Carry on Questing

Lula-Hula

Yet again, I am humbled by your kindness & kick-up-the- @rseness

Thank you all :A

As well as all the written instructions above I have also had some telephone coaching :T & am now fairly chilled & relaxed & have another task dealt with so am relaxing in the arms of my true love ( Gordon )

Got up half an hour later than usual & decide to take the day one step at a time. Despatched DD to school, whizzed home to load washing machine, make bank transfer to lil sis for memorial & write shopping list.

Went back to school for carol singing, trumpeteering, clarinetting, Recordering & chit chat with other parents. It was great although DD later confessed that her 'widgets' were sticking so she just pretend to play :rotfl:

Home again to unload washing machine & hang items around the house as the outside all dank & foggy.

Quick coffee & decided that I could brave the town & get on with shopping. I got a mini ( as in car, not size) mug & coaster for 20 year old ( male) costing £4.99 so saved £5 on the maximum amount agreed. Also got a Hannah Montana ( who ) annual style book for second party girls gift - just £2.99. Also a slinky, Spongebob socks & a lockable notebook & pen for DD, and a mug for DD1 that has " I love boys" printed on it . Her BF might not think it so funny, but I know DD1 will think it's hilarious. All that lot for a total £19.09 - am feeling the love for TK Maxx another £3 in primarni on some more socks & knickers as stocking fillers, £2.20 o parking & then ...

whizzed into Waitrose on the way home & spent £34.10 but have plenty of food to last the week so that's ok.

Now starting to think about christmas food & realise that although I am quite happy with Gordon, wotsits & chocolate .. the DDs may not think it adequate :rolleyes:. DD has also asked if turkey was necessary & could we not just have a normal roast instead ? Roast chicken, already basted & cooked, for about a fiver that just needs pre heating ? Too bloody right we can sweetie :T Happy to do all the trimmings & make mince pies etc but much prefer juicy succulent cant-go-wrong Waitrose chicken over potentially disastrous Turkey that everyone else in the country will be fighting for :j I love my children

I have now worked out a kind of budget for next year ( being optimistic that boss will either recognise my fabulousness or want to see more of my hinted-at 'assets' come the spring & summer. Yes Moo - I am taking a leaf out of your book & making the most of what I have ) & it is doable.

I have not scrimped & my minimum CC payments at present are £170, If I stick to the budget then I have another £ 130 to put towards them & if I keep up the home job could have another £100 a month too.

I've also been playing with the snowball & it turns out that in order to be DF within a year I will need to pay £500 a month. That's double what I pay now *gulps* but I did say that if it only took a year to be Debt Free then I would be prepared to scrimp & live like a pauper do it. Time to put my money where my mouth is then :eek:.

How yummy is Jenson Button :heartpuls sorry, completely off topic there but :drool:

makeup

Hurrah for bargainous Christmas shopping and well done on secret santa gift. I always think mugs are great things to have - you can never have too many and they always get chipped or broken so perfect to have lots so you can always have a cup of tea - no matter how slovenly you've been with the washing up.

I also like tea towels (I often buy them as souvenirs) as am also slovenly with washing....

Gosh am revealing way too much about myself when supposed to be talking about you :rotfl:

Hurrah for yummy Waitrose Roast Chicken.

Wow, £500 per month is a lot to pay off but think how amazing it would be to be sat here next year and have NO debt!! :j I'll be joining you on £100 clothes challenge so you'll have friends on your journey! :T

sarahb123_3

Lula-Hula wrote: »

I've also been playing with the snowball & it turns out that in order to be DF within a year I will need to pay £500 a month. That's double what I pay now *gulps* but I did say that if it only took a year to be Debt Free then I would be prepared to scrimp & live like a pauper do it. Time to put my money where my mouth is then :eek:.

Does this mean you will be joining those of us who are going to have a very frugal 2010? Would be very nice to have the company as I am determined to do it this time:D

Lula-Hula

Hi makeup,

I desperately need new teatowels too

Yes, £500 is a hideous amount of money each month ... BUT walking away from that divine bag last week was a hideous feeling & if I clear my debts then this time next year I can have 3 bags at the same price & still have enough left over for some new boots in the Faith sale

I'm easily bored & distracted, very impatient & right now 2 years feels like a lifetime. I think that I will get half way, lose all motivation & start spending again. One year of intense scrimping with results is more appealing than 2 years of semi scrimping with unpredictable results. We are not yet being people who do stuff rather than people who have stuff because I have serious guilt issues about enjoying myself. At the back of my mind I am constantly totting up the cost of any activity.

The year at £500 a month is based on my current aprs. If I clear Barclycard asap I can then transfer the 2 remaining CCs over at a decent rate of 6.9%.

Yes, I knew this already but the possibility of being DF within a year makes it more appealing than just for the sake of paying off debt more cheaply :rolleyes:

moo2moo

You sound much more like you again.

Can I suggest a wee bit of a debt busting compromise? For every month you pay £500 off the debt allow yourself a £50 super bonus to splurge. Obviously it'll mean you need to find that in the first place but you are f*ing fabulous.

Are you playing free bingo with B!ngo Br!tain yet???? Its pointlessly dull but the free cash keeps trickling my way.

Lula-Hula

sarahb123 wrote: »

Does this mean you will be joining those of us who are going to have a very frugal 2010? Would be very nice to have the company as I am determined to do it this time:D

La la la la la la la la *fingers in ears* I cant hear you :D

Actually my dear, I think I am indeed joining the merry band of frugalites in 2010 It's probably my only chance.

