September's Step-Up!!!

jellyjacks

Just catching up with all the posts.

NSK - on the subject of office presents I can sympathise. This became a hassle in our dept with collections being started every few weeks for weddings, babies, leaving etc, etc. What we now do (and it works exceptionally well and is much cheaper) is have a fund. Each person put in £10. The manager keeps a list of all names and the contributions & total. Set amounts are then given out of the fund when events occur. eg £25 voucher for new baby, £75 leaving present if employed less than 3 years, £100 for 3-6 years, £125 for 6 years+. £50 for wedding present. These are all recorded in the book/ledger, can be viewed at any time, no one is left out or made to feel different etc. Only when the fund is running low are we asked to top it up. Sometimes it is just £5 each, other times £10. I have to say it lasts for ages and we've only had to add £15 each since last Christmas and we've had two weddings, two leavers and six babies! It's the best thing we've done, is cheaper for everyone and no one is hounded or pressurised to donate to a present at every event. It's just taken out of the fund and recorded. One size fits all;)

Siouxsie32

LoveaDove wrote: »

I have just up-cycled an old dress for my friend's wedding on Saturday. Just stitched the straps so that it sits more respectfully on my chest! And have also brought the front up a little with a corsage to show a cheeky bit of leg. Add a petticoat style skirt underneath and it looks like a whole new dress (with the right accessories!). Money spent on New dress for wedding= £0!

My friend and her H2B are heading to Alaska for their Honeymoon (jealous much), so I have made them a lil 'Alaska Survival kit' by recycling and decorating my old graze box with pwetty travel paper and string (I already owned), today. I have re-gifted a mini hot water bottle and candles,some glow sticks, poppers and just spent £3 on an emergency blanket and a bag of fruit and nut nibbles (incase they are tempted to go all 'Into the Wild' on us). I have also put a letter and some 'useful info' in there and tied a bit of string round a £5 for a 'warming beverage.' I hadn't the time to get money converted to $'s, plus I really am on a shoe-string budget- but the kit looks great! I did something similar for wedding a couple of months ago 'Mexico survival kit.' Lots of Fun to put together!! :T

OMG, it's going to be straight to the top of Kat's class for you! She's gonna want photos on the FB page! That is the best wedding present ever!!! Actually, you've inspired me...I have a 50th birthday party to go to next month and am also on a shoe-string budget. Ooh, I wonder what I could come up with....

Right, I'm off to bed. Shall update and catch up properly with everyone once I've had a bit of beauty sleep

NinjaSavingKat

Morning Chickadees....

Bit of "blah" 24 hours for me so apologies for not checking in later last night. So the leaving do was yesterday, I had someone in my life shake me up a little bit so wasn't in the mood and left at about 4pm just after food - okay I was really not feeling it and left during the food and before dessert which I hadn't thankfully paid for. Getting home I cleaned the house for LLL returning today and created some falafel burgers with added kidney beans, a tin of toms spiced up to have on top, pea houmus with lime and garlic, and leftover salad leaves with a few toms from the garden...

Was that enough - nope! I was just not in the mood to hit the local little Sainsburies near me to arrange breakfast or such like so this morning que a puchase of £8.35 near work in central London... I am gutted! not only have I lost an SFD but I have effectively nearly wasted a tenner.. It will be earned back as I have £6 leftover from yesterday but I really should not have spent it.. ..(2 fresh croissants, 1L orange juice, humous, ryvita, grapes a cheeky snicker bar )

I am at work today until 2200. Yup you heard it right.. 0700-2200. I only earn 7 hours on time and a half, not the full day for OT but it helps. I got up at 0345 today in order to get here on time only to realise that I had set my alarm clock 1 hour earlier at 0345 (:eek:) than I needed to. Lack of sleep perpetuates stupid behaviour which leads to a lack of sleep - GREAT start to the day... however I couldn't say no to what will be a very very very easy day but good grief I am shattered..

So Mr Cobes I was messing with you so I apologise if you are upset about the alcohol comment but well done on not buying new trainers.. very proud.., Abundant use spiulina sparingly cause it's so gross, CONGRATULATIONS to LadyMay on the new job - you are clearly very good at whatever you do!! .. LoveAdove a massive WOW to the box.. and yes I would like a few piccies..:)..Well done to MagicLily for foraging.. did this at my friends house last week and watched her 18 months old snaffle a few. He loves them...Hotmama - who's money way it, yours or the schools. If it's yours it's not an SFD...Mrso2B - well done on the coke drinking..

I will be checking in later though so be well on your start to the day ..

Onwards and Upwards!!

