Frugal Autumn/Winter shenanigans ,is it an hour on or an hour back😂 .Halloween trick or treating, spooky silliness, Guy Fawkes fireworks , toffee apples and hot dogs ,lovely wedding plans , cosy Christmas plans and all the rest of it 🎃🍂🔥👰🎄

[DirtyGertiefromno30]

Welcome one and all to our lovely frugal thread . All welcome just join in 😁

@Frugal25 l used to listen then stopped but l am hooked again lol 😂

Thank you all for the kind welcome @Frugal25 yes, I do absolutely marvel (not in a good way), how can such a small room cost SO much to do?! Are you happy with yours at least?

@DirtyGertiefromno30 thank you for the words of encouragement! Sadly here in the CI there is only one provider for each of gas, electric and water - a total monopoly - so no fixed tariffs! We also can’t go on the lowest one as I WFH so we do use quite a bit of electric in peak hours. It’s the standing charges which have really jumped here, people are always complaining about it but we have no power to vote with our feet!

@Lockin26 whereabouts are you? You mentioned running down the sea front

Well, so much for not spending anything until the weekend! DH couldn’t be bothered to cook Fri night after having busted his balls on the bathroom at lunchtime and early evening so £15 on a ready meal which was awful and I left (the food, not him!). Hidden cost of bathroom I suppose!

weekend was also quite spendy as a new cake shop opened in town and the kids wanted one each - 7.75 for a small cake and cookie - telling myself I’m at least supporting a local business and we won’t be doing it regularly but even so! DH then need some new shoes and a shirt -97 - but used everup so at least got a bit of cashback

DC1 party yesterday. - only extra was 3.95 chips for DH so not too bad.

Hoping to get away with milk and fruit top ups only this week until do shop Saturday. DH to London one day this week so hoping all paid for by work but his work are pretty stingy so there may be some expense.

im just really stressed about the mortgage. I think we are looking at additional payments of around £700 a month - we can’t fix until 3 months out (so end Jan), though I am going to email bank to see if they can do it earlier for us - I suspect the answer will be no!

God everything just costs so much these days doesn’t it @Retireewannabe! 😩 £700 extra a month is such a worry for you , l really hope the bank will let you sort it out sooner so you can get a better rate 🤞🙏. Also not fair you can't fix your energy prices too 🙄.
You are right re the helping local business out . l am sure the children loved their treats too bless them .

Good evening everyone 😁
NSD for me today, Mum was fine there thankfully 😁. Weather is pants here tbh l have shoved the clothes on the line but l am going to have to finish them off in the dryer l am sure .
Hope everyone is ok and having a lovely day 🤗

Had a vile email from ex-work today. Not entirely sure of the point other than unpleasantness and dam right nastiness. Replied to the solicitor too so not had the best day.

Thank you @DirtyGertiefromno30. Think I’m going to try and take it easy. Glad Nana P is doing OK. What is happening in The Archers? I stopped at the George storyline as I didn’t like it.

Oh @Retireewannabe. What a disappointment. I hate it when that happens you spend your money on something and then you don’t enjoy it. Even worse if it’s awful. That projected mortgage increase is painful. I’m dreading mine coming up. I wouldn’t worry too much about the energy price cap. My bills have gone up.

Was doing ok spending wise but then bought wotsits. Have spent £4.39 today. Think I’ll try and book my few days away later so that will go up.

I am pleased with the bathroom now @Retireewannabe. Unfortunately I chose a cowboy builder to start with who took 4 weeks to rip things out, (we had to move out and he wouldn't let us back in) didn't put things back, left me with 2 gas leaks and a water leak from the bathroom so bad that the kitchen ceiling came down 2 days before Christmas. Thankfully I then found a company who were so amazing I don't have anyone else in my house now for anything.
Oh gosh £700 a month is awfully steep extra to find. I'm so sorry. And the cakes, expensive but worth it.

Oh @RumBananaSundaeim sorry. Glad you got the solicitor out the way, are you able to ignore work or do.you have to respond? I don't know the George storyline... Shall google and may skip that bit.
@DirtyGertiefromno30so.glad nanny p is doing well. We had rubbish weather here too.

£13 on tights from tesco as DD only has 1 pair and it's too cold for socks now and I'm fed up of washing the same pair every evening. But I found a voucher for £2.50 off to applied that. And £29 for my grass man. Unsure the grass is benefitting from it at the mo tbh.

Oh that's awful @RumBananaSundae, some people really are just nasty for the sake of it bloody big fat Piguana gits 😡😤. No wonder you've had enough today, especially having to deal with the solicitor as well. Hope you can have a quiet evening and try not to let them get to you too much sweetheart ❤️. £4.39 isn't bad going, even with the Wotsits 😂. Hope you manage to get your few days away booked, it'll be nice to have something to look forward to.
God knows you deserve a bit of a break from it all ❤️.
I can't believe you stopped listening to the Archers because of the George storyline because l stopped listening for exactly the same reason! ATM l am still catching up but Harrison and Fallon have split up , George is having a baby with someone , Brian is trying to turn Home farm into a caravan park , Fallon is leaving the pub and going to work in a new centre . I can't remember anything else but it's good so vine back and listen to it l am hooked lol . Thank you re my Mum l am just grateful for every day ATM tbh ❤️

Aw thank you re my Mum @Frugal25.
l agree it's too cold for your DD to wear socks now bless her, at least you had a voucher towards it 😉😊. £29 for the grass man though 🙄 blooming heck !
I remember all the trouble you had with that builder sweetheart, you went through hell 🤗.

