Wednesday 5th December - What small DFW things wi...

[Nottoobadyet]

When we start out on the DFW trail we do loads of "big stuff" that makes quite a difference to our situation. These include having our lightbulb moment, cutting up the credit cards and cancelling Sky and the gym.

But once we have done the bigger stuff, we often feel that we are not making the same amount of progress, when in fact the small steps are helping us form good financial habits and helping us get closer everyday to staying in control and becoming debt free, or staying debt free.

Examples could be hanging washing out instead of using the tumble dryer or leaving your purse/wallet at home to avoid the risk of spending.

So be proud of those small steps, they really are important.

Good morning, everyone! Hope you dont mind an old face starting the thread today.

Havent been online as life is a disaster. Most of you know the story of the burglaries and my fights to get money out of the security company that is liable, but somehow the stress of all this has totally messed with my head. Its like someone has switched off the machine that allows me to deal with stress, and everything from work to just paying the bills has me on the edge of a panic attack. Im constantly snapping at OH and inefficient at the office. I need to get myself together

I also need to learn to "chill" about money. For so long I've been desperately paying off debt or saving that the fact that I need to pay out for replacing necessities is driving me to distraction. OH remains broke so the pressure is on me to pull us through. The good thing is that I can afford it, the bad thing is that its stressing me out and mucking up my long term goals.

In DFW today:
- Mealplan for week
- make appointment with a therapist (checked yesterday to ensure it can be covered by my international insurance)
- get rent from roommies
- peanut butter and bannana sandwich for brekkie, lunch provided by work, cooking at home for tea
- call URA to work out what I need to do about the logbook for the new bike I need to buy
- withdraw money to buy the bike tomorrow
- pay water bill
- email lawyer friend for a suggestion on who can help us with the case for less than an arm and leg
- budget a bit, maybe that will help with the anxiety!
- check banking
- work hard to catch up on things at the office

Think thats everything - hugs to all!

[zepsgal]

Aww sweetie, chin up! I don't know what's been going on with you, but I hope you get it sorted. As these old sayings go, these things are sent to try us

Today I will -

Check banking
Check onepoll
Do swagbucks
Check competition boards (want an advent win!)
All food/meals from stores
Need to get a hold of my niece to check films for my brother and his wife's christmas present
Need to make a start on christmas tree decorations
Re-check my christmas present list, see what I still need to buy

Can't think of anything else

[rising from the ashes]

Morning all thanks Nottoobadyet for starting us off and sorry to hear things are so tough just now (((hugs)))

List for today:

• Have bath, thermals on ..... heating off Heating on atm as it's bloomin' freezing this morning! Discovered yesterday that the poncho I bought a while ago ( http://www.mandco.com/jumpers/roll-n...30,10010030180 ) is fab for an extra layer around the house - not too restrictive as your arms are free & keeps the neck warm!
  
• B / L / D from stores - Raid freezer for lunch & roast chicken tonight (roll over from yesterday as fell asleep so this didn't get done then )
  
• Don’t smoke
  
• Check online banking & shuffle as needed
  
• Sort cats & Tidy up
• Update spreadsheets
  
• Check cat food swap / sale site Got a lovely parcel with a couple of things to try yesterday
• Check e*bay listings
  
• Knit DMs Christmas scarf .... running out of time! Ohhhh still not finished this
  
• Try to have a walk Very chilly this morning .... will need lots of layers!
  
• Work on budgets - think some re-jigging is needed
  
• Find camping stove & put somewhere handy (for power cuts)
  
• Take pics of things to e*bay - find more stuff to sell!
  
• Washing & hang up Done
  
• Start searching online for Xmas pressies
• Hope 10% off voucher comes today so I can order dog & cats' food Still no sign of this - cats food OK but still need dog wet food
  
• Finish marking up weekday "to do" notebook Up to May!
  
• Sort through mags & remove recipes & find somewhere to put them! Recycle what's left (thanks Jonno!)
• Phone chemist to see if they owe me any meds - I have loads of everything except one type which is a bit odd .... I was supposed to pick up prescription from Drs after OH Appt yest & forgot Arrrrrr they don't have any outstanding to be collected .... trip to the Drs it is then and it's started to snow!
  
• If chemist don't owe me any meds, I'll have to make special trip to Drs (8 miles ) for new prescription - unfortunately don't have enough to last until Fri when I'm going to the hospital Been & back ..... really icey out there & glad I'm home in the warm!
  
• Debate about whether to order another set of thermals - looks like I'm going to be in the house at least another month - struggling with just 2 sets & constantly having to wash so there's a clean set
• Sort cats food cupboard out and see what there is (DM managed to get me some more stuff on Sun when the 25% offer was on at Mr T) Done! Have quite a lot now & should last a couple of months
  
• Make breadcrumbs from bread left and freeze Done
• Make a start on sorting through receipts drawer and decluttering it (date back to at least 2004!) Receipts to 2011 thrown away!
  
• Added pay c/card bill Online banking chucked a wobbly & balance didn't update ... spent ages on phone & now sorted!
  
• Added phone garage re servicing for new car - 1st service (before I bought it) was done late so not sure if next one is a year from that date or the date it should've been done - also want to check cost as online it says £280 The dates in the service book I've got are wrong (it was missing & someone made one up for me) - next service not due until Aug '13 which is fabby as it gives me a bit longer to save for it (£250) - to pop in & they'll sort the service book to avoid any future problems
  

Have a lovely hump day everyone


I'm going for a sleep now!

[zepsgal]

My god woman, find that camping stove!!

[rising from the ashes]

I know ..... I've had several hunts and just can't find it it's def in the garage but really need to dig it out (if I can't find it now, I'll not have a hope in what not when there's no power).

Promise to have another dig for it today

[StressedSteph]

Morning all,

I might join in today, if you don't mind .

Not alot on today, but when I am home all day I lack focus and can end up chatting to you guys all day so this thread might help me achieve the necessary.


Balance Spreadsheet with online banking DONE
Tidy kitchen breakfast mess.
Put on load of washing
Lift out sausage meat for sausage rolls
Figure out whats for dinner & lift meat out
Condition & brush out new dried sheepskins
Bake a cake for packed lunches.

Does anyone know if you can make rough puff pastry with Flora margerine?? I usually use butter but we are all out, and wanted to make some sausage rolls for hubby & kids as a change from sandwiches. As per usual the lack of something is trying to make me ruin my NSD

Hope you are all having a good Wednesday. xx

[ziggy2407]

Good Morning my lovelies

ntby - Thanks for starting us off and sorry to hear things are so tough for you atm - sending massive hugs and lots of love .
dnms - Your sewing plans sound great and CONGRATS on the job interviews, hope the kitchen renovations are going well too.
rfta - remember to rest too and give your body the best chance to recover

Hi to all the regulars and welcome to any lurkers and newbies , you've joined a FAB supportive thread.

Have little one off school again this week but have finally been able to get a Drs appointment for this afternoon so hopefully they will give us something more than Calpol. Todays little list

Check Banks - Done
Check swapits - Done
Check Postcode on www.freepostcodelottery.com - Done
Work (11.30-1.30) - Done (2.15 finish again)
Make a couple of Christmas decs with little one -
Clean patio doors and get little one to decorate - Done (inside)
Print Snowman Soup labels -
make free calendar on www.bagsoflove.co.uk/calendars/free-personalised-photo-calendar/ -
Wrap few Christmas pressies -
General Tidy round - Done
Meals from stores - Done
Update Christmas List and see whats left to get -
Chase up work for password so I can access my payslip -
Investigate selling knitting mags & books for mum -
Update Food Tracker - in progress (35lb, so far)
Comps -
Read - in progress
Knit -

Hope you have all had a great day, love to you all

C xx

[jonno7]

Morning All. Thanks for starting us off Nottobadyet. Hope you manage to get sorted, make sure you sort some 'you' time in there.

Congrats on the interview DNMS - hope they go well

My list for today:

Email work as it's pay day and they have messed up my first maternity pay leaving me about £200 short Not good.
Updated spreasheet with new figures, and moved money to various accounts. Annoying as it doesn't look as good as it should.
Meals from stores
Wrap some more presents, make my own tags from left over christmas cards
Pop to PO and send one christmas present
drop box off at charity shop (next to PO)
Pop to friends for a cuppa later if she texts me back
Ends of bread in freezer for breadcrumbs another time
Search out more magsazines to get recipes from - did loads yesterday - may have to venture to garage for this
No heating on whilst at home in day alone - extra jumper instead.
If time, energy and baby has inclination - give birth Not holding much hope for this one today though

have a good day everyone

[mineallmine]

I love reading everyone's lists from check spreadsheets, find camping stoves to give birth!

Didn't do horrid banking thing yesterday. Ah putting it off.

After being optimistic last night of cobbling some koftas together it was an unmitigated disaster. And we got a takeaway. But today MSE head back on again and I know we have some options for dinner tonight.

So fair to say struggling a bit today. Focus will resume shortly

[carrielovesfanta]

Afternoon all!

Nottoobadyet - thanks for starting us off. I hope you feel better soon

jonno - if you write it on your list enought times the baby might take notice

RFTA - see above and replace baby with camping stove?

DNMS - stop finding my shameful other posts (see yesterday's thread!)

Well today is another new day. Last night I attemped to condition OH's hair by rubbing olive oil in and leaving over night. Cheaper than deep conditioning treatment hopefully!

