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 😁

Ooh that was a brilliant bargain @cuckoolodger. Your soup and homemade cheesebread sound absolutely delicious too 😋 . And well done getting all the Christmas presents sorted for your Grandchildren and Nephews 👏

Oh bless you @Frugal25, I'm so so sorry sweetheart. ❤️ You must have so much going through your head right now, especially worrying about having to move when DM has only just managed to get so close to you. It's such a lot to take in all at once. Your boss sounds lovely, bless him, it must have been awful for him having to tell everyone when he's losing his job too. Try not to worry about everything all at once, I know it's easier said than done. Hopefully something will come along for you and you won't have to move after all. You don't deserve all this worry. At least you've got DD's parents evening to look forward to and some lovely news to cheer you up a bit.
Oh love, no wonder you had a little cry, what a lot to take in! Hundreds of you, that's awful. But I love that you're already looking forward to starting again and leaving a job you didn't enjoy behind. ❤️ Sometimes a door closing can be the start of something much better. And sod the washing powder and the non drinking night, I think you've earned that wine! Sending you the biggest hug sweetheart 😘

Been with Mum for 5 hours today . Nothing wrong with Mum. l just had to be with her all day because she had to have her arm redressed with the district nurse , her skin is so thin now she only has to scratch it and she cuts herself 😭, then her flu jab and then hearing aid staff came to do impressions on Mum's ears so she can have new molds for her hearing aids . While they were there they removed a ton of ear wax from bless them and her ! So it's been an all day event there . Still all fine now thank God 😁. Just had my soup and it is even nicer the next day , l will make that again 😋. The Weather has been gorgeous here, not that l have seen much of it tbh being with Mum but l don't mind a bit ,at least she is sorted out . NSD for me.
I hope everyone is ok. l know there is lots of worrying , anxiety and sadness over jobs and money and family but we are all here for each other and if there is anything any one of us can do to help then we will ❤️

Morning all, all good advice @Rainbow1901 thank you. We are all going at the same time. Which makes it easier. I'm going into the office today as I get a free flu jab and tbh I'm taking all I can off these guys now. Not doing any work though, going to see what I have to do, where my money is at etc.
@SpookyHalloweenDeviledEggsthought of you this morning when I was spraying the dry shampoo! Absolutely not a saving I would be doing either!!
@DirtyGertiefromno30thank you my darling. Got a slightly sore head this morning from the wine and lack of food (I understandably wasn't hungry) but meh. Parents evening went so well and I got told that DD "is a teacher's dream". Proud mummy. Oh I bet your mum feels much more comfortable now the wax is gone. You're such a lovely daughter staying and caring. But then you're a lovely person tbh.
I spent £21 on a Christmas event which the money goes to a local charity. Did it last year and it was amazing so will do that and a national trust house at Christmas instead of father Christmas now.

Hoping today will be a NSD. Coming home after the flu jab at lunch to deep clean the kitchen I think.

Morning everyone 🤗
Just popping to my local town to take stuff back to Primark , that should be £30 back on my CC . Will pop into TKMaxx and the local Festival Christmas factory , we usually go to have a look but rarely buy anything 🤗. Well tbh it's more expensive than Christmas in Home Bargains and B&M! Ahh bless you @Frugal25, that's such a kind thing to say about me 🥰. I'm only doing what any daughter would do, but it means a lot to me thank you sweetheart ❤️.
I am so pleased parents evening went well, you must be so proud being told your DD is a teacher's dream! ❤️
And yes, definitely get everything sorted with work and find out where you stand with your Redundancy, Pension , holiday pay etc l am sure you will feel so much happier once you know where you stand sweetheart .
Hope your head's feeling better this morning 😂🙈 . Wine on an empty stomach was never going to end well! Your Christmas plans sound lovely, especially knowing the money is going to a local charity. Great plans going to NT , use your membership as much as possible and l am sure they do a Father Christmas visit in some of the houses .
Don't go wearing yourself out scrubbing that kitchen from top to bottom today! You've got enough on your plate . Sending you a big hug and thank you again for being so lovely about me and Mum ❤️😘

