The thriftyish way to debt freedom

Baileys_Babe

This is probably a daft suggestion, could you dilute some fabric conditioner in water and spray it on his clothes once they are dry?

Bluegreen143

I reckon @f0xh0les has the right idea. I’m learning to relax more and impose my crazy ideas on Red less. Ultimately it’s probably worth some small spends for a happy other half! Such a funny thing to be particular about though, I have literally never used it and my mum didn’t use it either, it’s just never entered my head to buy it 😅 we do get very soft water here in Scotland though to be fair so maybe it’s less necessary. 

MagicCat

Great work on the grocery spends.  It's so nice to be getting so much from the allotment, though I do see there's a limit to the amount of courgettes one household can eat   

Hope collecting the greenhouse is ok.

thriftyish

I think I am going to try a combination of things and see what works best. It's not fair he's feeling conscious at work, and if all it takes to make him feel better is fabric conditioner, it's a small price to pay. I am definitely going to try spraying diluted fabric conditioner & zoflora spray too, and also the cedar balls with manly essences - I will report back. I love all the brilliant ideas on this forum, you are all amazing!

Yesterday.
Food
The tgtg box was cancelled as they had nothing left, so will be refunded shortly. I asked DH to nip to the shop to collect the cheese for the pizza, eggs and some chocolate cereal because he had to nip into work to fix a few jobs onsite. This was a mistake because it was just before lunch, and he was hungry. We now have 5 packets of biscuits, chocolate bars, 3 boxes of cereal and apple pies and a beer he can't drink (poor DH, see below!) At least he chose L1dl to have a hunger-based shopping spree, so it only came to £12.83! 

DHs prescription
I called to arrange a telephone appointment for DH, and the doctor agreed it sounded like his neck is in spasm, and prescribed diazepam, which really helped DH sleep, but he says hasn't done much to help otherwise. I collected the prescription from Mr Ts and managed some y/s sausages for 50p (4 packs of 12) and some cheese pasties. Then I called past Morribobs and found lots of bread for the freezer 6-8p, bagels,  some coleslaw and sandwich spread for 8p each and 2 packs of doughnuts for 13p each.

Today
The greenhouse
We dropped the children with SIL and went to collect the greenhouse. About a mile from our destination, a blocked slipway due to roadworks threw us onto a 13-mile round diversion, adding another 20 minutes! When we arrived the greenhouse was in a bit of a state, worse than I expected. Panes of glass had been silicone sealed into places that didn't fit, and about a quarter of the glass was broken, it was absolutely full of thistles that were taller than me, and I had to weed them to actually get to the bolts to unscrew. I absolutely couldn't have taken it apart without DHs help, and we almost walked away. Most of the screws sheared off so will need replacing and the base was concreted into place so we had to leave and will need to build a wooden base.

It took us 3 and a half hours of solid work to fully dismantle and load into the car. We dismantled my dad's old greenhouse in less time than that, and it was huge, over triple the size! By the time we had arrived home and unloaded and thrown a sandwich together, the children had been at poor SILs for the best part of six hours! So we bought a Chinese for everyone, to say sorry and a huge thank you. I had 4-5 hours of sleep last night, I was awake until past 3am with my mind having a party, I just couldn't switch off. I didn't want to cook, and we had been talking about a takeaway for a while. The takeaway cost was almost £60, but I am allocating £30 to the food budget and counting the greenhouse as an extra £30 to cover the cost so will hit the allotment budget - I totally blame the greenhouse! - The food was delicious, a nice treat. SIL has watched the children twice recently for both the collection of the desks and now the greenhouse, and I feel really guilty asking. The kids had a brilliant day though and they were still talking about their day at bedtime.

The greenhouse is currently on the floor in the garden, with the good panes of glass stored in the shed. I need to buy some new bolts, but SIL has kindly offered some spare glass and some clips, and DH works in a glass factory, so should be able to get any other sheets cut to size. 

Food spends so far this month, including part takeaway cost £142.36.
Old grocery budget: £400
New target prior to takeaway and biscuit splurge: £200
Reasonably adjusted target: £250

The bay of ee.
I have been a bit addicted. Winter shopping is almost complete (thankfully!) I just need 2 more dressing gowns and slippers for everyone except DH. I have spent a huge £223 on clothes this month, so well over budget, but will balance out over the year.

Me - 2 pairs of trainers, 1 pair of furry winter boots, 1 garden shoes, 1 pair of jeans (one of the pairs of trainers hasn't arrived and I am waiting for a response from the seller)
DH - 2 pairs of trainers (both smart pairs, one for work) 1 pair of slippers, 1 garden shoes 
DS - 2 winter coats, 1 dressing gown, 1 garden shoes
DD1 - 2 winter coats, 5 long sleeve t-shirts, 1 pair of wellies, 1 winter boots, 1 garden shoes
DD2 - 1 winter coat, 1 winter boots, 3 trainers (oops), 1 dressing gown. 
DD3 - 2 winter coats, 1 pair of trainers

With 32 items, it means I have spent on average £7 per item. Some of the winter coats are in different sizes or arrived a bit big, so should fit at some point next winter (or the one after ). Most of the items are barely worn, and are brands like next and m&s so should hopefully last okay and might even be passed down or sellable afterwards if in good condition. I could have probably bought cheaper in charity shops but most of our charity shops in my town have less than a rail to children's clothes and most of that is babies/toddlers stuff.

The garden shoes are to be kept by the back door to stop the children playing outside in their trainers and ruining them. And to try and help keep the house clean so they don't trail through the house with shoes on. Our floors always seem dirty, so I am trying to encourage slippers in the house and outside shoes left by the door. Having a Labrador doesn't help! Slippers will be a must in winter anyway to keep warm as we have all tiled or hardwood flooring downstairs in this house.

Over and out - I need to throw myself in the shower and get some sleep!

missymoo81

Hey thrifty, I too do the same work buying clothes out of season, I have got most of mine and the children’s. Have slippers, hoodies and school coats still to get. Garden shoes sound like an amazing idea too!

thriftyish

@missymoo81 Hoodies are a fab idea I hadn't even thought about, and I am thinking of Christmas outfits now too. Trying to give the bay a rest for the rest of this month, but will definitely be looking in September.

I've been MIA for the last few days, it's been either really busy. I had a full day of doing practically nothing (except feeding six people, and mediating when needed), but I was feeling a bit 'meh' and it really helped kick myself into gear. 

Food/Shopping
Food budget is up to £175, but that includes a 'eat out to help out' £16 Mcds, that we usually have over the summer holidays. So it should be easily doable to stay below £250 for the last 1/3 of the month.

We had spag bol on Tuesday, but I made a tomato sauce base, and removed half of the mix to turn into chilli before I cooked up the rest of the spag bol ingredients. We added courgette (which was really nice) and had with y/s garlic bread. Yesterday I just cooked up the rest of the sauce, added chilli powder and kidney beans and served with rice. Both made extra portions for lunches, and it was a brilliant way to stretch out one pack of mince.

Picnic
We are going on a picnic today with my best friend and her children. It's only the second time I have seen her in months, and she suggested a picnic at a fairly quiet nature reserve. I spent a bit extra on drinks, yoghurts and sweets for the day as we only decided on a picnic after teatime yesterday and I really didn't fancy baking. 

Packed Lunches
This September DD2 is in KS2, so will need a packup. At this point, it may be easier to let DD3 also have a packed lunch too, to have better control of her foods as she is a little worse at the moment, getting lots of tummy aches. I've called the doctor this morning and they will call back, but they were quick to dismiss us last time, and I don't really know what our options are - something isn't right, and although she is on dairy-free milk/spread, it doesn't seem to be helping, and we thought it did last time.

I need to spend a bit of time looking at packed lunch options to find a healthy, low-cost balance, especially if we need to make five each morning. It will be strange the house being quiet and eating alone, when the children return to school.

thriftyish

I don't think I have the words for today. I just had to ring a woman I hardly know, whos world is already falling apart because her husband of many many years suddenly decided to leave a few weeks ago. I had to tell her that her 10 yo had spoken to my 10yo DS today, and said felt like he was been bullied in online and offline, that he has a rubbish life (plus all the breakup upset) and that he had thoughts of suicide. I am in pieces myself, I can't imagine what she is going through. 

