Keeping away from the Jones and leading my frugal life diary

lizguil

Hey Miemie! Great diary - spent the afternoon working and treating myself with a little read every so often as I got some tasks done! I should feel lucky that I work from home and can do this, but also worry about how much time I spend lurking on the MSE forums!

Your situation rings lots of bells with me... never quites sure what the 'orange ladies' are thinking at school (or in my case, nursery), but readily accpet that life really is too short to care too much about it.

Also wanted to let you know that your diary has given me some positive inspiration today... I've just defrosted some apple from the freezer and am about to make a crumble . I'm good at meal planning but don't usually bother with pudding (OH claims not to have a sweet tooth - alright for some!) so am looking forward to this comfort food on a snowy winter night!

Thanks again and keep going. You sound as though you're doing really well and I can't wait to read more. LG

macgirl

miemie wrote: »

Managed to list 5 things and already have 1 bid and a few watchers:D.

Whooooo! Get you :T

lizguil wrote: »

I should feel lucky that I work from home and can do this, but also worry about how much time I spend lurking on the MSE forums!

Yep, I could not work from home for that reason - I have no discipline (just read my sig - as if further proof were needed :rolleyes: )

Yes, don't worry about the "orange ladies" at nursery.
I used to, turning up in my banger thinking all the Chelsea tractor Mummies would think I was on benefits. But often that was purely my own insecurity. One of the "Posh" mums is now one of my closest friends.

miemie

Hi lizguil thanks for posting, i love making puds, means i can serve a little less main course when we have pud and make it stretch 2 days, also kiddies are always more full up when they have apple crumble and custard than just a yogurt or icecream and it counts towards there one a day:D.

Have done scratchies 10p aand 10p and have a couple more eBay bids:j.

Have been back at work today and DD & DS are back at school, felt good to be back at work, my two were starting to drive me mad with their arguing and yet going to work and teaching other peoples does'nt.

Quickly nipped into Tesco when i finished and managed to spend £35, i am officially 2.36 over budget this week on grocery spends :mad:, but i did buy a few extra bits to go into the freezer as i'm not sure what this weather is up to and i might end up stuck at home again.

miemie

Hello, its soooo coooooooold, i am really freezing today, feel like getting into bed and hibernating.

Went to Sainsburys this morning to spend my last voucher for £12 off a £60 spend, got lots as they have loads of things half price at the moment, but did end up spending £82:eek:, but in fairness both freezers are full(going to be eating lots of sausage),fridge is full and cupboards are full, will need to get the odd bits of fruit and veg, but i think i will be ok for the month:j.Also bought my self 2 books that were reduced down to 50p each which is cheaper than the local charity shop and a birthday present for dd's birthday next month.

On the money front things are kinda looking ok, i have put money into jars for the months spends, well all except petrol money,i have half a tank at the moment and i can usually make this last about 10 day, going to be super economical and just see how long i can make it last:rolleyes: i am trying to walk as much as possible at the moment with the roads being really icy and not go out unless i really have to. I have paid any bills that need paying and so i am now left with £30 in the bank,but only if i really need it will i withdraw it.

Have also made £11 on eBay today not alot but it all helps. Scratchies today 50p and 50p.

Have been through my Mary Berry baking book and put little markers next to the recipies i can make that i have already got the ingredients in for, so tommorrow i am making cappuccino cake, having pasta bake for tea tonight which i will have to start soon, I also want to find some cookie recipes, i read in the tightwad gazette that you can freeze cookie dough, you just make it up, mould it into a sausage shape, wrap in clingfilm and then freeze, then when you need cookies you have it ready made and just need to slice and bake.

MissOptimistic

Hi Miemie
Your meal planning puts mine to shame, but I need to do a shop in the next day or two so I am going to meal plan, set a budget and stick to it!
The cappucino cake sounds absolutely lovely
Have a nice evening x

macgirl

Yes, me too! Can we come round for a cuppa and some cake? :rotfl:

chops22

Wow busy day, you will have to let us know if the frozen cookie dough works...sounds fantastic!!

miemie

Cakes in the oven girls and smells yummy:D.

Scratchies done 10p,10p and 25p, sold a BIN item on eBay this morning for £5:D.

Have made a beef casserole which is nicely cooking away in slow cooker and cappuccino cake is in the oven, 2 portions of pasta bake that were left over from last night have been put into the freezer, still need to do this weeks meal plan, will do that tonight after kiddies have gone to bed.
Also need to look for a cookie dough recipe, not that i can fit anything in the freezers at the moment.

chops22

Well done on ebay...I need to get listing again..

Cake sounds amazing too!!

miemie

Hello:D.
Not been on for acouple of days as i have been trying to catch up with housework now that christmas is out of the way and kids back at school, i can proudly say that my washing basket is empty, everything is ironed and put away:j.

Not much going on money wise except that i am skint, i have £2.95 in my purse and £7.71 in bank, i kid you not and pay day is not until the 29th:eek:.
I do have £26 in paypal from eBay sales so i think i am going to have to withdraw this, but dd came home yesterday from school and told me her trainers are too small:rolleyes:, so i am going to have to get her a new pair, going to look on eBay tonight and see what i can find, why oh why is there always something, i also need to go and buy a birthday present for a friend of ds as he is going to a party on sunday, hope i can find something cheap in the sales.
All bills have been paid and i have money for petrol in my money pot, we have full freezers and cupboards, i think we will be ok unless something major happens:rolleyes:.