Afternoon everyone 😊
Went to the Christmas factory shop , it's very nice but selling the same stuff as B&M and Home Bargains for double the price but l can Imagine a lot of ppl take their children there because it's a
done up really nicely there. I didn't buy a thing ! Dd1 downloaded the KFC app and bought a 10 piece bucket of chicken for £10 on the way home which was a very good price TBF . I can't stand the stuff but the Dds and DH love it . Just on our way home now can't wait for a cuppa tea ☕.
Took my stuff back to Primark and had a good look round but nothing grabbed my eye today . Hope everyone is ok and having a lovely day 🤗

Shall bear in mind the Christmas shop and b&M thank you @DirtyGertiefromno30. I only speak the truth. You're lovely.

£3.50 on a breakfast roll from pret. Found out that I don't need to go into the office anymore so treated myself and left after the flu jab. Found out what to do with holidays, pension, shares etc. Found out what I should roughly get for leaving too. Now home and drinking tea but yes, you reminded me dirty, I need to clean that kitchen!

Have taken my birthday off now, I was going to go in with cake. But it's now booked as a holiday and I've found a cheap spa day package near me that I may do seeing as I'm not spending money on travel now. I always wanted to do a spa day and never did. So im going.

Fish and chips tonight from the freezer. Nice and easy.
Head is feeling much better 😂

Good afternoon all.spends today, £23 in Sainsbury’s.
frugal things, poured excess tea from teapot into flask for Dh to have some later.
I used lemons three ways, the zest went into a cake, I froze the juice for another time and infused the peels in boiling water which I shall use to freshen up the sink.
baked two cakes and flapjack. Mum wolfed large piece of the latter.😺
@SpookyHalloweenDeviledEggs , I come from a bread and butter eating family too! mum had a slice with a main course of cauliflower cheese for dinner last night.
@Frugal25 and @RumBananaSundae , sorry re employment things, wish you well for the next. thank you for kind wishes re cat, she is much better! very pleased with new vet. The last one scruffed her, in spite of anti scruffing policy poster clearly on the wall of the consulting room. They frightened her very much. but the new vet was able ro stroke her by the end of the consultation. 😺
@Lockin26 , we seem to be North East neighbours. waving from Durham😺
I have finished non perishable Christmas foodie shop with some Family Circle biscuits. £2 with Nectar card. Mum used to buy a tin always and open them at New Year.
@DirtyGertiefromno30 , hope you Mum’s arm is getting better and that she is ok generally. Mum is fine, apart from slight cough and she said she needed boiled sweets to make it better and has demanded egg and chips for dinner, she’s a cheap date! would like to add my appreciation for all the support you give everyone on the thread. you are like our Mum!😻
Here is Puss today in Dh’s workshop.

Aww I'm glad you've got everything sorted now @Frugal25and have a better idea of where you stand with it all sweetheart 😊 . Definitely go for that spa day, you've always wanted to do one and you deserve to treat yourself! It'll be nice to have something to look forward to, especially with everything changing. I am glad you don't have to go into the office again it will help you get your head round it all and save you money in the commute too . Fish and chips sounds lovely, nice and easy tonight. And I'm glad your head's feeling much better bless you 🤗.
Made a chilli , it's in the slo cooker for tonight . I used Quorn mince haven't used it for a long time but it's so much healthier than mince and a heck of a lot cheaper. Fingers crossed it's nice 😁🤞😋.Hope everyone is ok 🤗

You’ve been busy today @Twogingercats 🤗. £23 in Sainsbury’s isn’t bad at all, and nothing wasted with those lemons you did the business with them, well done you! Two cakes and flapjack as well, lovely your Mum tucked into it bless her ☺️
So pleased Puss is doing better with the new vet. That must have been awful seeing her so frightened poor baby , lovely that she let this one stroke her , such a difference 🤗.
Ohh Family Circle biscuits, they bring back memories! 🥰 Your Mum opening a tin at New Year, bless her. And your Mum wanting egg and chips made me laugh 😂. She knows what she wants!
Aw thank you saying that about me , we are so lucky to have each other here ❤️ . Thank you for asking after my Mum's arm it was much better yesterday and she's fine today after the flu jab 🤗❤️

So glad your mums are ok @DirtyGertiefromno30and @Twogingercats this makes me happy. We need to look after our mummies.
Puss looks absolutely gorgeous there and how tidy is your DH workshop?!
Egg and chips sound divine. Ooohhhh family circle biccies. Haven't had those for many years. That's going on my list. Thank you.
How did the quorn mince turn out sweetie? Sounds yummy. That's the only quorn I use in this house now tbh.
Hope you got your refund earlier too.

