From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Urgh.

Back from shopping.  

It was never fun anyway, but. Urgh!

I wondered why there were MrL boxes left when the store was busy.  There were 3 or 4, and only 2 that were of use to me.  When I went through the till..... it rung up at £2!   Dear reader, at £1.50 it would have been OK, at £2 - and I'm talking to you, MrL, it is too.dear.  OK, so the carrots (I've now noticed) are organic - but they are still not at their best.  There are shrivelled plums in the punnet, and the leek leaves are yellowing.  OK, so all still mostly useable in some form (although 1 plum that I can see, is well past it....), but they are not grade A produce.  

Another MSE'r tactic is in limp mode, and will probably fizzle out as an aid to budget prudency ☹️ Thanks MrL.

The eggs I buy in MrS had gone up 6p again this week.  Last week they had gone up something like 16p ☹️

I did get some YS'd; baps 😊 qu0rn cocktail sausages😊 and tofu 😊 in MrL 

I did manage to get yoghurt in hB, but I am now wondering about my tactic of buying in bulk when I see it - as the troops are wading through it, and have eaten 2/3 weeks worth in just over a week 😱  We have had a chat and instigated portion control.  I am hopeful 🤞today's yoghurt purchase will last pretty much until the end of the month.  If it doesn't, we're going to have to have a re-think.

Considering I buy mostly "ingredients" in my shop, rather than a high percentage of junk, or UPF (I do buy them, but hopefully not the majority of my shop), I have spent a heck of a lot of money this week, and don't have that much to show ☹️

So in total, I spent £56.47 😱  There is one bottle of wine in that cost, but holy moly!

Going to lie down in a dark room..... or might put the rest of the gold-plated shop away 😱

I've pegged a wash out.  LG had to complete a task so they were responsible for washing some of their clothes and pegging out.  I just had to document it.  I could have done with washing more of my 'everyday' stuff, but prioritised towels instead.  We've a nice breeze, some sun (that's not really touching the washing), so hopefully the clothes will be at least some way dry when they're brought in.  

Right, trying to not be a grumpy Greying!  Will away and amend my siggie figgie.

Greying X

EssexHebridean

That's disappointing if the green boxes have been increased in price - and that will certainly sometimes tip the balance from me purchasing one when I can "make the contents work" but they aren't perfect, and me not purchasing. Sure, it's only 50p, but those boxes always require some form of meal plan rejigging alongside, after all... 

Greying_Pilgrim

I had a bit of a thought earlier on, when I was pegging out the wash.  It involved my thoughts around 'Christmas'.  I think that my.......... 'not terribly interested in it, but trying to make more of an effort for LG' does stem from my own childhood experience of Christmas.  Don't get me wrong, for all intents and purposes, our Christmases were OK.  We had a roof over our heads, clothes on our back, food on the table (a glorified Sunday roast - but food, and plenty of it, none the less).  I shan't say we were warm, as we lived in a house with only one coal fire, no central heating, single glazed, aluminium framed windows 🥶  But on the whole, I have no complaints.  Thing was, my dad wasn't into Christmas, and I think that stifled so much of our experience - and again, no one is at fault, as he was a war baby, so the common feature of Christmas in his formative years was 'lack' and his own dad away in the forces.

I was thinking about how in my teenage years, and as a young adult, I didn't really enjoy Christmas any 'more', because attending parties etc was always a financial issue, and I never earnt enough money to 'buy' the Christmas experience off the shelf, so it all petered out.   

Now we have LG we are still selective about 'what' we do, but I feel differently about Christmas - I don't feel 'bahumbuggy' (although I realise some people might look at our situation and say how 'dull' our 'celebrations' are - and how 'tight' we are), about Christmas, and I certainly feel more disposed to the twinkly lights, and being together with loved ones.  

But a plane went overhead as I was outside, and it prompted me to think about how I feel about 'holidays' - or day trips/visits.  And I'm much more excited about those than I am about Christmas.  Although I do get anxious sometimes about the cost, or the route or the weather or the accommodation.  But in terms of 'doing', I look forward to holidays with my fam.  And I figured, that all I have to do with Christmas, is reframe how I view it - ie, look forward to it (without necessarily changing anything that we do).  Instead of being apprehensive about 'is it enough food/presents/fun/activities etc', I just need to enjoy it.  Will we get everything right?  No.  Will everyone be deliriously happy 100% of the time?  No.  But should I look forward to the aspects of the Christmas season we enjoy, and the several days of family time/eating nice things together/doing nice things together?  Yes.

I think I was running away with the idea that we had to do more of the Christmas 'things' - even though they have never made me happy - the Christmas parties, the Christmas concert, the Christmas market (UK - only, I'd like to do a European one, at least once), the visits to friends/relatives, sending cards to people you don't miss in your life etc etc.  None of that will make a difference.  But if I approach "our" Christmas with a more optimistic mindset, I think we'll end up having a memorable time - OUR way (which is probably not like anybody elses way, and I know that doesn't matter).

