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 😁

Hello @DotCottonsSocks , welcome. What ideas have you had so far?
smart to begin saving now for uni.
£30 ish today at Sainsburys and I gave Dh £20 for things from Cats at Home.
Going on with my freezer challenge, I am defrosting 4 packs of yellow sticker chicken. I will do half with tomato and mushroom and half with leeks and carrots and then freeze in portions. Dh has been informed these will be for dinners this week with rice or potatoes , to which he has no objection. He is easy to feed. He is recently diagnosed with diabetes and it is hard to keep his blood sugars up rather than down. I am trying to ring the changes with starchy carbs so bought some polenta and will try some cornbread as a change from bread with a meal.. I have Nigella’s recipe, a neighbour was very kind and lent me her book.
Mum well and prowling around.
@DirtyGertiefromno30 Im an ex nurse and think you are wise to see the consultant before commencing anticoagulants. Hope all goes well. How’s Mum?
Hope you enjoyed the fish and chips.😺
Have a good Saturday everybody 🐈

Welcome @DotCottonsSocks jump in, it's very friendly and helpful corner. My DD is 16 in May and will likely go to University, saving now is a good idea!

Happy Saturday @DirtyGertiefromno30 and @Twogingercats hope you had nice days 😊

Well impressed by all the food prep @Twogingercats

I'm in a queue for an overhyped American style fast food placel DH saw on social media. Would leave but DS has been promised chicken tenders. Think it'll be £23 but will save cooking later.

£34 Lidl
£78 Costco. Was very restrained - other than chocolate mousses and a cinnamon tear and share bun - everything was on the list (didn't go near the fresh meals!) and all needed. I have £56 in cash back to spend at Costco so the executive membership was worth it as I also got £30 in vouchers so money back.
£32.99 beauty advent calendar for DD

Feeling a bit rough after the flu jab yesterday. I get it from work. Did body pump and step this morning and was coughing and sore throat. Hopefully home soon to chill out for the rest of the day.

I felt dreadful after my flu jab too @Lockin26 had two days of headaches. But that could also be upset and stress from this week.
Well done at the gym! Did you stay in the queue?

Welcome @DotCottonsSocks we are a friendly bunch. That's a brilliant to save now for uni, I'll put that in my back pocket for later use.
Brilliant use of the freezer @Twogingercats your husband is well looked after.
@DirtyGertiefromno30id wait too. From my opinion, which is obviously not medical at all, Drs are too keen to put us on medication. Def wait and see.

£130 in lidl (argh) but I did throw in a few Christmas bits (found the nice biccies) and stock up on wine which I don't normally.
Went to tkmax to buy new bedding for DD and she was to choose what set she wanted for her new big girl bed but they didn't have a single set in. DD took it very well and came home. OH thinks he may have sets at his house from when his eldest two were smaller so going back to his tomorrow to have a look which saves the pennies.
He has also fixed my desk when I honestly thought it was completely broken and looking at new ones so that's saved pennies too. And my seeds that I planted have grown so well I've had to pot them up today so that will be free plants for the garden for next year.
OH found my old laptop that has been broken for years. He has fixed that too. No idea how. It wouldn't even switch on for me. It's incredibly old. About 20 years but if it works, and I'm not really one of these types that must have the latest tech, I'm use it I'm sure.

£12 yesterday for lunch with my friend. No more to spend this weekend. Off to church tomorrow to make friends so we can get married there. Very happy to go back to church after not going for so long, I find it very peaceful. Then a roast dinner and chilling I think. I should probably do something more fun with DD but we are all tired and it's cold.

£20 in the butchers but that's for a tray of 8 pork steaks so at least two teas each and stuff for lunch and a fancy jar of jam which has been speaking to me.
£8 on booking soft play for next week.
Were all a bit under the weather so don't think it's going to be an expensive weekend (hallelujah)

Hello ☺️ only dawned on me recently to save for uni when he announced could possibly study away from home. We are in Glasgow so praying he gets into one of the universities here so he can live at home 🙏

Currently I am using up all the odds and ends in the freezers so I can do a big bulk shop be have space for any bargains I find…. These have been thin on ground lately 😂

I saw up thread someone using community pantry I am going to see if there is one near me. Cannot abide food waste especially at current prices.

You are more than welcome @DotCottonsSocks🤗

You’re doing well with your freezer challenge @Twogingercats👍👏. Those chicken meals sound lovely and so handy😋. Hope the cornbread goes well too, it’s nice to change things up .
Glad your Mum is well and prowling around ❤️ . Mine has had some good moments today bless her, I’m just taking each day as it comes.
Thank you for what you said about the anticoagulants. I think I need to understand a bit more and know for sure that l have Atrial Fibrillation before making any decisions, so I’m waiting for the Holter results and will take it from there. And the fish and chips were gorgeous thank you sweetheart😋

About £5 in Aldi today. Went in for a potato. Put £20 on my travel card as I am meant to be going into town this week.