We are such a lovely bunch in this little corner of MN. You all make me smile thank you xxx

Random spending on groceries I don’t need (mostly junk). I did buy milk and book Monet for next year.

Good show with the soup @DirtyGertiefromno30. Think I’m looking forward to soup season. The film was rescheduled for another day so I bought another ticket. I should get a refund for the first one. Glad your mum is doing ok.

Sorry Puss hasn’t been well @Twogingercats. Glad she us much better. Ahhhh cauliflower cheese. Thank you for your good wishes.

Oh @Frugal25. I’m sorry about work. Please do be careful, brace yourself and don’t bank on anything. You ever want to vent/chat I’m here. I am thinking of you and sending you hugs. X Glad parents evening went well and that little Frugs is doing well.

Nothing productive was done today. I got a tax bill and a water bill yesterday less than 9% of the latter was fresh/wastewater the rest was charges. Not impressed with either. I bought some hummus and baba ganoush as they make many things better.

Awww bless you sweetheart ❤️. We really do need to look after our mummies, they're so precious aren't they @Frugal25🥰❤️ . The Quorn mince is normally lovely but l didn't like it tonight l think it was because l didn't fry it before l added it 🙄DOH! I won't make that mistake again 😁.
And yes, this little corner of MN really is something special. It's so lovely how we all look out for each other and have a laugh with each other . You lovely lot make me smile more than you know ❤️. Sending you all a big hug and lots of love 😘

Those bills would annoy me too, especially the water one, it’s bloody ridiculous isn’t it @RumBananaSundae🙄. At least you’ve got Monet to look forward to next year though ☺️. Hummus and baba ganoush are lovely, l love Aubergines , they go with so many things . Don’t worry about not getting anything done today, we all have days like that. Hope you have a nice relaxing evening and don’t let those bills get you down sweetheart ❤️

Ah same our Gwen x

@Frugal25 you enjoy every second of that spa day my friend. And you don't give that place a second thought. Easier said than done I know.

A week of two halves here.

Can't really list my spending but nothing outlandish just little bits here and there that definitely adds up!

Morning all,

Ah thank you @RumBananaSundae yes def bracing myself. People keep saying "oh you don't need to apply for jobs yet" but I've already done my CV and signed on to agencies. If I don't start now I think it will be even harder. Get a good run up so to speak as it won't be easy or fast to get another job. Everyone I've known to lose a job it has taken months. So trying to smile my way through it but def braced sadly. I hope my smile lasts as I can see a few months in it may slip. I have a few plans though, a, b and c to cover all situations which I hope will help.

Ooohhh hummus does make everything better. I don't think I've ever had ganoush so shall try it.
Monet will be amazing you lucky girl.
Sorry about your bills, they are wotsits aren't they. Damn them.
A nice chilled day sounds just what you need xx

Seeing a friend today for coffee as she is having a few marriage problems and I think she needs a shoulder. Then DM is coming over with my niece and DD will be back from school so I doubt much work will get done today but meh. Didn't do kitchen yesterday so will do today and also start my skipping too. Yup. Def no work being done! But seeing as they don't want me, do I care.
Happy Friday all. It's Friday, it's pizza night. Whooooo.

£1.73 in Asda and Aldi on crisps and noodles. I am failing on the crisps on the naughty step but am still jam tart free.

Sorry I just missed you yesterday @Frugal25. Good on you making a start. I don’t know your field/industry but the market is dreadful for mine. I have (some) people telling me it will be fine but that’s not really reflecting reality. I have started volunteering and I’m enjoying it so far. Though I do feel guilty if I’m not doing something that’s job hunt related. Hope you have a nice time with your friend today. And with your mum and nice too. Screw work. Watching YouTube is much better. Enjoy pizza.

