My 3 step challenge!!

toolittletime

Right - I'm determined to keep this diary up more often! Half term and so far hasn't been too expensive. We were supposed to be meeting friends for lunch and soft play today but they're ill so the kids have persuaded me to take them to McDonalds, so still money I shouldn't be spending but less than half it would have cost at soft play. Then we're going to call in on some friends - free!!

Thursday night was supposed to be a night out with the girls but my friend can't get a sitter so has invited us all round for a take away and a bottle of wine! Brilliant - should only spend about 20 quid rather than 50!!

Can't wait til payday tomorrow so I can pay some off the debts - really want to try and get down into 4 figures this month. Not sure how easy it will be with DS2 birthday and wanting to try and complete my Xmas shopping. But OH is working away for 10 days so that should cut the grocery bill down.

Right - off to Morrisons before McDonalds to stock upon cheap fruit and veg!

benbenandme

Could there be a chance that actually your friend wanted to keep the costs down too rather than not being able to find a babysitter ?? Perhaps you could steer the conversation in that direction and suggest next time everyone comes to you to keep the costs down for everyone? You may find everyones in the same boat and welcomes the idea?

toolittletime

I know my friend has got debts but she prefers to use the ostrich technique I'm afraid! I have geared her towards this site but I think that phrase about horse and water springs to mind!! We had a great night though and have said we'd definintely all do it that way again!

Had a good month so far and have managed to pay off about £750!!! Haven't got the exact figures as I'm on my lunch break at work. Leaves things a bit tight for the rest of the month but I'm down into 4 figures on the debt!!!!!

Right off to scour the old style boards to try and find out how I can make the contents of my freezer last the rest of the month!!

Lemon_Tree

well done for progressing so far.
I've found that at the start of my debt free journey i was the person who said 'sorry i can't afford to do that....' etc, and in some dark recess of my friends minds you could see a bit of relief that they didn't have to spend. Sounds to me like you need to try and stear nights out with the girls to nights, in with a bottle of win, dvd, and a meal or some such thing, if you're able to. Though your friend is doing her ostrich impression she will probably be relieved somewhere inside.

toolittletime

Have been bad at updating this again. Have just realised it's less than 5 weeks till Xmas:eek:! I'm nowhere near as organised as I should be. Got a few expensive weeks coming up (Who hasn't!!) We've got DS2 birthday party next week and DD is 1 in 3 weeks. Plus lots of Xmas shopping to do. And we've got to pay 335 on our New Year holiday - This was booked before OH got his hours cut at work.

Need to get out everything I've bought so far and see exactly what is left to get. Also need to start getting food in for Xmas Day. There will be 11 of us for dinner and a few extras in the evening. It shoudn't be too expensive as everyone will contribute something.

We've decided as a family that we're not going to get each other presents this year (The children will obviously be visited by Santa!!) but instead we're going to treat ourselves to Sky! There's quite a good cash back deal and OH has worked out that that it should be pretty comparable to what we're paying at the moment for our broadband and phone. Hopefully it should also stop the trips to the DVD shop 2 or 3 times a month. So all in all should save us money!!

So, I've decided to really try to eat from home for the next few weeks in an effort to be able to pay the holiday off and finish Xmas shopping without resorting to the credit cards. I'm hoping to spend no more than 150 on food between now and Xmas. We've got fairly well stocked freezer and food cupboards so should be do able. Would also like to finish all of the shopping for Xmas (presents and food) for a similar amount.

Will try to use this diary to keep track!

savingholmes

welcome to diaryland and good luck

Katy83

Welcome back xx

toolittletime

Thanks for posting - it's really encouraging!

Relatively quiet day here today. To be honest had a bit of a hangover:o Went out with some friends last night and don't know whether to be embarassed or proud that I went out for a few (read lot) drinks, taxi and chips (classy!!) for the grand total of 26.00!!! Took the boys to a party at the local soft play at luchtime - not where you want to be with a throbbing head! Then came home and we had a big clear out of their toys. Part of my 3 step plan that's been neglected lately - organised house!

Pretty quiet week coming up I hope. Hoping that apart from some fresh fruit and veg my spending will be minimal. Think I'd better go to bed - Can't take the pace any more - hangovers seem to last all day these days:o