Frugal Summer shenanigans, sunburnt silliness, ice cream indulgence, paddling pool chaos, picnic pandemonium, bank holiday bonkersness, sunshine mischief and all the rest of it.

[DirtyGertiefromno30]

Welcome to our lovely, friendly,frugal thread everyone 🤗

Forgot to answer you sorry @DirtyGertiefromno30. It's a diamond surrounded by more diamonds on 18 carat band. :)
Thank you reg the signet ring. Mum got it for my 10th birthday and it's the only finger it fits on! I have another from my 9th birthday but it's currently being mended. That's normally on my little finger too. The signet got cleaned today so it's shiny!!! Normally it's dull 😂

Not too bad today - £26.17 in Sainsburys but that did include a concierge dustpan and brush for DH and I also got refund for returning some clothes picked up for the GCs in the sale £9.00
Need to do a fridge and freezer audit and then browse the cook books for some different things to prepare and try some new ideas out. Got some cream left over so will do some Dauphinoise potatoes to freeze.

£37 to replace the slow cooker I left on holiday! 🙊
otherwise should be a NSD

Ooohhh dauphinoise potatoes. Nom. Let me know when you're serving up @Rainbow1901and I'll pop in.

Ah poop @Cuwinsbut what a great idea to take with you.

£36 today on pull up pants (UTI isn't any better with DD and we have run out of knickers) and wine. We got back home in record time and got another gp appointment, the Dr from holiday confirmed that DD isn't better as they gave her antibiotics that didn't work on what she had. Didn't ruin the holiday but did put a damper on it. Anyway. Home now. Gp done and got the right medicine. Pizza in the oven and I'm sat with a cold glass of bubbles.

Done budget and I did go over holiday spending but not by loads. And I'll be ok as long as I'm careful for the month.

Yes it was a good idea but you do have to remember to bring it home!

Ah no re the slow cooker @Cuwins I can imagine why it was easy to forget it as it would blend in the with kitchen, but yes great idea to take it

Pleased you had a nice holiday @Frugal25 and hope DD gets better soon.

Sorry not had the chance to read back over the thread and hope you're all okay. 😊

Busy week here, back to work. Off again now for the bank holiday but I've got an infected bee sting in my leg and on antibiotics. Hoping they work overnight as I've a day trip to a theme park booked tomorrow with DD and our friends.

Today I've spent £120 on my best friend's daughter's 18th present (known friend since I was 15 so like family), £42 in Lidl, £11.30 Morrisons and £3.59 Boots (itch cream for my leg!).
Got lunch for tomorrow in with today's costs so hopefully tomorrow will not be too spendy as we booked tickets ages ago.
.

I love that your Mum got your signet ring for your 10th birthday , that makes it even more special. And oooh your diamond ring looks gorgeous, very beautiful l love it 💍😍
😂 I’m definitely up for my wedding role and the bubbles! 🥂
Glad you got DD back to the GP so quickly and that she’s finally got the right antibiotics. Such a shame it put a bit of a damper on the holiday, but hope she’ll soon start feeling better bless her heart ❤️
And going over budget by a bit on holiday isn’t too bad! Now enjoy your pizza and cold bubbles, you deserve it 🍕🥂💕 @Frugal25

That’s not too bad @Rainbow1901, especially with the dustpan and brush for your DH in there and getting £9 back 😊. Dauphinoise potatoes are so delicious, one of my favourites 😋. I wouldn't be able to stop myself eating them to put them in the freezer 🤣

Aw no @Lockin26 , bless you sweetheart. l hope the antibiotics kick in quickly overnight and your leg is much better for tomorrow 🤞🏻. That sounds like a lovely day out with DD and your friends 🤗
And £120 is a very generous 18th birthday present, but I can see why when you've known her Mum since you were 15 they are practically family ❤️
@Cuwinsaw noo that's a right pain forgetting your slow cooker , nevermind these things happen unfortunately 🤗.
Been to see Mum who was fine there thankfully. NSD for me although omg l am so tempted by Lawrence Llewellyn Bowens Robin duvet cover from George it's absolutely beautiful ❤️. I am drooling but sitting on my hands 😁
Will put a pic on now 🤗❤️

https://direct.asda.com/george/home/bedding/duvet-covers/laurence-llewelyn-bowen-festive-robin-duvet-set/GEM1498318,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M04G04C02
drooooool 🤤❤️

Ooh! I do like a Christmas duvet - I bought one last year and DH loved that it was a snuggly warm one. Might just have to buy another one!!

I found a Christmas duvet in the cupboard from the other year I haven't opened. But it's one single and I have 2 kids so I'll probably have to buy a 2nd.

Has anyone got a Monzo account for their kids. A friend of my 8 year old has it, we're thinking of starting pocket money and I originally thought cash, but see the advantages of a card, eg I don't need to remember to keep having and giving her cash.

Good morning.
yesterday £50 at Tesco and Marks and Spencer. Like you @DirtyGertiefromno30 , I do not know where the food goes either! I am doing quite well re using up all the contents of the freezer, but it is all food for dinners so still other meals to provide.
Mum is better, up and about and eating normally, thank you for the kind wishes about her.
Hitch with new oven. The nice men from John Lewis said they couldn’t install it because of the proximity of the sockets, apparently ours are too close. So they refunded £100 installation fee and put it in the garage. Luckily, our electrician is also our neighbour. I have left him a message.
Might I ask if you have any special method for the freezer Dauphinoise @Rainbow1901 ? It is my go to dish for Boxing Day and it would be grand to be able to cook it in advance.
Have a lovely day everybody!

