February Frugaleers United in Saving Money, Swapping Recipes & Supporting each other in finance, friendship & family life : )

[mammymammyIRL]

And so we continue ....

[ememem84]

Got a quote for storage yesterday too £145 a month. With a months deposit payable. We have to give 2 weeks notice for taking up the store room. I need to buy some packing boxes from the storage co - wardrobe boxes with hanging rails (just a couple) and then will just get some “normal boxes. Although may pop into the wine store near the shop and see if they have any I can have. Or may just ask the coop...

Ds hasn’t had his nap yet this morning - he’s been awake and full of beans since 7. Usually he’ll fall asleep around about now. I’m debating taking him shopping now. Not waiting until he’s slept!

[mammymammyIRL]

Disappointed that the full thread title didn't come through! Finance, friendship and family life
Em not like you & your dm to disagree but ye probably both need distance to calm down. She does care immensely for you but went about it completely the wrong way

Nofilter I think everyone views clothes differently for instance my friend at work every occasion warrants a new outfit and accessories for her& her dc whereas I would try to utilise clothes I already have mostly and get new clothes for dc possibly mixing a cheaper dress with existing accessories. For her the cost needs to be higher for her to be happy about it and for me I would be horrified. My one exception is for two outfits at Christmas for each dc. Ds's came from H&M this year & Dd's were monsoon brand in sale at Debenhams.

Last week I purchased clothing for dd as the au pair has a knack of finding clothes that are too small for her to wear & not using new clothes at all. Today I will clear dds wardrobe of clothing that no longer fits. She will definitely have one pair of leggings, one tracksuit pants, one jeans, two dresses, three jumpers, one complete tracksuit, a jersey & some Tshirts. It will be a capsule wardrobe but everything will fit & she won't go out in ill fitting rags anymore.

Ds is lucky to have a massive clothes collection thanks to his nephew next door who is one year older than him

Just need vests & pjs for him.
When I've done this wardrobe haul I will check Littlewoods & for a discount code as dh has vouchers which are valid there.

Lonely men think they're better drivers PERIOD, its not a reflection on your driving at all.
it's only one degree here so snow might be on the way. I have a fear of black ice thanks to crashing on it twice previously

You've inspired me to list clothing on dressup app too, I've a long duffle cost which was a bargain but just every so slightly too small for me even when I purchased it, it's time to let it go. And some dresses that need to go.

JustMarried wow
Girlie hope both you & dd are feeling better today & that doctors visit puts your mind at rest

Em will ds fall asleep in car & stay asleep in his car seat while you shop or will he wake up after a short car nap cranky?
Taking key off your dm might aggravate the situation further especially when ye might need to move in with her briefly

[ememem84]

Ds fell asleep on our bed. So that’s that problem sorted. He probably would have stayed asleep though mammy. I’ve moved him to his cot as need to change our bedding, so far he’s still asleep. 👍🏻

I was very much like your colleague too - any occasion (ie Friday night drinks etc) needed new clothes. Now not so much. Maybe the big occasions (weddings etc). But not every envelope opening. Haha!

I guess I’m more careful now. I have an overflowing wardrobe. So know I don’t need to buy new. Am trying to wear my nice things not save them for best.

[SnugglySnerd]

I have some Boden trousers that are never going to fit me again thanks to the twins ruining my stomach for ever. I should sell them really.

[needastrongone]

Em, I think your DM sounds lovely in the main. I wish my mum had been like yours. She sounds stressed. No excuses for what she said or did at all. She's probably had a few life changes herself to get used to. However, it doesn't matter if your house is a shit tip (I'm sure it's not) and your are not at all neglecting DS.

I used to sell my Boden stuff for a decent amount on Ebay or FB. Especially as it's not worn that much when they are young before they grow out of it. And also if you buy stuff in the sale or with a discount code it's better value. Maybe supermarket branded stuff for everyday, tumbling about use?

Still feeling rough so I'm pottering today and not exercising.

