The long winding path to a new home .......

LilacPixie

Haley that is pants. Any idea where you lost it?? Kids shoes are so so expensive. I have two little ones under 4 so it seems like each month its shoes for one or the other or sometimes both. arrrggghhhhh

hayley_jayne

LP it is a nightmare, what a waste of money. I think it was left in a pub we went to for lunch. I have rung them but they say they haven't seen it. It must be expensive buying shoes for 2 children, they just grow so fast. I am starting to find the time is going by far too quickly, I mean she is going to be a toddler soon not a baby!

I am not sure this no spend month has been such a good idea as we have both taken it as a bit of an excuse to have a blow out .

Still I guess like anything you can do it once in a while. Losing this month is likely to affect the 12k target though.

On a spending note, this year as we were sorted for christmas decorations but have 8 people coming for christmas dinner I decided I wanted to be able to really lay the table well so have been hunting for bargains.

I have managed to get:
8 (5 piece sets) of Royal Worcester Classic Platinum for £65

Then at a clearance store:
White cotton tablecloths x 2 (1 for our table and a small one for the add on table to add another two places) - £7
8 white napkins (could only get polyester but in the same pattern as the tablecloth) - £4
Royal Doulton Runner, white with silver sequins and detail - £2!!!!!

I have got a glass fish bowl vase for £6 and have plans for making a centre piece with it for the table. I still have silver crackers bought in the Jan sales 2009.

We got new cutlery in the summer that has been kept for best, now we just need to sort glasses. I am gutted as I have 4 'Saturn' glasses from Debenhams own range and I wanted to buy another 4 but in our local store and online they only have flutes and tumblers available. So we might just buy 8 'basic' style ones from a supermarket.

I am on a mission to clean the conservatory and set everything up in prep today. I am really excited about doing Christmas here this year.

Hope everybody's plans are progressing well

xxxx

Louba

Sounds like your table will look amazing!! As we don't ahve much space and are moving soon we haven't really got round to doing the full festive treatment on the flat - I've got serious decoration envy.
Thats rubbish about the shoe When I was a student I worked in the kids deparment of Clarks and I remember being embarassed by the cost of them even then..............em and that was a while ago

hayley_jayne

Louba, just remember you will be able to go mad on the decoration front next year in a lovely new place

I am up early, loads of work to do ...... and LOL I am posting on here!

Yesterday was a no spend day and today should be as well.
Then, I will be going to buy stuff for Christmas so need to make a list.

Hope everybody has a good day xxx

hayley_jayne

Yay, another no spend day successfully completed. Today would have been the third in the row but we are going to have to buy milk :rolleyes:.

Tomorrow is Christmas food shopping day and I have a feeling it is going to be insane out there! So today, I have to draw up a list to ensure I only purchase what we will use, I am determined not to waste food. The one good thing about waiting is I have been able to run our food down, the freezer now has two free shelves, which is unheard of .

I am feeling really positive about saving in 2010. One good thing about the recession (yes I am attempting to look for a silver lining!) is that there really seems to have been a culture shift that 'stuff' is not really all that important. Between friends and family so many people are now happy to say they are cutting back. That makes it easier for us.

I like this board because it is about the opposite of the 'because you are worth it' mind set. It might not sound glamorous knuckling down and investing in your future but it is certainly making me feel really happy :j.

H xxxxx

gallygirl

hayley_jayne wrote: »

I am feeling really positive about saving in 2010. One good thing about the recession (yes I am attempting to look for a silver lining!) is that there really seems to have been a culture shift that 'stuff' is not really all that important. Between friends and family so many people are now happy to say they are cutting back. That makes it easier for us.

I like this board because it is about the opposite of the 'because you are worth it' mind set. It might not sound glamorous knuckling down and investing in your future but it is certainly making me feel really happy :j.

H xxxxx

I so agree HJ. OH agreed to book a spa break for my Xmas but at weekend was asking me what else I wanted. Came up with a CD but he said that's not enough. Realised that actually, I didn't want anything else & was just looking for the sake of it. So refreshing to be with others who feel the same :T


em, eventually found a Jasper Conran bag I thought I could live with

hayley_jayne

em, eventually found a Jasper Conran bag I thought I could live with

LOL ........., that has made my day

We are so manic here, Christmas is rapidly approaching ( a bit quick for us). I have a trillion things to do ........ Still, I am sure we will get there.

Today we need to:

• Finish wrapping presents
• Finish setting the dinner table
• Buy all the food (this is the scary one, as it means both braving the weather and very busy places!)

I have bought a number of things in the Next Sale. Mainly for baby in the size she will be in next. I am really pleased as we get most of her clothes from next anyway and they will form the majority of a wardrobe, which can be topped up. I have only got things, which are suitable for Spring and Summer too (as it was winter stock). Hopefully, I will have a new pair of jeans that fit too!!

xxx

hayley_jayne

Wow, the last few days have gone by so fast!

After having December off saving any money, I am gearing up to doing exceptionally well in January. I think having a month overdoing it (in many ways, spending, eating .....) has got me extremely prepared for a lean month.

Hope everybody has had a lovely Christmas and all the best for the new year!!

hayley_jayne

Wow, another new year is here!

This is going to be our year, I am very determined and have signed up for 2 challenges .

wantabetterlife

Well done hayley, the savings are going really well and you seem very determind and organised that 2010 is going to be your year.Will be watching with interest