Pay off mortgage and start having fun!

themadvix

What a pity about the outings! But well done for staying off the alcohol and there's a nice incentive for you in all that extra cash! At least you're someone who appreciates that bonus effect!

newgirly

Thanks I did spend quite a bit of the booze savings, some on a couple of books about giving up for good and also on then spa pass which was great, defiantly want to do that on next year’s cruise

Home and uplacked and most washing done and dried on radiators as I needed a quick turnaround, house a bit grubby but not the worst I’ve seen it, even the £40 I left them all for a takeaway was still there :eek: I did spend some of it on a curry for the three of them tonight though as a treat.

newgirly

We are away again today, bath Xmas market for the night with best friend and hubbies. Unfortunately though the main bathroom can’t be used as the macerator is not working, hopefully it will be sorted by the builder next to work if he can spare one of his staff, and the kids will remember to not use it until it’s fixed!

Finances have not been touched since last week as I haven’t had time, topcashback seem to have paid £2.90 in today so I have overpaid that as well as £2.10 for yesterday , keeping up with the op a day theme

Weigh in last night and I put one pound on, which to be honest I was pretty pleased with after stuffing my face on the cruise must do better this week though.....

Still no drinking and I’m starting to become of interest to people I’ve told- mum says well done you should keep at it if you want to, although will you drink at Xmas? plus she’s commented that people might think its a bit extreme therefore may look like I have a drink problem :eek:

Luckily I have a thick skin and am happily carrying on and feeling the benefits

Moneyfordreams

Well done to you .. great will power :T:T:

themadvix

Nothing wrong with not drinking at Christmas - doesn't mean you have a problem! Just say you'd prefer a clear head as you're catering for everyone this year (I think?). If you're feeling the benefits, share them too! Others might start to join you

newgirly

Thanks mfd’s and Vix I am catering Xmas day, but think I’ll go down the route of saying I feel better not drinking. It will make some people feel uncomfortable I know, but quite honestly I will take that as a reflection of them worrying about their drinking, it’s the sort of thing that would have bothered me in the past actually. I guess Xmas is the point I have to say I don’t want to drink again, there will be no hiding it!

We had a very boozy day wandering round the town and stopping for lunch/drinks/ dinner/after dinner drinks! I worried a little that I would feel a killjoy but not for long as I’m entitled to do exactly what I want!

The hotel We are staying in is rather lovely and is five star which Is swisher than we usually pay for, but was cheaper than the four star we originally booked :T

No Black Friday shopping at all this year, the kids seem to want t’shirts of bands nobody has ever heard of so not mainstream and easily bought in the sales.

Hope everyone’s has a good weekend, I have not caught up on diaries for ages

newgirly

It’s been a tiring week, still not caught up yet but am at home for some of the day today.

Op made yesterday for £1 and £4.80 today - cashback that went in the current account, I’m looking forward to adding up the total Tilly tidies this month

Feeling a bit overwhelmed with having so much to do this year both socially and hosting Xmas, I think I need to spend some time today checking the finances and doing lists to help spread the load

This week it’s a day out with dd to see phantom (not sure what else yet) , a girls Xmas meal round a friends and we all taking some food (not sure what yet a small I’ve only a small window from getting home from work, cooking and getting there!). Plus another Harry Potter studio tour with dd :T on top of an already busy week.

Shouldn’t complain I guess, but feeling tired just thinking about it :rotfl::rotfl:

Today’s plans are:

Check finances - no idea what’s what this month so far

Meet mum and aunt for coffee at shops

Finish unpacking and washing

newgirly

Fiinances checked over late last night finally and I whilst the credit card is already at £678 (out of a £700 pm budget until 6th Dec) there is a surplus in the current account of £330, after I made a £5 op today.

There is also £76 left for Xmas food and the £120 needed to pay the balance on the ordered food at m and s.

All going ok really so far, however I should think my various social outings will seriously dig into the surplus - especially the expensive group meal out in Notting hill

Did an Ocado shop Monday and got £20 off a £60 spend, plus shopped very carefully for offers (and not drink which makes a big difference! ). I have a feeling we scrape by until the end of the year

CathT

Alcohol really makes a dent in the supermarket shopping. Great steady progress here and those Tilly tidies really do make a difference.

newgirly

I’m beginning to realise just how much Cath :eek: probably won’t save much actually socialising at this time of year as it’s meals out and I would split the bill in a group, new year onwards though hopefully I’ll be in the money

The kids were much amused at the Ocado delivery (am I that tight usually?!) and asked why the neighbours food delivery was knocking at out door - cheeky whatsits :rotfl: we are more Iceland than Waitrose like our neighbours.....

£7.56 op made tonight for tomorrow :dance: The diet was going fabulously until Dd’s Boyfriend arrived with the biggest two bags of large chips I’ve ever seen , which I had to help out with

Not much else to report, a bit of online xmas shopping done - £67 for a hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy vinyl for ds2 :eek: plus one of those giant lindor balls for £10 in mr t for ds1. I’m getting there gradually!

Not sure what to ask for myself - when asked obviously, I’m not some verrucca salt type My only frugal present request one year was cheap bubble bath, lots of it and not posh stuff. People don’t want to buy the cheap stuff though. Does anyone have any ideas except perhaps gift cards which come in handy? Alcohol is a usual stocking filler and I don’t want that this time, I’m really stuck for ideas but want things to help when cutting back financially next year as we need to get back on track.