Fell off the thread a little, will try to get back on track!

@RumBananaSundae so sorry to hear about the email from the ex-cretins. Wotsits were well deserved after that!

@DirtyGertiefromno30 pleased Nana P is well. It's definitely getting chilly now, I'm finishing towels put out first thing on the heated clothes dryer now.

@Retireewannabe I live in North East England about 20 miles inland from the coast, but my DD has an activity in a seaside town and I've taken to running while she does that. That must feel pressured about the mortgage. You're definitely doing the right thing tackling this head on, speaking to the bank and joining the frugal front here.

Tights are never cheap @Frugal25 but well worth it to keep mini frugs warm and also the £2.50 voucher was good!

Friday and the weekend was not too spendy, think between meal out with friends, Amazon, Lidl and coop I spent £127.

A delightful and frugal activity on Saturday was getting DD a prom dress on loan from the academy trust HQ - it's absolutely beautiful and is on loan until next summer. The academy trust does this to save parents money. I'm blown away by the generosity and savings!

Rest of the weekend I spent at home, cleared away all my normal home accessories and brought the autumn / Halloween accessories out. Summer clothes away - jumpers out. Cleared out the shed ready for a log delivery next weekend. Karcher'd the decking at long last!

Today has been a NSD, other than for things that came from Monzo pots.

That’s amazing about the prom dress @Lockin26, what a lovely thing for the academy trust to do and such a saving for parents! Sounds like you’ve had a busy weekend getting everything ready for autumn. Definitely feeling chilly here now too! £127 isn’t too bad for the weekend, especially with a meal out included. Aw thank you re my Mum she was lovely there today 😊❤️

Oh your home sounds like it's all cosy and ready for autumn now @Lockin26. Beautiful. And wow with the prom dress. I didn't know these places existed so shall keep in mind for when I need it!

Been told that tomorrow there is a call on whether we are being made redundant or not at work. I'm smiling and head is held high. Either way. I either keep my job. Or I get a pay out (rather high from what I can gather) and I may actually go back to the career I was happiest in, which is a pay cut to start with but I was happy. Haven't done it for a few years so I could temp for a while and get experience back up first.
Washing all in the tumble drier and on airers. It was all on the line but Laura tobin was wrong this morning. I did not have a sunny morning and a slight shower at lunch.

£10 on yoga tonight. Haven't been for a few weeks and it's needed tonight for sure.

Not much work on today. I could do some learning tbh. I may clean the bedrooms first and then do that. Seeing as productivity isn't very high in the team today I don't think it will be an issue.

Now the sun is out. Ffs

I think you’re looking at it in a really good way @Frugal25. ❤️ Fingers crossed for tomorrow, but whatever happens, it might just open a different door for you sweetheart. And if that means going back to something you were really happy doing, then maybe it’s not such a bad thing after all. You’ll find your feet again, even if it takes a bit of time. Try not to worry too much tonight. Typical about the weather though, all that washing 🙄 .Definitely sounds like yoga is needed tonight. Hope it does you good and you come away feeling a bit more relaxed. Sending you a big hug for tomorrow sweetheart 😘

Afternoon everyone 😊
Been busy today , did shopping in Aldi for us and Mum £54 . Beautiful day here 19C sunny and warm ❤️
Mum was fine bless her . Hope everyone is ok 🤗

Very spendy yesterday evening and today. I’ve booked my break and a few exhibitions. Have a new pair of shoes. They were £30 off in Cotswold outdoor so I got them. And £1.80 or so in Aldi on crisps and yogurt and £12 on a cinema ticket.

I will ignore them @Frugal25. There’s no benefit to me for engaging. They are being nasty to be nasty and they have had enough headspace already. Hope tomorrow is ok for you. Enjoy yoga tonight.

I had a nice quiet evening @DirtyGertiefromno30 thank you. Well a spendy holiday planning one. Ohhh Harrison and Fallon is not a surprise. George having a baby? How did he find someone to sleep with him?? Thank you for the update. Maybe I’ll pick it up again. Glad your mum was lovely today.

That’s a really good idea with the dresses @Lockin26. I’m tempted to put my summer clothes away too then I go out and it’s much milder than I anticipated. Have been having far too many crisps. I feel they should be joining jam tarts on the naughty step.

From today Eurostar are offering triple points on tickets. Typical as I bought mine yesterday evening. Had a really quiet day today as didn’t feel good yesterday. My knee is complaining so will try and run tomorrow. Did some tidying and went into town to look for trousers but couldn’t find any.

