Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - Part 3.

LolaLemon

Does anyone know where does good quality fleece/wool mattress topper, I remember having one as a child, it was soo warm... I'd like to get one for son, as he barely ever keeps covers on, so need something to keep him warm.
Also looking into buying him feather quilt, and whilst looking around, have seen wool quilts... anyone got any comments on these? (I'm thinking he will keep these on as they are light, and warm!)

paidinchickens

Rubytuesday how exciting! and I hope Wedgie is ok. I kept saying no more pets as it is too heart breaking but I am too soft

Mooloo well done on bringing some pennies back with you :T

I did not get up until dinner :eek: No one in the house apart from the kitties. I had a bad back all day yesterday and could hardly move. I then caved in last night and had a load of painkilllers as I could stand it no more. They must have knocked me out as I remember laying on the bed last night thinking I will never get to sleep as I could not get remotely comfy.....then I don't remember anything else :rotfl::rotfl:

Yesterday was a right off as I got absolutely nothing done and I think today will be the same as although I can walk I am still in quite a bit of pain. I really could do with a bath but I dare not get in until someone comes home incase I get stuck!!:rotfl::rotfl:

I have told DH to get out the old gazebo. We had one we lent out and it came back broken, DH fixed it the best he could by reinforcing with metal poles but it no longer pops up, It's more of a drag round for half an hour and swear a lot :rotfl::rotfl:We bought a new one to replace it (cheap) but the old one has now been attached to the decking and tied to everything in sight so I can put the washing out even when it rains. I will see how this works out when I can bend to get some washing done :rotfl:

I am supposed to be in Stoke for a birthday bash tomorrow but it looks unlikely I will be able to drive that far will save quite a bit of cash though.

I have to go to Bristol at the end of next month which is a good 3 hours there and 3 hours back and I wondered if anyone knew any cheapish hotels to stay the night. The last time we booked somewhere to stay there were loads of people stood drinking, shouting and fighting in the door way so we decided to give it a miss and just drive back as we had the boys with us and they were quite scared. I know every city has some rough bits but this was only 5 o'clock!!!

Does anyone here buy a lottery ticket? I used to when we all chipped in at work but have not bothered since but £1 week mounts up to £52 a year but you never know

PIC xxx

tumptyteapot

paidinchickens wrote: »

I have to go to Bristol at the end of next month which is a good 3 hours there and 3 hours back and I wondered if anyone knew any cheapish hotels to stay the night. The last time we booked somewhere to stay there were loads of people stood drinking, shouting and fighting in the door way so we decided to give it a miss and just drive back as we had the boys with us and they were quite scared. I know every city has some rough bits but this was only 5 o'clock!!!

I don't know any cheap hotels but I can tell you what the areas are like if you find some options. Just PM me.

natnat13

Really like your gazebo idea PIC, we have an old one too, I might have a word with hubby.....
Me and DS2 have made apple (needed eatting) and saltana flapjacks, buns, a banana cake, an apple and blackberry (picked today) crumble and 2 shepherds pies today. I'm sure it won't last more then the weekend in my house but I feel good for using up some going over fruit!

I feel wiped now though, still trying to catch up on the thread so going off to read. Might have a glass of wine as well, hubby bought 4 free bottles home today from a rep, ideal as I owe someone a thank you for picking DS2 up the other day and we have a party to go to tomorrow

Talking of the party, it's a friends' 30th, I can't really afford to buy her anything and was thinking of making cleaning vouchers, her and her hubby both work full time so I thought I would do 4 vouchers for me to go and clean her house, what do you think? The problem is her hubby is quite tidy anyway, not sure if it will be appreciated or if they would feel they could call me and say "oy, come clean my house!" The other alternative is bath products I have stashed but she has quite sensitive skin, or I actually shake the piggy bank and go and buy her something!

LolaLemon

I know I wouldn't like a voucher for a friend to go rummaging in my house, I know this is not what ur planning to do, its just me. I can't even have my mum in doing something, anything, even if it is only the dishes lol.... although I would take one for a cleaning company lol as it is a stranger (but not very frugal)... I know, I'm weird lol...
If u have any vodka lying around, u could make some flavored stuff... or bake a cake...
I baked a massive cupcake for my friend for her 30th... I couldn't make her wee night in her house, but I went up early with the cake, and it went down well...

mooomin

natnat13 wrote: »

Talking of the party, it's a friends' 30th, I can't really afford to buy her anything and was thinking of making cleaning vouchers, her and her hubby both work full time so I thought I would do 4 vouchers for me to go and clean her house, what do you think? The problem is her hubby is quite tidy anyway, not sure if it will be appreciated or if they would feel they could call me and say "oy, come clean my house!" The other alternative is bath products I have stashed but she has quite sensitive skin, or I actually shake the piggy bank and go and buy her something!

