Get a grip !

Maiden_Mum · 11 February 2017 at 2:54PM

Savingwannabe - Hi, could you detail where that Elite shopping thread is on here - it sounds like something that could be useful as I really need to get my food shopping down!

bobobski · 11 February 2017 at 4:24PM

Well done on the road tax - that's great news. I got sick of paying £50 for a junior stylist to give me a basic haircut so I invested in some £8 hair scissors from Boots and have been cutting my own hair now. It takes some practice but the girls at work said they couldn't believe I cut it myself, with layers and stuff. To be honest I'm not even bothered if it looks a bit bad, if it is free!

I agree re chicken breasts/legs - people rave about legs being cheaper but once you take the bone out and the skin off I'm convinced they're more expensive, and they're less tasty. If you have any way of going to Costco they do super cheap but super good chicken breasts - I even bought Costco's industrial sized cling film to wrap up all the breasts individually and put them in the freezer. For about £25 I got nearly a year's worth!!

Skint_yet_Again · 11 February 2017 at 7:30PM

Hi Maiden Mum blimey that's a huge car tax bill ! I had a read of your diary & wow you have had some troubles with gas / electric suppliers - hope that is all sorted soon. There are some really good threads on the Oldstyle board for cutting grocery bills & cheap meals that might help
If you really want to move your diary maybe pm zippychick who it says at the bottom of the main page of "How much have you saved" is the board guide & they might be able to move it for you.

My shopping budget including most toiletries & cleaning stuff toilet rolls & food is £300 a month for 2 of us (DS eats a lot of meat) and so far I have spent £158.12 and its only the 11th of the month ! I was hoping to spend less this month with only 28 days but we will see

bobobski well done on the haircutting. I am not that brave but I have hacked at my fringe when its got too long and made a right pigs ear of it :rotfl:

I've googled Costco but not sure if I'm looking at the right site - I can only see free range chicken breasts £17.99 a kg :eek: Do you have to go to the store to get the bargains ?

savingwannabe · 12 February 2017 at 10:41AM

Hello Skint yet again, I hope you are feeling better.

Maiden_Mum wrote: »

Savingwannabe - Hi, could you detail where that Elite shopping thread is on here - it sounds like something that could be useful as I really need to get my food shopping down!

Hi it is in the shopping forum under freebies, post two has lots of offers and they update all the time. Here's a link.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5480021

I pay my council tax every month rather than having a month off it makes it cheaper all year.

bobobski · 12 February 2017 at 10:48AM

I've only ever shopped at Costco in-store so I don't know if their online prices are different. I probably eat less chicken than your son though!

For haircutting, I've used the following video but it really takes some practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLFBhCOVx4E&feature=youtu.be

Skint_yet_Again · 12 February 2017 at 2:03PM

Feeling better today so I will probably be back at work tomorrow.

DS went out for dinner last night so we didn't have the roast chicken so we will have it tonight instead. I found a chicken kiev lurking in the bottom of the freezer and had that with sweetcorn instead. I must remember to label stuff in the freezer. I have some leftover home made soup from yesterday for lunch today

My bank rewards are now £3.72 and that will be it for this month as no council tax & no waste water direct debit to earn rewards. Usually it will be £8 a month.

The elastic has gone in the allergy matress cover on DS's bed. I have found some elastic in my sewing box (which rarely sees the light of day !) and so I am attempting to sew for the first time in ages. I managed to put elastic on one corner last night and I will try and do one corner a day. Hopefully this will mean I don't have to buy a new cover & will be worth the effort.

I haven't done any washing this weekend as its been so cold and grim outside. I only worked 3 days last week, so I have enough clean work clothes to last into next week. Its meant to warm up here in the south from tomorrow so hopefully will be hanging out weather.

Have been making arrangements to meet with a friend for lunch next week. We are both in a similar situation cash-wise so will use a voucher or wether spoons anywhere cheap and cheerful

and as I'm driving I usually ask for free tap water so will be a cheap date !

Enjoy the rest of the weekend folks x

savingwannabe · 12 February 2017 at 4:19PM

Glad you are better. Enjoy time out with your friend. :beer:

It's nice to have a treat.

Skint_yet_Again · 13 February 2017 at 10:09PM

Back to work today. Took porridge & avoided the shop !

Called off at Aldi on the way home and only spent £23.79 and that included dishwasher tablets & fresh salad/veg. I did a big shop last week when I knew I was feeling really ill and was gonna be at home and filled the cupboards and freezer so I should have enough food to last this week and the weekend. So far this month £181.91 / £300. (budgeted an average £60 a week so on target for 3 weeks)

I haven't done any top up shops at the co-op since 31 Jan.
I added up 6 trips for "milk" in January which totalled £32.32 and only £6 of that would be milk at £1 for 4 pints !

Much warmer today thank goodness. Managed to get some washing mostly dry on the line this afternoon and now finishing on airers. Haven't used my tumble dryer for ages.

Skint_yet_Again · 14 February 2017 at 8:22PM

Feeling a bit fed up today. Work was hard and I've slept for nearly 2 hours this afternoon where I feel so tired.

Anyway I have decided to treat myself to a takeaway

...

When I was in hospital I went over my contract minutes on my phone and instead of the usual £7 my bill was £29 :eek: Anyway, I phoned orange to check my charges and explained what had happened and they gave me £15 credit back :j So, I have an extra £7 in this months budget. I have ordered 1/4 crispy duck at my local Chinese which is £8.50 (the £1.50 will come from £5 buffer in my soa) and I will walk down and pick it up in 10 mins. Its only round the corner and I couldn't justify spending over £15 for free delivery !!

I could do with the fresh air and a bit of exercise !

savingwannabe · 14 February 2017 at 8:41PM

I hate tiredness too.

Yikes, expensive phone call. Well done on getting some credit back. Good that you are going for a walk. I love Chinese but I am trying to cut back. I wish I could cook like a takeaway. My stir fries are nice but never as good as theirs.

Get a grip !

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