We are about to pull the purse strings soooo tight!

Alice_in_Poorland

Have done meter readings this morning and we have used £47 (gas & elec) over the last 2 weeks. That is a quite an increase, we've haven't had the heating on, the only thing extra is the lights now that the nights are drawing in. Dinner by candle light me thinks!

Yesterday was hectic, didn't buy coffee or bacon sandwich at sports club but did get a couple of pizzas for tea from sburys, and we needed cat food. I'm going shopping for the week this morning armed with a list.....and the list is not very long so we'll see.:o

Have pegged a couple of loads out, really want to avoid having to use the airer if I can, its so depressing having the washing hanging everywhere.

I'm going to bank my 20p and £2 pot so I can start the christmas shopping, I've got a couple I things I need to order online. I will carry on saving them though.:)

Hope everybody has a good day.xx

Alice_in_Poorland

We'll that's Monday over with. A nsd, no idea where we are at with them, will need to check back, only number 5 or 6 I think.

Managed some exercise tonight, took the dog for a brisk walk for an hour.:)

Have been asked about works Christmas party. Tickets cost £25, don't really fancy it to be honest and we can't really afford it.:(

Nothing else to report........which is good in a way!

xx

Baileys_Babe

Regarding the Christmas do, don't go if you don't fancy it, you'll only spend the evening thinking about the better ways you could of spent the money & remember there is the additional costs like an outfit, drinks, transport. You could always say you can't afford due to needing to buy ds' s flights. If you are likely to want to go next year try and find a way to guesstimate how much you'll need and put something by each month or fund it from additional earnings or cash back etc. That way you can still join in if you want to with out trying to stretch the existing budget still further.

Alice_in_Poorland

Baileys_Babe wrote: »

Regarding the Christmas do, don't go if you don't fancy it, you'll only spend the evening thinking about the better ways you could of spent the money & remember there is the additional costs like an outfit, drinks, transport. You could always say you can't afford due to needing to buy ds' s flights. If you are likely to want to go next year try and find a way to guesstimate how much you'll need and put something by each month or fund it from additional earnings or cash back etc. That way you can still join in if you want to with out trying to stretch the existing budget still further.

Thanks Baileys Babe, you're right it's not just the price of the ticket (already subsidised by the company), it's everything that goes with it, outfit, drinks, hiring OHs outfit and there is always a charity auction or raffle and that is never cheap, usually table number on £20/£10 notes each person. (I do always put to the charity things that go in during the year).

Also I don't feel comfortable competing with the 'lettuce leaf girls', not only will they spend a fortune on their frocks, shoes etc, nails and hair too and they will look fabulous......which is all completely out of my league.......if you get my drift.:o

xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Have sat down with OH tonight and gone through the budget pound by pound and spends for October. I think he could finally see what's what!

It's not very often he has a look at the budget/spending diary so made the most of it.

Think we've made a bit of progress.:)

xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Have been very MSE this morning and cancelled my hair appointment for next week. I re-booked whilst I was there last time to get a suitable time but I'm going to try and last out a few more weeks.

OH, DS2 and DS3 are all off to the barbers this week so that's going to wipe the haircut budget out......but at least the kids will look smart for their school photos......which I hope are good as I'm thinking Christmas presents.;)

xx

amber03

If you don't want to go to the xmas do , then don't. I decided a couple of years to stop going to mine, when I added up the cost of everything , I decided I would rather spend the money on something I would rather do or keep it in my account. Usually the outfit I bought I never wore again. Now me and a few friends from work go to the pub and have a pub meal usually on a sunday night a couple of weeks after xmas. We have a lovely catchup as some of us work different shifts, drink if we want to, don't get drunk and make a fool of ourselves and generally have a good time.x

Alice_in_Poorland

amber, that sounds like a good night. There is always something going on here so I could go on one of the 'cheaper' nights out, although to be honest I'm not that fussed.;)

Last night I had to get petrol and in the shop at the garage the bread was half price and I found a pack of 'proper' tea bags in the clearance bin for 50p. (we've been having 'basic' teabags which have been OK but you can't beat a proper cup of tea.:rotfl:)

OH has somehow managed to go over his allowance on his phone.....ggrrrr.......one step forward with him then two back.:(

xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Went to sburys tonight, spent £43. Managed to get £10 worth of meat for £2.50 with some money off vouchers I had.:)

Have ordered 2 Christmas presents, so at least i've made a start!

Nothing major planned this weekend, just usual sports clubs and housework.:(

xx

JellyBox

Hi Alice, I've just finished reading your diary from the start and you are an inspiration. I am not a DFW, and have never owed more than a £1k overdraft, but when I try to imagine myself in your situation I don't think I could cope like you have, and do! I got here by an accidental click on my way down to another forum, but if you don't mind, I'd like to hang around and see how your journey continues.

Keep up the good work,

JB x