January's Big Financial Freeze!!!

abundant1972

Hey!

Feeling low, tired and grumpy today :mad: and was not in the mood for anything - least of all getting out of bed and facing a Monday morning...

You know what got me up and out... I kept thinking if I have a day off because I feel down and depressed... work are going to knock any overtime I might want to do on the head and I *really* need to keep that going... That spurred me on and I dragged myself into work.

I think my self-saboteur is trying to rear his ugly head again as whenever I feel low I want to just give up and either eat rubbish or spend... and I've been doing so well last week with the gym and clearing extra off my debts... It's like there's part of me that thrives on being in debt and he is well and truly digging his heels in... So - maybe that's a good sign!!! When he shows up it's a sign I'm winning!!!

Today = NSD number 19

Not going to make the 25 target for January... but should get 21.

See you all later!!!


:cool:

nannygladys

Hi everyone, just reporting in.


Hopefully I will manage the nsd target, no reason that I shouldnt anyway:Tthe fuel target is fine as well:TI dont do ebay so the making 155.00 has been unobtainable but I did do a little OT:eek:toileteries I havent spent anything on those as I have plenty of that sort of stuff in:TI found the 25.00:Ta:Tnd thats about it really. So I feel positive about this month and look forward to the first to see if it has made a difference to OD and payment towards CC. Hope it will anyay.

Snow has just about gone, just clumps of it on the pavements and gardens, but it was very icy this am when I left for work (5.30) and I slipped up and landed on my arris in the carpark at work:) nothing hurt just my pride, glad it was dark and there was nobody about:rotfl:

Off for a lurk,
Jxx

Cranny44

Evening All :j

Well still under budget but had the sales spends so way over budget overall but nothing thats not getting used so not wasted sales spends like previous times..

Need to be tight next month though and i fail at the NSDs as i like to shop YS which is just as good for the budget Also due to the nature of my job i often find i end up buying lunch but this is included in my food budget and i try to limit it as little as i can.

Next month i need to eat up some of my cupboards and freezer so hopefully mostly buying fresh fruit and veg along with the gallons of milk and cereal i buy for DS. :rotfl:I need to start to seriously diet and take up some more exercise (such a dirty word that) :eek: I cant believe i once ran london marathon :rotfl:

Well cant number crunch til the payslip arrives, hopefully tomorrow as payday not til thursday but still funds in the overdraft - which is rare and second overdraft still almost available in full Thanks NSK :money:


Onwards and upwards and will be joining next month of course

PurpleJay

Another Nsd day for me We have been out for lunch but hubby treated me. That takes me up to 16. Not going to reach my target but still pretty happy.

Have my tax return to do tomorrow and going to concentrate on getting my paper work straight this week while I am off work. Need to contact my Avon customers too as I haven't been able to get out to deliver. Hope they don't mind to much.

Looking forward to feb and relieved to have been paid. As many have said this has been a long month.

Making the most of being off and invited friends round for coffee on thurs and Fri which will be lovely. Hubby is back at uni this week so I will go doo lally stuck here on my own!

The knee is feeling a bit better which is a relief.

fairy3

Hi all,
Managed 2 more NSD's since last post but will update all on Thursday which is last day or wed night.....
Overall am really pleased with the month and apart from not making 25 NSDs have pretty much got there. It has been so different from most January's and I love abundants idea for next year.
I have spent some time organising, planning and decluttering stuff I obviously do not need and vow to continue throughout the year. my attitude towards spending has changed and have become far more aware of the things we need rather than want.

We have all eaten well and the teenagers have adapted much better than I could have hoped although they are hoping for more crisps soon! I lost another two pounds in weight too which makes it 16 in total.

Will be paid on Wednesday so that will be 6 weeks with cash left? Amazing.

Looking forward to the next challenge for Feb, I hope Kat isn't too kna**ered from all that overtime and makes it too easy!!!! I still have my full Mcd's coffee card to use.

Night peeps

Learning2Budget

abundant1972 wrote: »

Hey!

Feeling low, tired and grumpy today :mad: and was not in the mood for anything - least of all getting out of bed and facing a Monday morning...

You know what got me up and out... I kept thinking if I have a day off because I feel down and depressed... work are going to knock any overtime I might want to do on the head and I *really* need to keep that going... That spurred me on and I dragged myself into work.

I think my self-saboteur is trying to rear his ugly head again as whenever I feel low I want to just give up and either eat rubbish or spend... and I've been doing so well last week with the gym and clearing extra off my debts... It's like there's part of me that thrives on being in debt and he is well and truly digging his heels in... So - maybe that's a good sign!!! When he shows up it's a sign I'm winning!!!