Also tried to make some tasty cous cous salad for lunch and failed. Def decided that the cheap veggie stock cubes I bought are VILE. They taste of pure celery (which makes me yack at the best of times)

So today's plan:

No breakfast (naughty naughty) in attempt to cancel out last night's late cheese on toast snack

Lunch - bought from Asda (after cous cous fail and had a real hankering for pesto). Have bought various lunchbox bits for through the week. Also got some reduced milk which can put in freezer.

Dinner - WILL be from stores! (it was last night honest!).

Check online banking (done, cc statement through)

If get home at reasonable time, make bread. If not, stop at Tesco and look for reduced bread.

Charge phone in work

Read Martin's email

Cut out the other cushion cover using fabric given to me for free.

Tack cushion covers

Think this is me. Need to really decide what I'm going to do for dinner so I don't end up with beans on toast again

Have a good afternoon guys x

[StressedSteph]

Originally Posted by StressedSteph

Balance Spreadsheet with online banking DONE
Tidy kitchen breakfast mess.
Put on load of washing
Lift out sausage meat for sausage rolls
Figure out whats for dinner & lift meat out
Condition & brush out new dried sheepskins
Bake a cake for packed lunches.

Well am getting there slowly. Have lifted out some lambs liver for dinner. Family are very suspicious of it but its really tasty so they will have to get used to it.

Some of you guys have really long lists, i feel rubbish with the length of my list.

Hope you are all getting on well.

[Pernicious]

Afternoon all,

Thanks for starting us off NTBY, sorry to hear you're still all over the place but don't be so hard on yourself as it's understandable, remember to take care of yourself instead of just the pennies & everyone else! You'll be no good to anyone if you make yourself ill over it, get plenty of sleep as that'll help you relax better too.
RFTA - Blimey you've got a busy day planned!! You remember to take care of yourself too!
StressedSteph - I don't know I'm afraid, but there's one way to find out! Make some & see how it goes.
Jonno - Fingers crossed today is the day! Eat a curry or something

Today I have/will:-

• Most food from stores
• Made use of free water & milk at work
• Leftovers for lunch
• I'm on a half day today but came straight home after work rather than "just popping to town" to avoid spending
• Dinner is going to have to be bought out today but looking at cheap options, maybe the King of the Day from BK?
• Charged phone at work
• Heating off as long as possible, lots of layers!
• Daily clicks etc on Sw@gbucks, I have 666 now
• Log calories using free app
• Check online banking
• Surveys
• Declutter & flylady
• Check for new mystery shopping opportunities
• Enter some comps
• Sort out items to return to New L00k - NEED to do this today or else you all have my permission to judge me terribly!
• Wrap some presents if I get time
• Hopefully be cheeky & park at work when we go back to town later as it's free & close enough to the train station, depends if there is space though
• Ring Mr T's photo & see if there's any chance my order can be done before Tuesday - it never used to take that long & I need it by the weekend, eek!
• Read Martin's email
• Catch up with yesterday's thread

Have a great, MSE day everyone x

[kjp]

Afternoon everyone!

*skulks back in*

Been away for absolutely ages, moved out, car broke, Christmas appeared out of nowhere - have been very unDFW but back on the wagon now! Need to stop using CC apart from for petrol (budgeted for so I get clubcard points) as I keep dipping into it - pay it back every month but it's a vicious cycle I need to haul myself out of!

So, hugs to everyone who needs them and hello to old faces and new!

Today I have/will:
Check banks - woeful considering it's only a week and a half since payday! DONE
Check CC - has Debenhams refund gone back in NOT YET
Check TCB
Check Ebay to see if buyer from Sunday has paid up/if I have any new bids
Buy last two Xmas presents with Ebay profits and transfer rest to bank to put into savings
Re-setup EDF direct debit DONE
Fill up £30 petrol on way to college
Take mug to college with coffee in so not tempted by vending machine
Breakfast/lunch from stores
Drink some blimming water!
Possibly treat myself to a chinese after college to celebrate getting my degree! - Not DFW-y but think it deserves a little treat!
Find paying in book to pay in cheque from Nan for Xmas

Think that's it today - I will see you all tomorrow (or tonight at college if I'm bored!)

K xx

[rising from the ashes]

Originally Posted by Pernicious

RFTA - Blimey you've got a busy day planned!! You remember to take care of yourself too!

If I don't write everything down atm then I just forget about it - like the prescription. I've even had to start writing big notes & sticking them on the kitchen cupboard doors to remind myself about Appts .... not me at all so it must either be a side effect of my condition or the drugs I'm on

I won't get through 1/2 of them ........ about to head off for a sleep in just a mo!

