Chanie fabulously looks after her pennies...

pennywisepoundstupid

Sounds as though you have had an excellent frugal day, well done!


You have reminded me that I need to use the library more.

chanie

pennywisepoundstupid wrote: »

Sounds as though you have had an excellent frugal day, well done!


You have reminded me that I need to use the library more.

penny I think I should borrow your user-name. I've been thinking about my spends over the past few months and I'm fine with the pennies. For example, I've squirrelled away sweets left over from DS birthday party to make up party bags for the children to keep them entertained at a family wedding. It's the £10+ plus purchases I need to get under control. Although, the things I have been buying has been stuff we've needed.

I used to be bad with the pennies too (lots of little treats like magazines and cans of cola) and I got that under control, so I can do it, I just need to focus.

I don't go to the library loads. I tend to go for the children and we may go a couple of times on the trot and then not go for ages. Our local authority is considering getting volunteers to run the libraries. Whilst I understand the Local Authority is cash strapped, I think they will struggle to get regular volunteers as its a huge commitment.

One final frugal act today - it's OHs best mates daughters birthday coming up and I'm quite pleased with the frugal gift I put together:
Toy - £2 from Home Bargains, but rrp is £10.
Dress - brand new with tags that DD never wore.
Card - 3 for £1 from Card Factory
Gift bag - recycled from someone's birthday

pennywisepoundstupid

Well done on the frugal birthday present.

I'm good with saving pennies and cutting back on little things, but I still have moments with the big things, although I'm getting better at saving for them and not putting them on the CC anymore, there was times when I would spend ages working out which was the cheapest jar of coffee or bag of carrots to buy and then spend a fortune on a new pair of shoes and wack them on the CC:o.

chanie

That sounds like me penny, but I give myself a budget of £40 to £60 a month for treats. I'm happy to put money aside for bigger purchases though. I think it's sensible to cut back where you can for bigger treats and that's what I do.

Our problem is that we have high outgoing - two cars (we need them for work/school run), childcare costs, my train ticket, big families (there is always a birthday!!!!).

chanie

Both me and OH are bored of our every day meals and I was sorely tempted to go to the Chinese Supermarket to make noodles for dinner. Laziness stopped us and so I made a speedy lasagne which we all enjoyed.

We still need a few top ups from the supermarket. OH will puck them up tomorrow, but is only going to get what we need (bread and butter).

I've also been having a bit of a clear out. I've thrown away:
2 hairbrushes (MIL gave them to us, but we don't need them)
3 candle holders (when do I use candles????)
2 broken children's toys
An empty shoebox, tatty gift bag and other paperwork.

chanie

i 'made' £5 today

As part of my fabbing, over on the beauty board, I bought new dress, which was reduced to £25. The dress has since been reduced by another £5, so I took it back for a refund and then bought it again, saving £5.

pennywisepoundstupid

Well done on the £5 saving:j

chanie

A few spends today


Ice cream - £4.50 on three ice creams today (DS, DN and DN friend)


£3.50 on some fruit from the market (should last the week)


£3 on cards from Card Factory (they had the 7 for £1 cards, so I stocked up).


£1 on two drinks (DS was moaning, so I popped into Poundland)


£3 on some snacks from Lidl.


Writing it all down, does show how it adds up, but most of the money came out of my weekly purse money, so within budget.

chanie

We met up with some family in the park today. We all brought food and drink to share for the picnic. I spent about £5 in the supermarket and the rest was stuff from home. We also bought the children an ice cream at the park, which was another £5. I was quite sneaky, as I bought them on the way in - if we had met up with everyone in the group and went back to get ice cream, I would have had to buy for an extra 5 children, but I only had £5 in my purse, so it could have been awkward.

chanie

Another trip to the park today with the children, as the weather was so nice. We also spent some time in the garden, watering my veg containers and planting some sunflowers - I hope they grow, as I collected the seeds from a previous sunflower.

I've set myself a new challenge - to make a rainbow cake. We have a family party in a couple of weeks and we need to bring a dish, so I thought I'd try and make a rainbow cake for the wow factor.