January's Big Financial Freeze!!!

Mancman86

NSK have heard alot about that explosion this morning helicopter crashed into a crane? Seen pictures on fb and twitter looks pretty bad.

Thats another 250 nectar adpoints collected for free.

stoplurking

Hello, number 43 here. Sorry this is my first post since entering this challenge. i don't have a computer at home so am typing this in lunch break at work, hoping it comes across ok, as it is a bit rushed.
Had LBM October 2012 and found this website. NSK's Ultimate challenge was one of the first threads I read and it was so inspiring i have followed it on i-phone since then, as well as a few others.
The help and support on this forum is second to none. I have managed to formulate a plan, slash grocery costs ( thank you OS board) and use the snowball calculator to see I should pay off highest interest CC first (HSBC) rather than lowest (M&S) just because i like M&S better!
My level of debt is similar to NSK's (£17k+ over 3 CCs)and I have a secret hope that this will be cleared by December 2013. it is doable if i am VERY tough with myself. Every spare penny each month, plus any bonus i get is being thrown at the cards. Also got some share options coming out this year and that will go against the debt. not sure why i was saving into that when i had so much debt, but they have done well and, instead of using the proceeds for a holiday, they will go against the debts. A hard lesson learned.
I am extremely fortunate to have a very supportive partner who is joining me in most of my cutbacks, even though he really doesn't need to.
Don't know how to do a signature or anything but i have had 10 NSDs so far this month, one of the spend days was only 95p for some veg so not too bad.

anyway, that's my 2p worth. I hope to keep up with everyone's efforts and successes and if anyone is getting setbacks - keep reading on here for support and ideas. Beckyboo- my heart goes out to you when you are trying so hard to get back on an even keel , i really hope things pick up for you very soon.
To NSK - thank you my dear, your words of encouragement help so much more than you know, am old enough to be your mother yet you have so much more wisdom. I have my fingers crossed that you meet your Ultimate Challenge, you deserve it so much. x

NinjaSavingKat

StopLurking - great to here from you! You seem to have your head screwed on. Thank you for your kind words - your very sweet! Together we will push through the debt and scrimp, scrounge and save together. keep us updated as to your status through out the challenge it would be great to here more ( although I know what it's like with colleagues standing over you )...

And just following on from that about colleagues... who here loathes putting money in any pot for a randoms persons leaving card/present, birthday or new baby you care nothing for. That might sound horrid but I am not going to get anywhere breaking an NSD for a £2 dip into someones present fund.... or dare I say a swear box??? I think the office next door has one... makes me ANGRY... - )

Anyway.. I am very sleepy today which makes me think my weekend shifts and crazyness are catching up on me today. Another meeting this evening which means I face -3deg trying to get home tonight on the bike... not looking forward tot hat really!!

Onwards and Upwards!!

thriftylass

NinjaSavingKat wrote: »

And just following on from that about colleagues... who here loathes putting money in any pot for a randoms persons leaving card/present, birthday or new baby you care nothing for. That might sound horrid but I am not going to get anywhere breaking an NSD for a £2 dip into someones present fund.... or dare I say a swear box??? I think the office next door has one... makes me ANGRY... - )

Onwards and Upwards!!

If others are present I rummage through my purse to rattle the coins and do the same with the envelope to make it seem like I put sth in (if I know the person even). If it was a mate at work yes, if not I pretend

his_missus

Hi all!

I agree, random collections for work colleagues can be annoying. I have just refused in the past or, if feeling under pressure to donate, said that I had no money on me.

Spend day for me - oops! Found a winter coat in the sales at lunchtime - knew I should've held on to that money mum gave me, oh well! Also bought some nail strengthener as my nails are in really bad condition and I'm trying to make more of an effort this year.

Tomorrow WILL be a NSD but kitties are at the vets on Friday. One has jabs for life so I don't need to pay for him. Couldn't afford to set it up for both of them last year so will set it up for the other this week. Will cost me £30 for her jab plus £75 for the jabs for life certificate but will save me in the long run (hopefully)

Hope everyone is ok today. Take care out there xxx

poodlegal

Well another foody spend day for me today. Ordered some shopping which takes me well over my food allowance, but its making me see where the moneys going as I obviously thought I spent a lot less on food. The problem is I cant really scrimp too much as I have three children and I think they need good nutrition, food actually seems to be the only thing I really buy.?? Hopefully it should last us to the end of the month now.
Also didnt realise how much the kids school is always requiring money for something (swimming, sponsorships, donations for one thing and another, fund raising) and one day I let them have a school dinner which was £6 for the 3 of them.:mad: so this challenge means i'm seeing where the moneys going and its hard to cut back any more, but i'm doing ok :T
On the upside up to now i've only had one day where I bought unecessary purchases so i'm doing ok. (Steak pies for us all and a couple of shower gels on offer for 90p each which is the only thing i've bought for myself this month.) Not had may hair cut since Sept and desperately need clothes but these things will need to wait.

Ninno820

I agree about collections - now the envelope is held in a central office which makes it easier to "forget"!

Today is another NSD - but one with profit! Not only did I come home with a free sample of homemade muesli, courtesy of a friend, but I found an envelope with cash in inside a handbag. I was sorting out some items for fleabay and checking them - getting all excited with a find of 11p in one! - when I came across an envelope with £27.25 in - payment for some concert tickets last year that I ahd clearly forgotten about - what a result!

Glad to hear that you missed the trouble today NSK - where would we be without our guiding angel! Take care everyone x

abundant1972

Hi All...

Thanks for the advice... You know - hearing about that helicopter crash puts things in perspective... RIP to the people who died.

I did draw the money out of my Emergency Fund, but spoke to lots of people at work who all seem to ski and got lots of advice. Rang a ski wear company and got some really helpful advice too. You were right NSK - you can re-proof... and the guy said that it shouldn't have damaged it and that they heat treat them when they put the stuff on anyway. My landlord bless him keeps saying there's no cost but will press him to at least let me pay to get it re-proofed. I can't tell you how much of a relief it is to know I'm not going to have to spend £500. Sorry for my mini-meltdown!!! i think lack of sleep sent me into panic mode.

<Takes DEEP breath>

Today = NSD number 9

kerri_dfw

Abundant, you should put the money back into savings before you go and spend it

abundant1972

Yeah I will do - temptation to spend all gone though now!!! :T

Welcome to stoplurking too! Always great to have extra people here... the more the merrier!

Drive safely tonight Kat, and wrap up warm. I don't envy you -3' at all.

:cool: