Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

Ellsbel

Thanks for the inspiration *lesson learned*:)
So my goals for August:

Health and Beauty
Exercise for an hour 5 times per week (mainly walking)
Cleanse and moisturise morning AND evening
Use body lotion every day

House
100 items to be decluttered either to charity, the bin or EBay!
Be more organised in tackling housework

Garden
Plant out a window box outside kitchen window with herbs
Plant out some patio pots

Money
Continue to look for a part time job - not only for my self esteem regarding my physical appearance, but for a sense of independence after all these years as a "housewife" (not sure if that's the correct term to use these days?!)

I'll add one more -
Wellbeing
Spend half an hour each day doing something I love
Read one book about a subject I don't know much about.

And yes - I must work harder at remembering my perfume!:)

indiepanda

sweetcheeks33 wrote: »

Indie panda I do hope all is sorted and plumber is reasonable and sorts all out without you having to unleash temper on him...

Plumber no showed all day Friday and Saturday and promised to come this at 10 morning but didn't show then either or explain. Have arranged for someone else to fix tomorrow.

First one finally got in touch about an hour ago asking if he could come - at which point I was naked in front of the kitchen sink having a flannel bath and washing my hair with the help of a pyrex jug!

I said no, someone else was going to do it, and I expected him to pick up the tab. This might sound harsh, but he has rearranged / postponed time he was coming eight times already having told me I didn't need to get someone else to do. He'd even at one point last night texted to say he was on the way over and then a couple of hours later said could he come in the morning instead so I didn't trust he'd show even if I said yes now - just leave me hanging again. Besides, given he created the problem I am not sure I'd trust he has the skills to fix!

Anyway, he has said he will pay for the work I get done but given his skill for lying so far I will only believe it when I have the cash in my hand.

Question for you - I was recommended him on the local internet forum. He claims his no shows have been caused by a family emergency (though that doesn't really excuse him messing up the plumbing in the first place or the poor communication). If you were in my shoes, if he pays up in full for what extra I've had to spend, would you post a negative review on the forum? Our local internet forum is incredibly well used and very influential. Part of me feels like I should protect others from his shoddy service and going through the stress he has put me through, and the other part feels like I should show some compassion if he really has had a family crisis.

maman

I'm loving the goals for the month.


I haven't thought mine through properly yet but I definitely want to lose my holiday gain. I've been back three weeks now and I still feel podgy. I'm persevering with the healthy eating but it's not doing it for me at the moment.


And I'm definitely going to put some MK into practice. I read yesterday that one aim would be to get everything inside fitted cupboards. I thought around the house and we've got quite a few of those including wardrobes, airing cupboard, kitchen unit and a few others so that'll be an aim. I think they might get to know me well in the CS.


And I've put perfume on and sat up straight already!!;)

chanie wrote: »

I need to confess....
Anyway, I get home and showed it to OH.... Only to realise that the holes were part of the pattern. So not only do I have new cover up, but it's half the price.

I feel a mixture of embarrassment and pleased I'm quids in.

I did something similar but not really my fault. I bought some very comfy jelly type sandals for the beach from BHS. I left them in the bag as I thought it would be useful to pack them to bring them home. When I arrived at hotel I took them out to find that the ink from receipt had indelibly marked the sandals. I wore them for 2 weeks almost daily and then took them back for a refund. I could have bought another pair in the sale but decided I'd wait until next year and see what I fancy then.


That's a bit of a dilemma with the plumber but I wouldn't be feeling good about him just now. Our painter who's now coming on 22nd August (2 months after first appointment) is in Checkatrade so if he doesn't do a good job I'll be in the same position as you. I'd certainly wait and see if he pays up and then could you PM someone who's recommended him on the forum and explain. It could be a one off if he's got family issues. Our painter cried off because they had a new baby and he said his wife was rushed back into hospital with a complication and he did at least let us know.


It's meant to be 22 degrees here this afternoon so I might sit in the garden for a while:).

lessonlearned

Ah the old family crisis wheeze.......

Ive had this one so many times from trades. You do have to give them the benefit of the doubt, unless you find out otherwise.

However, .......

Even if it was a genuine crisis he should have either phoned or texted you....he should have said I just can't get to you right now. And ....... as you say he shouldn't have messed up,in the first place, although anyone can make a mistake but he should not have left you in that state.

It does sound as if he was running more than one job.

Now this is quite common and there's nothing intrinsically wrong with that. For example the plumber will do a first fix, then have to wait for the other trades, then come back and do a second fix when the other trades have finished. So it make sense to have two or more jobs running concurrently. It sounds like his other job had overrun and he couldn't keep up the juggling act.

A lot of trades won't admit that they are running more than one job, so they fall back on excuses such as van broke down, family crisis, etc. because apparently a lot of clients object because they don't fully understand the various stages of the job. They think they are being short changed, that the tradesperson is ripping them off, disappearing onto another job and that they should be on site the whole time.

After 30 years or so in the construction industry, I know all their little games......its sometimes easier for them to tell white lies.

Ive been using the same plumber for about 15 years. Ive told him he can semi retire bUt he has to,keep me on his books....apparently I was one of his first customers when he went SE and he really values my custom and loyalty.

We've now reached a stage where if I need other trades, say elect or plasterers etc, I ring my plumber and ask him for one of his contacts.

Even so he gets his fingers burnt at times by other trades letting him down. His last plasterer was a nightmare, it took him about 6 weeks to do DS2s house, it should have been two weeks max. The electrician at that time wasn't much better, he kept putting light fittings and sockets in the wrong place in spite of me doing a comprehensive wiring diagram. He also put halogen ceiling bulbs in when I had requested low energy. When I pointed out his errors he accused me of altering the spec. Cheeky s o d. :rotfl:

My plumber now helps me project manage my jobs, he's currently doing DS1s bathroom and he has employed all the other necessary trades, electrician, tiler, joiner, and plasterer. We haven't had to worry about a thing.