LoveaDove

Siouxsie32- Quick post but have a great gift idea for a 50th! Especially if it's for somebody you're close to. I came across this on pinterest. Do excuse the link- it isn't about bonfires, and the gift is for someone in their 60's but the concept is so simple and thoughtful- a collection of memories: http://nothingbutbonfires.com/2011/06/sixty-years-memories

GoingForward_2

Loveadove that is a fantastic idea. Am going to squirrel it away for use later!! Thanks so much for sharing!

fyggy

Morning all,
A bit of a longer post to make up for my short check ins.

Today is the day before an event I have spent the last 4 months killing myself for- Tough Mudder (https://www.toughmudder.com). So busy busy. However, MSE ways continue- having my hair put into French Plaits for it and its the only plait I cannot do! So I am going to my hairdressers and they are doing it- free! Whilst in the neighbouring town having my hair done, one of my team mates for TM is an amazing physio and running a free drop in for her to work her magic on injuries we have before the event - free I have several, though mainly from pole fitness not the gym!

However, it will not be a SFD as I need to get a gift for the Team Leader for all his organisation (having a whip round tho, so will only cost me a fiver), some glucose sachets (£2ish) and train fare (£2) there. May get a lift home, hopefully. Also have to draw out some cash for the car parking tomorrow (£2 each if full car).

Organising spending. Not frivolous
Right, better get going, have a lovely day everyone. I won't be on tomorrow due to the event. Instead out claiming that money friends and family have sponsored me for

thriftylass

LoveaDove wrote: »

Siouxsie32- Quick post but have a great gift idea for a 50th! Especially if it's for somebody you're close to. I came across this on pinterest. Do excuse the link- it isn't about bonfires, and the gift is for someone in their 60's but the concept is so simple and thoughtful- a collection of memories: http://nothingbutbonfires.com/2011/06/sixty-years-memories

My mum is 60 next year, what a great idea. Don't think I can get 60 together though. Maybe I'll do an altered version of this as this is fab.

LadyMay congratulations on the job.

Men, they think if the speak to someone on the phone in the kitchen that you're automatically privy to the in formation shared over the phone. No, I usually don't listen or can't hear it anyway. So I got told last night that FIL is staying all weekend, i thought we'll just see him Sat for the food festival and tea. Don't get me wrong I love when he stays but I have done no planning foodwise/budgetwise etc as I didn't know :mad: Hopefully OH will foot most of the grocery bill etc as it will also include alcohol but not for me, so I'm not paying for it either.

Calling14

Day late checkin in, yesterday bit hectic, and phone playing up.

Just reading your tales
Moneymash poor you, and Pennies did giggle. Ladymay congrats on new job.
Food did monthly shop 64.62(took advantage of 17 pounds off first order tescos) plus seeing it was sunny -sausage and chips 1.80 reasonable? on the beach before summer ends? To add to expense yday car insurance 165.00 cheapest I found.

Food 70.54/120
Petrol 0/50
NSD 4/26 including today
Alcohol 0/26 (changed target need to relax bit stressed out at mo.) A glass of wine would be nice after shifting a ton of topsoil after work !
Beauty 0/10 - badly want night face cream and love Avon one, usually get off ebay will hold off few weeks and use lidl stuff.

Thats me lots of food in, freezer full and playing in garden so hopefully cheap weekend.

NinjaSavingKat

Fyggy a MASSIVE good luck with Tough Mudder - it is an amazing challenge and I want to hear all about it when you return...:j:j:j I have been reading up about it a few months ago and knows it takes guts and a signing of a waver so I wish you the very best... please get a lift home afterwards!!

beckyboo1980_2

Afternoon everyone!
Really sorry but have been off the radar for a couple of days. Went back to school on Tuesday for our non-pupil day and then new class started Wednesday. Am so lucky - I love my job as a teacher and my new class are just lovely. I am in Year 1 this year so some of them have only just turned 5. Had a lovely couple of days settling them in but did a 10 hour day Wednesday and 13 hours yesterday!!! Anyone who thinks being a teacher is a 9-3.30 job is very much mistaken!!! Got home at 8pm and then still had some planning and preparing for a couple of hours. Exhausted to say the least!
Being this busy has been great for the budget though as just not getting the chance to spend! Still well within monthly budget and loving discovering the delights of our new @ldi!
Off to Bristol this weekend for a friends birthday to see Ghost at the hippodrome. Hotel and theatre all paid for so just need to keep spends whilst up there as low as possible. Going to tell a little white lie and say I am on some new medication and can't drink - will help to save the pennies as well as helping keep to the alcohol ban. Could just say I don't want to drink but they will keep badgering me all night to have a drink otherwise and too tired to explain/argue etc...
Off to clean the bathroom - oh the joys!!!!!
Beckyboo
XXX