To remind myself how far I've come - my debt diary. - SOA added

chocaholic110

Aargh! The Christmas tree fell over! Cue pine needles, bits and sap everywhere. I've stood it back up but the presents that were underneath it are soaking (luckily I didn't put under the presents that are going to other people's houses). Stood it up, cleaned up, now need to put nearly all the decorations back on it!

chocaholic110

tattycath - just noticed your updated post. I don't think Boots vouchers go out of date. I kept mine for over a year before I used them this year.

The link for the Free Christmas Challenge is here - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=613251

Hi, Lunar, was just reading your diary. You sound fairly upbeat - are you all set for Christmas now?

lunar

yep, all ready. just a few bits to get form the supermarket still. hopefully i can find a quiet time to go. hope you have managet to get the christmas tree back how it was.

chocaholic110

I was hoping to get away with not going to the supermarket at all. We usually go on a Friday night but at the moment on a weekend my Mam is contracted to providing plates of food for the local Santa Express. We went and helped put up 270 plates of food on saturday night and we're going back Friday, saturday and possibly Sunday next weekend to do the same so won't get to Asda. We don't need a lot though, especially as we don't cook Christmas lunch. Asda just started delivering to our village (we're almost entering the 21st century) and I have a free delivery code so might just do it that way.

The tree is up but not sure it looks as good as it did and I'm on tenterhooks in case it falls again. Typically OH is not home tonight to make sure it's secure (mind you, he secured in the first place!)

chocaholic110

Well, just dropped DD off at school and she's grumpy and tearful and not wanting to go today; not like her at all - she's the child I have who likes school!

Not got a lot on today - just bits and pieces really. Need to have a tidy up but I'm sure everywhere will look better once I've ran the vacuum over. Thought I would get away with not doing upstairs but there is dried mud all over DS's floor.

Going to do it on the half hour on / half hour off but not going to attempt the whole house, in fact think some half hours on might not be too strenuous at all.

Here's the plan:

10-10.30 - [strike]put load in washing machine, do living room, vacuum stairs[/strike]
11-11.30 - [strike]kitchen[/strike]
12-12.30 - [strike]quick wipe bathroom, quick vacuum upstairs[/strike]
1-2 [strike]Label ebay parcels,[/strike] [strike]go into town and post them, pay cheque in bank, collect library book[/strike]
2.30-3 [STRIKE]Wrap the parcels for kids that are in my wardrobe (most are at OH's Grandma's house, must get them back soon or will be wrapping all Christmas Eve)[/STRIKE]
3.30 - 4 [STRIKE]Ironing[/STRIKE]

I've already set the dishwasher away and emptied the bin in an attempt to pretend I've done something. But meanwhile...the kettle beckons, I think!

tattycath

Good morning everyone. I have finally got booked in at the hairdressers on thursday morning-so that'l be £30 gone!! I'm consoling myself with the fact that when I go to hairdressers I actually do look like I need a haircut!!! desperately, haven't had mine cut since before summer!!! OMG that's really bad isn't it??!! Got to have it done as at a friend's wedding at weekend, toying with idea of having a facial too, unless some kind person on here can recommend a home facial that I can do myself and will be much cheaper??? Any advice greatly appreciated. Must get my eyebrows done though, I can't bear to do gthem myself so that'l be another £4. Not very OS is it?? but I can't remember the last time i pampered myself...at all. I normally run round like a headless chicken after the kids and make sure other half is ok and not run out of stuff. When it comes to doing something for me I feel so guilty about all the money already spent on everyone else that I don't bother for myself. Kids have had their hair cut twice each in last 6 months-that was £70 and that was the cheapest place I could find £17.50 each, just for a cut.!!! sorry I'm rambling a bit now!!! gotta go be back later.

Lucy1982_2

tattycath wrote: »

toying with idea of having a facial too, unless some kind person on here can recommend a home facial that I can do myself and will be much cheaper??? Any advice greatly appreciated.

Hi!

Home facial....

Porridge oats with a bit of water make a wonderful face scrub, a nice bowl of hot water to steam your pores (maybe put some aromatherpy oils in it) and you can buy individual face masks for about 89p. Much cheaper and it all lasts.

I do have a step by step guide but it's somewhere at home.

chocaholic110

Ack, don't even mention haircuts. It's ages since I've had mine done and it desperately needs doing. I am fairly sure my hairdresser will be booked up until Christmas though but must make myself go in early January. Luckily, my hair is long so I just tie it up each day and forget about it. I do sometimes wonder if OH would prefer me to be a bit more glam but he never mentions anything, maybe he's just given up hope by now.

We have a fairly low key Christmas planned with only family things to go to, whuch is good because not only is my hair a mess, I am rapidly running out if clothes that fit, and refusing to buy any with only 6 weeks to go. Basically, if it's somewhere where I can't go in maternity jeans then I don't go!

If you're going to a wedding though I think you can justify a haircut and £4 for eyebrows done. Think how good you'll feel afterwards!

chocaholic110

Well, did as much as I'd planned to do today. Didn't get all the presents wrapped or all the ironing done but did half an hour of each so i'm sure it can wait until tomorrow. Pretty much housebound tomorrow as Sky man is coming to put a new box in in the morning and Asda are delivering in the afternoon. Got a midwife appointment after that but apart from that wil be in all day. House looks pretty clean and tidy so as long as OH doesn't come home tonight and mess it all up should be able to have a quiet day tomorrow.

Collected a library book I'd reserved while in town, bought some luxury mince pies at the co-op. Planning to sit down and relax with both aforementioned items and watch Strictly Come Dancing:It Takes Two. Aren't I pleased by small pleasures!!

Mad_with_money

Hi Chocoholic, thought I'd say hello and well done for paying off an amazing amount in just over a year, and on a teaching salary too!!! My baby number 3 is 14 weeks old now and with 3 under 5 years (well the oldest is 5) I have stepped out of the classroom for a while!!

Good luck with your impending arrival, and enjoy your evening - sounds perfect to me!!