2022 Frugal Living Challenge

spudsmum

Bluegreen143 said:

That sounds really difficult @spudsmum- you’re doing a great job with the budget given those constraints.

Made Easter cornflake nests and tiffin with the kids today so at least I wasn’t worried about the cost of putting the oven on 🤦‍♀️ Also used up a load of stale mixed biscuits in the tiffin which was satisfying. I did laugh at the recipe specifying a certain type of biscuit, dried fruit, glacé cherries etc - I used what I had!

Monkey’s spots have finally scabbed over so after a week of house arrest I can take him out, but I’m concerned Bambi will get spots very soon (surely it’s inevitable she will catch it!). So I’m just going to go to a quiet bit by the river rather than a playpark. It’s a beautiful day so I’m desperate to get out!

@Bluegreen143 yes its blooming hard work as he'd eat a full multipack of Crisps or a large block of cheese and still want more - it's not particularly healthy stuff either and he won't entertain fruit or veg despite numerous attempts through the years. His dietitian has just said now to give him what he wants - she's not the one paying for it though. To be honest though It's the damage he does that bothers me more as he will try to break into the cupboards or smash things up if I say no which costs a lot to put right  - "luckily" we now have his DLA to help pay for the damages.

Also my son caught chicken pox a while ago but his twin sister never caught them despite them being together 24/7 and sleeping in the same room. Elder son didn't catch them either so you might be lucky. Go and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts 

ladyholly

If I remember right chickenpox has a 3 week incubation but it's not inevitable that he will pass it on.

florianatwobob

@spudsmum despite my mum throwing me into various plague pits of chickenpox infection (this was the 80s after all) I stubbornly refused to contract chickenpox as a child. It was only when my eldest brother got shingles and I inadvertently used a towel he’d used that I got chickenpox. We were both adults. Weirdly my mum, and two of my female cousins on that side also didn’t catch chickenpox until they were adults despite having chickenpox in the house when they were kids. 

I would generally say that it’s far better to get chickenpox as a child though. I was literally smothered (including my ears and throat) and as a woman having chickenpox and your period at the same time really isn’t something I’d recommend. 

Primrose

Mummy2cheekymonkeys said:

I'm trying to find ways to keep the food spend day for the school holidays. My 2 boys would just eat their body weights in crackers if they could but they don't fill them up for long. I've made a large batch of welshcakes for them to snack on instead. I've made them french toast for lunches. Also baked some chocolate and banana muffins. Todays lunch will be courgette fritters. It's hard work trying to fill them up with good food with them both being autistic and refusing to eat most foods. I'm normally trying to hide fruit and veg into baked items.

When we were kids years ago my mum used to make enormous ttay bakes of bread oudding with sultanas to fill that hungry gap when we returned starving from school - bread, sugar and sultans.  Probably not the healthiest food but certainly filled a hunger gap when food was on ration and in short supply..

spudsmum

florianatwobob said:

@spudsmum despite my mum throwing me into various plague pits of chickenpox infection (this was the 80s after all) I stubbornly refused to contract chickenpox as a child. It was only when my eldest brother got shingles and I inadvertently used a towel he’d used that I got chickenpox. We were both adults. Weirdly my mum, and two of my female cousins on that side also didn’t catch chickenpox until they were adults despite having chickenpox in the house when they were kids. 

I would generally say that it’s far better to get chickenpox as a child though. I was literally smothered (including my ears and throat) and as a woman having chickenpox and your period at the same time really isn’t something I’d recommend. 

I've never had them either - I stubbornly refused to catch any of the childhood illnesses - even avoided measles when that was doing the rounds of every single kid at school. 

Same in adulthood too (touch wood) I don't seem to get anything - apart from norovirus - that's the only thing I've ever seemed to catch - it seems there's no escaping that! 

florianatwobob

@spudsmum I didn’t catch mumps or measles either. There was a debate about rubella but even the Dr couldn’t confirm it was definite either. Norovirus however is a right wotsit. Last time I had it I was like
something out of The Exorcist!

ladyholly

I have never had mumps but managed to get measles, rubella and chickenpox. The latter twice once as a child and once as an adult and then to complete the set I had shingles. I am rarely ill these days - says she touching wood.

otb666

@spudsmum why could your hubby not show meter reader the meters?  The point of a meter reader calling ad hoc is to check there is no funny going on with their meter.  Obviously devices can me removed with notice and this would look like a possibility to meter reader hence why he was a bit off. Especially with everyone cutting their usage at the moment This will be picked up by electric/gas company so its best to let them do their job if possible.

Floss

florianatwobob said:

@spudsmum I didn’t catch mumps or measles either. There was a debate about rubella but even the Dr couldn’t confirm it was definite either. Norovirus however is a right wotsit. Last time I had it I was like
something out of The Exorcist!

I got chicken pox when I was 3-ish and due to be a bridesmaid in turquoise satin. Never got measles as I had the jab, but lost 11lbs with norovirus after a dodgy oyster the day I flew home from Lisbon 🤮

spudsmum

otb666 said:

@spudsmum why could your hubby not show meter reader the meters?  The point of a meter reader calling ad hoc is to check there is no funny going on with their meter.  Obviously devices can me removed with notice and this would look like a possibility to meter reader hence why he was a bit off. Especially with everyone cutting their usage at the moment This will be picked up by electric/gas company so its best to let them do their job if possible.

Firstly because I was making a 3 tier anniversary cake in the kitchen and to access the meter you have to climb on the kitchen worktop.

Secondly because as I said husband is not well he was in bed and only appeared because he heard the guy being rude to me - he wasn't in a fit state to show anyone anything.

I don't think it's anything to do with devices as they've always been happy with my readings until the price went up so the gas company can try to pick up on whatever they like - I have photos of my readings and I don't have to let anyone into my home without an appointment.

Regardless of that I am not going too tolerate anyone being rude to me on my own doorstep so if he returns he'll get as good as he gives.