📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

Options
1140141143145146218

Comments

  • JennyJewell
    JennyJewell Posts: 1,574 Forumite
    Hi ladies, (and gents)? :)
    I'm wondering if anyone can help me on here please? I'm mainly looking for support more than anything, have come across this lovely looking thread and wondering if it could be the right place for me?
    Just a quick rundown of my situation - nothing drastic really, just need to make a few changes and could do with a bit of guidance :)

    I'm 37 years of age and have a lovely husband and two fantastic teenage boys, (aged 13 and 17). I work as a classroom support assistant in a Special Needs school - hectic but very rewarding :) I am very interested in living an eco-friendly and frugal life as much as possible - at the moment the ideas are there but the action isn't happening, I just don't know where to start,lol! I am also interested in cooking from scratch and creating useful things from rubbish that would normally be thrown out as well as making my own beauty concoctions, candles and clothes, etc :)
    My main problem is that I am soooo tired all the time and feel absolutely drained of energy most evenings and sadly most weekends - I have slept all afternoon today :( I do believe that this tiredness and lack of energy is due to my lifestyle - I'm not a partygoer or anything but I think there are some simple things that I can do that will hopefully make big changes :) I go to bed too late, I don't exercise, I smoke, ( under 10 a day but obviously not healthy), I certainly am not getting my 5 a day, I don't drink water and probably drink too much coffee.
    So that's me :) I hope you don't mind me posting. If it's too late to join or this isn't the right place for me please let me know - I won't be offended x I'm not depressed - just very tired and I definitely need to make changes :) I'm just looking for the right thread for a bit of team spirit really :)
    Thank you for reading :)
    Jenny x
    Everything happens for a reason :)
  • lessonlearned
    lessonlearned Posts: 13,337 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    Hi Jenny & a big warm welcome. l think you'll find you feel very much at home here. Don't think we've any gents on here - at least not posters, although of course there may be some lurkers.:)

    Our philosophy is baby steps, easy simple changes that are sustainable over the long term. We're in this for life - so no faddy diets, quick fixes, silly detoxes etc.

    A sensible healthy eating programme and a little bit of exercise. It's very much do what you can when you can. We aim for what we call the 80/20 rule - eat well most of the time but still allow for treats/bad days etc

    The other big thing we do - and this is the important one - we take a little bit of time to take care of ourselves, beauty routines, grooming, dressing nicely etc or just having a little time to ourselves doing something we enjoy, a walk, a favourite hobby, a good book etc

    As the title of the thread suggests - all as frugally as possible. We love charity shops and bargains.:rotfl:

    I'm not going to lecture about smoking - you know what to do;) -

    I suggest you make a start by trying to get a bit more sleep, eat a few vegetables and bit of fruit etc and just take it from there.

    One thing that might help - several of us have started taking a few vitamin supplements - depends on your needs really. A good one a day multi-vitamin is a good way to start.

    And of course - start with the fabbing - one little beauty treatment each day - build them into your daily routine until they become second nature.

    Anyway ladies - just have to tell you - I actually managed to go for a walk today:T Then I ruined it all by eating some bread, getting a nasty tummy upset and then felt too ill to do all the things I'd planned.

    The thing about the bread thing is that I never know when it's going to do that. I can eat bread one day and be fine, another day it's a disaster.

    Well done Sparkles on all the pampering. Glad you got the shoes sorted Willow.

    By the way Jenny - I'm hoping to make some nice fragranced candles too - I hate the cheap synthetic perfumed ones but candles using natural fragrances are wildly expensive. So yes - when I get some a bit of time I'll be having a crack at those.

    In the meantime I use natural fragrance room sprays - water and essential oils in a cheap spray bottle, or sometimes an oil burner.

