Muchin's diary of recover; becoming debt free and being happy

Munchin

Hi all

Feeling much better today and managed to fit in a Pilates class. I haven't started any of my Xmas shopping but I don't have tons to buy so I think I will drag Mum to shops next Monday and I will start it then.

I've cleared my signature on here as it's time to start my challenges fresh for 2015. I managed to save just over £2000 in 2014 and I would like to at least double next year. My first priority is to save money for my car tax, insurance and rates which are all due in April/May time.

I need to stay on top of the spending in December as we get paid early and January will be a very long month.

Planned spends w/c 30 Nov

Sun - £5 - paper & charity collecton
Mon - £5 airport carparking
Tues - £30 beauticians & £30 car (MOT)
Wed - £10 Lunch
Thurs - NSD
Fri - £20 eating out
Sat - £30 groceries

Total = £130

Munchin

Hi all

I've been out in the cold helping OH put up scaffolding and generally being his no 2:).

My Mum has been away visiting friends so I have a house to clean tomorrow from top to bottom -

Plans tmw

• Clean house
• iron clothes mountain
• Get car ready for MOT.

Spends so far -

Planned spends w/c 30 Nov

Sun - [STRIKE]£5[/STRIKE] - £8 :opaper & charity collecton

Total =£8/£130

Munchin

Hi all

Very productive day today and now I'm sitting here trying to get nephew to do is homework and I think I'm losing the battle:).

I went for a run but had to wait for the morning to get a bit brighter. I then got my car washed underneath for its MOT tomorrow. I bought some groceries for my Mum coming home and cleaned the house from top to bottom and did a mountain of ironing.

MOT appointment printed of and all my documents ready to go tomorrow. I probably say it every year but you would think that it was me that was getting tested.

Planned spends w/c 30 Nov

Sun - £5 - £8 :opaper & charity collecton
Mon - [STRIKE]£5[/STRIKE] £26.64 carparking, groceries & MOT wash.

Total =£34.64/£130

Munchin

Hi all

Good news my car passed it's MOT and all it cost me was the price of the MOT (£30.50) car wash (£14), oil (£15) and screenwash (£3) and I know my car is roadworthy for another year:). If it had failed it could have been so much worse.

I also went to the beauticians today and got some pampering in preparation for the Xmas parties this weekend. I'm so dreading my voluntary AGM tomorrow but once it is over I can relax into Xmas. I'm also going to have lunch with a friend so that will be some more pennies out of the purse.

I have 1 Xmas pressie bought - woo hoo - that is progress.

Planned spends w/c 30 Nov

Sun - £5 - £8 :opaper & charity collecton
Mon - £5 £26.64 carparking, groceries & MOT wash.
Tues - £[STRIKE]30[/STRIKE] £31 beauticians & £4 work raffle

Total =£69.64/£130

Munchin

Hi all

A wee update on my Xmas spending - [STRIKE]to be honest I've only bought one thing and I overspent on it[/STRIKE] and I seem to be adding to my list and not reducing it...oops:o

Xmas spending :xmassmile-

• OH - £80
• [STRIKE]Mum -£100 (includes food shopping)[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]Sister 1 & 2[/STRIKE]- [STRIKE]£40[/STRIKE] - £40
  
• [STRIKE]nephews & nieces [/STRIKE]- [STRIKE]£60[/STRIKE] - £97
  
• [STRIKE]Niece birthday pressie[/STRIKE] - £[STRIKE]20[/STRIKE] - £21.50
• [STRIKE]Uncle [/STRIKE]- £[STRIKE]20[/STRIKE] - £20
  
• [STRIKE]rest of family[/STRIKE] - £[STRIKE]30[/STRIKE] - £25
  
• Xmas dinners - £60
• [STRIKE]Xmas cards/wrapping & stamps[/STRIKE] - £[STRIKE]10[/STRIKE] -£13.50
  
• [STRIKE]Running buddy[/STRIKE] - £[STRIKE]20[/STRIKE]/£8
• [STRIKE]work[/STRIKE] -£[STRIKE]10[/STRIKE]/£19.50
• [STRIKE]friends 40th[/STRIKE] - [STRIKE]£25[/STRIKE]/£15.99
  

Total - £360.49/475

Munchin

Hi all

I finally started the Xmas shopping and managed to do most of it today. I'm getting my brother's families wine and small selection boxes for the kids so there was a good bit spent in Asda this evening. I've even put money in a gift card for my sisters birthday in Jan. I just want it all sitting ready to go. I only have to buy for OH and I think I know what he wants but he has to narrow it down a bit.

I had an AGM today and then went to lunch with a friend afterwards followed by a bit more volunteering - so quite a productive day. Unfortunately I still have the minutes to do from the meeting .

