December Debt Destruction!!!

[rising from the ashes]

Originally Posted by StressedSteph

I think the tricky bit is all the Cheese and crackers I convince myself I need. Speciality cheeses are very expensive. going to have a think about that.

If you've got an Al*di near you - they do some fantastic (and unusual) cheeses and they're great prices .

[rising from the ashes]

Originally Posted by thriftylass

Only buy/bought for parents, BF and son. The rest get HM hampers with cupboard ingredients like cookies or HM limoncello, which is infusing as we speak and paid for

Thrifty would love your recipe for the Limoncello please

I've not yet started my pressie shopping - very small list, just parents & 3 very close friends (so also can't cut out 5).

The Linoncello would be perfect for the friends pressies as we've set ourselves a budget of £5 already so will easily manage that!

I found a couple of recipes online but I much prefer using one that I know someone's actually made & works! TIA

[Sholly]

I signed up without reading the rules so I've just had a look and this challenge looks AMAZING!! It's just perfect for December, not cold turkey (who wants cold turkey at Christmas!! ) but just enough that we still push ourselves and keep our spending in check. Kat, you are amazing for coming up with all of those rules. I guess we all just have to look at what we can do in our personal circumstances - for me, I won't be able to cut out 5 people to buy for as we only buy for close family (I am buying for 13, and my sister and I go halves on 9 of them). I also can't really reduce my shopping budget as £60 for 2 adults and 1 child is low anyway, this was my bidget from NOvember and I don't think I managed it so this is the challenge for DDD. However, all of the other rules are absolutely do-able; I've already said no to the Secret Santa The spend diary needs to be my focus this month, I need to keep better track of my spending and record my NSDs, this is where I need to improve from NOvember.

One thing I will be doing is spending in the sales...hang on, I can justify this one!!!! It's my birthday in December and I'm going to ask for money because I am desperate for clothes (honestly, desperate!). I promise that I will only spend what I am given for my birthday and not a penny more BUT I do need NSK approval before I do this?

DDD...bring it on!!!!

Sholly x

[thriftylass]

Originally Posted by rising from the ashes

Thrifty would love your recipe for the Limoncello please

I've not yet started my pressie shopping - very small list, just parents & 3 very close friends (so also can't cut out 5).

The Linoncello would be perfect for the friends pressies as we've set ourselves a budget of £5 already so will easily manage that!

I found a couple of recipes online but I much prefer using one that I know someone's actually made & works! TIA

http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/513100 that's the one I've used. Lemons are cheap and if they're waxed (cheaper than unwaxed) just wash them in hot soapy water. Vodka can be dear but cheap stuff does as the lemon flavour takes over and the sugar smoothes it out. Better start soon as it takes 4 weeks to infuse (did only 3 weeks last year and it as fine.

[WantToBeSE]

Rising- if you are going to make the Limoncello, then if you get to Lidl today, they have a bag of Lemons on offer for 79p. 100% extra free, and they are unwaxed.
HTH.

[NinjaSavingKat]

I think there might be some clarification needed here. I would like everyone to follow every rule to the letter to be honest - but that is not clearly do-able entirely in this month!!

Everyone has a different circumstance and me being pedantic won't help. I certainly can't insist that someone who lives in the middle of no-where, or someone who walks with a cane or could be disable should not use their car. Like I said in my other post its about using your loaf - my friend uses her car for a 5 minute jaunt to the local shops.

It's simply about re-thinking our situations as to what is necessary. I told one contender to over-budget as she is in a new area and is unsure about petrol usage. I would rather she budgeted £125 for a possible £100 usage but know, that when she gets to that £125 mark there is no room for any more - therefore walking / buses etc might be an option for shorter journeys or walking that mahoosive brood to school. ( This was not open season to over-budget on everything )..

Giving this one person a way to join in ( and for you Rising ) means I was being nice, but I like what Trifty says - if its not for you, you don't need to join. This is supposed to be a little bit of fun as well...

Rising have another look down after that post when I "thought you were joking" - there is room for slight re-adjustment should something not fit... but I don't buy for anyone this year - no presents whatsoever.. but I know some people who are buy a lot of gifts for people they don't really like...

I would prefer to have been in charge of your money from 01/01/2012 - then I would be better able to dictate this very difficult Christmas period etc... and know each persons personal circumstance...However I don't.

To everyone who is concerned, worried etc.. I hope this clarifies a few things... I will not be posting on this subject again. You either join or you don't.
Simples.

Onwards and Upwards.

[NinjaSavingKat]

Originally Posted by determined new ms

I think I'd like to join - eek its frightening!!!!

Is that a number you require...?

[rising from the ashes]

Originally Posted by thriftylass

http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/513100 that's the one I've used. Lemons are cheap and if they're waxed (cheaper than unwaxed) just wash them in hot soapy water. Vodka can be dear but cheap stuff does as the lemon flavour takes over and the sugar smoothes it out. Better start soon as it takes 4 weeks to infuse (did only 3 weeks last year and it as fine.

