From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

mumtoomany said:

Tis the power of MSE, I think. I had a rabbit problem in the polytunnel....... Since I posted they have not been back! Who knew rabbits read this forum? 

🤣  That is so funny mumtoomany, but also so true! 🤣

I'm glad I did mention my computer woes on here, as I have learnt so much in the process.  But why in these days of high-tec is it possibly the most 'basic' bit that wields all the power.  I mean, I knew nothing of the BIOS, but the script/font of it, is no different to that which was on the computers when I was at school (last century!), and only came in one colour - green on a black background.  And yet if the BIOS has a wobble, or isn't powered or is upset by one update or another, the whole computer sulks........ baffling.

The used uniform scheme at school isn't extensive, and not easy to access.  The stuff is put out when events are on, but I think otherwise you have to apply via FB to get stuff 🙄 

Activity wear is washed and out on the line.  Hopefully it will fully dry as it's lightweight and the sun is out with a reasonable breeze. 

Mmm, glad I fully read the email from my energy provider as it reminds you to submit a meter reading on the 31st March before the new rates kick in. I know MSE are good at reminding to do that, but also it's Easter weekend and folks will be otherwise engaged.  Mind, you can submit for a while after too, can't you.  Diarised though.

I need to box up the chickpea and mushroom bangers I made on Sunday.  They are fully frozen now, so need to be packed up.  I now have HM falafels, 'sausages' and bean balls in the freezer, so need to incorporate those into the meal plan so that I can try my best to stick to my grocery budget this month.  When I was skipping off down memory lane on tmv's thread the other day, I was thinking about the first time we took LG out when they were eating solids, and how they tucked into some HM falafel - I still have the pics, of LG perched on my lap 🤣.  Gosh, doesn't seem 5 minutes.  Time is flying, too fast.  I am so glad that LG has returned to eating a wider range of things, they demolished their falafel patties on Sunday, I'm glad we've come full circle.  Although I suppose true full-circle will be LG making and then eating falafel 😁👍 That can be arranged 😁

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

On money/budgetary matters.  The revised (to be paid by DD rather than monthly 'cash' payments) council tax bill has arrived.  We've not had the official CT paperwork (you know, the one that comes with what your local police, fire and parish councils are expecting out of your pocket), through yet, but the new payment schedule tells me that CT has gone up by c.£310 pa which is £26 per month increase.  

I'm grateful that the relevant dept managed to sort it out quickly and set up the DD for the next financial year, starting from April, at least.  

Greying X

beanielou

That’s a fair whack of a rise. 

Greying_Pilgrim

beanie - YOU STAR!  Your comment made me think 'but it's only supposed to be 5%'.  I have just realised that the DD has been set automatically to 10 payments per annum - rather than the 12 we were paying.  The difference per annum is in fact £90.  My apologies!  whilst the monthly payments have shot up, we have the option to either pay over 12 months, or have 2 council tax free months.  

Thank you for making me think and check - I had just assumed the council would set it to 12 month payments as that is what we were on before (and I don't recall any option of the form to say what you wanted, only what date - from a pre-set choice - you wanted the money to come out of your account).

Greying X

EssexHebridean

I was actually quite surprised our local lot have got their act together and sent the CT bills out in decent time this year - ours arrived a week or so ago. Better than last year when they ended up not being able to take the first batch in the month on time because the demands hadn't come out with 14 days notice!

rtandon27

No CT bill for us yet - last year it arrived on the last business day of the month.  This year I've allocated an extra 6% as a generous guess! 

Our water bill arrived and has gone up 12% which left me grumpy for days - at that rate, I might get a paddle pool for the neighbours grandkids and start growing thirsty vegetables just to make full use of the extra charge!