    Right - off to bed now - goodnight all x. Jenny - you too - it's nearly midnight.:rotfl:
  • JennyJewell
    JennyJewell Posts: 1,574 Forumite
    Hi lessonlearned :)
    Thank you so much for the warm welcome :) As Annie sang in the musical of the same name - 'I think I'm gonna like it here' :D
    Going over the in laws for dinner so will catch up with you soon :)
    Thank you again :)
    Jenny xx
    Everything happens for a reason :)
  • fedupandskint
    fedupandskint Posts: 10,358 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Today's fabiness has included a run first thing this morning, a hair mask, finished all the cleaning and ironing then eating homemade soup and bread for lunch which was rather lovely.

    Manicure time later on after tea tonight
    final unsecured debt to repay currently £8333
    Proud to be Dealing With my Debt
    DFW Nerd 1154 Long Haul 155
  • Willow92
    Willow92 Posts: 2,186 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Really not in a good mood today so I'm keeping out of everyone's way. Fabwise I managed to use the body brush before my shower last night, used my favourite shower gel and conditioned my hair.
    Savings £8,865.22 £/15,000 Aiming to save enough for a house deposit.
  • lessonlearned
    lessonlearned Posts: 13,337 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    Hello Ladies

    Just a very quick post today - all quiet here.

    DS1 home for a visit and DS2 will be home from work later so a nice family day with my boys. :D

    DS1 and I had a little potter in the garden - making use of his muscle power to give everywhere a final autumn tidy bringing in furniture etc for the winter.

    Need to plant bulbs but thought I would give the geraniums etc just a bit longer - they are still in full flower so it's a bit of shame to get rid just yet.

    Anyway had a bit of a Domestic Goddess vibe going on today - made apple cake (yum) and a crumble for tonights pud.

    Fabwise - had a good slathering, eyebrow tidy and mini manicure.
    Just off to do a bit of yoga - back playing up a bit today - could do with a good stretch on the rack.:rotfl:

    Other than that - not much news here at Fab Towers.

    Noticed that DS1 really struggling with OH's speech.OH is getting very withdrawn these days - hardly surprising when he can't even communicate easily with his own family. He finds it very tiring too.

    Told DS1 about his dad going into permanent care. Both boys have taken this quite well but again I don't suppose they are even remotely surprised - they've got eyes they can see how things are. And I'm quite sure they talk about things together.

    In one way I'll be glad when it's all done and he's actually moved in now - it's very hard emotionally. I feel racked with guilt sometimes and yet I know very well we are all out of options now. I just have to remind myself of the positives ............

    And TBH even I can now finally see and assess just how much it's damaging my physical health.

    Time to let go ............just one more Christmas here - so we'll just have to make it as special as we can.

    Oh dear - mustn't wallow. Off to do those stretches.

    Has anyone started Christmas shopping yet? Bought some mincemeat the other day for the mince pies. No I don't make my own - shame on me:D

    Bye for now x
  • maman
    maman Posts: 29,771 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    :wave:

    Thank you all for your lovely comments yesterday. I have had a super weekend (that started on Thursday:rotfl:) . At yesterday's wedding I met up with lots of extended family that I don't see that regularly and got comments on how good I looked. I don't know about being the first graduate from the thread (I feel I have lots still to do fabwise) but it's a huge boost to ego and a great motivator.

    Welcome JennyJ, it's never too late to join. I don't think LL or I are the best people to ask about early nights but I've been making a big effort this last week to NOT surf late at night to try to get more sleep and I know LL has tried too. Just like when you get small children ready for bed, there needs to be a wind-down time. It's not a good idea to be thinking/chatting/searching late at night. So perhaps a warm bath, a hot milky drink and a lightweight book or magazine (nothing that you'll want to read to the end) in bed might help. I'm totally empathetic with the smoking and apparently that's a stimulant late at night too.:( You need to build in relaxing time, you have a stressful job. Fresh air is good too, so try a walk or even a run (like sparkles:T). I've been doing Slimming World and have learned to make sure every day's food is at least a third fruit and veg and I also eat almost no processed food so that's a healthy target too. Planning is my best advice there.

