SAHM paying off debts slowly

debtfreewannabe321

slm6002 wrote: »

I need a little help - what can i buy daughters boyfriend - only needs to be something little but a little thoughtful. They are only 6 but he has bought her some lovely best friend friendship bracelets (£5 worth as ticket still on back). Only 2 days to go before we break up for the holidays - help please

Awww how sweet :smileyhea

umm i've never had to buy pressies for son's friends or gf's as he refuses to tell me if he has one lol so i don't really know :huh:

But if you don't want to spend a lot how bout a nice pack of sweeties or something wrapped in some paper she has designed herself (i.e been let loose with some felt tips on)! or you could make one of your gifts (crayon wrap etc) with his name on for him, that would be nice and also advertising for your business

sorry i really wasn't any help :rotfl: couldn't read and run though!

slm6002

Thanks for that - mum suggested a chocolate plaque type thing with message from her on it. Think thorntons do them but might try my own. They really are so cute to watch. He came up to her in playgound during the summer with a bunch of dasies he had picked for her. He has obviously had some good training so far. Cant remember the last time my OH bought me flowers or a pressie!

debtfreewannabe321

omg what a little sweetie, awwwwwwwwww, your mum has the best idea so far i reckon!! good thinking on that you can get sets in sainsburys for writing on cakes or biscuits i think although i doubt a small one from thorntons won't be too much xx

slm6002

Ok all shopping other than food now done. I am a little worried about the food shopping as i have no room in the freezer. I have been trying to clear it but i am not getting very far. I really need to do the job that i have been putting off and clean it out to see whats actually in there. Might have a hicken hiding somewhere that i can use for xmas day - only a few of us and cheaper than turkey.

Have got nativity play this afternoon and according to all of the mums and dads that went yesterday i will need some tissues. They were all so proud of their little ones. I cant wait.

I really must wrap all pressies as that will put my mind at rest that i havent forgotten anyone. Also need to find kids xmas stockings. I havent seen them with the xmas stuff that came out of loft so will have to have a think where i have hidden them ?

Anyway off to do something constructive before lunch

slm6002

Ok a little summary of 2011 as were nearly at the new year. Things have been up and down and good and bad throughout the year. Money has come and gone, and although were not rich we are getting sorted now we are on dmp. I have set up new years budget spreadsheet and plan on trying to stick to it. It is quite tight so dont really have any other option other than to stick to it

As all xmas bit now bought and i only bought reduced cards for next years, i can stop spending on things not in my budget. I am ahead and have all pressies for birthdays for now til mid march, plus also have money in budgets for this although not much. Have signed up to money neutral birthdays and xmas for next year so hope to do some surveys etc to break even in this area

OH hasnt given me any money this week but has paid for shopping and petrol etc so i guess that will do. He has swapped a car battery (from his banger cars - so free) for a car dvd player so he has something to do when on nights out in his truck. Think he will try to stay out more often now!

He has also sold the mini that has been sitting in the garage for almost a year. This money will go straight to his sister as he owes her money for helping to fix truck not so long back. I wish had got more for mini but at least once its gone his stuff can be moved from driveway to garage - it looks like we live on a scrap yard at the moment. I am not a snob but i would like house to look nice from the outside as its a nice area and we are certainly letting the side down. Oh to be able to park car on drive - simple things

I am going to take tree down today as little one is crawling well now and every time i leave the room she heads straight over to tree to play and remove baubles! I need clean house to have a fresh start to this money saving / debt paying business. 2012 is going to be a good year (weell thats what i keep telling myself anyway).

Goals for 2012

-Clear kids toys and clothes and sell unwanted. Money into saving pot
-Make real effort to advertise Avon so i can make more profit
-Try to loose weight - about 3 stone would be perfect !
-Meal plan more and shop less, especially when i only need 1 item and come out with more than i need
-Surveys and more surveys to be celebration neutral
-Stick to budget and put money in the emergency fund
-Be ready for xmas next year - normally am but money worries this year ment i left it to last minute - not again x

I will leave it there for now as your probably all to bored of reading. Just a quick thanks though for all of your support over the last year. It really is appreciated as i cant talk to friends in 'real life' sometimes if that makes sense

Happy new year to you all x

debtfreewannabe321

Hi slm

I hope you had a fab christmas

Which survey sites are you signed up to? I've only got a few i regularly do as found others to be a waste of time so if you have any good recommendations i'm all ears

Some great new year goals there! I'm with you on the weight loss one but sadly have no real motivation :eek: ! Also want to get as many vouchers as possible this coming year to pay for 2012 christmas so we'll have to compare notes!

dfw x

slm6002

I am workking through the list on the 1st page of the money neutral xmas and birthday thread for 2012. Join up with us and keep motivated. Some of them are earning into the thousands. Not sure i can do that but will give it a go I normally go with pin**one and swag bucks currently. There are a few others that i am with but need to remember passwords as set them up a while ago - whoops again

We had a lovely xmas thanks but all decorations now down and ready for the loft - hoping OH will do this before he returns to work. Quite looking forward like you to getting back to normal with school and everything. Little one currently has an ear infection, back teeth coming through plus this cough/cold thats going round so is having a rough time of it at the mo. Hoping the other 2 dont come down with anything although my DD sounds like she is. Am upping the Vit c and keeping fingers crossed it will just move past her!

Anyway i have a pile of rubbish in the middle of the floor after sweeping behind the sofas (its been a while) so i guess i should get off here and start sorting it

debtfreewannabe321

ooh if you ever get a referral link for p1necone pls send me one lol i've tried to get joined up before and they were having none of it without a referral lol xx

savingholmes

Happy New Year SLM = stay on track and have fun

slm6002

Ok so we are a fair way into January now and i have had a good few days -money wise and 'to do list' wise.

I have managed my and OH tax returnes
Cleared out rubbish cupboard - formally known as office / understair cupboard. I hide things in here as now i have laptop i dont need to be in there and i need somewhere to stuff when visitors are expected! Anyway i couldnt find OH p60 and i knew it was in there somewhere so after emptying it and filling many many rubbish and recycling bags i looked up at the notice board and what was ther in the safe place - you got it his P60. So his tax return now sent off plus mine. Plus he is due £50 ish back :j

Next thing was i have finally finished my 1st assignment. Its been sitting there and i had made notes etc but had not quite got round to writing it in the actual booklet. That will be in the post tomorrow.

I have made £10 on facebook this week by selling a few bits. Also got to grips with my budget. I have had a few spends that dont really fit into budget such as xmas cards et for next year but they can come out of birthday/xmas fund when i take it out at the end of the month. Nothing too bad has gone out. Also had a quite promising 1st campaign of the new year with avon. Considering its a poor month for most i got more customers than i thought.

Well must get to bed as really tired. Night night