I haven't managed an NSD so far in Dec but hopefully tomorrow will be the start. I'm in the notion to go to bed early as it was a bit of a mad day.

Planned spends w/c 30 Nov

Sun - £[STRIKE]5[/STRIKE] - £8 :opaper & charity collecton
Mon - £[STRIKE]5[/STRIKE] £26.64 carparking, groceries & MOT wash.
Tues - £[STRIKE]30[/STRIKE] £31 beauticians & £4 work raffle
Wed - £[STRIKE]10[/STRIKE] £17 Lunch

Total =£86.64/£130

Munchin

Morning all,

I know it is super early but I'm heading on to work in a few minutes and that way I can add an extra 30 mins flexi to my day.

So I've been looking at my Dec budget again and like everyone I have a few Xmas dinner things and do's coming up. I'm going to do a list (like Santa:)) and guesstimate my spends -

- 5th - either an AGM or a trip to the orchestra (£20)
- 6th - work Xmas dinner including train (£30)
- 12th - girls lunch (£30)
- 13th - friend's birthday (£50)
- 17th - another Xmas dinner (£30)

Total - £160

Obviously I hope to do it all a bit cheaper but I wanted to see how bad/good it could be.

Munchin

Hi all

I've been a wee bit busy these last few days so I've not had a chance to catch up on diaries but that has been sorted. My Xmas tree is up:xmastree:, my sister is home on Thursday with my niece and I wanted the house to feel like Xmas for her arrival.

Planned spends w/c 30 Nov

Sun - £5 - £8 :opaper & charity collecton
Mon - £5 £26.64 carparking, groceries & MOT wash.
Tues - £30 £31 beauticians & £4 work raffle
Wed - £10 £17 Lunch
Thur - NSD
Fri - £[STRIKE]20[/STRIKE] £8.80 lunch & parking
Sat - £[STRIKE]30[/STRIKE][STRIKE] groceries[/STRIKE] £15.50 train ticket & eating out.

Total =£119.94/£130

Last week wasn't as spendy as I thought it would be on general things. I spent a fair bit on Xmas stuff but most of that shopping is now done. I was out at a carol thing on Friday and only spent the price of parking and I had my Xmas dinner and it cost me the price of a train fare which I'm quite pleased about.

Planned spends w/c 7th Dec

Sun - NSD
Mon - NSD
Tues - NSD
Wed - NSD
Thurs - £40 hairdressers and groceries
Fri - £50 Xmas shopping and lunch with Mum and sisters
Sat - £50 birthday party with friends

Total -£140

Munchin

Morning:santa2:

We had a tiny wee skift of snow last night and there was about 2 snowflakes lying this morning but now it is lashing down - so back to normal.

I don't have many plans today - I have revision to do so I need to get my act in gear. I don't want to have it hanging over my head.

My sister sprayed some perfume on my scarf yesterday which she had just bought - it was lovely. It turned out it was a Lidl perfume - it was so nice. I asked her for the details and she said she would get me a bottle - I think it costs £4:D

I still have to buy OH some aftershave and a surprise but I haven't a clue what the surprise will be. He keeps changing his mind about the type of aftershave he wants.

I have 2 of my Xmas do's out of the way and I've managed to limit the spending but had a brilliant time on little money:)

- 5th - [STRIKE]either an AGM or a trip to the orchestra (£20)[/STRIKE] - trip to orchestra won out and I spent £6.30 on parking
- 6th - [STRIKE]work Xmas dinner including train (£30)[/STRIKE] - spent only £5.50 on the train journey.
- 12th - girls lunch (£30)
- 13th - friend's birthday (£50)
- 17th - another Xmas dinner (£30)

Total - £11.80/£160

Munchin

Morning all

It is snowing outside and I'm on leave today. I have to hit the shower in about 5 mins because I'm meeting my Mum and sisters to go shopping and get lunch:xmassmile

Yesterday I got my hair cut but my hair is now in shock and refuses to come back down below my ears - the curse of curly hair - hopefully tomorrow it will go back to normal. The haircut & blow dry was £21 which compared to what I used to pay in London is for nothing and I only get my hair trimmed about twice a year. My sister will put a dye in it later (free). I remember the days when you could chose to dye your hair but now it is a necessity. I've managed an amazing 4 NSDs but I spent money on Xmas which doesn't count as it is from that budget. I'm getting rightly through the Xmas budget:o.

Have a lovely day everyone

Planned spends w/c 7th Dec

Sun - NSD
Mon - NSD
Tues - NSD
Wed - NSD
Thurs - £[STRIKE]40 [/STRIKE]£21:) hairdressers
Fri - £50 Xmas shopping and lunch with Mum and sisters
Sat - £50 birthday party with friends

Total -£21/£140