Now we just give him the key and let him run. He is completely trustworthy, does a fabulous job, doesn't charge the earth, and even cleans up after himself. He also ensures the other trades leave the site spotless too.

Naturally he is booked for months ahead, However he will always try and squeeze me in if we have an emergency. If he really can't he comes straight out and says so and provides me with a back up plumber who he knows and trusts.

Whether or not you should post a bad review is debatable, personally I probably wouldn't. The family crisis might be genuine, but even so he shouldn't have kept you dangling, he should have told you straight that he was unavailable. As for the c o c k - up, it could be incompetence or it could be a genuine error. Who is to say.

I shall be interested to see if he makes good his promise to reimburse you. At least you will then know if he is half way decent.

However, if anyone were to ask you for a recommendation then I think it would be reasonable of you to express your doubts.

I hope you have better luck with the next plumber. If he is good then treasure him, keep him well fed and watered - bacon butties or croissants in the morning - cake or chioccy biscuits in the afternoon and as much tea as he can drink.

I know that sounds soft but Andy, my pet plumber, tells me how mean some clients are. Apparently one very rich couple made themselves a cup of tea and didnt offer him one, they drank theirs in front of him...........he'd been there all day.

Susan1962

Have been MIA for a few days through RL and it's amazing how much you miss in a short time!
Love the idea of monthly goals so will post mine now

Health and Beauty

1. Increase use of coconut oil on hair to nightly mini hair mask
2. Work towards oil pulling technique for teeth (urgh)
3. Keep up vitamin/supplement use

House

1. Kondo clothes. Again.
2. Kondo bedroom “stuff”
3. Dust more often

Money

1. Stop spending!
2. Ditto.

Rummer

I went shopping today with my DD to get her new school shoes which were eye wateringly expensive :eek: At least they are comfortable, well made and tolerably fashionable so a compromise all round. We even managed to choose them without tears from either party :rotfl:

While I was out I treated myself to the Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics palette. I am hoping this will solve my ongoing eyeshadow issues and I have heard a lot of talk about their various palettes.

I also looked at shoes for me and I fell in love with these however common sense tells me that light grey suede shoes and the never ending rain that we have had are not going to be a winning combination So I am looking for similar shoes in grey (as a wear a lot of blue and black) that will be a bit more resilient in our UK weather. I so loads of walking in all weathers so comfy and practical is what is needed.

No clothes shopping for me though as I am determined to work with the few pieces I have until I loose the weight.

Rose_Wood

Evening All

Great to read all the goals for August. Here are mine.

Lose at least 4lbs
Keep up with footcare regime
Try to keep my daily average number of steps over 18,000. (It's 19,167 at present)
Complete 40 day sugar free challenge - am on day 7 so far.

I've been busy most of today. DGD and family went off on holiday this morning and I felt really sad waving them off (silly as they'll be back on the 10th) so decided to do lots of jobs to take my mind off it. I had a really good sort out and filled the car boot with charity shop donations. Unfortunately,the charity shop was closed when we got there so it will have to be dropped off tomorrow.

I also managed to do lots of washing, ironing, bed changing etc and fitted in a walk to my Mothers - to say hello and put some stuff in her recycling bin as mine is full. I then had a walk to work to sort out some paperwork that DS had asked me to do. This evening I've been round to his to feed the cats and sort out the fridge. He'd told me to help myself to anything that would be out of date when they got back so I brought back some ham and some gooseberries - which are now cooked and ready to add to yoghurt.

It's been really warm and sunny here today and the forecast is good for the next few days. I'm at work tomorrow but have managed to swap off my Tuesday so am not going to be quite as busy as I'd anticipated.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday everyone.

Rose

chanie

I've caught up on everyone's goals too. So here are mine:

Complete the 30 day shred

Wear my nice summery clothes as much as the weather allows me to.

Have a 'no spend' August. I have a couple of items on order which are July spends, I've bought the toiletries I need. I really want to go cold turkey.

Enjoy the school holidays with my family and have some nice trips with the children.

Finish my assignment for my course.

indie you have ny sympathies with the plumber. I have plumbing and electrical cover. Whilst it's expensive, it's worth it, as I don't have to worry about being let down, as they will always send someone out.

product recommendation as our homework is to wear perfume, I'm going to recommend the body shop 'body mist' sprays. They leave a very subtle fragrance on your skin, but are great for the days when you don't want to wear perfume and are lovely and light for the summer.

sweetcheeks33

Oh chanie... I might forget other things but I never NOT want to wear perfume.. It's an everyday indulgence. posture on other hand- back is aching

Ok.. Goals for the month.. Everyone is so ready for the month ahead already

Beauty-
1) cleanse & moisturise etc AM & PM everyday.
3) body moisturise at least once a day
3) body brush every morning
4) loose 2lbs
5) back to gym 3 times a week

House-
1) full clean of every room over next two months- first on done today, back aching but what a difference.

Money-
1) pay off sale shopping before holiday at end of month.

Ellsbel

Morning all
Sorry you've been so messed around indie panda - I agree with lesson learned that he should have at least told you when he couldn't make it - it's so frustrating and annoying when you wait for a no show builder/plumber etc.,

Slow start here - just about to shower and moisturise. Will use perfume today but casual and comfy clothes; very grey and blowy outside at the moment so apart from a walk later I'll be mostly working on that decluttering today.
Have a good day all x