[mammymammyIRL]

Things change so quickly with babies em

Snuggly ** worth it though

My bootcamp instructor is also a childhood friend, he has said that he will not charge me for next round as I only attend 1.33 weeks out of 4 this time, while this is lovely it's not his fault I was ill

[Loveabaconsandwich]

Will read back later. Just about to head off for my job chat/interview. I think i’ve written it off really because of low pay, but still going to see what is on offer. I might wow them, you never know

[needastrongone]

JustMarried All these small savings really do add up and make a difference.

[Wolfcub]

Doughnut and coffee at st Pancras as train Into London delayed again. There is some major loud performance parenting going on on the train now. It is too early for shouty performance parenting.

[WreckTangled]

My appraisal went really well. Never had someone say so many nice things to me, I love my manager

[ememem84]

YAY! Well done wreck

£28 at coop. Absolute madness there. I think it works differently in the uk. Here we are all shareholders of coop (I think that parts the same?) so you get 4% dividend a year on purchases. On a Tuesday and a Wednesday you get double dividend. And all the crazies go to the coop. That’s when they have their special deals too. Hence the crazy.

There was a queue for milk. A fight over bread (snow has been mentioned here so people are stockpiling) and seemingly the whole island was there at once. Aaaah.

I bought naice instant coffee dowe Egberts. Yay.

[WreckTangled]

Have just stopped for a bit of lunch. Eating on the road today

[ememem84]

Finishing “Dark” on Netflix. Woah! It’s good.

[ChristmasSeacow]

Aw that’s lovely Wreck and im sure it’s deserved. Isn’t that your first PDP in your new job?

Em sounds like your mum lost her perspective /cool a bit. Hopefully things will settle when she cools down. It was a bit OTT but I guess you do never stop worrying about your kids.

Snuggly bloody kids! I can’t really blame my dc for my stomach, it was squishy to start with!

Re want /need, I buy Boden for DS. Just some tops as I really like some of them (and don’t like the prevailing style of Marvel and character stuff that is mostly available for boys aged 5+) - he wears them with Tu jeans and looks gorgeous. Also bought odd Nice bits from Gap, M&S, JL. He’s in uniform now but when he was at private nursery and not in uniform he wore supermarket clothes there, as they would get a bit trashed. I thought (and still think) that a few lovely tops were worth a splurge, but then I always used a voucher code or bought in the sale and then pair with cheap trousers. I still buy bigger sizes of tops in the sale so he has a little stash to grow into. I do really rate some of the supermarket clothes for kids though, some of my favourite stuff has been from there.

I am in a bit of a dilemma about what to do with DS’s nicest Boden tops (appliqué stuff etc). Do I:

1. Sell them on Boden fb Group
   
2. Pass them on to dnephew (I’ve given lots to them already though we’re not close, but I know they are expecting the nicest stuff 👀)
   
3. Cut them up to make a quilt that I will always cherish as it will remind me of my beautiful little DS
   

I think I am going to do (3) -well, a cushion at least - with DD’s needlecord clothes. She’s had a couple of cord things in each size and they will always remind me of her through the various ages and stages. I quite fancy a memory quilt for each of my dc but I can’t quite get over the feeling that it’s a waste. But I think making a different thing with them is no more wasteful that someone else wearing them and then binning /recycling.

Cag now I have a printer I’m sending you DD’s outgrown stuff, dispatching hopefully tomorrow, Thursday at latest. I can pm you a summary of what there is if you are about to buy stuff, in case you don’t need so much!

Awful night with dd. She was crying lots even when I picked her up, only improved with calpol and she is miserable today so I think it’s teeth. She’s just dropped off so I’m going to put her down, eat leftover lunch and then hopefully nap!

Just had lovely bloke around to measure up for our new front door and side window. Final reckoning will be £2k+ but it’s the most secure door possible and side window will have matching period-style obscure glass pattern same as door so it will look lovely. Also £2k will be reimbursed by DH’s work as his ‘gift’ for long service award (you may remember me saying he had to buy something special and they pay him back £2k as a gift. With such a world of exciting possibilities we are getting a new front door )

[WreckTangled]

Yes seacow. She kept saying how brilliant I am doing and ticked exceeding on everything.