Originally Posted by WantToBeSE

Rising- if you are going to make the Limoncello, then if you get to Lidl today, they have a bag of Lemons on offer for 79p. 100% extra free, and they are unwaxed.
HTH.

Brilliant, thanks! I'd better get organised quickly!

[determined new ms]

Originally Posted by NinjaSavingKat

Is that a number you require...?

y'hu I think it is.....

[StressedSteph]

Originally Posted by rising from the ashes

If you've got an Al*di near you - they do some fantastic (and unusual) cheeses and they're great prices .

We have one about 10 miles away. I usually save up lots of things to do in the big town and do one big splurge. Saves on petrol costs.

I will try Lidl, thanks for that. xxx

[Mancman86]

NinjaSavingKat Please give me a number and count me in!! Having read the rules (numerous times) to this challenge I think it could be doable. Although may be a struggle if cant get OH on board. Ive set my petrol allowance. Food allowance is probably going to be £250 for the month - slashed to £220. I can easily exercise 6 x per week. I am aiming for 20 NSD.
Trying to keep head above water...bring on this challenge. I have worked out theres a small potential for clearing 10% of my c/c debt by end of december - i get paid on 30th November and then again on 21st December - this will need to last me until fri 25th January.

[NinjaSavingKat]

MancMan86 you have been marked and numbered. However that food bill for two of you is A LOT!!! however very difficult if its just you on board .. so good luck and WELCOME!

[his missus]

I don't think I can comply (is that the word I want?) with all of the challenge's rules. Too many for me to contemplate and can guarantee I will fail. I will follow the rules I think I can achieve and become a December cheerleader instead. I hope though that by 21st Dec (my next payday) I will have £300 left in my accouunt from following NOvember's rules to pay towards my CC debt.

Good luck to those of you braver and stronger than I am

[startingtogetoutofdebt]

count me in on this - I've made a start on some of those things in the rules in the last few days but I think this challenge might be quite enjoyable !!! if that's possible. Am in positive mood today though so going to commit now before I change my mind.

StGood

[Mancman86]

NSK - I suspect this is alot for 2 of us. Will have to see over the next few weeks i think. Until OH is onboard then it may be a bit of a struggle. We dont really have many takeaways, I suspect we could pull in in at £30 a week.

[the_cat]

• Thischallenge commences on the 01st December 2012 @ 00:01 and finishes on 31stDecember 2012 @ 23:59.
• Minimum 20 NSD. With a caveat for interview expenses for DS1–should be ok
• 6 X 20 MINUTE SESSION OFEXERCISE A WEEK. Easy peasy!
• Food budget must decided upon before thecommencement of this challenge then slashed by £30. I am assuming you havestarted Christmas food shopping and won’t need too much more – yes? ERR no! No pressies, no food as yet! Whoops. Do have the money for all these in a separate account all ready to go, so will not beusing anything from this month’s money. Will drop day to day food budget by £30though. OK?
• “Spend” Money for anything else needs to be pre-agreed prior to thecommencement of DDD. This includes last minute gifts, parties, food that’s tobe taken to any party, and alcoholic drinks. Ok
• No foods are to be purchased at work canteens / cafes etc. If you are havinga family day out packed lunches are the only lunches allowed. OK
• All money needed for the month for food or spends is to be withdrawn andplaced in envelopes clearly marked for purpose. Prefer not to have the cash lying around (espec at this time of the year, burglars like Christmas time) so will put it in a virtual pot and only spend from that
• 3 Wildcard Days are allowed. To qualify for one you must make the same amountof money as you plan to spend all in that same day. These are only foremergencies – if you NEED something. You make £5 on eBay; you are allowed touse it without losing an NSD etc.Shouldn’t need to except for interview expenses as above but nice to know they are there
• An NSD does not include petrol, car maintenance,medications, household bills and travel to work.,
• On one of your NSD’s find a homeless person and buy him/her a tea / coffeeout of your budget. Don’t assume either, talk to the person and ask what theyprefer. Will either feed a stray or put something in a charitytin over and above my usual
• NO Beauty spends for the ladies over £5. Got a house full of stuff so that one is easy!
• NO extra beer for the boys at all. If it’s in yourhouse drink it, then start on the soft drinks.Excellent news, no restriction for girls eh? Ha ha
• Set a petrol allowance and stick to it. When in doubt walk. OK
• Those that completed NOvember get rid of what is inyour cupboards before buying Christmas supplies. Need to work on this one some more. Random crap from Approved foods needs to be used
• Those of you who are new to this challenge clear your cupboards and freezerBEFORE buying any more food. You DO NOT NEED reems of food for Christmas Day.Buy very CAREFULLY. What do you always buy each year that NEVER gets eaten? I need to remind myself here – Christmas lasts A DAY, not a month!
• Call 5 friends / family members / acquaintances / work colleague / virtualstranger’s – and tell them you will not be buying gifts this year. Down to bare bones already. Christmas cards are being culled though
• DO NOT enter any secret Santa at work or anywhereelse. Not done this for a few years
• Batch cook now, try to avoid massive tins of sweets,fancy biscuits in expensive tins and £7 cakes from M&S. Good idea, will get cracking. Can make low fat healthythings that fit in better with restricted low cholesterol diet too
• Down-shift some “essentials” to Supermarket Own Brands…get the family used toit now!!! Is there a downgrade fromValue?!!
• NO ENTRY to any sales in the month of DDD. Have decided againstclothes shopping for a year to cut costs (essential underwear permitted) so notallowed to buy until next Sept anyway
• Buy one of these. Start filling it. You will not begiven access for 1 year. Once its full you start another one. Got a big whisky jar which suffices – always put thechange into mortgage overpayments a couple of times a year