Love new bedding! Absolutely gorgeous @DirtyGertiefromno30

Popped into see family today to show off the ring.
Got DD school shoes, OH paid.
£26ish on bits from b&q to finish my voiles but this came off a gift card
Then OH didn't want freezer food tonight so I paid £40ish in asda.
Absolutely shattered, slept for 11 hours last night (which I've never done in my life) and I'm still tired. Maybe the worry over DD. I'll up my leafy greens and see if that helps.

It's raining big here!!!! Yippee

Aw that's so lovely showing your family your gorgeous ring @Frugal25 💍❤️
Glad you got DD’s school shoes sorted! The B&Q stuff covered by a gift card was a bonus too. DH wanted a bit of a treat tonight l expect, well it's not every week you get engaged 😁👏❤️
You must have really needed those 11 hours’ sleep. All the worry over DD can be so draining. Hope some rest and your leafy greens help. And yippee for the rain too! ☔.
I loved the duvet cover but l am determined not to get it 😁

I have resisted the pull of the duvet @Alwaysgrowing🤣. There are some really gorgeous ones to buy l have been drooling over them 🤤

@Rainbow1901 OH l am green with envy 🤣 l have so many l just can't justify another one tbh .

It sounds like you’re doing a great job using up the freezer food well done @Twogingercats. So pleased to hear your Mum is much better and up and about again ❤️ That must be such a relief. What a nuisance about the oven though! At least the John Lewis men refunded the £100, but really handy that your electrician is also your neighbour , hopefully he can get it sorted for you asap 😁
I’d love to know about the freezer Dauphinoise too, especially if you can make it ahead for Boxing Day 😁👏😋

Afternoon everyone 🤗
Been to Waitrose and Tesco but only spent £15 in WR on loads of Tofu and £4 in Tesco on burgers for DH.
Having a Chinese takeaway tonight but not me or Dd2 so it will be about £30 for DH and Dd1. I can't because of the gluten and cross contamination and Dd2 is off out lucky thing 😁.
Hope everyone is feeling ok and having a good day 👏🤗

No idea how much I have spent since my last post. Today was £27 on a box of samosas from the samosa shop and £1.92 in Aldi. Yesterday was Aldi too buying things for jacket potatoes.

I’m watching The Hairdresser Mysteries @DirtyGertiefromno30. I’m rather enjoying it. Thank you for the recommendation. And the music is good. Glad the fires are nearly out. The duvet cover is quite William Morris. It’s rather nice. What will you do with your tofu? One if Waitrose’s current recipe cards is tofu. Enjoy your Chinese tonight.

Glad the baths were fun @Frugal25. Your ring is beautiful. I’m looking forward to the wedding. I’ve never been a bridesmaid. That’s lovely about your signet ring. Hope your daughter is OK.

Thank you @Twogingercats I’m now thinking about Mars bars. Sorry about your mum and glad she is OK.

Whoopsie on the slow cooker @Cuwins. At least you realised and replaced it before you went to use it and couldn’t find it.

When you’ve finished your audit @Rainbow1901 you can pop over and do mine. I have no idea what is in it.

Work has been horrific. Lots of rain here today but not very heavy so no nice rain smell. Made use of the day hopper fare today and discovered I (minus my leg) find bus rides rather relaxing. I am now full of samosas after eating five. And no I don’t care. Am going to try and relax tomorrow and Monday.

£55 today on a family day out at a local attraction. Good fun but very wet!

£14 farm shop trip got stuff for lunch and evening meal.
Yesterday was
£8 Starbucks meeting a friend and treating my DD and her DS to a sweet treat each.
£22 Primark - haven't tried on yet so might not be kept.
Thursday
£13 coffee out with my DH
£18 Chinese

Fairly low spend few days.
Tomorrow - nothing planned.
Monday - cinema in the morning £3 which I've prepaid and perhaps some snacks.
Challenge to myself is £20 left until Monday night.

Oh bless you sweetheart, I’m really sorry work has been so horrific . You must be absolutely exhausted after all that. Just take some time for yourself, put your feet up and properly unwind. You really deserve a couple of peaceful days. ❤️
And I’m glad the bus ride turned out to be relaxing! 😂 Who would have thought it? And you got your money’s worth from the day hopper. And yes £27 on Samosas sounds a lot, but after five eaten later I’d say they were thoroughly enjoyed! 😂 And quite right, don’t care , sometimes you just have to eat five Samosas and enjoy every mouthful! ❤️
I’m so pleased you’re enjoying The Hairdresser Mysteries and the music too. I love it 😁❤️👏. And thank goodness the fires are nearly out here such a relief.
That duvet cover really is very William Morris ish, and I think it’s lovely ❤️🤤. Re the Tofu its for my Dd1she loves it she put loads of spices , soy sauce and herbs on it , marinades it and cooks it with olive oil in the air fryer I’ll have a look at that Waitrose recipe card and see if she fancies it ,thank you for the heads up 😁
It’s a shame that rain wasn’t heavy enough for that gorgeous rain smell! It's delicious ❤️. Anyway, be very kind to yourself this weekend my lovely girl . You’ve had a rotten time at work and you deserve some peace, happiness comfort and a damn good rest. ❤️

That sounds like an excellent price @Cuwinspity about the rain though but as long as you had a fun time that's all that matters 😁

That’s a really low spend few days @Ovoemconserva! 😊 £14 at the farm shop for lunch and dinner, and lovely that you treated your DD and her DS at Starbucks 😁. Hopefully some of the Primark goes back! Thursday’s coffee and Chinese weren’t too bad either tbf. Monday’s cinema only £3 prepaid, is an excellent bargain, I reckon you can smash that £20 challenge easily! 😂👏