I like the voucher idea but think that she might take it the wrong way - "You think my house needs cleaning?!" sort of thing. I would also be a little funny about one of my friends offering that.

I like the suggestion of baking her something.

You could do vouchers but for other things maybe like babysitting if she's got kids or a voucher for some girlie time with you? How about a voucher for a movie night where she comes to your house and you provide the popcorn and a DVD?

Is she a good friend? If so, just be honest and say you're skint!

rubytuesday

Wedgie home safe and sound but now Marmalade has gone on the missing list and she seemed to have declined quite rapidly today!

I have to take her to the vets for more tablets on Monday and was planning to ask what the felt I should do as I don't want her to be suffering in any way but in the past my cats have gone at home.

What a worry - I've scouted around but she did this to me a while ago and then turned up the next day!

The BBC didn't call to look at the kitchen this morning so I don't know whether they are still interested in using the outside of the house or not but at least I have a spotless downstairs apart from the back room once again full of junk!

Girlie and I were interviewed by a researcher into Genetics in Bipolar today. It was quite exhausting three and a half hours of interviews, questionnaires, watching films and answering questions and various tests. Girlie has to wear a watch that bleeps at random intervals to prompt her to write a mood diary and she also has to take four salvia swaps at fifteen minute intervals morning and night to measure cortisol levels.

We were pleasantly surprised to be paid for our time!

That went a little towards the vets bill!

JIL

natnat13 wrote: »

Might have a glass of wine as well, hubby bought 4 free bottles home today from a rep, ideal as I owe someone a thank you for picking DS2 up the other day and we have a party to go to tomorrow

Talking of the party, it's a friends' 30th, I can't really afford to buy her anything and was thinking of making cleaning vouchers, her and her hubby both work full time so I thought I would do 4 vouchers for me to go and clean her house, what do you think? The problem is her hubby is quite tidy anyway, not sure if it will be appreciated or if they would feel they could call me and say "oy, come clean my house!" The other alternative is bath products I have stashed but she has quite sensitive skin, or I actually shake the piggy bank and go and buy her something!

I would love someone to come and clean my house but........not someone I know, it just would not feel right. I would be tidying up before they arrived and making sure all my dirt was clean!!! But your friend may not be like me.
What about making a relaxation bag, you have some bath stuff, your husband has got some free wine. Add a smelly candle, a magazine or cheap girlie book, a bar of chocolate, a face mask sachet (suitable for her skin) put it in a nice bag/box with some wrapping paper and voila.

23rdspiral

I'm shattered, but my contribution to our log pile is growing.

I'm finding boots hard to find... Black, a bit trendy, not going to fall apart after one season like the ones I bought last year did:( . Seen v nice Fire Trap ones in TKMax for £60 (were£110)... BUT did get a pair of unworn Dolcis brown leather boots from the tipshop for £1.00 today!! Would that make them £30 each?!?;)

JIL wrote: »

I would love someone to come and clean my house but........not someone I know, it just would not feel right. I would be tidying up before they arrived and making sure all my dirt was clean!!! But your friend may not be like me.
What about making a relaxation bag, you have some bath stuff, your husband has got some free wine. Add a smelly candle, a magazine or cheap girlie book, a bar of chocolate, a face mask sachet (suitable for her skin) put it in a nice bag/box with some wrapping paper and voila.

:T I think thats a fab idea!

natnat13

JIL wrote: »

I would love someone to come and clean my house but........not someone I know, it just would not feel right. I would be tidying up before they arrived and making sure all my dirt was clean!!! But your friend may not be like me.
What about making a relaxation bag, you have some bath stuff, your husband has got some free wine. Add a smelly candle, a magazine or cheap girlie book, a bar of chocolate, a face mask sachet (suitable for her skin) put it in a nice bag/box with some wrapping paper and voila.

That is a fab idea, I am off to rummage now, I think I have most of it in the house. I'm glad I asked you all about the cleaning voucher, I was a bit uneasy about it too, I think I would go round tidying before as well! Thanks for all your help fellow frugallers!!