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs 

Urgh, I think I'm going down with a bit of the lurgy.  I felt like I had swallowed a thistle whilst waiting for LG at club last night, and although I have managed to more or less pass that stage, I'm now entering the cotton wool filled headspace stage - urgh.  I went to bed with 2 paracetamol as soon as I got home last night.  Never mind, i am still able to remain upright, so currently it's not so bad.  DH has naturally declared 'man-flu' for himself, but is soldiering manfully on without complaint............ 😉

I went to MrS last night and spent £5.19.  I got bananas, the TV guide, a bag of MrS basic pasta (82p) and then splurged on some cau1dr0n cumberland sausages that were reduced to £1.49 x 2.  I figured that was my target price for L1nda Mc sausages, and although cau1dr0n aren't as good as they once were, they are more useful for some types of dishes.  The sausages have gone straight in the freezer.  I realise I may wreck my chances of coming in on budget for March, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.  I need to update my siggie.

We ended up paying the March 'C4C' early last night.  It didn't have to be in until the end of the month, but that's in the hols, so we thought we'd get ahead.  LG had saved £7, so I just added the amount that I have in MrT vouchers (£8) for the bulk fund in cash to that, and therefore, £15.  I will change the siggie details accordingly.  We are now 2/3rds towards the total, and rather than take our foot off the pedal, I just see it was 6 weeks now to save the £15 for April.  I'm not sure if there will be any 'new kit' requirements, but LG may require new clothes by summer, so it's always good to be ahead I think - as I can't imagine that there won't be summat needs buying.  

We had l/o curry and dhal with either baked tatties (us) or rice (LG) for tea last night.  I had a plan for tea tonight, but that is dependent on me cooking.  Should be OK, but might need an easy prep plan B, we'll see.  
I'm reasonably up to date with my washing, just as well, as today is set for rain off and on. 

Right, best crack on.  Things to attend to.  Ta for being here.  Appreciated.

Greying X 

EssexHebridean

Hope your lurgy decides to go away and leave you alone sooner rather than later Greying. Mind you, perhaps you have give it to LG rather than the usual thing of the small person bringing home to germs to share?!  

Good work pouncing on the YS'd bits when you saw them too - it all helps stretch the pennies after all! 

Greying_Pilgrim

EssexHebridean said:

Hope your lurgy decides to go away and leave you alone sooner rather than later Greying. Mind you, perhaps you have give it to LG rather than the usual thing of the small person bringing home to germs to share?!  

Good work pouncing on the YS'd bits when you saw them too - it all helps stretch the pennies after all! 

Ha ha - no sweetie, LG has had a cough/cold/lurgification for a good while.  They passed it on to DH on the weekend, and now, finally, it's got me...... I tried to hold out, but nope........ 🤒  If it gets no worse than I am now, then I'll be grateful, as I will have got off mildly really. 

I always ponder about YS'd things.  I mean I purposely made a load of falafel and HM bean balls and 'sausages', to try to last until the end of the month.  But in theory the bought veggie sausages were nearly 'half price' (which just makes them too expensive in the first place, but still....).  And I can make a 'different' set of meals with bought veggie sausages, as they are a bit more robust - can be sliced etc.   But I shall be lucky to come in on budget for March now with groceries.  I have got some choice though - so I'm grateful for that, and reasonable stores - we won't be on our uppers; again, for that I am extremely grateful.

dfw321 - I think it was you that was mentioning 'shroom dogs' in MrS. There was one pack YS'd last night - again, cumberland flavouring.  I decided not to try them, as I noticed that they had that type of casing - I don't know what it is made from (seaweed?), but I'm afraid it always reminds me of c0nd*ms - so I decided to opt for the cau1dr0n instead.  But i did notice the product, and I think it was you that mentioned them recently.  

Greying X

EssexHebridean

Those YS'd sausages will potentially feed you NEXT month though Greying, so that will be a saving then - and sometimes we just have to buy the bargains while they are there I think, as long as we have the space to store them of course. This was my thinking with topping up on spices etc - yes it was a sum of money I'd not planned to spend. only a small part of it was "needed, right now" but it made sense to buy the rest at the same time, and they will definitely get used! 

ROFL at your association between a particular type of sausage casings and items that I for one would certainly not want as part of my dinner! I can see why once that idea was in your head, it might prove tricky to shake off!