NSK; "The Janus Illusion".

CariadsNewStart

O Thankyou dolly that makes sense I think I will do the same especially as I paid the money into the bank out of overtime savings so I will claim my second SFD X

PheoniX

Oh noo half of my post has disappeared from above!! :mad: :mad: Will have to try remembering what I wrote! Back later

PheoniX

Hullo me Janus homies, old and new.. :wave:

Beckyboo I am very impressed with Beckyboo junior's mature attitude to money and work at 15. Her independent, level headed, responsible and disciplined qualities not only puts her in good financial stead but will help her succeed in other areas later on in life as well :T

Mrs GSR Living with depression and anxiety is difficult Do you think that the introduction of exercise into our January challenge will help you since it releases feel good hormones that relieves depression? An acquaintance of mine also suffers with SAD syndrome and has acquired a light box that helps treat her symptoms.. Im not entirely sure whether this was prescribed to her or whether she purchased it herself though.

Well Im kicking off the new year with 2 spend free days! :j I finished a night shift this morning and considered (very briefly) doing 20 minutes treadmilling and 10 minutes of tramping on setting foot through the door but it didnt materialise I should think of removing my bottom from this bed and do some but the thought of putting stickers on my retro cats wall planner excites me more!

I have a feeling I will need to outrightly buy a new smart phone soon as my 2 year old phone has a major charging problem! A £75 smartphone I have seen will do the job and ensure I keep up to speed with the threads so I will make sure this purchase will coincide with a spend day

I have not yet withdawn the planned £260 from the bank with the aim of living on £65 a week 'til payday.. I think Ill walk into town tomorrow (exercise- check ) to withdraw the cash and then swing by Waitrose for a free latte on my loyalty card :cool:

I have been thinking long and hard about my financial plan for the forthcoming year and have come to the conclusion that after years of financial abuse and insecurity, my finances need time to heal again, grow and restore a healthy balance.. The beginning of the debt free journey was long and difficult at the time, but looking back, the months have absolutely flown by and the sacrifices I made dont hurt anymore. So Im going to do the same for 2014!

And this means a very frugal year of:

No cars, campervans or motorbikes! I will keep my aged car going for as long as possible :T

No holidays for this year! I havent had a holiday for 4 years so another year wont make a difference :T

No major spends on a new TV or a new wardrobe! I will stick to what Ive already got :T

My theme for 2014 is Make Do and Mend! Like a Janus Warrior EmilyTee! :T

Im off to do my retro cats wall planner! Thems puddytat antics of you peoples always make me smile

Tatty bye folks :wave:

PurpleJay

Just a quick one mainly to declare SFD no 1 :j

Did a few things off my to do list including make gravy dinner and trifle (scrummy) and visit mum. More tomorrow.

NinjaSavingKat

Evening All...

I am home and fed! Still amused that my big laptop is working though!

Spend today as I used Grannys Christmas money on a new air of work-out trousers. It's says something when your training gear is too tight...:(:(:(:(

You will be glad to know that I put back two tops, a gym bag I technically don't need, and "barefoot" running shoes that I need for weight-lifting. I find my very expensive running shoes too spongy - honestly any excuse! :rotfl:

The last of my chips have been baked and eaten - there shall be no more!

AppleMuncher - what a great film. My friend is a twin and it resonates with her she has seen it four times already! I like the snowman! :rotfl:

Pinklyds and Emilytee you have been added..!

Right - I need to go put washing away and amuse myself while not thinking about the gym session I should be doing right now..:(

MrsGSR

Thank you to everyone for your kind words.
Pheonix,it does help me yes, I try to walk as often as possible and I have a very physical job but I don't really get the opportunity to do actual formal exercise thanks to DHs work hours and not having time away from the children, I should try and do something at home really but not sure what...
I keep thinking about a lightbox but I can't afford one just now.

apple_muncher

Just popping on to say that I've paid £10.44 off the mortgage - yippee! One of my 'resolutions' is to pay over the same amount of money I save with reductions, vouchers - like Tilly Tidies really.

Feeling rather smug!

nsk - do your weight sessions barefoot, or in socks (beware slipping!). I go barefoot, always trying to make sure I can wiggle my toes! And I love the idea of your 'air of work-out trousers'. Do they make you lighter!!

JayneC

Ok this is my first attempt at this challenge, although I already do most of it.

I have very ambitiously set my debt-free date as Jan 15. To achieve this I need to raise £600 per month on top of my current fixed payments. I have started today with a mystery shop and have emptied the dregs of my savings account (£38!!!), photographed some clothes for ebay and have my Avon to sort and deliver - all profits now destined for debt-busting.
Although I sell Avon I don't buy much in the way of toiletries so will easily keep below £10.
My food budget is £200 for 1 adult and 2 teenage boys, also includes cleaning and pet supplies ( 1 dog, 1 cat and 2 chicks)
I don't think I can downshift any more. I get my store cupboard shop from Aldi and fresh stuff from the grocers/butchers. I will only buy brands if I can get a good deal and its cheaper than the value/basic range.
I usually take lunch but have been known to buy a sandwich ( and maybe a cream cake ) occasionally. This will most definitely need to stop and so I am already planning for next week when I'm back to work.
I have no outings planned (other than a weekly activity that I do with DS, which is budgeted for), so will decline any that come along.
All money is strictly budgeted and enveloped anyway, will take extra care not to 'borrow' any.
Exercise - I walk my dog x 3 times a day (up a steep hill) and am making an effort to keep up a quick pace so I will count this as my exercise.
Will contact food bank to inquire about suitable donations.

Ok off to sort the avon...

JC

Taranaman

Sorry NSk - I am not a man but a Welsh lady from (originally) the Amman valley. And yes I did run in the rain. Had a more civilised run on the gym treadmill today watching Pointless.

Today is my first NSD. Glad I signed up as I was so tempted to get a Costa Gingerbread Latte today. Normally I would have computed the calories (ok because of the Gym) and not the cash.

XSpender

Hugs to those feeling low and :T to clever, money savvy daughters:)

Here is my update for the last 2 days:

2/20 SFD
£25/£130 food budget
£30/£100 diesel
2/5 brand downshift - basics grapes and plain yog
0/£3 food bank
1/15 exercise sessions
0/£40 going out, family fun etc
2/22 LTW

I have forgotten to budget for a couple of small items such as DS haircut at £6 so will try and cover these from my diesel spends as I think these will be lower than I have budgeted for as I will not be travelling as often to the office farther away as I thought this month.

We had a lovely 2 hour power walk yesterday, the dog was worn out:rotfl:

I am almost out of fruit and we will need more by the weekend and for next weeks lunches but this challenge is really making me think about when I will shop as I really don't want to waste a SFD if I can help it.

Forgot to say that my DFD is august 2014 for the 2nd mortgage in my sig and dec 2014 for the cards. The big loan is to be cleared before I am made redundant in July as the big payment will be tough to cover while I am out of work.