And finally - as annoying as this will be ( amongst everything else ) I needyou to keep a spending diary.


I'm in, if the above is allowed!!

l

[I will win]

Well done Kat on this great thread, I will be declining for this post,as I do too much this month with the kids,with the £200 I save all year, we do lots of xmas things leading up to the big day,so will be spending a lot of days. I and the kids have gave up alot this year due to my debt so this is well overdue. I really cant wait. Will still do my usual watch with food etc,but will be doing to many cinema,ice skating,santa,craft fairs etc for to compete in this.
Just to point out the tins for the money saving are only £1 in Poundland or better still just use a tub and put the £1 in it to start it off. All the best guys.

[lozzy81]

ok... joining in this month! read the rules and many don't apply as i'm not buying gifts... fill up my car with petrol once a month and have my bus pass or work.... 20 NSD??? easy!! will read throught the rules again and make sure i understand them! will print them off to remind myself!

[skintsue]

I'm going to put my name down too please
It's going to be a lot harder than NOvember, but if I plan ahead it should be smoother.
There are only going to be the 3 of us, plus pets, on the Day, so evn if we do have something special it won't break the bank.
We already have crackers I picked up in a sale last year, the main meal is all but bought, just some trimmings needed, and it will last for at least 3 days as salads, butties and HM soup.
No chocs, no booze (already given wine a Birthday Present earlier this year), No hangover, no headache tablets, no anti acid tablets.

I'll print the TO DO list off and pin it on the fridge for reference.

[abundant1972]

Hey Everyone!!!

Is great to see so many familiar faces signing up for another month of torture... erm... I mean... thrifty money saving FUN!

SIGN ME UP!!!

I don't personally celebrate Christmas and haven't for the last 10 years - though I do Solstice in a much more sedate and simple way. Being free of the Christmas pressures to buy and spend is something I don't miss... so I feel in some ways I'll have an easier time of it than all of you who have families and get togethers. My thoughts will be with you!!!


So with a 20 NSD target = 11 *potential* spend days - I've a few days to book in any social outings with friends.

I've decided to keep the same grocery budget as last month - my usual would be £30 per week but am slashing that to £20 - giving me £80 for December.

I have a few expensive nights (NYE for example) and have been pondering how I can budget my other spends. I've come up with the idea of a

CASH SNOWBALL

• I've decided to allocate £10 per spend day for social engagements and the like (please comment if you feel this amount is excessive). This hopefully will limit over spending/impulse buys. Can keep each £10 in a separate envelope with the planned spend day marked on the front.
  
• I'm then going to do a cash snowball... so if I don't use it on spend day 1 - it rolls on to spend day 2 giving me more to play with... and so on - also encouraging me to have more NSD's.
  
• Potentially by NYE i could have as a reward anything from £10 - £110 spending money and a great (or very thrifty!) celebration.
  
• I feel it's important I spend at least some of this on FUN and not all on debt clearing. That's what slashing our grocery budget and NSDs are for.
• I'm not spending more than I normally would (usually give myself £30 per week = £120 per month which for me includes clothes, magazines, lunches and nights out etc) - it's just another way of looking at it. If it works then the end of the month could become something to look forward to rather than dread.

Would be lovely if people wanted to do one too - we could all use it as a reward for good behaviour!!! Kat - what do you think...??? Keeping a Spending Diary still applies of course.


The one aspect of DecemberDebtDestruction I KNOW I will struggle with is the 6 x 20 minutes exercise... I've been saying for months I need to get fit again and there's always some excuse... I'm too tired, I can't be bothered, Ive been at work all day etc. I spent £80 on some new trainers a few months back and they've been worn three times - 2 of which were to go to the local shop to buy food lol. I have access to a free gym at work so really have no excuse. I'm just plain lazy and I don't enjoy exercise!!! I will give it my best shot though.

Money Tin on order (am not counting it as a spend day as it's an investment and will deduct the £3.15 from my spends in December after the tin arrives). I hope that's fair and ok by everyone.

Right - am off to scrutinise my diary and budget plan!!!

Onwards and Upwards indeed!!!