Jamiedodgers 2013 Diary

JAMIEDODGER

Yesterday was mental. The pantomime was brilliant though!

Today will be a day at home, loads of baking to do and some housework. I shall stick on the Xmas cd and get into the spirit of things:)

Will be NSD number 15 for me today:j doing ok and only 5 more to reach target:T

I also need to sort my budget out today, as money has been taken out of various envelopes for different things but all the change has gone in my purse so a major sort out needed and checking of receipts.

Need to get started on today's list so off to make a cuppa and get to it:)

JAMIEDODGER

Happy Christmas Eve:T

Off to a good start this morning, banking done, budget sorted for January and I'm raring to go.

Another busy day planned, off to pick up ds1 at lunchtime and pop into see my family, then back home to cook our christmas dinner, which we are having tonight:)

Finally wrapped last of presents last night and wrote christmas cards so glad that's done:T:D

Going to have a dust and Hoover through of downstairs this morning, also need to get all my families presents out from under the tree, so I can take them with me today.

DD isn't very well and slept in my bed most of the night, which meant I didn't get much sleep as she is a fidget bum:rotfl:, however, it's unlikely I will get much of a rest today....I expect I will be useless come Christmas Day but DBf is doing the food so I shall just veg and eat chocolate:rotfl::D:T and watch the kids open their presents:T

Hope everyone has a lovely christmas

JD x

brummiebabe

Happy Christmas JD! Enjoy xx

JAMIEDODGER

Happy Boxing Day:)

Christmas Day was chilled and lovely, kids did fantastically well with all their presents, as did I:)

DD has still been feeling unwell, but I think she has perked up this morning.

Lots to get done before bf's children arrive at lunchtime. We still have tons of food, not sure how we will get through it all....or where it came from:rotfl:

Will be going through all my receipts from December in the next few days, so I can see exactly what I have spent and on what, and what can be left off for next year. I bought way too much food so can definitely cut that down, but unless I write it down in my christmas notebook, it will all get forgotten by next december:rotfl:

Joined another couple of savings challenges for next year, hoping to encourage less spending and more savings for 2013:T

Totally lost track of NSD's this month now, so will be aiming to begin again in January with a new target.

Ds2 birthday on Saturday, we are having his birthday meal on Friday night as he won't be here Saturday evening, takeaway from the Indian was his request, money put by for that. All his presents and card have been bought and wrapped ready for the big day. Christmas decs etc will be coming down on Friday as is normal in our house. I like him to have an actual birthday, not an extension of christmas, so I like it all gone and back to normal before his birthday arrives:T

Have a great Boxing Day xx

couldsavemore_2

Happy Boxing day to you.

we have so much food left over here too. we could feed the whole street I think.

I have a lot of debts to pay back this year which I'm aiming to do by being very frugal. I have joined many challenges to help me on the way, to keep me focused and to help stop me procrastinating (big word for a lazy day)


you seemed to be ending 2012 running and will get of to a fantastic start in the new year looking forward to keeping up with your progress and hoping you will spur me on

JAMIEDODGER

Morning:)

Couldsavemore - do you have a diary?

Back to normal this morning:) thank goodness. Bf is going home today, but its been lovely having him here all over Xmas.

Lots of fridge stuff to try and get rid of today...hoping that I can move enough out of fridge to finally empty the electric camping fridge and switch it off...it has been most helpful over this christmas period though.

Will be working on some kind of meal plan today to see us through to New Year's Day. Will need to do a freezer inventory soon but there is still so much in there it might have to wait a while until some of it has been shifted.

Banking and budget all updated this morning and 2013 looks set to be a good year as long as I stay on track:D

couldsavemore_2

No I don't have a diary I'm new to posting have been lurking for a long time but now feel I need to join in more so for the moment I want to do as many challenges as possible to keep me motivated and to follow others and maybe support them in their personal journeys.

good luck to you keep up with what you are doing all these small steps mount up and build momentum and before you know it you will achieve your goals.

JAMIEDODGER

Morning:)

Didn't get round to posting yesterday. It was ds2 birthday (15) he had a really nice time and got loads of great presents, and quite a bit of money, which he has put in his savings tin:D he wants to save up for a computer so is determined to put away most of his allowance this year too:T

Nipped to sainsburys for fresh bits yesterday, spent under a tender, also picked up wrapping paper and cards for next christmas in the half price sale, but this comes out of a separate budget. Till spit of £7.50 off £50 spend, so may use this next week for stocking up on non perishables.

Completely lost track of NSD's but I know that I am still within target. No pennies left in purse now. Will be withdrawing next months budget on Wednesday and sorting it all into envelopes for the month.

Still using up stuff from christmas, have frozen some fruits etc which will be used in January in smoothies/milk shakes for kids. Fizzy drinks almost gone now, which is good as I don't ordinarily buy them, a box of quality street remains along with half a bag of Doritos which I'm sure the kids will eat up over the next few days. Leftover birthday cake will probably be pudding tonight. Really trying to use up all the fridge stuff before I have to go and buy some more.

January will be my month to tackle the food in the freezer. Yesterday I bagged it all up into types and I know I have a lot of bread products, a fair bit of meat and fruits. I haven't much in the way of kids meals though. I do have a lot of oddments which need using and a couple of loaves of bread and one milk. I am determined to keep January's grocery bill to the minimum.

I have enough baking stuff to do a couple of batches of twinks and some crumblies for January, I may also be able to squeeze in a banana loaf if I can find my fav recipe. This should take care of kids snacks and treats. Also have 4 jellies and a couple of angel delights plus rice pudding for afters.

I am going to spend some time today working on a meal plan for the first week of January. Taking into account all that needs using from freezer, plus cupboards and use that to make my shopping list to use up that voucher.

I have found that switching over from Tesco's to sainsburys has reduced my shopping bill for two big reasons, the YS items are much better and cheaper at sainsburys and I am also getting decent money off vouchers every week or so, which I never used to get at Tesco's. the nectar points on top of that are great and being saved for next christmas food shop:j I think I have £7 already! All these things have reduced my bill for the month, plus using leftovers up at home and having a meal plan and having the odd use up month for cupboards and freezer are going to bring my annual food and grocery spend right down:D

Enough waffling from me, I'm going to take the kids to the park this morning for some much needed fresh air:)

please-let-me-be-lucky

Hi JD, just read your diary. Congrats on the distinction!

You've inspired me to do a fridge/freezer/cupboard inventory. DS2 has had me up bright and early this morning so I've got no excuses!

All the best for 2013 Xx

JAMIEDODGER

PLMBL - thanks for visiting:) I have also been reading the don't throw away food challenges for 2011 & 2012.... Loads of great ideas on there.....chopped up three onions from fridge this morning and put in baggies in the freezer, for making lasagnes etc, have also saut!ed and frozen 3/4 punnet of mushrooms for the same, as I know I won't use them up before they go off. Little things like that should keep the food bill low for January:)