Spending, saving, snogging and smiling!

Snaggles

Hiya Squizz - I do switch lights off, turn the heating off when we are out, etc etc...although the kids do love to wander from room to room switching everything back on again :rotfl: in amongst making as much mess as possible.

I think I am going to buy a clothes airer once I have finished decorating my bedroom - it will be a bit of a pain having it up in there, but there's nowhere else for it, and it will save me a bit of money not using the tumble dryer so much over winter.

My mantra is going to be 'Little changes make big differences'. Lol!


Hiya El! Long time no 'type'. I haven't posted in my diary for ages, not had much to say because everything was just ticking along, financially at least, but having suddenly realised I am struggling to afford Christmas presents, I thought it was about time I had a proper look at things, and got on top of it before I end up back in debt.

elantan

ahhhh christmas ...it comes at the same time everyear and yet the panic still happens ...do you know what the two kids are after?

Snaggles

Well, I've luckily managed to almost get the kids sorted already, with a bit of sneaky negotiation with the XOH. He is coming down first thing on Xmas morning, so we have agreed it would look a bit odd to give them separate gifts, so we have bought them jointly.

Ryan desperately wanted a DSi, and they happened to have some in Asda the other day for £125 (this is more than we would normally spend but he has been pestering all year, and he is obsessed with DS games), so Stu bought one, and I bought a Leapster2 for Natasha in the Argos sale, so I just need a few stocking fillers for them both, which I can find room for in the grocery budget.

I've still got 2 sisters and my parents to buy for though. We usually just give each other vouchers, normally for £20 each, so I either have to find £40 for that or feel a bit embarrassed (which I WILL if i have to, but would rather not... ), and then I have noooooo idea what to get the 'rents.

They are painful to buy for because they can afford to buy anything they want really, and they already have endless photos of the kids etc (the things you usually give when you're skint, lol).

On the plus side, have just done my online shopping and it was £35! :j £15 under budget!!

So if I can keep that up for a few weeks, I will be able to cover Christmas easily. Loads of storecupboard meals between now and then I reckon!!

redsquirrel80

Have you got time to do some surveys for some vouchers?

http://uk.lightspeedpanel.com/index.html is quite quick to build up points and quick at sending vouchers in the post.

Snaggles

redsquirrel80 wrote: »

Have you got time to do some surveys for some vouchers?

http://uk.lightspeedpanel.com/index.html is quite quick to build up points and quick at sending vouchers in the post.

Good idea - I used to do Lightspeed before I split up with Stu, but haven't recently. Wonder if my account with them is still open? Thanks!

I have just found a £10 'Love to Shop' voucher in my purse too - I will try to find a present for my Mum and Dad in a shop that accepts those.

I was going to sneak down the the White Rose Centre and use it towards an outfit for my date, but to be honest I don't really NEED something new. I have a shirt dress but it looks a bit 'young', and a couple of other things that are maybe a bit too dressy, haven't got anything that says 'very cool and sexy single Mum'. But I will blow that image as soon as I open my mouth anyway, so it doesn't really matter! :rotfl:

Snaggles

Woohoo, my Lightspeed account is still open and has 175 points in it. Bonus!

redsquirrel80

Snaggles wrote: »

Woohoo, my Lightspeed account is still open and has 175 points in it. Bonus!

Nice one!

GeorgeUK

Not 'seen' you for ages Snaggles. Good to see you back and still pretty much on top of things.

Those links appear to have been copied from elsewhere - i used to do that. Didn't realise at the time that it copied the text and not the shortcut. It's broken/incomplete because the address shouldn't have the ... in it but whatever text is missing.

£125 for a single present?
I used to be happy with a beano, selection box and some socks.

I guess i'd be a pretty mean parent

Have you looked at the soa calculator to see that there isn't something else you've missed out?

Snaggles

Hiya George

I know :eek: I was braced for telling him that Santa couldn't bring presents that were so expensive, but Stu decided he would buy it. Have to be honest, I've only spent £40 on Natasha (and think that's plenty). So it's not really a fair split of the present buying, but I've paid the camper insurance and the overpaid tax credits from our last joint claim, so we're more than even overall.

I've had a good trawl through the SOA calculator and all my statements, and that seems to be it for regular outgoings, but it does make me wonder how I have managed not to get into debt already this last year!

elantan

that will take alot of pressure off of you then snaggs great idea to do that with the ex oh ....