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Spring shenanigans, frugal mischief, Maypole antics, garden faffing, bargain binges, picnic pandemonium, Spaniel loving and Bank Holiday mayhem 😁

556 replies

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 08/04/2026 18:24

Welcome everyone, new and old to our lovely supportive frugal thread .

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drspouse · 28/04/2026 10:04

My order for new tops arrived yesterday and I'm keeping just one of them, but that one is just the right length, nice thick weight and doesn't show off my muffin top so it's a win-win.

BigSkies2022 · 28/04/2026 13:43

Sun coming out and getting warmer here. I have done the main supermarket runs (ALDI £63, Sainsbo £47, to add to the £16 over 3 trips over the last few days, sigh), and even started to put things in the freezer to take out and batch cook for DS when we're away. In June. I may be getting ahead of myself.

Our usual kennels came through, hurrah! So I don't need to introduce Ddog to a new place. Have paid £70 (travel pot), deposit to kennels this morning, balance won't be paid until we collect him. I'm afraid I couldn't bribe DS to dog sit: he's working at Ascot that week, and the money's too good to turn down, and too good for me to cover it in return for dog-sitting. I'm already ruminating about how to ensure he has the right clothes to last the week, and to make sure he leaves the house with a breakfast roll each morning. God. Does it never end??

I paid too much tax last year and have reclaimed the overpayment. Not going to share how much, but enough to cover train travel in Italy, 5 nights in (what is for us) a nice hotel in Trieste with breakfast included, big room, a balcony and a coffee machine in the room - ooooooh! and have enough not to worry too much about birthdays - April, May, June are a heavy season for us, peaking late. Still have to find a hotel for Milan. Any seasoned Milanese (is that the right word? Milanari?) among us?

£26 from random, unforeseen expenditure slop on new work trousers for DS.

This week is all about dreaming and planning, and using the credit card to reserve hotels (not payable until check out) and pay for train tickets (not payable until next month). The money is/will all be available to pay these items, but I notice that, once again, the second half of my month is lean as Jack Spratt, as I have spent my guilt-free money early! I am going to have to get better at this.

Frugal25 · 28/04/2026 15:10

Oohhh hedgehogs and swifts!!!! Beautiful @DirtyGertiefromno30
I haven't been to Milan sorry @BigSkies2022but what a coop for you with the tax return. Good for you!!!!

A spendy day here. I tried to get a GP appointment. None available. Went to the chemist they said they couldn't help. Called 111 and got a robot hang up on me twice. I've given up getting help for this virus. So spent £3 on a bus to local village where I got my friends ddog a birthday present. She didn't have children but did hit the jackpot on getting a cute dog so we celebrate it's birthday. £26 on dog stuff and a bundle of stickers for DD.
£20 in their cafe (huge department store owned by a local family who's son I went to school with so want to support) for lunch for DD and I. She ate absolutely none of it and it's now complaining she is hungry.
Then £6 on fruit as we have run out. £4 on posting ddog birthday gift.
No yoga tonight so that's £10 saved.
Homemade tomato soup with a cheesy biscuit thing for tonight's dinner.

I did get an £8 refund from Vinted too. Yay.

Got updated on the kittens. They are very playful and tearing her foster lady's legs to shreds. Hopefully get to see them this weekend fingers crossed.

Frugal25 · 28/04/2026 16:44

Forgot to add £9 for new scrunchies for DD. We put a pretty one in this morning and as we left the house I saw it coming loose. Instead of thinking "I should fix that" I thought "that will get lost at some point". Unsure why I didn't fix other than I'm not well. And yes. We lost it. Inconsolable little girl (it was her fave) so bought some similar on Amazon.
Put more fat balls out. The birds are obsessed with it bless them

RumBananaSundae · 28/04/2026 17:51

Spent £32 in Marks and Spencer on two more gym tops yesterday. Today I bought a tub of chocolate covered raspberries (£5.50),they aren’t very nice, and a TGTG bag (£3.99). I think I will take a break from them. Today I got nine huge croissants.

Arghhh about your neighbours @chimichangaz. I had that it was awful. Others must have complained as the management company sent a letter saying the building was no smoking. It didn’t make the blindest bit of difference. They did eventually stop. Where are you off to on your cruise?

Quite a bit if wildlife for you @DirtyGertiefromno30. Just manky foxes here who are as bold as anything. Think your weather is on its way here. Forecast 27 and sunny on Friday then 15 and rain next week. Just as I decided we’d had enough sunny days to wash my winter jacket.

Sounds like your soon to be new additions are doing well @Frugal25. Whoop on the refund.

Saved some money today as the friend I was meant to be meeting had a family death. Had an email from the legal bods and the other party is on holiday for three weeks. When I put away the (other) new gym tops I found five brand new pairs of leggings in the drawer that I had forgotten about. Must remember that when the next Marks and Spencer sale is on.

drspouse · 28/04/2026 20:11

Forgot my to go cup and my snacks today so went to café for coffee and cake £6.60, then got a tuna lunch thing from the corner shop, £2.45 and a few bits on the way home. I'd run out of Marmite! £7.70 (not just for the Marmite!). I had most of the rest of my lunch in my desk drawer though.

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 28/04/2026 20:22

Top sounds fab @drspouse it's brilliant when you get an item of clothing that is comfortable and feels just right 👏🤗. Coffee and cake and Marmite yummy 😋
Brilliant your Ddog kennels came through for you @BigSkies2022and quite right, your DS had to go to Ascot for his work . What a relief for you .
Great news on the tax rebate 🤗👏
That's awful no Drs appointment @Frugal25 l hope you are feeling better now sweetheart 💐.
Kitties sound adorable ❤️.
Oh poor Dd losing her favourite scrunchie bless her 🤗
Glad you treated yourself to the tops @RumBananaSundae they sound perfect and just typical about the blinking leggings 🤗
I get fed up of theTGTG bags on times and 9 cwossants 😁 are too many for anyone and you can't freeze the damn things 🙄
It's not far from the countryside where we live and we feed the hedgies everyday even in Winter and we catch them in August to check their weights and if they aren't at least 600gs we feed them like hell so they will be ok to hibernate aw bless them ❤️
So sorry your friend has had a bereavement. l hope they are well supported by their loved ones .
3 weeks delay for you God you must be pulling your hair out 🙄

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BigSkies2022 · 29/04/2026 18:10

Was planning a NSD but had a yen for some dark chocolate so off I went to the Co-Op and spent near £3. I also deposited some curtains and a dress I’ve had about 12 year or more at the local chazza. The dress is MaxMara and still nice but I just don’t want to wear it any more.

i am also trying to improve my IT/AI skills by working my way through the free content on the Skills England AI Skills Hub. Hmmm… it’s not going to replace Jane Austen in my life but I can have a go.

Frugal25 · 29/04/2026 18:28

Oh your poor friend @RumBananaSundae give her a big hug when you see them eventually. Xxx
Sorry about the chocolate covered raspberries. They sound delicious but I've had that disappointment before, looks amazing. Tastes nasty.
You're so good @DirtyGertiefromno30 for the hedgehogs. We need more of you and @needastrongone.
I hear you on the AI @BigSkies2022. It's being rammed down our throats at work but I'm enjoying the challenge. Even if I don't get it.

A NSD today. I'm still ridiculously ill. Although I've discovered that ibuprofen doesn't work as well as lemsip. Which makes me feel like I just had a heavy cold rather than wanting to curl up and take hemlock.
Cancelled my best friend tonight. I'm gutted although she obviously understands but I'm still sad. I haven't seen her for so long and haven't had a night out since I last saw her (all my other friends tend to do lunch rather than dinner)
Right. Off to dose up and get a hot water bottle for my back which aches after so much coughing.

Oh forgot to say @chimichangaz I'm so sorry about your neighbours. It really does change the dynamic on home life, good or bad neighbours. We had it many years ago before we moved here and despite complaining nothing happened. Think they were growing it too. Yukky stuff. Stinks.

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 29/04/2026 18:29

Evening everyone 🤗
Spent £5 Tesco on trifles , fresh orange juice and fromage frais for Mum . She was good there today thankfully 🤗
@BigSkies2022 not heard of that Skills England but it sounds very interesting 🤔.
Hope everyone is ok and enjoying this lovely weather 😊.

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Frugal25 · 29/04/2026 18:31

Oh hello. Triffles. Adding these to the picnic.

