Starting my journey

choogirl

Christmas shopping is going well, I am trying to buy at least one present a day. I haven't managed to wrap them yet as the cat likes to "help" me.:rotfl:

I'm finding it time consuming writing it all down and reconciling it back to my main figure but it will be worthwhile as I am so determined not to overspend this year. Thats the accountant in me - everything has to balance back!

choogirl

boysma wrote: »

Have you tried the old style boards for meal planning and cutting down on your grocery bills?

Thank you Boysma
I had a look at these boards and again they are fantastic, some ideas though are a little too frugal even for me. I can just imagine my DH face if I suggested some of the hints/tips on there but I will definitely be trying some of their recipes and hints x:T

boysma

choogirl wrote: »

Christmas shopping is going well, I am trying to buy at least one present a day. I haven't managed to wrap them yet as the cat likes to "help" me.:rotfl:

QUOTE]

How many presents do you have to buy? I am off work on Monday so hoping to finish shopping then.

Two weeks today to Christmas Eve:eek:

choogirl

Hi Boysma

Thats a sensible idea taking a day off. I have got quite alot of presents still to buy, I am trying to buy at least one a day. I have an exam this week so need to revise, once the exam is done I am going to wrap everything and assess what I still need to buy. I will then have a manic shopping day on Friday and hopefully get everything finished.

I purchased wine yesterday and took advantage of a certain supermarkets 3 for £10 offer. I was pleasantly surprised though as there were £7 and £8 bottles included in the deal so I managed to get decent bottles.
I can't believe how quickly Christmas has come round, one minute its the end of September and now its 2 weeks to the big day. Enjoy your day off I hope that you get everything on your list.:santa2:

choogirl

I've had a good week I have joined the flylady thread and can highly recommend it. It is helping to keep me organised although I ran out of steam by the end of the week.

I have had confirmation that 3 credit card accounts have now been cancelled which is great news.

Our finances are alot more organised and tidy which is fantastic. A friend of mine has revealed how much she spends on food and drink just for Christmas Day and I was horrified. It would feed my family for 2 months, its obscene. I know that her Christmas dinner is not going to taste any different to ours but I will be spending a fraction of what she spends and non of it will be on a credit card.

I had a lovely treat this week which was getting my eyebrows threaded, abit of pain but now have gorgeous eyebrows. My DS asked whether it was the most painful thing I have ever done, err no I don't think so, giving birth to you takes that slot:rotfl:

boysma

Yeah just checked my lottery ticket and won another tenner (won on Wed night too). If only those 6 numbers would come up:)

Eyebrow threading sounds painful - what does it entail exactly? Dont even like getting mine waxed!

DS1 was staying home last night (he is 23 and lives in another town with friends) so it was a lovely cosy family night. DS2 is 13 but they are really close.

I know what you mean about some people going mad spending just for one day (mind you that would have been me in the past:(). I am getting my turkey crown, ham and trimmings from the butcher this year. I reckon it will be cheaper and far better quality than any supermarket deals. Will be stocking up on that wine offer too.:beer:

choogirl

Well done for winning 2 x £10 on the lottery, I have joined our work syndicate but have had no luck yet.

Threading is done by using cotton and they seem to double it up, put it on your brow and then just pull. It causes abit of discomfort but its really quick. They recommend that you go every 4 weeks but due to the pain and cost I go every 8 weeks.

I might try our local butchers, its so much nicer to give them the business rather than my usual supermarket who employs Mr Oliver. I am going to buy all my veg from the local farm shop and will just then need bits & pieces from the supermarket.

Family time is lovely, we're all going to sit and watch Elf tonight, I love that film.

Enjoy your shopping day

choogirl

New Years Resolution is to get myself better organised for the morning mayhem.

I dread getting out of bed when I know that there are pack ups to be made, shoes and coats to find, organise the evenings meal, damn I have forgotten to take the mince out of the freezer for tonight!

When I do manage to organise myself the night before it makes life so much easier. I also need to do all my ironing in one go as well and not just half an hour here or there as this morning DD didn't have a school blouse ironed luckily I managed to find an ironed white polo shirt for her to wear.
I am super organised at work and studying but can't seem to adopt the same mantra for home. I come to work for relaxation and to leave my chaotic homelife behind.
If I could compare myself to anything it would be a duck, swimming along calmly but underneath the surface frantically paddling away.
I WILL ORGANISE MYSELF BETTER IN 2011

choogirl

Thought of 2 more resolutions whilst walking round the supermarket earlier

1) Stop all the family eating - that would save me £3000 a year
2) Stop the kids growing

Sadly neither are going to be achievable :wall:

I need to work out my January budget and repayments tonight, I am not looking forward to it.

choogirl

Yay finally finished my shopping, just enjoying a glass of cheeky red whilst wrapping my presents.

OH is out tonight so its just me and the cat wrapping pressies. Mr Mog went to the vets for his booster today and the vet couldn't believe how much he had grown. Mr Mog was tiny when we got him at 8 weeks old and even I didn't think that something so tiny and tiddly could survive. He is a gorgeous pedigree boy and I love him to bits he's definitely a Mummys boy.

Better go and get my cake out of the oven x