I am such an idiot! When will I learn?

judi24

Happy Christmas Ampersand - hope you had a good day yesterday?

Lovely to know you have been thinking about me - the run up to Christmas was a bit crazy made worse by my lack of energy caused by this cold cough lurgy which is finally moving!

I had a lovely Christmas eve with a bit of real nursing in work followed by carols (and donkey mess shovelling!) in Church with my family then the older girls went out leaving me with the wrapping! Everyone loved their home made treats too!

Yesterday was chilled and organised and meal went down well - some friends came round last night but I was quite relieved that they chose not to stay over - I didn't fancy having a bad head today!

I have paid my CC's and totted up my totals - will update my signature shortly - I have overspent and over indulged - but as you say Ampersand - no more!!! back to it!!! I have enough leftovers to feed us for a while so that will keep Januarys food bill down - with go through fridge tomorrow and freeze what I can!

And not even tempted to go near the sales!!! (even the Ne*t one even though I have £160 on a gift card!) so bring on the new year and my debt reduction challenge

Will have a look at you links later - but I really do hope you are having a lovely Christmas

Butti

My impression of Next sales Judi is that they fill them with tat. You'd be better to wait until you need something specific and go out and get that.

judi24

That's what I was thinking Butti - I got the gift card when I left my last job but want to get something I really want with it - just not sure what at the moment and to be honest I really couldn't be bothered fighting through traffic and people to buy tat!

vasseur

Delurking after reading your whole thread today. Just want to say (from one fabulous single mum to another ) what a fantastic job you're doing. Keep it up and don't beat yourself up over the small things.

*shuffles off to subscribe*

Butti

judi24 wrote: »

That's what I was thinking Butti - I got the gift card when I left my last job but want to get something I really want with it - just not sure what at the moment and to be honest I really couldn't be bothered fighting through traffic and people to buy tat!

Just make sure it hasn't got a use by date on it.

judi24

Thanks Butti never even thought about that - will check!


An Vassuer - thanks for your kind words - it tough being a single mum at times but we get there don't we? My source of stress at the moment are the number of 'little' jobs that need doing around the house and garden that I either I don't have the skills, the tools or the energy to do - so going to do a list and try to pick one off per month that I will do or get done throughout the year - I need to budget for this somewhere but without stopping or slowing the debt repayment plan! I need to renew my MSE ways and budget and plan within an inch of my life! I don't want to just ignore these things and have a huge and more expensive list when I am debt free! I was going to try to start a little savings pot but the numbers of house hold jobs needing doing is causing me stress! Its time like this I miss having someone to share the burden!

vasseur

judi24 wrote: »

An Vassuer - thanks for your kind words - it tough being a single mum at times but we get there don't we? My source of stress at the moment are the number of 'little' jobs that need doing around the house and garden that I either I don't have the skills, the tools or the energy to do - so going to do a list and try to pick one off per month that I will do or get done throughout the year - I need to budget for this somewhere but without stopping or slowing the debt repayment plan! I need to renew my MSE ways and budget and plan within an inch of my life! I don't want to just ignore these things and have a huge and more expensive list when I am debt free! I was going to try to start a little savings pot but the numbers of house hold jobs needing doing is causing me stress! Its time like this I miss having someone to share the burden!

I know what you mean. This year was the first time I'd mown a lawn! Not because there used to be someone else to do it, but because this is the first time we've ever had a lawn

One of my first tasks next year is to replace the bathroom blind. It will involve drilling :eek: which can be so final :cool:

I haven't yet found a task that wasn't demonstrated on y0utube though so that will be my first port of call - it's got me out of trouble lots of times

judi24

yes I agree y0utube is great for how to guides! What did we do before y0utube and go0gle!!!


Its the big things I can't do like my garage door needs fixing but I cant hold it and fix it at the same time!!! Need a good (but cheap!) handyman


Well I did venture to the shops yesterday - DS wanted to spend his Christmas money and DD2 wanted to get some bits for her friends coming round - I went to Ne*t and did manage to get a fab pair of jeans (even have a hold me in panel!) for £22 instead of £45 - and they look and feel great!!! so pleased with my little treat - I also got DD3 a dress we had our eye on for my cousins wedding half price too so really good sensible purchases - but no more now!!!


On a more frugal note - from the turkey I have managed to get Christmas dinner, leftover mix up for me on boxing day, turkey and ham pie yesterday with leftovers for DD2 today, a huge pan of soup made from the bones and 3 parcels of turkey for meals in the freezer. The ham joint is also cut up and in the freezer (probably enough for 3 meals). On top of that there are load of other bits left over so I shouldn't need to do much food shopping in January at all! I have enough wine and drinks to take some to my friends tonight for his birthday and to take to another friends for New years eve - after that I am going to do Dry January and get on a healthy eating plan until my Cousins wedding on the 23rd Jan - need to shed a few pounds to get into the dress I want to wear!

Kantankrus_Mare

Well done judi with stretching your turkey to do so much.

I am very impressed!

Another one here for dry january. Never done it before and think it will be a struggle for me as I really enjoy a glass of wine or two.

Just want to prove I can do it.

Thistle-down

I have read this thread from start to finish today. I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the progress you've made. It has given me a big dose of inspiration to get my money in order, as I too have made several well meaning attempts over the years, only to fall back into my old habits rather quickly.

About halfway through your thread I broke my NSD by downloading YNAB. I thought I was pretty savvy about where my money has been going but I have already had a few shocks that have been worth the price alone.

Thank you for being so honest, reading this has been like a ray of sunshine spreading over my life. If you can do it, so can I!