NSK; "The Janus Illusion".

rosiecheeksblossom

LINDSAYGALAXY - I feel your pain regarding the meal out, Ive had this happen to me a few times and it really winds me up too!!!! xxx

fyggy

I like to make an entrance, so here's me, on my first post on here for the month. I've been reading all the posts everyday just busy the last 3 days!

SFDs-1/20

Food- 44.70/£150 for two adults and a kitty. Runs 27th-26th

Fuel- 73/£140. Hoping nearer £120 as DH & I should be able to car share to work now (I'm starting work at his place). So we'll "save" my previous work mileage of around 120miles a month. Runs 27th-26th.

Brands downshift- 1/5. I already shop at Lidl. So I've been thinking as to what other things I could downshift. I found one - hair dye. I had been growing my hair out having stopped going to the hairdressers and stopped dyeing it, to see what my roots were (it's been a long time since I had natural hair). So whilst in Superdrug purchasing a box of dye, I immediately picked up what I'd usually use. But then out it back and got own brand.

Outings- Free ones- visits to friend, Mother, Grandparents. Football- two home games this month (accounted for in the fuel budget), 2nd job training - x2, one is a weekend away which I'm car sharing to & room sharing (awaiting to hear back what my 3rd will be for the hotel), got my tickets for it and will use as dress I have for the evening do, we get fed all weekend, other training is a day thing where we get fed too, got my ticket, it's local. I am putting aside my pocket money for this: £50

Foodbank- 0/3

Exercise- 2hours. I go to the gym twice a week and pole fitness 1-2 per week. I am also starting back at yoga next week.

DFD March 2017 overall. Dec 2015 for CCs. My goal for this year is to pay off half my CC debt- £3,600 = £300 PCM.

Tracking- I use an app to track my debts and an app to put in my spendings and plan- "HomeBudget". I keep all my receipts.

Beauty- 5/10. My facial wipes were on offer so I stocked up.

Alcohol- I had planned to drink this month. I'd rather do things in moderation than outright bans. I will be drinking on my weekend away and it's my birthday at the end of the month so I will probably raise a glass then. So instead I'll aim for 28days. 3/28

Lastly put all your budgeted money (food / petrol / outings) into separate envelopes now. Keep them separate and receipts as well.
I am terrible with cash. I actively avoid having cash. I have the last two days been and paid in odd bits I have. I have several bank accounts that act like my envelopes!

:money::money:

Munchin

Hi all

I was on my planned night out last night but due to various people bailing out because of sickness it turned into a great but cheaper night at a friends house:D. I've not started my exercise yet as I hurt my back on Monday past but I'm hoping to go out for a waddle tomorrow and see how my back reacts.

SFDs: 2/20
Food budget: £20.75/£140
Brand downshift: 1/5
Foodbank: £0/£3
Exercise sessions: 0/15
Outings: 18.60/£50
LTW: 2/16 (on leave part of Jan:))

sandycheeks

Morning lovely folks


Just playing catch up as I have had a couple of really busy days - trying to sort out my FIL stuff as he has had to go into care. For the last couple of years he has been getting forgetful so anyway last year the docs finally decided to test him for dementia. Anyway it was the worst case scenario - he was diagnosed with both vascular dementia and alzheimers and has gone downhill so fast. Last October he had a crazy episode and threw his telly through the window resulting in him getting sectioned by the mental health team. He hasn't been home since and is now in full time care - he now doesn't recognise anyone now and it is heartbreaking for my OH. Hopefully his finances will get sorted soon!!!


Back to me now....
SFD 2/20
Food budget £20/120
Foodbank - donations ready to go
Exercise - been for a long walk with our dog Holly this morning so feel quite invigorated!!


Ebay is playing nice at the moment - got loads ending today so hopefully should make a few pounds!!!


Have a lovely weekend folks and speak soon xxx

Suziebabe

Afternoon! I must say this alcohol-free lark does help get things done the next day! Not sure OH agrees (he's not taking part but still working his way through his Christmas beer stash) - he looked a bit shocked when I got up early to go shopping! Still, meals all planned for the week, groceries bought & put away, freezer audited & re-organised, xmas tree taken out - all before lunchtime! Leaves me lots of time for EBay this afternoon ...

SFDs: 2/20
Groceries: £70/£200 - just under £40 for the week, using up freezer food
Petrol: £0/£60
Downshift: 3/5 - trying out Aldi's oats, orange juice & fizzy water (not sure if the last one counts, how can fizzy water be different?!)
Lunch to work: 2/22
Outings: £0/£40 - just realised we're out tomorrow, and likely to spend around £10
Food bank: £0/£3
Exercise: 0/3 x 20 minutes - not doing very well on this at all!
Beauty spends: £0/£10
Alcohol: 4/31(365) - counting today as there's no way I'm having a drink tonight!
Pay Towards Your Debt First: £99

PheoniX

Mooorrrniin :wave:

Beckyboo Your daughters ethic for hard work has been instilled in her from a very young age after all youve been through as a family. She sounds a very caring and considerate girl and you sound like a lovely close family Here's wishing you all good health and happiness


Cariad "I read my horoscopes for the week and the year today in work in a mag (I didn't buy it lol) both mentioned getting financially organised very odd!!"