    Lovely choices of shoes willow, brogues are super fashionable at the moment so will look good in and out of work and boots are an excellent choice at this time of the year. The boots you can wear with skirts or trousers so that's good.

    Good to hear that your DSs are being supportive LL. I'd be very cross if they weren't as although it's their father you have to make the decisions. Although all the time spent battling with agencies, paperwork etc etc has been difficult it has meant that you have taken decisions over time, so nothing hasty or impulsive. Any plans for the respite care(other than a rest;))? We played Derby County yesterday (at your place), a 1-1 draw so honours even!:D

    Off to watch Downton in a moment, hope I manage to stay awake!
  • Carmen
    Carmen Posts: 1,732 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Good morning ladies,

    Welcome aboard the FTF wagon Jenny, I know you will get some very good suggestions from the ladies here. I know power naps work but that is not a long term solution. Weight and diet seem to be the important issues, unless it is medical?

    Not much to report here, managed to pamper myself on Saturday but yesterday was very lazy :o O/H seemed to be watching sport all day and I just surfed the net! Actually I did manage to declutter some of his bits and pieces, managed to clear two drawers completely :j
    The less I do the less I want to do and visa versa.

    I nearly ordered some sale items for next summer, but realised because I will have lost more weight (PPP) it would be false economy, difficult to resist but my wardrobe still has clothes ranging in about four sizes!
    My skin is feeling very dry these days, I find it difficult to consume lots of water in the cooler/cold weather, will have to try harder!
    I have cut finger nails right down as they are splitting.

    Some of you know about my BiL's weight/health problems, he told me last night he has lost two stone :j since July. He has realised crash/fad diets are only 'good' for the short term!

    A friend gave me some quince, I'm going to make crumble with it later and maybe look for some savoury recipes also. Not into jam and jelly making, just don't eat enough to warrant the effort :o

    Off to get scrubbed, showered, slathered and squirted (perfume) ;) Need to get some fresh air today, going to drag O/H into town (he does not know it yet) :rotfl::rotfl:

    Happy fabbing everyone

    Carmen xx
  • Molly41
    Molly41 Posts: 4,919 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Good Morning x

    Putting my grumpy weekend behind me. I think that it had all got to me and my family and we spent the whole weekend growling at each other:eek::eek::eek:

    Anyway feeling more positive and I did have a Fab moment when I did my mini facial. My skin is looking much better now:T:T:T

    I had an Osteopathy appointment on Friday as my back is bad (years in awkward positions as a Midwife - IYKWIM) and i have the biggest bruise spreading all over my lower back. Now Im sure that is not right and Im going to show it to my GP when I see her later. Im hoping she will be her usual supportive self as regards writing the letter. However I know that it is probably a no-go as it is all down to the politics of money!!!!

    Hugs to those who need one and you really are a lovely bunch of people xx
    I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
    Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
    I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over and through me. When it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
    When the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
  • bratz81
    bratz81 Posts: 673 Forumite
    morning everyone :)

    Haven't been on all weekend but have caught up now I think, just about! I didn't do much fabness over the weekend I have to say, have been under the weather with the cold, and aunt irma has arrived early and I had the worst cramps so spent most of the weekend curled up drinking tea.

    I did order two new dresses from my Next aco!!!! and picked them up on Saturday. Wearing one today and it's lovely. I got a size bigger than I take everywhere (I find I have to do that with a lot of Next items) and I'm glad I did cos although it's a bit loose on the waist/hips it's perfect on the chest, so a 14 would have been too small there and ruined the look of it. It does have a tie waist so I can pull that in and it doesn't look loose.
    carpe diem :cool:

    [STRIKE]Santander OD- £0/£870[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Mint cc - £0/£6500[/STRIKE]
    [FONT=&quot]HOF cc - £640/£750 [/FONT][FONT=&quot]A&L Loan - £2497/£7500[/FONT]
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 351.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 244.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 599.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177K Life & Family
  • 257.6K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.