Today = NSD number 19

Not going to make the 25 target for January... but should get 21.

See you all later!!!


:cool:

That's what is driving me at the min abundant. If i go off sick i will lose potential overtime which i need to cover my husband's wage drop while he is off sick. Without it i will need to reduce our dmp and be in debt even longer!!! I can't risk it. Needs to be paid off!!! Even if it crucifies me!
Keep digging your heels in to fight. L2B.x

NinjaSavingKat

Morning Chickadees....

Its a gloriously dull day here in London town. I am at work until 1930 and am not looking forward to it all. I have simply had enough of January now.. I think my budget for food has missed a few pennies here and there and I just want to know what I am being paid in Feb now...

I have realized that if I am really careful I could live on half my monthly wage.. with a mere £201 after bills to keep me going. I am unsure of how much I am being paid but even the same as last month might pitch me at £100 tucked away.. however I am not getting my hopes up.

Ebay bits are being watched and a few end tomorrow and the rest on Friday. They will all be uploaded again on Saturday night and a few more bits added. I am going to start putting on shoes now I am getting desperate.

It has been a struggle this month.. I have been so entirely tired that even making time to get on MSE has proven hard.. especially as it moves so fast..

I was speaking to a friend this morning about his debt and how I can help whip him into shape..:rotfl:he has landed from 15 months in Australia and had to have £600 in his account each month to pay for bills back here. He is wanting to return in 6 months to Oz for good so it's all hands on deck to rid him of his remaining £7000. PPI investigation first I think..

It kinda made me more determined to get rid of my debt. I have been feeling lackadaisical recently and as Abundant says if he doesn't show up to work they will cancel his OT... if I don't work and work well I might lose mine. And the lazy me is getting a hold, so I need to take stock, sit down with my spreadsheet and get back on track mentally and physically for February..

Speaking of which.. Feb's challenge will be written and posted tomorrow. A little later that normal but I wanted you all to concentrate on getting this month DONE!!!! Thats when the noobs can join in..(WelshDreamer)..:T

Kerri - they are GORGEOUS. Bengal and Siamese?? Spill how much?? And yes the purchase of furries is exempt.. great coming home to a ball of fluff in the evening...

I am impressed with all of you and what you are learning about yourselves... sending hubby for groceries ( very brave ).. using spreadsheets like there going out of fashion, reconsidering food spends, actually aiming for OT and getting children on board...can't remember who said the kids were discussing crisps and the chance of not getting any as "mum is on an NSD".. made me LAUGH!!!

This is what I wanted you all to do. Making others aware of what you're up to and have your own little cheer leading squad, people may then understand why you are not bothering with a take away any more.. or alcohol on a night out...

But everyone's lives differ to exponentially it would be hard to say that one person does the same as another... just remember.."every little helps"..:rotfl:

Right.. I am gonna read some more posts and start plotting February...

Onwards and Forever Upwards!!!

citizenkitten

160.42/160 GC budget
22/25 NSDS (2 only grocery/petrol days so 20 if not count those)
0/155 make a fiver HOWEVER.....

i got a inflationary pay rise and 0.5% discretionary pay rise, which means i am £41.08p up a month!... does this count????)

52.01/55 petrol

Find £25 - 20.12/25!

things I have learnt

1) no point in not buying grocery treats because my OH will just complain and go to the shop and buy then at an increased price

2) if making a stew - dont buy more of the meat you have made the stew with. (hello 3 weeks of beef.... snore!)

3) make sure you know what your change pot is for, that way you are incentivisced to get some real money in there

4) 6 eggs only lasts 4 days. therefore buy 12! dont be too optimistic! also regonise your own eating habits, i.e that time of the month, have some very quick things on hand and treats. also that when you really like things, my OH and I have no portion control. so only cook what is needed and hide the overs!

NinjaSavingKat

CitizenKitten - that money definitely does count!! Well done!

My overtime from December is not in my pay packet for the end of this month. They also won't pay it fast-time... not amused!!!

thriftylass

Hello,

used my last spend day today to top up on fruit and veg. My grocery budget is blown but it was a long month. Plus I wrote down where every penny went also for all my other spends and know exactly how much I wasted, could've saved. I also got a payrise this month which was backdated to August (to the grand total of £15 a month) and as that is allowed as extra money made I nearly made my target with £150. However I only found 39p but maybe I've done that wrong, have to look at the rules again. Looking fwd to next month, already did my numbers and it's looking good also because it's a short month and only 4 weeks nursery to pay. Only 3 more days. Well done to everybody, this was a tough one.

x

Looking fwd to making money in Feb. Got a few items on ebay again and they have quite a few watchers and a first bid with 5 days to go. Didn't know people still bid that early