Glad your fish and chips were good @DirtyGertiefromno30. Take your time to make an informed decision re the blood thinners.

Sorry you’ve had a FML week @Lockin26. Hopefully the weekend has looked up for you and that you’re starting to feel better.

Welcome @DotCottonsSocks.

Ohhh cornbread sounds nice @Twogingercats. I used to have lunch at a place that had cornbread with jalapeño and goats cheese. It was rather tasty. Good freezer use. I managed to use a few things this week and them promptly bought things to fill the space so somewhat missing the point.

How are you doing @Frugal25?

Am on the sofa catching up on Traitors. Not planning anything more stimulating. Might look online for a coat. I’ve been looking for one for about four years so I don’t fancy my chances.

Oh bless you @Frugal25 it's hard to know if it's the jab or all the stress you've had this week. Hope you're feeling better now sweetheart ❤️
£130 in Lidl 😱. It soon adds up doesn't it, especially when you spot a few Christmas bits and the nice biccies! 😂
Your OH has been worth his weight in gold , fixing your desk and laptop and saving you money. And free plants for next year too! Brilliant job! Amazing he's got that old laptop working after all these years!👏🤗
Church and a roast dinner sounds lovely. It's so nice you're going back to church and finding it peaceful, and lovely that you're getting married there too. Don't worry about doing anything special with DD, you're all tired , had a huge knock to your confidence and there's nothing wrong with staying put and feeling comfortable sweetheart 😘 thank you for your kind words re my blood results and the blood thinners XL will bide my time you are right ❤️

Can't blame you for the jam if it's been calling your name @SpookyHalloweenDeviledEggs 🤣 . 8 pork steaks will do you a good few teas though so not bad going for £20! At least it's looking like a cheap weekend for once, every cloud and all that bless you . Hope you're all feeling better soon though sweetheart 🤗

At least you’ve got your travel card topped up for your trip into town @RumBananaSundae l hope you remembered the potato 😊.
I’m definitely going to take my time over the blood thinners, l need to get a bit more information first before making any decisions. I will wait for the appointment with the cardiologist especially as my platelets are a bit low too . Thank you for your help ❤️ l feel better knowing you and @Frugal25❤️ are on my wavelength about it makes me feel less silly and scared .
Sounds like a perfect evening on the sofa catching up with Traitors 😁. Nothing wrong with a bit of peace and quiet! As for the coat, four years is a long time to be looking 🤗

£20.50 spent tonight on a delivery meal. Extra hot curry to try and sweat away this cold we have. I absolutely HATE paying delivery but took quite a few strong painkillers so dont want to drive.

I have a takeaway ‘pot’ on Monzo so at least cost is covered that way lol.

Bubble bath now with Epsom salts to try get decent sleep.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend x

Have you had a look on Vinted? I so grudge paying full price in shops now 😂

Hope you feel much better after your curry and hot bath @DotCottonsSocks everywhere we go lately there seems to be ppl coughing and sneezing and some of them wearing masks too 🤗

47p in Aldi on a punnet of raspberries.

Thank you @DirtyGertiefromno30. I did remember the potato and had a jacket potato for dinner.

How was your curry @DotCottonsSocks? I hope it worked it’s magic. I haven’t looked on Vinted. I did buy something from there once and the seller had a rather peculiar interpretation of new with tags.

Just remembered the tax bill. Need to get that paid.

Afternoon everyone 🤗
Just coming from seeing Mum, she was wonderful there today so l am very happy 🤗 ❤️.
Should be a NSD for me today fingers crossed 🤞. Beautiful day here sunny and blue skies only 13c but it's a lovely Autumn day 🤗. Hope everyone has the same weather and everyone is ok 🤗.
Glad you remembered your Potato @RumBananaSundae 🤗😋 l love baked potatoes 😁.
Wow those raspberries were discontinued great bargain ! Only had good experiences on Vinted TBF but then again l haven't bought a hell of a lot from there tbh . Oh no the dreaded tax bill 🙄. Well all l hope is that you get a massive tax rebate sweetheart 🤗

It was delicious hit the spot and my nose hasn’t stopped running since 😂

Ive had a few issues with Vinted once as buyer got a jumper that smelled badly of damp. Once as a seller person tried to say item was fake so made them return it to me.