Frugal25 · 29/04/2026 18:32

So glad your lovely mum was ok @DirtyGertiefromno30. I often wonder how she is during the day. ☺️

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 29/04/2026 18:33

Sorry you are still poorly @Frugal25 aw bless you 🤗 💐
Shame about missing your friend too but you wouldn't want to to give it to her l think it's very kind of you to postpone.
Aw thank you re the Hedgies , we have fed them for 30 years since we moved here , they are gorgeous 😍
You absolute darling for thinking about my Mum that's so very sweet of you ❤️

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Frugal25 · 29/04/2026 18:35

So lucky with the hedgehogs. I adopted magpies from the previous owners which I adore and they give me a new baby every year. But I would love a hedgie

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 29/04/2026 18:57

We love Magpie's too @Frugal25 they are so cheeky bouncing all over the garden up the steps and their plumage is just beautiful. Gorgeous. We are so lucky with our wildlife in the UK .

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Lockin26 · 29/04/2026 20:52

Sorry for the bad news, my DM passed away in her sleep and was found yesterday morning. Even though she was 94, she'd been ill for nine years and we had no warning at all that was coming. So a huge shock. All the happy times from before my DB moved into her house 4 years ago are flooding back and I'm feeling robbed of these last few years as he's made things so hard.

I'm trying to work and save my bereavement leave for the funeral week. Although my manager has been great and I've been able to spend time with my Dsis and other siblings. Not spending more than normal, I can't seem to function enough to keep track. Hoping to get to Friday then pretty much rest / plan over the bank holiday weekend to pull myself together for Tuesday.

MyAgileHedgehog · 29/04/2026 20:55

I have been a bit absent....

Love the bird chat. I have just downloaded the Merlin app to help with my identification. New visitors to the garden are greenfinch and a spotted woodpecker (heard not seen). The lapwings are back in force but no curlew or herons yet.

@chimichangaz I hate the smell of weed. It lingers and seeps into everything. Are they renting? Poss contact their landlord if you know them.

Scrunchies are a pest for falling out.... Easy to make if you have time, elastic and pretty fabric scraps. You Tube has some amazing tutorials.

I am torn between being skipping and rabidly angry.... DH has been refunded £2.8k for overdraft charges following the FCA ruling. Glad we got it back but how did he run up so much in charges.

We are currently in France... Cheap last minute ferry, cheap hovel of a hotel in Dunkirk... But it has a microwave in the room. Dinner is a French ping meal and salad.... Much nicer than a Tesco ready meal. Dinner, wine and tomorrow's breakfast €23. Rest of the trip is part camping, friends and hotel if the weather is grim.

Other spends... £20 flowers £109 2 x coulettes (sp?) and 2 X super comfy bra in vest tops from Uniqlo.

MyAgileHedgehog · 29/04/2026 20:57

I am so sorry to hear that @Lockin26 .

Holidaysandchocolate · 29/04/2026 21:00

I’m so sorry about your Dmum lockin , take as much time as you can to process things and be kind to yourself xx

chimichangaz · 29/04/2026 21:08

So sorry to hear your news @Lockin26 - please be kind to yourself; take sick leave from work if you need to Flowers

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 29/04/2026 21:22

I’m so very sorry to hear about your Darling Mum @Lockin26
Even at 94 it’s still a shock, especially so suddenly bless you 💐❤️
I can imagine it’s bringing a lot up, both happy memories and how hard things have been . That’s a lot for you to carry.
It's good your manager has been supportive and you’ve had time with your Dsis and family. Don’t worry about functioning properly right now, just take it day by day.
Hope you can get through to Friday and can use the bank holiday weekend to rest and gather yourself a bit before Tuesday. My sincere condolences sweetheart 😘

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Frugal25 · 29/04/2026 21:23

Oh @Lockin26 I'm so very sorry. Don't feel robbed, remember the happy times from before. Your mum sounded absolutely lovely.
Work with your boss on taking leave, although saving it up is a good idea, just be careful with yourself now too.
Sending all my love. Xxx

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 29/04/2026 21:28

Have a wonderful time @MyAgileHedgehog. It sounds absolutely fabulous there 😊.
Marvellous rebate 👏👏👏

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drspouse · 29/04/2026 21:32

That does sound like a shock @Lockin26. Hope you are holding up but however it takes you it's not wrong.
I was absolutely desperate for a coffee today, my stomach has been much better with my diet and I decided that if l carry on with low fat/no alcohol/chocolate/less dairy then I could try caffeine and I had a caffeinated oat latte and felt much perkier and my stomach was fine.
But £5.60 for one coffee! Good grief!

DeepFriedCreamEgg · 29/04/2026 21:45

@Lockin26
My heart is with you at this sad time I am so sorry for your loss. Would you like to tell us all about her? I bet she was awesome to have had a daughter like you.

This not spending lark isn't going too well here. I have a hole in my bucket.