Debt Destruction December!!!

short_bird

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/10525022/Teenager-buys-600-worth-of-shopping-for-4p-and-donates-food-to-charity.html

I appear to have something in my eye...

rosiecheeksblossom

Shortbird A interesting article and a this lad is another inspiration of what can be done if you really knuckle down and concentrate on where your money is going....

plymouthscubagirl

Oh poop, forgotten everyones names to conversations to add responses. Colleague just interrupted me....how rude when I'm doing somehting non work related too

NSK - Sounds like you are having a lovely time back home. My friend and I (who lives in London), started this debt blasting thing together and she's finished and says she feels a little lost now, other than taking on a huge mortgage!!

Diet chit chat- sounds quite interesting. I too feel loads better when I follow a low carb plan. Really must give myself a kick up the bum and re-start!

I am sooooo in wind down mode here today. My DDD targets aren't going too bad. One that I've managed to stick to really well is bringing lunch and breakfast into work, which has made a huge difference to my food budget.
Kicking myself about spending on the credit card, which has found its way back into my purse! And I'm ashamed to say that I am sat here refreshing my Next account furiously waiting for a VIP invite Its my only highlight of the year *:o:o*
Anyway I will work on damage limitation and I'm thinking I might need to just cut up card after or give it to relative so I can't impulsively spend. I could be done by August if I did, that should be enough motivation really.

Love that article, what a lovely chap donating it all too. His mum must be very proud :T x

MrsGSR

Today will be SFD 11, yay! I forgot a few bits from hey diddle lidl so got them when I went to work last night to save using up a SFD today!
Made some truffles for Christmas gifts and have also planned for some other bits to make which I have all the ingredients for. I'm hoping to make the total SFD this month as with DS having the pox, and so much to organise I won't have time to go out spending!
Hope everyone has a good day.

Calling14

Just a quick check in. Thanks to my virtual family for all their hugs and kind words means a lot.
Funeral on Monday, other relative moved back into nursing home so hopefully things calming down a bit now.

Had a day off yesterday and completed my xmas shopping such a relief, stressing out left it so late. Also got food shopping done, ended up with 14 pounds off in coupons in Sainsburys - not as good as the young lad in the news today but helped my food budget. Not gone mad this year, just pop into Lidl for some veg over weekend.

SFD stuck on 6/15 as going to a gig tonight The Cast also didn't bring any lunch in - not like me!!!!!

Missed so much on here, will catch up over weekend as another night out tomorrow work - no spending on my part.

Will update totals later, paid bit off credit cards today, hopefully more tomorrow. I will reach my target of 9500 before the end of yr so happy.

PurpleJay

Hiya

Lovely morning chatting... 2.5 hours later lol!

Sainsbobs delivery came. Returned tea bag substitution but other than that all good. Total £116.19 including £23 Xmas gifts, £9 beer/cider, £5.40 cat food and the rest £74.61 in general groceries (food, bleach and dishwasher tablets. Sig has been updated.

Oops just spotted another bottle of wine...£7.49 prossecco for Xmas day, will pop and amend in mo... So that's £16.49 on alcohol (mounts up) and £67.12 on groceries. There are a few luxury items I don't normally buy like brandy cream, choc orange, mint thins (own brand), J20 etc. Though I would try own brand dishwasher tabs 60 for £5 as no offers on the brands.

Great to read about the coupon collecting teen. Well done to him! Must look into couponing... I am good at using quidco, saved over £900 since joining and I often search for discount codes or free delivery when online shopping, I also tend to use vouchers sent to me by supermarkets but don't hunt for coupons. Will read up on this as this may be a way to shave a few pounds of the shopping bill. Do any of you do much of this?

NinjaSavingKat

Good Morning one and all..

I got up late today (priorities) had breakfast served by Mumsy in front of a roaring log fire and my slightly smelly aged Labradinger ( Springer Spaniel / Black Lab mix ) staring at me. He is 15 years old on Boxing Day ( picture to follow ) and he ain't doing so well..:(

The snow has landed over here and I am here until the 29th .. it's like we are inside one of those snow domes and someone has given us a shake so it's snowing and it's crazy swirly kinda snow outside although not very heavy ......yet.......

All this talk of food banks means I am doing mine over here.. Asda are collecting as a church in the town is distributing it so I intend to do my donation with a carefully tuned list and £15....

Since today's snow storm means "sit in front of the fire and don't leave" I shall be playing with my spreadsheet / paper-diary / new MSE diary for 2014 planning / scheming January's challenge and generally being fed like a fatKat by my mother...

That's my lot for the day...

Shyspender your post made me LOL! I read it out to my Mumsy and Pa who cackled. I had tried to get them to give up the turkey this year but it's crept back in and they are picking one up from the local farmer....26lb turkey for 4 people... jokers they are... I am having a nut roast...

Siousxie I had every faith that you had a plan and I am glad you are getting through January with pennies to spare. Any ides on what to get your Dad.. what about a simple book voucher - or a voucher or sorts - at least he could put it towards something he wants. I would always want a few ££'s than something I don't want or need...

Calling - so glad you have reached your target despite everything that has gone on in your life at the moment. Enoy your night out and buy some chips for lunch as a treat...:A...did I just say that....oops!

Plymouth Scuba Girl - I will be glad to get back into something money orientated - I actually hate spending money and have no interest in Christmas shopping now... our entire family have agreed to no gifts... phew! I know how your friend feels.... I need that "exercise" a**e kicking too...

Short_Bird - amazing article... although that is a lot of shipped cream he has there...

Right... gotta research my local food bank...

Frugalsod

I have already achieved 17 NSD, though the spend on one of my spend days was close to target. I am hoping for only two more spending days this month, hopefully both will add up to less than £10.

LoveaDove

Has anyone watched or read the transcript from yesterday's Parlimentry Debate on 'The motion calling on the government to bring forward measures to reduce dependency on food banks?'

Kat put a link up a couple of weeks ago for a petition for this to go to debate? I signed it and wrote to my local MP to request that he attend on behalf of our constituency.

I read the whole transcript...the debate seemed a bit of a shambles in my opinion. I won't go into detail as I'm sure that should be saved for another board. suffice to say while the big wigs continue to point the finger and displace blame, us little guys are doing absolutely superb at supporting our local communities and those who run/ volunteer at local churches, charities/ food banks should be celebrated!

I shall be doing an extra donation before Christmas I think!

short_bird - Thanks for the link- that's made my day!

fyggy

HELLO FROM NORTHERN IRELAND DDDers

NSK- I am indeed! We've been touristing this time too! Giants Causeway yesterday Today is our "Christmas day" so all the family will be descending shortly! My DH is N.Irish so we visit on or near Xmas, dependant on our shifts every year. I am typing this in my very tasteful Xmas jumper! Hah.

I am now up to 10 SFDs. Today may make 11 as long as we don't run out of wine... Unlikely in a N.Irish household with so many visitors! :beer:

Budgets are doing okay (run 27th-26th)
Food- £123/250
Fuel- £192/250
Christmas- £290/350
These should be around about correct, have a few receipts to add onto my budget planner

Our payday tomo. Though should be able to run the budgets until usual date. Only 4 gifts left to buy.

Merry Christmas all! :j