NST November: battening down the hatches!

thriftylass

Well, done my numbers and I already spent all my food budget. Think I set it too low for the 4 of us as I was really good this month and really only bought essentials. However, the freezer, cupboards and fridge are still full and I shouldn't need anything till Sat/Sun and then just milk, bread and a few fruit.

Realised Dec and Jan won't be as bad as thought as DS' nursery will be shut for two weeks and I'm just trying to confirm that they really don't charge us then and DD nursery fees will be lower by 4 days as they don't charge for xmas and new year. So all that money can go towards the car and the CC debt hopefully.

Calling14

Samiszel - Congratulations well done you. Wish it was me. Can't imagine what a sense of relief it must be. When I started out the light bulb moment 13039.00 was awful the realization that I had no free money a month after paying my debts, scared with just my wage could lose the house if I couldn't make the min. payments, half way there now and see a bit of free cash now not a great deal and usually gets heaped onto paying the cards but not having sleepless nights anymore. Can't wait to get to your position. Congratulations again.

Traveller Sorry to hear your news and you seem to be very switched on as to which path you go to. I would do the same as you rather than wait for the redundancy package. I couldn't cope without being in work. Glad you children are taking it well - sensible little souls. Horrid time of year to have this news, hope you manage to knock your debt down and find a job.

Didn't check in yesterday was still itching all over, doubled my dose of antihystamines and my rash has calmed down today.

Spent yesterday, feeling horrid and pigged out on pack 4 chocolate chip sainsbury cookies and I wonder why I am not losing weight? Also bought a mobile case charger for my phone, as find battery goes flat using Sat Nav easily. For the sake of 7 pounds and me not getting lost late at night essential.

Will try de cluttering tonight, haven't got a great deal left maybe grandsons toys some he doesn't play with could go to cs.

Counting today will be 7 SFD.

Going to try and buy Fleetwood Mac tickets Thursday so will blow all my budgets but so good last time, now Christine McVie is with them should be even better. Something to look forward to next June.

Spoke to M & S yesterday swopping old bank act to them looks as if I will get 125 pounds of vouchers, hopefully either just before xmas or in Jan. Think Jan would be nice time to get them, when broke.

Have a lovely day folks.

CoffeeandStitches

Morning all,

Got my expenses paid this morning, just £20 but it's all been split, allocated and put away before I could do anything with it. Also got someone coming to pick up a fleabay item this afternoon. Money for that will be put towards a meal out tonight which I completely forgot I had said yes to, and unfortunately it's one of those things I just can't get out of. At lest I won't have to dip in the budget for it, but still.....

Going to catch up on all of the posts from yesterday now.

Happy Tuesday all!

thriftylass

Just had a look as to where to get our goose this year. The last few years we got it in Aldee but now they put the prices up and it's 35 quid :eek:. Will be going to Lildl then again (£17). Also need to stay away from those shops now as they got all lovely german christmas goodies in like lebkuchen and spekulatius. Hopefully be able to hold out till December when my food budget is bigger and will allow for such treats .

Caeraugirl

Traveller, just wanted to add my commiserations about your news, but you seem to be in control of the situation, hope it all works out for you.

Another two SFD for yesterday and today, might have to spend some pennies tomorrow on milk and bacon but will eke it out as long as I can. Have made a start on decluttering around my computer but still lots to do - should really get off here and do some more, or at least do the rest of the ironing left from the weekend.....

liltdiddylilt

Evening all

thrifty I actually have a separate £100 aside for the Christmas food. Will not be buying any tins of sweets or chocolates as usually I end up with 4-5 and munch my way through them at an alarming rate. Have to say I stocked up on the spiced gingerbread this week in Lidl, and bought a pack for my MiL as they are her favourite. Next time I will grab some stollen as it is my all time favourite Christmas cake. I fully intend to splurge this year, especially as 'my' family tradition is in fact Lamb, after 26 years of Turkey and never enjoying it once. I now buy a giant leg of lamb and am all the happier for it as usually we avoid lamb due to the cost during the year.

Am currently cooking the most incredible smelling korma from scratch. I used a Lidl spice jar, which has the right mix of all the usual curry spices in it and have added chicken, green beans, greek yoghurt, coconut cream and chopped almonds in. Can't wait until it is cooked, and out of 3 chicken breasts there are at least 5 portions so plenty for the week.

SFD #8 here and am crossing my fingers for 2 out of 3 of my work days this week remaining spend free. I think will need bread by Thursday so unless I can find a YS loaf I like, it will be £1 spent to ruin the day. Wish bread lasted longer. Might get anything else needed for next week, and see if I can jam another loaf into the freezer to stop me spending next week.

£86 spent yesterday on kids shoes, but mum has given me £60 of that. Bless her. So that pot of £70 is way under budget now, and can be moved on to the next set of shoes.

Spoke to NPower today who explained it may take until the 12th December for me to get my final bill, despite the move being last month. I am expecting a hefty credit back so this is inconvenient but I don't need the money right now so I will treat it as a savings account.

Hugs to anyone needing them. Finally got on top of my post holiday work load last week so going in to a slightly less frantic office. Expecting the mood to be a bit somber still, as last week we had a raft of contract changes introduced including cutting sick pay, semi-forced 2 weeks annual leave in one go, and the place will be kept open for Christmas from 2015. We used to have to give 1.5 days of our 20 days a year towards the closure but now we have to give the full amount and put our names in a hat. I only work part time so I will still get some time off some years, but it doesn't really worry me that much so I won't fight for the time off as other people go away religiously each year and I wouldn't want to spoil it for them.

Off to eat my korma. Night all xx

ilovetea

Good evening.


Traveller sorry to hear about your job,you seem to be coping.Maybe this is the start of something good.

Moohound. Hope your little dog is feeling better soon.

Mothernerd. You but me to shame with all you hard work and organisation.


I'll try and remember what has happened the last few days.
Friday spent £36.61 in Tesco.Included some cleaning stuff and some meat for the freezer but mostly a lot of fruit and veg.
Saturday. Hospital visiting Cost £7.80. Money was already set aside for this.
Sunday NSD. Listed 56 items on e-bay,so hopefully some decluttering will be happening soon.
Monday. Hospital visiting £10.
Tuesday NSD.
Vouchers for Arg*s came today and a free sample of cat food for my daughters cat!!!
Hoping for another spend free day tomorrow.
Looking for ideas for Christmas presents for my 2 daughters 29 & 30. No idea at all. Think I'll have to go into the nearest town to have a look round :-(

ilovetea xx

apple_muncher

Dd made it to school today and I was glad she lasted all day - well done her! She really wants to go to cheerleading tomorrow - at 8am - so that is tomorrow's motivation sorted!

I have another NSD to add, even ending up £2 in credit for a bag dropped at the Sally Army. The next one is now available for filling so I can crack on with that part of the challenge.

Today I am grateful for dd lasting the day at school and slowly mending, for lovely neighbour, for dh texting to say that he would cook tea tonight, for a better night's sleep last night, for dd not needing antibiotics.

Tomorrow's big advemture is going to liddle for my food shop as aldee is closed for refitting...

Aphidgirl

Struggled through yesterday due to a hangover, back on track today with NSD 4

Took lunch to work and had some leftover veg for dinner, potatoes and leeks - yummy

Samiszel

NSD number 7...

That is literally all I have to report today :rotfl:

Have a good evening all!!