I don't think it boils down to more 'stuff', or more money being splashed. or more activities being undertaken - for me, I just think I need to adjust my anticipation for our family Christmas, time.  

It's been quite a revelation.  I think (?), I just need to change my thinking........

Greying X

Humdinger1

One local child only heard that FC didn't come down the chimney when she was 16.  I do believe in him and so did my dad- it's a feeling that steals over the house when presents wrapped and under the tree on Christmas Eve.  I also referred DD to NORAD @Watty1 when she asked if FC is real.  Would the North American Airforce waste its time tracking the progress of an imaginary being was my question. Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx 

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

So the 'prepped' tea (in effect 'leftovers') worked well and got munched last night.  LG had the pasta puttanesca, for the second day on the trot - and as predicted, moaned not.one.jot 😂  I baked a couple of potatoes in the microwave, and then DH and I had the leftover smoked tofu stew - which had retained it's smokiness beautifully.  I added steamed broccoli to our plates.  Pud was yoghurt and one of the many, many bananas we now have in our possession...... thankfully they are all still green or 1st stage ripe, and shouldn't go over too quickly, given the cooler weather.  I already have a hand of bananas in the freezer l/o from when I bagged two 'boxes' in one week.  And LG doesn't much like banana cake anymore 🙄

I was going to keep the lentil theme going, but yesterday's purchase of the qu0rn cocktail sausages throws up the potential for sausage pizza, so I'm going with that and wedges made following rt's shiney, new hubbie's technique 😁

Operation present wrap and shift was undertaken yesterday.  I have told DH where the presents (there are only 2 currently anyway), just in case anything were to happen to me in the interim.  But it's not terribly exciting anyway.  Still not sure how we'll handle any 'main' present ideas - with the exception of the obvious elephant in the room.  I have one more pressie coming through the post, but I rather suspect that is likely to come tomorrow now - when everyone is at home 🙄 But it wasn't worth paying extra for postage, as it would make the item cost more than walking into a shop and buying new 🙄 LG hasn't really given any ideas for presents - my "what would you like for Christmas" was met with questions about why I was asking, surely Santa would know?  🤣Santa is clearly a mind-reader, as no letter has been written.......  

Having said all that - and I'm not advocating these should be Christmas presents, LG is in desparate need of a bedroom makeover, and needs new and appropriate clothes and possessions storage.  No point until their window is renewed - and then the radiator evaluated in their room (I think it is too small, and the original plumber wouldn't listen in the first place, and never came back to snag-rectify their installation - although they did snag check).  That shouldn't be xmas pressies, but will also be a chunk of change, however we end up doing it, so has to put into the equation - sooner rather than later.

The weather is dreich, no drying will happen today.  

I can't think of anything else MSE at the mo.  Ta for popping by.

Greying X

ladybird1106

Love LG response that made me chuckle.
love 🐞

greenbee

Tell LG that Santa expects you to check the letter for spelling so he gets things right... and also so he can decide which things to tell you he's not getting so that you can get them for LG.

Could a duvet cover be a present to go with their bedroom makeover when it's done? 

Greying_Pilgrim

That's certainly an idea greenbee, thank you.  I have to say, the timescale for any bedroom 'make-over' may have to be very, very flexible, but there is absolutely no need to rule out linens - particularly brushed cotton covers, which are available (moreso) now.  

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Blimey,  LG asks me quite regularly what I do whilst they are at school.  Today is one of those days when I don't feel I've validated my existence.  I started out double-checking advent activities - times/dates etc, then I drew up the list for which ornament to put on the Advent each day.  Then I checked whether the food bank had their Christmas lists up - they do, but they're not doing an open donation day - they've organised things that we can't really get involved in.  Then I wrote out the lists of what they want/need, so that LG and I can start to get a list drawn up of what to give against a budget. 

A FB in a local market town advises you to put 'tutff bought elsewhere' into a bag if donating at the couple of supermarkets that support them - our local FB gives no such advise, although I would imagine our MrS would take a dim view of donations from other retailers, although I'm sure I've seen some..... pet food?? that wasn't available in store, so maybe they are cool about it.  If we donate at the supermarket, LG can do it themselves, if we have to take it to the FB, then I'd have to do it in the day when LG is at school.  Or, we just make a donation based on their 'everyday' needed items, and then it won't matter if we leave it until the school holidays start, as I'm sure the FB will still require stocks come January ☹️

Then I checked with a chum if they knew anything about a festive activity locally - and they very kindly looked into that for me.  Then DH rang.  Then I put the washing away.  and here I am - a few minutes away from needing to go on the school run.  Where.does.the.time.go.  

Right, better shift a tail feather.

Greying X