NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

nursemaggie

Bathory your bird will most likely be a him it's the males in most birds that usually sing. It is quite likely to be a Robin if it is after dark when it sings. They often sit on top of a lamp post and sing at night.

I have the problem with neighbours not speaking. Actually I have never even seen most of my neighbours you would think it was a street of empty houses except that about half the cars disappear during the day and come back at night. I would also say that around a third of the houses occupants have moved in the last 15 months. There are still 3 houses for sale and 2 to let. At one point last year there were 7 to let and 5 for sale all at once. We do like the area but it would be nice to get to know someone.

DollyDabbler

eandjsmum wrote: »

Hi Guys


Having a really bad time at the moment. Firstly both kids are taking important exams at the mo so there is the expense of revision guides. Had to get two on Ama$on they came to just under £20 Couldn't get free postage so hade to make that up with something small.

Before you buy any more revision guides, ask at school if they are selling them. We bulk buy and pass on the savings to students. Also, look at the schools website, there might be revision material posted. BBC Bitesize, and Corbett Maths are available free.

ivyleaf

emslovesmickey wrote: »

Had a BAD spendy day today! It's my brothers birthday, so I took us for a meal. For three of us the bill came to £80! Remind me not to offer to pay again...

I also bought some clothes at Peacocks, coming from looking at myself and seeing what an absolute state I was. Shouldn't have done it I know, but I will be going through my wardrobe and getting rid of EVERYTHING I no longer fit into. I'm tired of holding onto things thinking I will lose weight. Spent £66 in Peacocks but got some essentials and also some things for mum.

On the subject of mum, I have agreed to lend her £300 so that she can go on holiday with her brother. She doesn't earn much, and to be honest I probably won't see the money back, but some things are more important than money and one of those is her seeing her family, who live a long way away. One of her brothers had a heart attack a few months back so it's brought home to me that we are all getting older (mum is 60 next year) and there may not be that many more occasions that they can actually meet up. The following quote kinda sums it up for me.

"Because we do not know when we will die, we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well. And yet everything happens only a certain number of times. And a very small number really."

Brandon Lee

Anyway, it means that this month is a bit of a whitewash for me saving wise. It doesn't mean that I will be wasteful for the rest of the month, just that I won't be saving as much as I have done. As penance for the clothes shopping, I have decided that one of the tasks (either the birthday presents or the calendar) no longer deserves a treat.

Not to worry, emslovesmickey - it was spent in a good cause

eandjsmum

DollyDabbler wrote: »

Before you buy any more revision guides, ask at school if they are selling them. We bulk buy and pass on the savings to students. Also, look at the schools website, there might be revision material posted. BBC Bitesize, and Corbett Maths are available free.

We have made full use of late night revision sessions . Free exam papers., Old revision guides, text-books, Bitesize, moodle , library, in fact anything we could get our mitts on. I am hoping to sell these on after she has finished with them next month as they were for A level law. Kids school don't provide cheap revision guides and as there is only a small a-level class I don't suppose that there would have been much of a saving. I also work in a secondary school and we do the same with the revision guides. I even looked for them in second hand bookshops no luck.
DS has just got home from a late evening revision session at 8pm!

pm2326

Started my first FutureLearn course this evening....so far so good

emslovesmickey

I was going to spend today, there are a few books I want to get. Both writing guides. I know that may sound strange when I've been writing for a while but we can always get better. Anyway, the two I want are just under £20 on Amazon, but instead of buying them I've put them on my wishlist and claimed a £10 gift card from swagbucks. So when that comes, and when I finish a task, I can get the books. For now I'll continue writing and then edit later on

Bathory

Thanks for the replies about neighbours. I do wish I had a thicker skin at times and not be so sensitive about things.

emslovesmickey: You are braver than me working in a bookies. Any jobs facing the public I could not do as I know I would be a wreck. I'm ok with phones as I can't be seen but even then I feel panicky if a conversation gets abrupt. I constantly need to be assertive with myself to get through some days and stop worrying about leaving the house. I'm also in a habit of forever checking that switches, plugs, toasters, hair appliances etc are off and that all the windows are secure and then the door has been properly locked. It can take a bit of time to finally leave for work. I feel I'm sometimes going a bit loopy with all the checking.

Nursemaggie: You must be right on the bird being a robin as the singing does start around when its getting dusk. He is so beautifully clear and relaxing.

nursemaggie

Have a look round all the streetlamps near by you will probably see him.

I'm not sure I would know any of my neighbours if I met them in the street as they seem to come home in their cars and get out straight into there homes. They have to walk up the path even if it is only tree or four steps.

Lynplatinum

Ahoy there!!

Please note the above phrase was in the time when que!r meant strange but I have edited the phrase so I dont get told off by the board moderators!!!

anyhoooo - one side of me neighbours scuttle in and out with their washing and MAY speak to me if we are both walking down the road to the shop at the end of it - though it has been known for him to take a sharp left if he spots me first!!! Perhaps I m a nasty person but now make a point of speaking even if its only to say 'nice day' or 'this rain is good for the garden - isnt it' They never have anything positive to say and their recycle box is always full of wine bottles. Makes you think - doesn't it??? I get the feeling that they live a thoroughly miserable life. I feel a bit sorry for them. :-(

the other side is a young and very pretty woman who has had several partners (and 2 kids - different fathers) I am relieved to say that the most recent one appears to be lasting and they also now have a child (no.3). Apparently she is a neurotic housewife and the whole house is kitted out in white and has to be tidy all day long (according to an ex of hers) - well I wish she would do something about her garden - it is a dumping ground of old plasterboard; paint cans; tiles; weeds etc - it looks dreadful (both front and back). I was v worried at one time because she always seemed to be screaming at the kids and her partners but that seems to have died down with this one - its only once or twice a month now. I hope she has found lasting happiness. Just wish she would speak occasionally - I always say 'good morning' and she answers and so, to be fair, do the kids and new guy chats a lot - bless him! Such a nice chilled chap!
By contrast two doors away I have a fantastic neighbour - a palliative care nurse - who works all the hours the gods send, and yet, last year when I was housebound due to a broken leg - got me shopping - knocked on the door each day to check I was OK etc (and invited me to their wedding and round at Christmas etc). Another couple of doors down are an elderly couple, they speak and helped last year (when they were ill the other winter I got their shopping) So I am lucky - if not with my direct neighbours! :rotfl:

Hey purpleposting4 - glad to see you back - I MUST get on with e-baying stuff!! I have gathered it from the 4 corners of the house, and like you, it just keeps on giving!! But I find all of the posting such a palaver!! This week, definitely! I cant go shopping at all as I went out and bought wine and beer for this evening (4 wines @ less than £5 + 2 more beers @90p! Lid!l) and so cant spend anything - this SHOULD free up time to get over the fear and start selling!! Someone keep an eye on me and check that I ve done this by Friday - please - need encouraging e-bay selling stories shipmates!
Frugally forward folks! Nite!

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone! As per usual, RL gets in the way so I don't always have time to check in on this thread but I hope everyone is doing well, both new and old!

I have a seriously spendy month this month as I am going bowling for a colleague's birthday next week plus my Dad and Step-mum are moving to Spain so we are taking them out for a meal and celebrations!

In terms of other spends, I've been quite good at using up loyalty points and using additional points vouchers where possible in the hope of saving money long term! It's been over a year since I last had my hair cut and I just never seem to get round to getting it done (as this involves train fares and the cost of the cut) but it WILL get done... eventually..

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a good week and I'll pop back when I can!