Ive had slow morning walked dog then some cleaning. Taking my nan to bingo later on fingers crossed I win some money 😂

what are everyone’s Sunday plans?

Glad you enjoyed your curry @DotCottonsSocks 😂. Have a great time tonight with your Nan bless her , hope you win big 🙏 🤞 😁.

Been to Waitrose , Aldi and Morrisons spent £10 WR bought an ultra Briers kneeling garden pad £3.75 and 3 prs of Briers gloves in the Birds pattern £2
For my friend for Christmas and such a bargain!
£9 Morrisons
£5 Aldi
Re what are we doing this afternoon @DotCottonsSocksnot a lot here because l have already done a fair bit , l cleaned and tidied before we visited Mum and in all with travel it's about 4 hrs seeing Mum. Home, then a quick lunch and then to the shops . Going to have a listen to the archers and put my feet up with a cuppa 😁

Love a curry @DotCottonsSocks and enjoy the bingo!!

I'm doing ok @RumBananaSundae, I spoke to a friend who got made redundant a few months before me from same place. She was very honest and said not to do a thing for 2 weeks as I'll go through all the emotions and I need to be calm before applying for anything. She also mentioned that everyone who has left has been happier, so I'll be fine. Trying not to worry though. How are you? Well done with the raspberries and I love a jacket potato. What topping?

So glad your mum is having a lovely day @DirtyGertiefromno30 always makes us happier doesn't it. Def on the same wave length as you my darling. Xxxx

I love vinted and have always had a brilliant experience but I have heard some not so brilliant stories also. I am the same, hate paying full price in shops and even scouring vinted for wedding bits as the thought of buying new and expensive makes me shudder.

Church was lovely this morning. We were properly welcomed and even had a blessing. DD was perfectly behaved the whole time and the roast afterwards hit the spot. Just lying on the sofa now tbh. We have started homework due in for this week though. I need to get up and do something with DD. Maybe some Play-Doh.
Decided to go into work Monday and Wednesday this week. I don't want them having any excuse to dock my final pay "you didn't come in so therefore.....". They really would use any excuse I think. So I've got my bags ready and a little lunch too.
Isn't it cold??? Got the heating on and the jumpers and blankets are out....

@DirtyGertiefromno30 wow that’s a long travel but worth it to see your mum. I also bought my first Xmas presents in got a large sudoku book for my nan 50p in The Works and got both my nieces each a large tub of sweets down to £2.99 in B&M down from £3.49. Have to take the small wins lol.

@Frugal25 thank you and sorry hear about your job. I hate my job but grateful to have one especially now with price of things. Everything crossed for you on to bigger and better!

Vinted is brilliant for bargains @Frugal25I love a bargain too 😁 . You've had a really lovely morning at church and a nice Sunday roast afterwards 😋. Hope you enjoy a bit of a Play Doh time with DD, lovely to have a bit of time together without rushing about for a change sweetheart ..Hope Monday and Wednesday go ok at work too, I don't blame you for going in if you're worried they'll try to use it against you with your final pay. You've enough to think about without worrying about that as well. And yes, it's absolutely freezing today . Definitely sofa weather. Thank you for being so sweet about my Mum ❤️ . We are so in tune the way we adore them 🤗❤️

Well done on your bargain hunting @DotCottonsSocks you did great . Travel to and from my Mum is only half an hour each way but we stay for about 3 hours each visit . I like to pamper her and talk and get her to laugh and get her to sleep for an afternoon nap before we go home . I can't bear leaving her awake . I don't like seeing her waving goodbye to me 😭

Glad your mum is OK @DirtyGertiefromno30. Aldi was awash with 75% stickers today. I wish I had space in the freezer.

My fingers are crossed for you winning too @DotCottonsSocks.

Glad you’re doing ok @Frugal25. Cheese on my potato. I think you’re doing the right thing in trying to avoid any ‘reason’ for being penalised. Things are pretty pants here. Not hopeful about finding a job. Don’t miss the toxicity of work but not having an income is angst inducing. If you don’t mind me asking, apologies if you do, did you do your CV or was it rewritten for you as part of your package? Great that the church was lovely I’m happy you have something good to look forward to and hope the planning is going well. Enjoy Play Doh time.

On the sofa watching Judy Justice.

That's a shame about the freezer space @RumBananaSundae. I am so sorry things are feeling so pants at the moment sweetheart. It must be such an odd feeling, not missing the toxicity of work but still having that worry about not having a job. I really hope something comes along that feels right for you, somewhere you can be happy without all the stress 🙏🤞❤️. In the meantime, get comfy on that sofa and enjoy a bit of Judy Justice time. Sending you a big hug a d thank you re my Mum bless you 🤗