The Ultimate February Challenge

PurpleJay

Hi all.

Another spends day for me. Cake, bread, milk, reduced pasta salad, mushrooms, cucumber, tomatoes, choc chip brioche, reduced thermals and nightshirt for me, t shirt and jumper for M. Oh and a t shirt for hubby for his birthday. Less than £40 for the lot and returned £13.50 worth of online clothes to tesco too. Will work out what is grocery budget tomorrow.

Visited mum this afternoon but she was sleepy. Not sure she knew I had been really so will go again at the weekend.

Other than that, had a nice day at home with M. I love half term. Been playing board games, eating chocolate, listening to music, watching him do magic.. All good

Ninno820

Morning all - today is my payday so its a chance to reflect on my progress. I am delighted to say - with all your help and support - that this month I have paid £658.30 off my total debt:j:j:j. In total this means that my total debt has been reduced by a stonking £1828.19 - I am so proud of myself!!

Slightly more confusing I appear to have an extra £130 in my salary this month - not complaining of course but a little confused as to why - I will investigate when I get to work on monday and look at the payslip. Its possibly to do with the tax code changes following my union fees claim but we will see. I ahve been good, however, and have already used the additional funds to make an additional debt payment. This month I have set up the cc payments to add an additional overpayment - only by a few pounds and rounding up to the nearest £10 but it all helps - right?

Yesterday I whiled away a couple of hours working on my debt snowball and can officially say that I am aiming for March 2018 - at the latest - but I am clearly hoping to draw that back to Dec 2017.

Having said all of that today wil be a spendy day - Losing weight means I desperately need some new clothes for work and I am meeting up with friends for lunch. I have set a budget, however, and will aim to stick to it. I have a 20% off voucher for the clothes so that will allow me some flexibility.

Have a great day - and thanks again for all the wonderful people who post on these threads - I couldn't do this without you. xx

Learning2Budget

Morning. I am busy cleaning this morning, then of to bed for a few hours before i do two overtime nightshifts. So hoping that's £320 to add to the pot. Gutted that there payments arent for debt reduction but at least it keeps the bills paid. Still unsure as to oh's return date for work.
Struggling a little to stay positive at the min. I feel a bit rotten and am now on the waiting list for a minor op. But we are heading close to halfway through our debt!!! As Kat would say......onwards n upwards! L2B.x

karmachilovething

What do I miss: Clothes, definitely clothes *sigh* I have to avoid shops and websites (particuarly websites) if I'm to have any chance of achieving DFW. But similarly, I know if I deny myself altogether I'll fall off the wagon completely. It's a delicate balancing act - standing on the edges of the wagon you could say!!

And eating out, but less that because I'm a pretty mean cook so I know I can make something good out of not very much if it comes to it.

What can't I live without: Hair cut every now and again, I trim my own fringe but after a few months I need to have a professional sort it out for me! And chin hair removal :rotfl: That's probably more important than the haircut!

Not much to report - I've got a cold at the moment, and mid-way through house move, so not really doing anything that involves spending. 3 more SFDs to declare (I'm counting today on the basis that it will help me stick to it!)

stoplurking

Hi all Just updated signature but lost my post in the process! will update for Feb when I get paid next week. good luck to everyone for the rest of the month and bring on March and all that NSK dishes out to us.

thriftylass

I definitely NEED a tough challenge next month as I let myself go a bit. I didn't buy clothes or anything big but my budget now stands at £450 although I had only planned 290. At least I wrote absolutely everything down and know for instance I wasted about £100 pounds on the odd packet of fags (still trying, cut down loads but need to nip in the butt now, started exercise classes and cycling to work which should help), the odd tenner towards fuel (obsolete now as I cycle again), snacks at work and a few drinks in the house. Food is also over due to bad planning or impulse buying/cooking. But luckily my savings are moving in the right direction if slowly and eBay isn't going too bad, although I would like to use it to make money and not just to fill unnecessary holes. Tomorrows girl's night is cancelled which saves the money for wine and taxi but still need to go food shopping tomorrow for our curry night with friends (hopefully fiance will foot some of that bill).

I think in March I go tea-total, fag-free and fitness-mad, and try to watch the least TV possible (not that there is that much time during the week after the chores). But I would like to use my time more productively again for crafting (I mainly crochet and sew) and start a christmas and birthday stash (still got loads of materials left over too)

NinjaSavingKat

Good Afternoon all!!

I have two things to do here...Congratulations and Confessions.

First things first...Congratulations. To Ninno I am so very proud of your achievements. I think your frugality and attention your goal is admirable and a testament that we CAN help each other, kicks each others butts and generally work towards the greater good. With this weight loss as well you will be raring to go which is why I think new good fitting clothes are a necessity. Remeber to buy sensibly - well fitting black tailored trousers in two lenghts ( one for flats and one for heels ), a good quality white shirt, and at least some good underwear and at least a versitle jacket in a neutral colour ( beige / black or navy ) that will fit over the shirt or a jumper. Sorry Gok might be a better option to listen to but I am definitly all about better clothes for a little more money that will LAST....

Karma your mention of clothing struck home... stay with me for my confession..:(..I also cut my own hair. I have to get some layers and will take the scissors out tonight. I took 1 inch off the bottom three months ago, fringe layered and thickened and inch off my layers but it needs a little more. As long as you invest in good scissors and patience and not get TOO drastic you should be fine.. I got a new wig from a friend ( not because my own hair is horrific by the way, she didn't want it after buying the wrong one ??? and gave it to me to play with:T).. will update my avatar over the weekend...:rotfl:

Learning I know how you feel about overtime. Every Saturday for the last 3 months is starting to annoy me... especially when this money is to "break even" or exist - why can't someone pay me properly so I don't have to work at the weekends?.. but breaking even means not being in debt, paying towards debt this cash you have earned means not putting it on your cc ( please see my confession also:( )... so chin up my lovely.. we will get there in the end, and tomorrow night when you are working and trying to stay awake during the wee hours, please message me cause I will be doing the same - 2300-0700!

Purple - you seemed to have had a lot of fun this week! Nothing better than being indoors with one's sproglets, with tea, a good game and being snuggled up. I am so happy the little one doesn't feel the need to be entertained outdoors... poor Purplejay will actually turn purple...:rotfl::rotfl:...as for Mummy I am sure she has some glimmer of the love you have for her when you visit. Although mentally she might not be aware, even when someone is in our presence you can tell whether their spirit is harmful or caring. Your Mum will know it's you but obviously can't acknowledge it quite the way we would hope. Your a good woman Purple and we can only imagine how hard it is for you... x x

Squinky you are being fed for free. I am very impressed. You are my kinda MSE'er...lol! I like the way you say ONLY £95.50...:rotfl:.. when is payday though..? I am still awiaitng the re-paying of my £36 fraudlent money so have about £20.. although I have nowt to buy so should be okay ( please see my confession also )...I like that you have given your tea away. Good Squinky!

NannyG - ( please see my confession ) but I know where you are coming from. Cheese is looking particularity expensive right now so I know I am taking this a lot more seriously than I thought, I refuse to buy anything without researching elsewhere and online... I have also purposefully not contacted a friend this week because I don't want to spend money.. so i am RIGHT there with you. ( Although again please see my confession...:rotfl:)

Yorkshirelass - you are doing your kids a massive favour. They will learn the best way possible that nothing in life is free and that enteratining yourself is not a bad thing like being in the outdoors. I know its probably VERY hard entertaining two teenagers but as they were so good about it they clearly know why money is tight. This is good - this is how children should be brought up. Financially sound! Well done you. Also for that CC payments.. feels good doesn't it...(please see my confession...)..

CONFESSION!!!

I belong to a voluntary organisation that is holding a ball next week and shall be attended by a Royal. the itinerary for said ball landed in my inbox today and worried me more than you can imagine. My attire currently hanging in my wardrobe is completly unsuitable. My skin has flared up on my back and needs to be entirely out of sight, shoulders must be covered, gown must be floor lenght and demure etc etc. I went shopping for a Vintage number as I cannot abide "new" dresses and they are generally more expensive for what I needed.

I went to Lily Allen's vintage store "Lucy in Disguise" and located immediatly a dress that fitted entirely what I wanted. It was fate @ £185 though. There is slight damage and a tear so I got them down to £155.

It is an original 1940's gown, purple with cuff and collar beading, long chiffon sleeves open underneath the arm - described as "dancing sleeves"... covered back and a perfect fit.

It will be going on eBay on within the month for a minimum of £199.99 and opened to international bidders also. Now you KNOW I can move this item and it has a label of authentication and a bag from LA's store...

Now vintage dresses are my down-fall, I need to steer clear of these stores altogether but this I see as an investment piece and I am in a desperate situation as this ball in on Wednesday with me fully booked with house visits / birthday parties etc until then. Yes labeled items move fast on eBay but a vintage number moves faster. I will get my money back!

So there you go. I am a bad NSK.

Speaking of houses... I saw a premises yesterday. Ideal really apart from the sharing with 4 people part and the smaller than average double room. It has a garden for puss, occupants who can feed her should I be away, en suite ( if thats what they want to call it ).. a very large kitchen and very close to a friend and the motorway. I rejected it last night on the grounds of the very small room, however, having read an article in the Daily Snail about the living conditions of people in Hong Kong ( seriously look it up ).. I thought I needed to keep out-goings to a minimum, work hard, spend less but why turn down the chance of doing this when faced with it properly.. Am I kidding myself as to how ruthless I really am....? its £475 a month with all bills included. I currently pay £433. This isn't much more...

So I have arranged to go back to view it properly with a tape measure. And fingers crossed. I was also being a snob and have booked in a viewing for a studio flat which is £550 all inclusive without internet... which would be another £15 a month with a dongle.

I need to reduce my belongings and stop clinging to "things".. live for the moment and start saving PROPERLY!!

So there is my news - sorry about the length!

I will keep saying this - ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!!!

NinjaSavingKat

I win the prize for the longest post ever!

jody2

Hi all,
I have read through this challenge and the January challenge with interest and would really like to join in for the March challenge if you will have me?! I have always thought I am quite good with money but never seem to have enough to last the month. Having read about the creative ways you all have found to stop spending and in some cases even make money I am excited to see what challenges Kat has for March!
Thank you to everyone for inspiring me.
Jody2

NinjaSavingKat

Well now Jody - since you have been watching with interest for so long how could I possibly not encourage a new [STRIKE]victim[/STRIKE] contender to join in the [STRIKE]loonessy[/STRIKE]fun?..:rotfl: