Our attempt at being MF!!

CathT

Well I had great plans for today but am just relieved I have done some of my to do list. The main things I wanted to do were; go to the gym, buy a wreath with lights for the front door and wrap and hide Christmas presents! My wreath was a bargain at £10.50.

I've worked out our weekend spends and money shuffled. Still stoozing credit card as much as possible and sent payments over. We have incurred £40 interest this month which needs to reduce.

We absolutely need a series of NSD's now. All Christmas presnets have been bought, one is en route which still needs wrapping but then we are done. Our main food shop won't be extortionate. We won't buy things just because it's Christmas. I remember my mum filling two supermarket trollies for the Christmas shop. I do have an £8 mr s voucher so may do an online one for next week if there are any delivery slots.

16p Tilly tidy from account ready to pay for this months piano lessons. May be some excess depending on which weeks they have off for Christmas break. 25p on youg0v today aswell. Am checking it regularly in the hope I'll be able to cash out soon.

Will be setting a strict budget to at least see us through to the weekend. I'd like to keep the existing budget intact if I can. Anyone else got any mini challenges on the go?


December spends
Supermarket £75.14
Fuel £62.50

apple_muncher

I've set myself a list of 19 before 19 things to do - think I got it from XSpender. However, I've not made it public! It's made up of do-able items, rather then big ones. And it's only 16 items thus far...


Have a read of the NST december thread maybe, for ideas (I wrote it, so be kind!)

CathT

apple_muncher wrote: »

I've set myself a list of 19 before 19 things to do - think I got it from XSpender. However, I've not made it public! It's made up of do-able items, rather then big ones. And it's only 16 items thus far...


Have a read of the NST december thread maybe, for ideas (I wrote it, so be kind!)

Thanks apple, I've been working my way through that one but always fall behind as it moves so fast!


Made another tilly tidy today of 50p from account and £2 that I expected to spend today but ended up not needing to. TT's are definitely helping me to remain motivated this month and I can't wait to knock an extra month off the end date of the mortgage. Single figures to payday and we have got a generous daily spend remaining (don't intend on spending it :rotfl:)


Went to see dd at a school concert this evening, the whole production was excellent and it was a good reminder of just how hard children and teachers work.I am expecting some tired children by the end of the week though.


Plan for the rest of the evening is a low cal hot chocolate and the rest of last nights Christmas film. Not feeling as festive as I was and sometimes struggle this time of year so some self-care needs to be a priority for me.

CathT

Another day of plodding.

Spotted an account had gone overdrawn this morning by a small amount so transferred money to correct that. Made an overpayment of £20.05 which was made up of a Tilly tidy and leftover piano lesson money.

I ordered some craft items and unfortunately two of them won't be sent so will be having a refund for those. Be a shame not to have them but not a huge problem. Will overpay that money as soon as it is refunded. Those stocking holders would have looked very nice though!

Found another 41p in a bills account so have overpaid that and will update spreadsheet tomorrow. With that and the refund knocking off that month is so close. I'm really pleased we've managed to make such good progress this month. If only my exercise and nutrition was as focused!

50p on y0ugov today and apart from money shuffling we have had a NSD. A few more days like this and there should be no pre-payday lull.

I should have an early night but have just put a n3tflix series on so we shall see!

CathT

63p Tilly tidy to round up today's food shop. That's about the extent of my efforts today as all looking quiet on y0ugov and still waiting for a PayPal refund I have chased up. Budget looking okay but it's the school fayre tomorrow and those kinds of things tend to haemorrhage money. It's definitely damage limitation and one child not wanting to go is definitely a good start!

We are entering a weekend with no plans which suits me. Weather forecast not looking great (may be a bit of snow) and I think we could all do with a rest and just enjoying time at home.

<goes to check PayPal>

CathT

Forgot to add in spends and can't edit on my phone

December spends
Supermarket £93.51
Fuel £72.50

CathT

Happy Friday! Not much report apart from buying £10 fuel, overpaying the £16 refund as soon as it arrived and 50p on y0ugov yesterday. DH did manage to spend £15 at the school fayre though. However, not long until payday and account looking relatively healthy so may be able to squeeze another OP by Friday. Spreadsheet showing £22.22 to knock off a month so with the power of compounding it's definitely possible.


Also won 10p on tcb giveaway.


Planning an inexpensive weekend and don't want to venture far, it has been so cold today and wintry showers forecast tomorrow. Might get the elf to deliver some craft items this evening to keep us busy over the weekend.

CathT

Have had a lovely day at home and haven't needed to be anywhere which is great. Have overpaid the 10p tcb and will transfer to relevant account when it arrives.

After a slow start and a bacon and egg toastie with several cups of coffee managed to deep clean the shower room, clean window and patio door in kitchen, do 2 loads of washing and pull sofa out (hubby did this) and hoover behind it. Have also done some lovely Christmas craft activities and watched half a Christmas film.

None of us have stepped foot out of the house today which has resulted in a much needed day of rest and also means we haven't spent a penny. In fact, I've found 9p doing housework today!!

Downshifterella

Slow morning fuelled by coffee sounds like heaven!

Well done on the 9p find Cath!
A weekend doing nothing sounds fantastic ( and just what is needed if the weather forecast is right!)

CathT

Hi Ella, I have a similar day planned again today!


Have been surprisingly productive for a Sunday morning, budget looking healthy enough for us to march strongly into payday this week so overpaid £17.92 off the mortgage to knock off another month. Current end date is now March 2028 (was Jan 2030) when we bought the house and we did have a period years ago of being interest only when I was on maternity leave with our eldest. (the things we used to do!) I've also managed to shade in another square in my house picture so really feel like we are making good progress. It's good to know that even without any more overpayments our mortgage would be finished in just over 9 years.


Logged into my b*gas account yesterday to see they have increased our dd by £11 but I've kept this surplus in the budget from when they reduced it last time. I did send them £50 a couple of weeks ago to avoid this but I guess at £94 a month for gas and electricity we are not spending a huge amount for a larger than average 4 bed house.


Sorted out food cupboards yesterday and have done a rough meal plan for this week so that we only buy what we actually need and have plenty of room for Christmas food.


Spent yesterday doing Christmas craft ( a felt tree and good old fashioned paper chains) with the children and doubt I have many years left of them wanting to do that so I'm definitely trying to soak up the build up and excitement. Am still waiting for some crafty items to arrive so I'm really hoping they're here tomorrow.


Hope you've all got fun/restful/peaceful Sundays planned.