I've been to pay in my Clothes Challenge cheque today & am now toying with just giving it straight to Barclaycard & then just buying clothes as & when I need them . Yes Moo - I can hear that snort & feel that slap so of course I'm going to give it to Barclaycard :mad: Haven yet tried the delights of Bingo but happy to put that on my list of things to do in 2010 .

The printer ink arrived so DD has now printed her project & is delighted. I just felt sick as all the way through the process the icon was slowly going down so I could estimate how much each page was costing ... about £7 for the whole project, but she is very happy :rolleyes:.

Now I didnt come here to chat or even to regale you with my day's efforts. I signed in to say that I have 24 hours to myself & in which I need to complete the tasks that I will itemize in my next post ...

Lula-Hula

Ok, here's what I need to get done :


-[STRIKE] ignore any phone calls other than from peeps who have DD staying in progress [/STRIKE]still

- [STRIKE]wrap & tag all the presents currently stashed in various places[/STRIKE]done

-[STRIKE]
complete the 4th load of washing & attempt to dry using combination
of windows, hangers & radiators in progress [/STRIKE]done
-
-[STRIKE] iron what is necessary & then put all items away in allocated places tomorrow [/STRIKE]done

- [STRIKE]write a list of all christmas card recipients not that bored, yet still [/STRIKE]done

- [STRIKE]create, stamp & post or hand deliver all christmas cards as above I acutally enjoy making them so will do that in a bit [/STRIKE]

edit to say that have run out of card making supplies so neighbours will have to have cheapo bought ones

-[STRIKE] pretend not to have forgotten posting one to offshore relative yep [/STRIKE]

-[STRIKE]
ensure that presents are sufficient & if not write list of what is still
needed will get what is given & be dam grateful so
[/STRIKE] done

-[STRIKE] hoover all rooms tomorrow next on my list [/STRIKE]done

- [STRIKE]wash floors [/STRIKE]" done

- [STRIKE]remove dust from visible surfaces " after hoovering [/STRIKE]done

-[STRIKE] clean bathroom & kitchen tomorrow [/STRIKE]done

- watch the dvd that's been sat here for a week or more in a bit rescheduled for tonight

- [STRIKE]transfer all relevant info into 2010 diary & start using it next thing to do[/STRIKE] done

-[STRIKE] ensure that all used online passwords are copied somewhere should pc have fatality over christmas as above [/STRIKE]done

- remind pc that it must not die before I have cleared my debts hourly

- start Crazy Clothes Challenge for 2010 thread thinking about it right now still thinking

- [STRIKE]reassess 2010 budget feasiblity it looks like crap & no fun at all so must be right :rolleyes:[/STRIKE] done

- [STRIKE]remove all paperwork from window sill, top of monitor & bin or file next, along with diary & passwords[/STRIKE] done

-[STRIKE] drink more gin taking this one very seriously :rotfl:still [/STRIKE]am now dry until works do tomorow night

-[STRIKE] sharpen claws & tongue in readyness for any annoyance oh yes, bring it on :cool:[/STRIKE]done

-[STRIKE] collect DD not for another 19 1/2 hours thank you 17 1/2 hours to go 5 hours to go, 3 now[/STRIKE] Done

Lula-Hula

I am getting there & the panic is subsiding.

The household chores are done on automatic pilot & although time consuming can be done via multitasking. The things that were bothering me were the headspace things that I can only cope with when uninterrupted.

Much as I love my friends & want to spend time with them; I really feel the forthcoming festive season is not the ideal space. It needs to be about family & resting & recharging & not having to work. I can spend the rest of the year seeing friends. My little girl is growing up & wont want to hang out with me for ever so I need to spend as much time as I can with her. I also want to help DD1 out with looking for car or lifts to work & back.

I have bought the stamps for the cards I need to make. I need to make them this weekend & post on monday because I bought second class stamps

I stocked up on my fave drinks as co op had some good offers :T I also got bargainous wrapping paper ... then found last year's stash & realised I didnt need any :doh:

I spent £33 on CC3 as my debit card wouldnt work - forgot about £100 transfer, double :doh:

The insurance refund has come back onto CC3 so it's not as bad as it might have been

I have downgraded my lovefilm package & have realised that both contents insurance & recovery are due next month. *Rubs hands in glee at thought of more Quidco cash, but remembers that 2 items have not yet tracked :rolleyes:*

Wanders off to snaffle more chocs from under the sofa ...

RosaBernicia

Good :grouphug:

and you're very right about Christmas being family time - except you're fabulous, remember, so DD may well be around for a long while yet . Wishing you and DD1 luck with car/ lifts situation.

Rosa xx

Horace

Lula..you need another trip to Primarni for t-towels they sell packs of around 4 for about £2 or £3 and they come with hanging loops.

I wrote my christmas cards tonight and stamped them all with second class stamps so I will bung them in the postbox tomorrow. Still have a pile of stuff to sort out and if I clear the dining table I can fold it up, take up that tatty free rug from off the skip and put down my shiny new one (well, its not really shiny but you know what I mean).

Oh flippin' norah..it is 00.44 and one of the neighbours has started playing ELO's Mr Blue Sky extremely loudly - not sure if its the dope heads downstairs or the strange girls that live upstairs that make wierd squeeking noises whilst their bed springs get a pounding:eek:

Am still not in the christmassy mood - I am now starting to see it as a chore..am away for the season itself but will be back after boxing day and will eat my chicken crown with plenty of sprouts:D