Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 1

NualaBuala

Lily_The_Legend wrote: »

Well that's the thing though... there will only be MIL, SIL, BIL and nephew there at the birthday tea, that's why I thought it was odd we hadn't been invited. And MIL is coming on Saturday as well. It just seems a bit odd. Why have they had to organise a special meal out? :huh:



Thanks Ruby.

Who knows what she's thinking?! Personally I'd prefer the birthday tea. If it were me and I was feeling brave (that's a big if!) I'd be tempted to suggest to her that I come to the birthday tea instead of going for pizza. But then I can be very brazen on occasion - and a big chicken on others! Hope it all goes ok for you and is not too difficult and upsetting (((((()))))).

Edit: just saw your post about confronting her. Sounds a hard one and I can't help but think there is some underlying issue with her. Good luck Lily!

Lily_The_Legend

NualaBuala wrote: »

Who knows what she's thinking?! Personally I'd prefer the birthday tea. If it were me and I was feeling brave (that's a big if!) I'd be tempted to suggest to her that I come to the birthday tea instead of going for pizza. But then I can be very brazen on occasion - and a big chicken on others! Hope it all goes ok for you and is not too difficult and upsetting (((((()))))).

Thank you NB. The thing is, we have plans to see my parents tomorrow night already! But I would've preferred to have just done the birthday tea than a meal out at his age. And if they'd have organised it when they asked us about the meal out we would've been free. The only explanation me and DH can think of (and I'm not suggesting pregnant people are mad ) is that she's pregnant again, because for the last couple of years she has been ok-ish. The last time she was this aggravating was when she was pregnant with our nephew!

NualaBuala

Lily_The_Legend wrote: »

Thank you NB. The thing is, we have plans to see my parents tomorrow night already! But I would've preferred to have just done the birthday tea than a meal out at his age. And if they'd have organised it when they asked us about the meal out we would've been free. The only explanation me and DH can think of (and I'm not suggesting pregnant people are mad ) is that she's pregnant again, because for the last couple of years she has been ok-ish. The last time she was this aggravating was when she was pregnant with our nephew!

Well I'm not suggesting pregnant women are mad either - but I do know when I'm hormonal before my period I am not myself. Will be interesting to see if your theory is right - just brace yourself for another niece or nephew's birthdays to deal with!

Lily_The_Legend

NualaBuala wrote: »

Well I'm not suggesting pregnant women are mad either - but I do know when I'm hormonal before my period I am not myself. Will be interesting to see if your theory is right - just brace yourself for another niece or nephew's birthdays to deal with!

Yes that's true, I do get the odd bit of PMT myself. So maybe it's her hormones... oh god, that's true, more bloody dramas to come! :eek: Well I'll remember all this if I have my own children don't you worry! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: I may not be speaking to her by then though. :D

pipersky

Hi everyone

I have been following the thread, though not posting and all your tips and efforts always add an extra ray of sunshine to my day

I have been looking at ways to reduce our outgoings for a while now. Although we are not in debt (except for mortgage!) I have been on mat leave, then parental leave and finally handed in my notice in December as I have 2 DD's and a baby on the way! So we are down to one salary. The idea of using my money on things I want instead of spending it on things that the supermarkets/dept stores etc tell me I want is very appealing!

So in that vein I have been attempting to be more frugal (hence stumbling across this thread at the beginning of Jan!). My frugal activities so far:

1) I have started meal planning for the first time ever
2) Cooking from scratch
3) Teaching myself to knit (not going well so far but I will persevere! (sp?))
4) Digging veg plot and growing fruit and veg in garden (also on waiting list for allotment)
5) I unearthed my mum's old sewing machine today, set it up and read some of the manual

I have other things I am working on too but these are the things I think will be the most helpful to me and my family at the moment

I will continue to watch the thread with interest (mostly lurking but will sometimes poat so I'm not too much of a stalker!!).

Lily_The_Legend

Welcome pipersky! :hello:

patentgirl

Welcome GreenQueen and Pipersky
Applemint thanks for links on Martha Stewart makes some great reading ploughing my way through sections
Lily the legend cant believe the way you have been treated pregnant or not
Ruby Tuesday another magazine lover here trying so hard to resist trouble is I know dates when the latest shinky glossy editions hit the shops, my DH and I have one each on subscription via tescos points
A NSD here for me today
another one who is not sure about when to plant and what to plant at allotment what should i be doing this time of year apart from preparing soil, I have inherited it from DH he was full of big ideas still is but unfortunatley a change in his job means he has very little spare time now only weekends, he took it on 18 months ago and didnt really start planting till last spring so both of us are a bit unsure want to do Jan and feb?

Kerry_Woman

I seem to be alright this month. It has been an expensive one, paid the property maintenance for the flat for the whole year instead of monthly. Did save up last year for it, so I will have at least £45 more in my account each month. Got my home contents insurance policy through, went up by £20 a year. Went to my bank and they gave me a quote. Was happy with that as the same policy with them has cost me £70 less a year. Still waiting for policy papers to come through. When they do I will cancel the other policy. Both start the same time.

Started doing a spending diary. When I have NSD's, I personally do not include my regular Direct Debits, eg mortgage payments. This helps me to control my other spending and try to use cash for payments.

Am using things in the freezer and storecupboards. Also being baking scones and other cakes. The food bill seems reasonable. Did start last year to use up my tolietires, but still got to use up stock this year.

slowlyfading

redglass wrote: »

Thanks, SF! :T
and nice to 'see' you again on the new challenge!

I never have much to say, so I generally don't bother!

seriouslyfrugal

Welcome pipersky to the thread / challenge :hello:

Liliy families can be anoying carn't they :mad: but as others have said we all need to let off steam ocasionally