Originally Posted by StressedSteph

Some of you guys have really long lists, i feel rubbish with the length of my list.

Ohhhh don't Steph - as above, I have to write everything down just now ..... I am also a "list" person as I like to be able to cross things off .... and I've done it for years.

Your list is fine and if it helps you get on top of things that's brilliant

Ohhhh and lamb's kidney is one of my favourite things!

[StressedSteph]

Balance Spreadsheet with online banking
Tidy kitchen breakfast mess.
Put on load of washing
Lift out sausage meat for sausage rolls
Figure out whats for dinner & lift meat out
Condition & brush out new dried sheepskins
Bake a cake for packed lunches

Job finally done, thanks for words of comfort, Rising. Not feeling overely energetic today so just achieving that list is going to have to be good enough.

Just had car tax reminder for January in the post. There goes my carefully laid out January budget .

(Yes I know I should be budgeting for car expenses but just spending the next couple of months digging our way out of Overdraft, before I want to start up any savings pots. Seems wrong to put money in savings pots when my Overdraft is exploding )

Oh well, off to rejig accounts and find £148.50 out of thin air

[allydowd]

Originally Posted by rising from the ashes

• Find camping stove & put somewhere handy (for power cuts)

Please make sure you only use it in a well ventilated area. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning kills. Link .

[little pink purse]

Afternoon

well iam home we had a good few days i only over spent buy £5.50 from my fun pot (ebay/amazon sales and 1p jar ) now saving for my next long weekend lol

god its freezing think my heating will need to stay on to warm the house

today todo
washing
do shopping list
check banks
tidy
try for a early night save on the heating lol

have a great evening
keep warm xxxxlppxx
hugs to all that need them xxxxxx

[rising from the ashes]

Originally Posted by StressedSteph

[STRIKE](Yes I know I should be budgeting for car expenses but just spending the next couple of months digging our way out of Overdraft, before I want to start up any savings pots. Seems wrong to put money in savings pots when my Overdraft is exploding )

Ohhhhh I've been having the same dilemma .... I have been putting money into pots all year but did raid them to prop up the ever increasing OD as I felt the same as you.

However, I've just transferred the amounts back to the pots - and the OD has therefore shot back up again - as I thought I'd end up in even more of a mess next year when annual bills became due.

At least the OD is one thing that I can see a total amount I need to pay back ... hopefully!

Originally Posted by little pink purse

well iam home we had a good few days i only over spent buy £5.50 from my fun pot (ebay/amazon sales and 1p jar ) now saving for my next long weekend lol

So pleased you have a lovely time & well done on the budget!

[allydowd]

Hey all. Horrendous day today; let's see what's worth mentioning:

~Unlocked free LoveFilm account (employee benefit) so I can use it again and added ten films to wishlist.

~Looked in loft at new house. Found gloss paint and lots of useful and free DIY stuff.

~Booked a last minute long-weekend off work as holiday allowance expires end of 2012 and can't be carried over. Will put it to good use doing some more DFW-style DIY.

~Read Martin's email. ( Link .)

~Use MSE shopping comparison site. ( Link )

~Keep feet up on sofa. Air is colder at ground level.


OFFERS:

Terry's choc orange BOGOF in Tesco. ( Link )

Free Pringles speaker competition on Facebook. ( Link )

£10 train e-voucher. ( Link )

Gifts for 50p at M&S. ( Link )

Free Christmas Rom Com on Kindle through Amazon. ( Link )

Lidl Weekend Offers 8 Dec/9 Dec: Strathvale Fresh Beef Mince 500g - was £2 now £1.00. Fresh Cucumbers - were 69p now 34p.

50 gift ideas for under £5. ( Link )

Free financial advice ebook. (Link)

Free Kindle boxsets available today and tomorrow only. (Link)

Free online Christmas cards sponsored by Aldi. ( Link )

Free Elf Yourself. Just for fun. ( Link )

[La escocesa]

Hi everyone

Poor NTBY Big hugs. I for one know exactly how you feel - I'm the same - when one thing goes my whole life seems to start going crazy. I know you can pull through it. I find yoga helps me - loads of breathing techniques and mindfulness/focussing on the present. Easier said than done I know.

I've spent the eve looking at insurance quotes... We've been offered a free car!!! How often does that happen?! But insurance is around £80 per month. Just don't know if we can

In other news...
Got 2nd hand wardrobes up - are awesome
Cheapo can of soup for lunch
Cancelled home ins for cheaper Co with cashback
Arranged meeting friends - suggested Leeds as the train there is only £9, not York or H'gate as they're £18-£20 - will spend the extra on lunch
Visited 99p store for some cheapo dog treats

Need to get back into the swing of this small things malarkey. Work's been so busy that I've not had time to post