We must all be under the same star sign! :rotfl:


I think I'm getting obsessed with money as I found myself dreaming about my wall planner and bank accounts last night


EyesWideOpen There is definitely something to be said about post achievement mental and physical exhaustion or burn out. I think thats why I have no energy or enthusiasm for socialising or exercise at the moment.. After putting so much into debt busting, penny pinching, not spending or socialising as much, it feels like I cant take anymore on board until the debt is completely gone :huh:

Having said that, I have already looked into the top two high interest savings accounts this morning , as recommended by :money:. I have already sent an email to one and will nip into my bank (the second of his recommendations) on Monday while en route to a free Waitrose latte When the debt is over with next month and I feel like I can face looking into more money making options, I will master how to sell stuff on fleabay and will be picking all your brains about how to do these surveys :A. I plan to set one day aside per week to sit at the computer from say 10 til 4 to do these money making things.. Working from home as opposed to doing overtime at work :cool:

Thank goodness for you peoples who know the trials and tribulations of debt busting and enjoy a good natter about all money saving related matters 24/7 :T

No one else would understand! :rotfl:

:wave:

CEW

Suziebabe wrote: »

Afternoon! I must say this alcohol-free lark does help get things done the next day! Not sure OH agrees (he's not taking part but still working his way through his Christmas beer stash) - he looked a bit shocked when I got up early to go shopping! Still, meals all planned for the week, groceries bought & put away, freezer audited & re-organised, xmas tree taken out - all before lunchtime! Leaves me lots of time for EBay this afternoon ...

SFDs: 2/20
Groceries: £70/£200 - just under £40 for the week, using up freezer food
Petrol: £0/£60
Downshift: 3/5 - trying out Aldi's oats, orange juice & fizzy water (not sure if the last one counts, how can fizzy water be different?!)
Lunch to work: 2/22
Outings: £0/£40 - just realised we're out tomorrow, and likely to spend around £10
Food bank: £0/£3
Exercise: 0/3 x 20 minutes - not doing very well on this at all!
Beauty spends: £0/£10
Alcohol: 4/31(365) - counting today as there's no way I'm having a drink tonight!
Pay Towards Your Debt First: £99

If the fizzy water was cheaper than your normal brand then of course it will count. That's the best type of downshifting when there is a saving but no change in the taste or quality of the product :T

Looks like it will be a SFD for me today as OH making Cornish Pasties (proper ones WITHOUT carrots) from meat and ingredients we already had in stock. Will report back later once I know it definitely has been a SFD.

Chez x

strandedinaber

Afternoon all! Well I am not being terribly productive today (am still in my PJs) but I have an excuse as the friends I saw over Christmas were very kind and generous and shared their colds with me. Hoping if I spend today resting, I can get rid of it before I start work again on Monday. Riverford delivery has just arrived with lots of lovely fruit, veg & meat (payment will go out on Monday) so I don't have to leave the house and am claiming today as a NSD.

My totals:

SFDs: 2/20
Groceries: £0/£200
Petrol: £48.96/£70
LTW: 0/16
Entertainment/Outings: £16.50/£50
Foodbank: £0/£3
Exercise: 0/15

CariadsNewStart

Hiyas all x

Today is def not a SFD as ASD@ delivered and also picked up some fresh meat in butchers this should be us for the week now tho...

2/20 NSD..
£56.58/£225 GROCERY BUDGET.
1/5 Downshifts of brands..
3/22 Lunches to work.
0/1 outing for D/H birthday.
Will avoid all take-aways etc.
£0/£3 foodbank. (need to research this)
6/48 Exercise sessions 2x20 mins a day with s/w.
£1.50/£10 Beauty spends.1 can of sure.
Enough booze here to sink a ship!!

The downshift is possibly a dodgy one but trying value loo roll for this week its pounds cheaper but will have a go...
Have a long shift in work today so will not spend anything else..I also bought a few bits on offer in boots but am clawing this money back as we speak on ebay and were planned spends so not too upset about them..

B17c

Hi everyone
So today is a SFD after all, need pens for work but have managed to find a couple dotted around the flat so they'll do for today and tomorrow!
Won't bother going to M*rrisons until Monday when I'll actually do a shop.


SFDs: 4/20
Food budget: £0/£100
Brand downshift: 0/5
Foodbank: £0/£3
Exercise sessions: 0/15 does running about at work all day count?
Outings: 0/£50
LTW: 4/20
£10 toiletries: think I might be ok for the month but we'll see

Exercise, the following weeks should be better than this week!