’ll review for future.

Supper tonight will be leftover lasagne, which was bloody delicious and I made for friends last night, and lunch will be the leftover tomato and basil soup I made for the starters. They had just finished a trip to India and I purposely made something with a distinct lack of spice!

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend

It was very bitter sweet to see the sun yesterday, the rain has reflected how I am feeling at the moment.

Spending wise it's not been too bad,
£27.99 on some bits for DS3's birthday next weekend
£60.91 on groceries (£52.87 left in grocery budget for the month)
90p on 3 A4 envelopes (sending off documents for brothers estate)
£6.20 on more pasties for parents

My brothers funeral is tomorrow, that's going to be very difficult. I still can't quite believe that this is all happening it all seems so surreal.

Oh @chimichangaz the dvd situation sounds frustrating. I would have been gutted on a Friday night. How much to replace the dvd? Hopefully not as much!
I'll join you in the toga @RumBananaSundae. We would look fabulous too! Sorry about the exhibition. Is there another date you can go to? I did see it advertised in the paper and thought of you. Looks amazing.
On sweetie, I am sorry this is all happening to you @NursieBernardHorrendously heartbreaking and surreal. I shall be thinking of you tomorrow. And sending all my love and hugs.
Should be a NSD today. Rain can do one. Shall eat leftovers for lunch at OH house and then travel back together to my house and eat roasted salmon and veg (for them, veggie thing for me, really need to get to Waitrose and try out that chickpea tofu)
Your meal plan today sounds amazing @BigSkies2022and your night last night does like it went well!

Need- you are not wrong about the gap between life as she is lived and the aspirations reflected in some of our local shops! Luckily all markets are still catered for and we haven’t turned into toy town.

Dinner last night was delicious. We have some leftovers for post cinema tonight.

Very wet and cold walk with dog today. Pure comfort lunch of beans on toast. About to have a hot bath with a cup of tea and a podcast and then we’re off to the movies. Just as the weather is clearing.

So I made a mistake didn't I. My house insurance was rolled over, and it was cheaper than I could find shopping around. All good. My bank switch meant the money didn't go out, when I set it back up, the oaymthas jumped up to x4 amount due to the abrupt start. FFS. Lesson learnt. Check bank details when renewing.
Sorry, it was need with the people over wasn't it, not big. Too many lovely people on here with lovely dinners!!

Been busy here today, shopping in Morrisons was £53 and HB was £10.
I put stuff back at the till l was ruthless 🤣
DH cooking a chicken dinner tonight bless him 😋

B&M £13.47 toiletries
Amazon £11.24 toiletries
Lidl £5.58 tulips

Boo to car insurance 👎 @Frugal25 my experience of renewing DHs wasn't great via Meerkat - it kept rising at the final payment, so wasn't as cheap as the quotes.

Set up our Power of Attorney accounts on gov.uk. Will be £92 per POA need four between me and DH so £368. Suspect more using a solicitor so we'll go with that, when we get paid. Already dipped into the emergency account this month!

Mr Amazon got £17.73 on a book. I fancy learning about romantic artists. £2 on a bag of lentils and £7.70 on two TGTG bags from a new coffee shop. Far too much in both of them but very good value if there’s more than one of you to feed.

That’s a bugger with the insurance @Frugal25. I’m sorry.

I’m picturing you ruthless at the till @DirtyGertiefromno30 . I’ll have to channel my inner Dirty next time I’m tempted.

Weekends end far too quickly. Toyed with the idea of British Museum membership as I think I’ll get my moneys worth (and have fond memories of going there as a student at lunchtimes) but it starts the day you buy it so I think I’ll wait until I go. Am determined to get to this exhibition.

Excellent job on the POA @Lockin26l am very impressed by you 💪😊.
Oh these TGTG bags sound fab @RumBananaSundae 😁😋
l put back a box of Ferrero Rocher and a bottle of Frixinet from Morrisons . They were on more card prices but it was £12.50 more on the bill and l didn't need them! I must do it more often 😁
The BM is fantastic and well worth the membership you are right though , wait till you go to join 💪😊

@needastrongone that’s no longer on near me, sadly. Mostly kids films next week with half term, and then I’m away for a week. Shall keep an eye out. Didn’t make it to the cinema today, feel like I’ve been cooking for HOURS 😭

@NursieBernard I’m so sorry you and your family are dealing with such a devastating loss - will be thinking of you tomorrow ❤️

@Frugal25 I’ve already got the dvd thankfully- I’d heard the 4k version was amazing but I should have realised the ps3 was old technology!! Better for me to sell the 4k version than buy an upgrade just to play one disk! And what a bummer about the insurance - good job you realised in time though.

@DirtyGertiefromno30 I can imagine you being ruthless - I need to channel that!! I’ve also had chicken dinner today but sadly have had to cook it myself 🤣🤣 However I now have loads of leftover chicken- I also made a turkey chilli so that’s my meal prep done for this week thank goodness.

NSD for me today 😊

I forgot to say .l hope everything goes as well as can be expected tomorrow @NursieBernard. Will be thinking of you all bless you ❤️.
Well done on the food prep too @chimichangaz, you can do Dirty if you want to 🤣🤣🤣.
@Frugal25 glad you realised about your insurance sweetheart, what a shock !
Thank goodness it's been sorted out now well done 👍 😁.

Was going to ask @FurForksSake does she watch the Pottery Throwdown on C4 ? We love it , hope she is because l am sure she will enjoy it 😁

I do watch it! I love it, it’s so fun today with the challenge of making flowers. It’s so nice to learn things and see other people getting enthusiastic about mud

Righto.
Here is my line in the sand

......................

Mindful and considerate spending began again this morning.

Today's spends

£4.80 a sweet treat for a cup of tea at home after swimming.
£18 for a car wash or as I l know it my cars yearly spa service. I always have every intention of keeping it less of a shit tip. Do not manage it. This has however been paid for by hardly using any fuel this month.
We was going to go for Sunday Lunch which wouldn't have been much change of £70 and we didn't in the end instead it was cold and horrible so we had a huge mug of tea and a sausage sandwich (and a nap 😆)

Aw l am so glad you are watching it too 😁. They are so talented l couldn't pick the one to go though because they are all so good 😊

And I bet a sausage sandwich and a cuppa filled you up (almost) as much as a Sunday lunch @ChipshopPickledEgg - but a nap on top? Chefs kiss.

I’m off to the gym shortly and then I have a pedicure and bikini wax for my cruise but I’m also returning a skirt on the way home so will have £15 more in my bank account. No other spends planned today 🤞🏻

Sending hugs nurse