Earlier on today, a older gent at the allotment asked if I wanted to pick some plums that would go to waste otherwise, I said I would love to, and that I would make some Jam. He explained he usually makes Jam, but his wife has just had a stroke, and is in hospital. Due to covid, he can't even go visit, and he has no idea how she is doing, or if she will be okay. It's just heartbreaking.

I am definitely hugging my loved ones a little closer tonight. I am so pleased that my DS told us about his friend, he's honestly turning into such a amazing young man, except he's maybe a little too confident and I don't appreciate the backchat!

In other news.
I bought alcohol. Definitely related to the above. 

Allotment harvests
The allotment is really producing well at the moment. Everything is growing nicely but is just looking a bit messy because it's heading towards the end of the season. We have had the first tastes of broccoli and sweetcorn and harvested our first cabbage and leeks. The cabbages haven't done so well, but one still makes more than enough for one meal, so I can't complain about that for our first year. Another nearby plot holder has given me some tomatoes as well as the gent who gave me plums. I was even able to return the favour and swap for cucumbers, which was a lovely feeling. The green beans are relentless, and just when I think they are finished, they give me another full basket. My job for tomorrow is to harvest all the main crop potatoes, as I think there is some slug damage. In hindsight, its probably my fault as its been quite weedy in the potatoes, and I planned to weed when I harvested. 

Today
We had 50p y/s sausages with h/m Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, sweetcorn, cabbage and green beans and carrots. Carrots were the only things not homegrown, and I think they might have been y/s. They desperately needed using up so I steamed the best and sliced and froze the rest for the dog, he loves frozen carrot and at least it won't go to waste. The really dodgy ones went to the compost bin.

I also made a plum and apple crumble from the plums. DH would have preferred just apple crumble, and hilariously, when the crumble was cooking, we found a basket full of apples in our fruit basket that I had bought y/s a few days ago! The fruit baskets are now hanging on the wall, so how we both forgot I don't know. I had rescued some windfall apples from a plot nearby earlier that day and intended to harvest the seed to try and grow one myself, as they looked delicious, like the sweet pink lady apples. When I got them home I managed to rescue some of the apple too when harvesting the seed, and placed in the bowl. That prompted us to check for windfall apples in our own garden to make crumble but didn't find enough, it's just a shame neither of us thought to check the fruit basket  At least it used up some of the plums since we have 2.3kg of them now!

Tomorrow
DD has requested chips, I don't think shes realised shes out at a friends party for tea. I might do chips anyway with h/m pizza, as we have some mozzarella to use up. 

I can tell I wasn't on form today, as I bought 8 y/s croissants for £1.20. Still reduced, but my usual price is 18p.

Surveys
£10.25 cleared from surveys done recently. £5.25 from Prolific, and £5 from Lifepoints, so I threw that at the loan. Another £13 is clearing in prolific, so I am hoping to throw that at the loan too after the weekend. 

The weather is meant to be awful this weekend, so I may just see if I can get some weeding done at the allotment. I was hoping to finish the chicken coop and build the greenhouse, but I suspect that is wishful thinking!

Bluegreen143

@thriftyish hugs xxxx I can see why you needed a drink after that. Well done your DS for coming to you. It makes me so sad to think we live in a world when such young children have issues with their mental health. I hope the child is OK and gets the help needed. And also that your allotment friend’s wife is OK x

Baileys_Babe

@thriftyish that must be harrowing for your ds to know what one of his peers is going through and how they are feeling.
I hope the family have some support, online NSPCC, youngminds, childline and many others have resources that are relevant.

I will be giving my family an extra hug today.

I've been rescuing what I can of our windfalls and stewing and freezing for crumbles. Last night OH decided to make a pudding, I thought he was going to do a crumble with the latest batch of apples, no a very naughty and yummy chocolate pudding, more crumble in my future 😁

Well done on the survey income/debt repayment

f0xh0les

Is the alcohol anything that you could use with your plums?  This one is quite light on the alcohol as it uses black tea as well. http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/248850/drunken-prunes/

There is no such thing as a glut, there is only a present giving opportunity !