I did feel a little cheered the Barbie I had bought was sold out after a few days of going on sale. She’s now back in shops at… $144.95. Just had an email and the film I booked for gas been cancelled so I’ll get a refund.

I am so glad you've got lots to look forward to with a holiday and exhibitions to look forward to @RumBananaSundae 😊 👏. And £30 off the shoes is a real bargain so that doesn't count as spendy in my book.
You're right about your work, no point giving them any more headspace when they're being nasty for the sake of it. They're not worth it . Vile Piguanas. Hope you're feeling a bit better today and your knee is ok tomorrow. Just typical about the Eurostar points too 🙄. I can't remember who George on the Archers hooked up with now, l have forgotten her name 🤣. I am still getting back into it ATM but l do like it again .
Your Barbie must be a good buy if she's sold out already and now selling for so much more , well done 👏😁. Pity about your film being cancelled but at least you'll get your money back.
Crisps are definitely on the naughty step here too 🤣.
I was very good tonight though l cleared the fridge if all leftover veg and ham and put it all in the slow cooker and made soup with it . We all had some and l he abe a bowl leftover for me tomorrow 😁😋👏

Good evening all. Another expensive day as we had to take Puss to the vet. again, We have registered her with a new practice and were very favourably impressed. Vet very kind and gentle with her. £150 for an antibiotic and a steroid injection.
About £5 on groceries. I was about to have a packet of crisps this pm and nearly cries when I found they were pickled onion not salt and vineger!😿
Dh does not mind them so not wasted.
we did get our day out yesterday but no purchases.
hope everybody is ok. x

Oh bless your cat@Twogingercats, £150! 😱 Hope the injections help her. At least you’ve found a nice new vet. So important that you are happy with the care she gets bless her . And fancy getting the wrong crisps 🤗! I’d be disappointed too, salt and vinegar all the way! Glad you had your day out yesterday and didn't spend that was a win 🤗.

Morning all.

That much dry shampoo today my hair went gray 😆 was interesting to see what I would look like not a saving I'll be embracing.

Rest of the week has been fine so far.

Few vinted purchases for our upcoming holiday but budgeted.

Coffee with a friend

Coffee with a menty B yesterday lunch time 😆

That's about it really.

I made a bolognese last night with the burger mince I got cheap from SFLF and WOWEE! It was the best i’ve ever made, not a bit left on the plates so I’m really happy with that purchase. Today I’m making a leek, potato and bacon soup with home made cheesebread. Can’t wait. Also having a no spend day today and tomorrow as I’ve spent £50 this week on Christmas presents BUT it means that all of my grandkids and nephews are done and dusted.

Morning all,

What film did you want to go and see @RumBananaSundae so glad you have booked your trip! Yippee

Oh @Twogingercats your poor cat, I hope much better soon and wow the price. They do cost don't they.

Well. I got my outcome from work. My last day is early December. They don't have a role for me. I have come home for the rest of the day. I shall now have to update my CV and get applying. Trying not to worry too much but it may mean moving house as I can't expect OH to pay for his and mine if I'm jobless. DM will not be impressed having just spent 2 years trying to move near me and now about to move in 2 doors down from me. But if I can't afford it I can't afford it.

But hopefully the stress will mean I lose a few lbs. That's normally what happens with me. Boss was very lovely, I gather the whole team have been told they are gone as he is too. He was clearly very unhappy when telling me the outcome and bless him nearly hugged me but then thought better of it and shook my hand. Poor man. Not his decision but having to deliver the news.

Right. Off home to sort out CV before off to a parents evening which I'm looking forward to as DD is doing very well. Hope everyone is well.

Oh frugs I'm so sorry x

I did have a small cry in the toilets. Then I was told the whole team has gone. Hundreds of us. And I mean hundreds. Although I did learn that the handful of people they couldn't get rid of for legal reasons will be put into jobs they can't do, and when they can't do the work, they will be managed out without pay. I prefer my option.
£18 on wine, milk and washing powder. Not giving two hoots about making my own washing powder this week nor the fact that it's a non drinking night.

Thank you @SpookyHalloweenDeviledEggs. Quite excited about starting my career again. I'm not in a role I hate anymore. Xxx

@Frugal25 At least you know now what is going on. It doesn't make it any nicer or easier to deal with but over the next few weeks and months - you'll be able to find out what your package is, how it affects pensions etc you'll also know how much money you'll have to live on while you job search. Do ask if you do find a new job will it affect your redundancy package because if it does you may as well just polish your CV and sit tight - certainly don't diddle yourself out of your redundancy. Are you all going at the same time? Or will some of you remain to see things out? It may add an extra pay packet or two - with us - some people were offered extra pay to go sooner without affecting their package and others of us were there until the penultimate month with management being around to see the last month out. Enjoy the wine!!

Nothing like a bit of dry shampoo to try out your future grey look @SpookyHalloweenDeviledEggs🤣! At least you know now it’s not for you 😆. Sounds like a nice week though, and well done for sticking to your Vinted budget! Roll on your holiday! 😁