My dc are quite fussy with their clothes, ds especially.

Not watched that em, should I?

[lifelongfrugaleer]

Ah em, sounds like your dm is stressed too. However no excuse for coming back. Have some space.
You are not neglecting ds. Your house will not be a shit tip and even if it is that's part of moving. One of the top 3 most stressful life events.

I did a hitt session in the house today. Dd laughed at me but doesn't matter now if I don't make the gym so much.
More competencies written.

[QuiteCleanBandit]

Omg em that sounds like a riot down the Coop
We get 5% here but no double day.

Your Mum sounds like mine -she turns everything round to herself and so I stopped telling her things also tells everything personal to her friends
Letting herself back in twice is rather overstepping boundaries.
Im sure your DM cares,mine is very "get over it " in the same way and that is how she treats herself as well
Dinner out is lovely but it doesnt stop everything you have going on being super stressful !

[lifelongfrugaleer]

Well done on the appraisal wreck.
Good luck with the interview. Who knows what will happen.
I loved dark. It was very good. Watching mcmafia at the minute. Last one next week. Also call the midwife but I want keen on Sundays episode.

[Loveabaconsandwich]

Ok so very tempted by the job....

Current job
Earn 3k more
16 hours working and over 6 hours of travel (2days)
Pay to park 1/2 times per month £4.70
More career prospects
Pension

New job
Earn 3k less
10 minutes from home
Free parking
Save £1500 on train fare
Save £1100 before/after school for DD1
Work four days (20 hours) school time
No costa, subway, mcds, shops at lunchtime
Less stress

[WreckTangled]

It's 2 degrees here. It's freezing.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Love So it's £400 a year less when you account for your train fare etc?. It's probably even when you account for early morning pastries, parking.

[MissingMo]

Wow @love. That comparison. You have to do what's best for you and what you think will be best for the family but in my opinion the saving on travel and school care are quite attractive.

[Loveabaconsandwich]

You know my hot chocolate and pastry habit too well fluffy

I would be more reliant on grandparents for childcare too though in school holidays.

[Taytocrisps]

Thanks for the new thread mammy.

My Tesco order arrived today. It was €76 + €7 delivery charge. I expected it to be higher but they were out of two items and I always request no substitutions. I should get 10 days out of it.

DD came home yesterday asking about the possibility of going on a school trip to Belgium. The school didn't give her any leaflet or anything but I gather it's approx. €600 for a few days and includes a visit to some scientific facility to see a giant microscope or telescope or something. We talked it over but decided against it. She's doing a camp with scouts this summer and she'll have the option of doing the school trip again next year. I still think they should have given us more information though. I think it's really a 3rd year trip (DD will be in 2nd year when it takes place) and they opened it up to 2nd years to make up the numbers.

em sorry to hear about the argument with your DM. I think Lonely makes a good point about all the life changes and that she's probably re-acting to the stress of it all. Difficult for you though and even more so if you're going to be moving in with her while you wait for your new house.

north delighted to hear that DS is off to Tobago after all. He deserves some fun after all he's been through. How long will he be away?

Girlie I hope all went well with the doctor today.

[Cagliostro]

Wow that does sound like it’s seriously worth considering! Less travel time and childcare stress would be worth any loss of income I think especially when combined with reduced travel cost. When do you need to decide?

Oooh exciting seacow thank you! Don’t worry about listing stuff I shall hold off shopping :o 💐

Forgot spends yesterday £36 taekwondo (as I hadn’t altered the standing order to add DD’s fees - that’s two months as they take in advance) and £2.30 Coop making change for that.

I’ve done our first shopandscan thing. Took a good while and I’ve now realised the faff caused by needing to scan an extra barcode if the item is on offer. Tesco online receipts (and even the email order confirmation) don’t actually say if items are discounted (they just have the multibuy discounts at the end). Thankfully I remembered most of them but next time I’ll note down as I order. One positive thing is that it may make me more mindful of what I’m buying. I think it’ll get quicker as I get used to it anyway. Got my initial £10 voucher :o