Don’t get me started on the bills @DirtyGertiefromno30. Just another way for ex-work to be arseholes.

Think I’ll do some colouring this afternoon. My friend has given me a new set of pens.

It’s all the little bits and pieces , here and there that soon add up isn’t it @SpookyHalloweenDeviledEggs 🤗 Thank you so much for being so kind, it really does mean a lot. You’re all so lovely ❤️

Ah bless you @Frugal25,your friend is so lucky to have you there for her, sometimes just having someone to listen makes all the difference.
Sounds like you've had a lovely busy day with everyone coming over, so the kitchen and skipping can wait if they need to . And exactly, if they don't want you then why should you worry about your work! Enjoy your Friday lovely and your pizza tonight, can't beat a Friday pizza night! 😘

£1.73 isn’t bad @RumBananaSundae. At least you’re still jam tart free 😂! Glad you’re enjoying the volunteering and don’t you feel guilty about not job hunting all the time, you need a break too sweetheart. That's lovely your friend have you new colouring pens this afternoon bless her .Bills are a nightmare and your ex work really are arseholes!

Evening everyone 🤗
Takeaway tonight £40 Chinese and Gluten free fish n chips yummy 😁 😋
Mum was ok there thankfully. Haven't spent anymore today 🤗.
Saw my Dr this morning for blood test results nothing terriblly wrong but for my platelets and my liver enzymes. Apparently my platelets are slightly down and the liver enzymes and slightly up but nothing to worry about thankfully and to test again in 3 months. She thinks they are not spot on because of the Coeliacs disease so hopefully in 3 months they will be fine, fingers crossed . She also wants me to go on blood thinners because l have an increased 3% chance of having a stroke because of my heart arythmia .
I told her l wanted to wait to see what the 48 hour trace showed before l went down the blood thinners route because l am not convinced l need them with only a 3% chance of a stroke tbh . Apparently a woman of my age without anything wrong with them has a 1% chance of a stroke anyway. I will leave it for now until l have seen the Cardiologist but a lot to think about 🙄.
Hence the bloody takeaway tonight 😂
It hasn't stopped me scoffing lol 😋😁

Absolutely agree @Frugal25 thank God it's Friday! Firstly I'm so sorry to hear what you've been through with work this week. You really sound like you've got this but it's a crappy thing to go through.

Good to hear about the volunteering @RumBananaSundae I think its great you're enjoying it, allow yourself the break from thinking about the job hunt.

Waves from the edge of Durham @Twogingercats

You enjoy the takeaway @DirtyGertiefromno30 sounds like that was a lot to take in. You might get more info once you see the cardiologist.

Sorry think I've missed people. Had one of those weeks where I've muttered FML a few times. Worked from home today but the rest of the week was manic - several different locations and appointments for work. Thought I'd keep my sanity intact by buying some side dishes from M&S when I was I town so I didn't have to think about food prep - left them in an office fridge. Made an Asda Online delivery to save me a Lidl food shop - fell asleep and didnt amend the order before 11pm. You get the picture. When the food arrived, it was a lot of random yoghurts and dairy lea dunkers. DD was impressed with 'the haul' as she called it anyway!

Today has been NSD. Got a flu jab at Boots via a work voucher. Got a few things to organise and pay for over the weekend, plus a couple of meals out.

Oh bless you @Lockin26you've had such a hectic week! ❤️ At least DD was happy with the Asda haul 😂 . Hope you get a bit of time to relax and recharge this weekend, you sound like you need it! Enjoy your meals out and well done on the NSD today too sweetheart 🤗
Thank you @Lockin26🤗 . Yes l felt a bit railroaded by the Dr tbh and even though she is wonderful, l don't feel like a 10 min appointment, when we discussed other things as well was the right time . I need to know everything before l decide to do that 🤗

Good morning everyone 🔆 beautiful day here sunny and blue skies bit chilly though 😁.
Popping to see my Mum's friend this morning then to the market and library instead of Tuesday as we are seeing Mum then . Hope everyone has a lovely day 😊 🙏.

Can I please join the thread? Been watching and reading. Have 16 year old saving for them starting university in 2 years, trying pay down mortgage, do long overdue home improvements and get savings up 😩