Just me, random skint not mint diary

brizzledfw

Good to hear you're out and about. Had weekend with friends and my mum fed us all today so very cheap there! Just had porridge and toast and marmite for tea and will have some fruit later...DDs and me settling in for the results show of SCD!

I am SO NOT NOT ready for Xmas..you are making me very envious..but also planning a low key one ..normally I go into a food preparation frenzy by about this week as we're away for Xmas it may well be pizza:rotfl:

penelopedee_2

Spends today = 1 sarnie (I know I should get up earlier!), brocoli and carrots.

£2 off the bill = £253 remaining

penelopedee_2

Not a lot going on at Pen Towers but that means not much spending either

Paid £12 in total off the bill over the last couple days = £241 remaining.

brizzledfw

Well done on not spending..especially during this festive time! Such strength of character!! X

penelopedee_2

Not spending this time of year (apart from pressies) had made me realise what a right load of carp I get conned into buying at Christmas. I'm skint, so I don't find wandering around the shops particularly comfortable at the moment - and its made a big difference.

I re-used the old xmas tree and just hid the broken bits at the back and propped it up with some folded cardboard. I raided the boxes of old decs in the roof and the tree looks lush now.

I've used up the old wrapping paper and cards that we had stashed from previous years and I've still got enough left for next year at least.

Home baking and meal planning has put a stop to overflowing shopping trolleys (although we have got twiglets and cheesefootballs stashed away ).

I haven't felt pressured into buying a new going out outfit as I know all too well that it will just be another black top with sparkly bits on. Whats the point - everyone else will have something similar on and no-one will remember next year To be honest, I can't afford to go far so not many people will see me.

Feeling nice and Christmassy in our house, looks no different to last year but I expect there is a few hundred less spent.

postingalwaysposting

Merry Christmas Pen, lovely to see youu in a new positive diary. I do agree with you that christmas doesn't need to be over the top. This year we have no decorations (moving house put paid to that) and presents are very thin this year by all sides of the family. That being said it has to be the best ever winter/chrfistmas so far, we arn't stressed and we are just enjoying each others company, thats christmas to me now

I hope you are ok Pen, not working too hard and rushing around pleasing all. Has DH got a job since I have last been on or is he still lokking? How is DS?

Take care :A

penelopedee_2

Merry Christmas Pap.

DH isn't working yet and we've had our ups and downs but he is going to do something after Christmas and he has started collecting application forms (at last). DS is a joy as always and absolutely loving the weather

I had a major money wobble in the early hours this morning but have pulled myself together and am coming up with a contingency plan (like usual). I've been off work for a couple of days with a cold and I think its given me too much free time to sit around and fret! Luckily there is a certain event happening at the end of the week to distract me.

So, my pull myself together list currently goes as:

1. DH to get sorted asap.
2. Juggle things around to make the best use of balance transfer rates etc

Thats enough for my mind to cope with this side of Chrimbo.

I'm going to take it easy today and then tomorrow I need to start baking cakes and biscuits for our Christmas Eve do.

DH and DS are going to be sent out to clear the pavement and drive and sweep my car off ready for the rest of the week so that should keep them out of my hair for a bit.

Bills are being paid on time, plenty of food in the cupboards and there is still a little in my purse so should be ok for the next couple of weeks

postingalwaysposting

Shame about OH Pen but its good that he is finally getting 'out there'. Such a pleasuure to hear about your son too I hope you have some time over Christmas to chill and have a few glasses of wine.

Take care of yourself, Merry Christmas :xmassmile

Pap

penelopedee_2

We've had a very good Christmas here so far, a nice quiet family one and everyone seems really happy.

I did end up getting a new tree, right at the last minute on Christmas Eve our local DIY shop had reduced them all down to under a tenner. So we now have a nice, unbroken one that actually fits in the corner of the living room.

I dragged myself out to to high street today and got a couple of light shades (Dad managed to break one with the Wii remote on Christmas Eve). Both were reduced and look good. I can't wait to decorate in the new year to tidy downstairs up.

Apart from that there are no massive spends to report. Everyone bought a bit of food round on Christmas Eve so with that and the meat I stash in the freezer we won't need groceries for a while.

DH is also seems to be happier and has done a couple of application forms in places where friends work so fingers crossed for the new year.

Generally its made a world of difference to us keeping spends to a minimum and having a low key Christmas

I've budgetted up to end of Jan and I know we have a little left that I could spend on days out this week if we wanted too. I suggested going to the cinema and DS gave me one of those looks, informing me there were plenty of films on TV this week we haven't seen yet - looks like I've been told

Choc-addict

Hi Pen,

Lovely to hear you had a nice Christmas. Did have a chuckle at your Dad damaging the light shades.. :rotfl:.....sounds like something I would do!

Choc xx