NST February frugality and frolics

f0xh0les

Blimey Mothernerd, you just reminded me of the time I got a carpenter in to put up a replacement bannister on my stairs, they turned up for half an hour, smashed up the only tiny bit of bannister I had (at the top of the stairs on the landing) and then disappeared for 48 hours, leaving me with 4 kids under 9 and an open stairwell. He could not understand why I was miffed. I honestly think some tradesmen have no shame whatsoever.

DawnW

I used to have to travel for work a lot - US, China, bits of Europe etc. Amsterdam was always the easiest, Rotterdam was also easy, though not as pretty unless you like container ports :rotfl: There are indeed some bars with 'unsuitable' cabaret acts (avoided those as not my cup of tea, plus I was working in a job where attending anything of that nature would have been very highly frowned upon :eek:) but many more other bars, cafes, restaurants etc without them. You don't have to go to the red light district. As a woman travelling alone I never felt unsafe there, which is more than I can say for some of the other places I had to go :eek:

greent

Missed checking in last night as we were out at a friend's house.

E Excursions and entertainment Last night's outing was no cost - we took wine and soft drink from stash in garage (both bottles had been in there for over a year) Tomorrow we are off to see DS1 and Tues we will see DD, so meals out with both.

B Budgets set. Food reduced to £350 - plus a special extra Brexi-pocalypse budget of £50
Food £289.22.18/ 350
Brexi-pocalypse £29.96/ 50

U Useful leftoversWill carry on with frogs. - middle of the wall strip of wallpaper has been removed, hole behind it filled, sanded down and new strip put up! :T OH also filled several tiny 'dinks' on the rest of the living room walls (painted) - these need to be rubbed down. Likely just to refresh the whole of the painted walls to get rid of general wear and tear marks - maybe later in week, maybe next week when the kids are back at school

A Aim to take your lunch n/a

R Remind yourself of what you have and be grateful. A lie in, seeing friends, raspberry presse, Ald1 caramel choc, my mum babysitting last night

Y You should pay your debt/ savings first Renewed a monthly savings account which was just coming to the end of its term - added the int and part of balance to holiday fund. Rolled over max monthly amount to new monthly savings account. Invested part of matured balance into new s&s ISA. Added up all our little bits of savings here and there and was pleasantly surprised :j

S Spend Free Days (SFDs). 4

U Use it up. Lack of inspiration for lunch meant 3 of us had bake at home sausage rolls from the freezer - I'll take that, as they've been in there a while. Should use the last of the hotel s'poo + conditioner this week

V Vending machines etc, N/a

A Advance planning. We have a loose plan for this half term week - that'll do

Toni'sfriend

Dawn _ I would agree that I felt very safe in Amsterdam.

NSD No 6

Big frog eaten today. Freezers all tidied and everything written down and I know where it all is. Thanks for the recipes, ladies. They sound fab. My problem now is how to use it all up but I do have a plan. Might involve having to buy a few ingredients (mostly veg) but worth it to get it all under control. I hope by the time we go to Paris there will be a big dent in it.

Himself spent today sorting out his clothes. A few things need throwing out (no seriously need throwing out!) and some to go to the Charity Shop. He is amazed at how much room he now has just because he has organised things.

So everything today from stores and tomorrow as well. A bit more clearing out. Slowly but surely.

mothernerd

Quiet day for me. Gave myself a pat on the back for getting my quilt back upstairs (it's large and heavy). I rolled it into a swiss roll, put it over my good shoulder, walked upstairs, balanced it on the bedhead and then rolled it forward into a big ball to elevate my ankle.

I have done a load of washing, brought all the food delivery in and continued with the sewing. If I'm not going to be able to do it for much longer, I think that there are 5 key pieces I want to complete and pass on. Once they are done I can think about what to do next (maybe see the doctor and revisit the pip forms). I have been thinking that I don't score highly on personal care but I've already got all my clothes down to the pull on pull off type and had my hair cut short because I know washing, combing and caring for long hair is no longer possible. If I keep it very short I can just ruffle it a bit with my fingers.

Think I need to at least start documenting the changes and when they occur in case a claim becomes possible in the future. I would prefer to get fit and agile again but not sure how realistic that is.

Pleased with sewing progress but not how long it takes.

Today I am grateful for food deliveries, for peace and quiet (think they went to the cinema) and for good books and old tv series (watching Cardiac Arrest and have seen an old comedy series I would like to watch - dysfunctional family with the hippy from the Young Ones playing the dad and Noddy Holder is the headmaster, can't remember the name of the person playing the sadistic gym teacher).

Kerry_Woman

NSD today - 12/20.
Went for a lovely walk in the park. Had some nice chats with some people.
Dealt with a few frogs.
Used what I had in.
Made an apple crumble.
Had a chilled out day.

PurpleFairy26

Another productive and frugal weekend. Small shope at L1dl. Including 4 x 74p chorizo that was on offer. DH also picked up 3 x 13p haggis. Stashed in freezer. Food spends remain in budget.

Used free vouchers for hot drinks whilst out today and £1.98 from a gift card for a treat for smalls.

Big frog eaten. Have painted the kitchen :T always thought it would take an age and lots of coats. As I was doing only the same colour in reality it only needed 1 coat and looks all fresh and lovely :A plus I super deep cleaned the floor so it looks the best it's looked in as long as I can remember.

House is clean, carried on using what we have. Made a burnt aubergine con carne for lunches this week. Have taken lunch every day.

Have dyed my hair tonight with one I had in cupboard. Also used some frozen blue cheese in toasties at lunch.

apple_muncher

Hiya fmess! I also woke up at 5-something this morning! Enjoy the break.
f0xh0les - hope your foot gets better soon.
Toni'sfriend - himself certainly has caught the sortingbug!
mothernerd - good idea to finish those pieces of embroidery first.


Today I am grateful for dd having many compliments about her new haircut, for catching up with some good friends, for keeping sugar-free, for popping more seeds in the pots as the last lot did nowt (but the seeds are very old!!), for a mild and sunny day, for dd playing out, for good reading material, for birdsong, for being on half term.

ilovetea

Hello.
Long time since I've posted.
Nothing much seems to happen here. Though that can be a good thing I suppose.
Up to 11 NSD.
Decluttering going well.Big frog getting under control.
No plans for any outings.
That's it. Short but sweet


ilovetea xx

GlendaSugarbean

Quick post from me: still on 8/15. Frogs eaten at the weekend: run x 2, bedroom door primed (and gloss acquired for free from a friend), work at the allotment, cleaned and mopped downstairs. Whew!