NST December Challenge - Festive and Frugal

apple_muncher

Got a good deed done! Neighbour's dd is off school with a poorly tum and she asked me to buy a few bits for her as she couldn't get out. I'd already done my shopping by then, but nipped out for her.

Got some cleaning done today - must be coming down with something, eh?!

Samiszel

Wow, vintagebrighton- that's a great list of achievements. Well done you :T

NSD number 2 yesterday. New phone arrived which does not fit in current phone case, so will need to find one on Fleabay. But do I do that tonight and risk losing another NSD over a few pounds? Hmm... it's currently residing in an old sock in my bag :rotfl:

Making loads of cupcakes this eve for SIL wedding on Sat. Not looking forward to this... DH coming home early to help me ice them etc. Hopefully will all come out ok.

Well, that's me done. Closer to the weekend now than not!

sazzlebgood

lilt i've revisited my issue with shopping and have put a plan in place to help me overcome my comfort shopping.
Didn't post yesterday as we were at the hospital all day with DD2 who was having botox and surgery on her legs. Very traumatic day for all but at least they discharged her:T as they did talk about keeping her in over night.Small spend of £10 at the hospital resturant which was a mad dash to eat something whilst she was in theatre. Small spend today as had to go and get emergency fig biscuits and freddo frogs for DD2. Not done alot today as her legs are sore and stiff. Gave me chance to sit and do some work for uni. Looking forward to OH cooking comfort food of sausage, cheesey mash and beans as I'm full of cold today. Will look more at challenge for this month later.

mothernerd

:jFeeling Festive :jBeing Frugal.:j

Making progress - DS3 went to the old house yesterday to put out the rubbish and paper bins which were both full to the brim (not been back to take them in again though - have warned him that he is paying if they get stolen) and then did the same here (paper bin is mainly cardboard boxes which I have ripped up as soon as they are emptied - if there is nowhere for the clutter to go, it can't accumulate).

I have been having a serious look at some of my stuff, furniture included and it is seriously tatty. Will definitely be having another cull if/when DS3 leaves to live with gf.

Also managed to persuade him into tackling the washing and taking library books back to the library and paying the £4.40 owed - couldn't renew on-line. While he was going to the library I loaded him up with charity and food bank donations so more space all round.

This morning I have half filled the paper bin with the cardboard which was still in sacks and found spaces for a few more of the things in paper bags - I can still only unpack a little at a time and the bags have to have been put on the couch or somewhere I can reach - not on the floor.

Frustrating afternoon dealing with water and utilities bills - three attempts to set up a new password, finally logged in and then found the 'new bill' was a reminder of the dd due out in January at the old house not updated with my new details. Utility bills for both houses are high (for me) and they refused to accept the last readings we gave. Now sent photos of both meters. Not worth changing suppliers as old house will soon be ending and my yearly rebates are due Feb/March. Will look at tariffs after that.

Read an article about wardrobe cloggers and the only one that rang a bell was 'white t-shirts that aren't white any longer'. T-shirts are the only thing I have a lot of so did a cull and the good ones went in the charity hopper, the others are rags. Was going to have a bra cull (following the visit to the doctors last month when the 'upper pair' remained perky whilst my own slid out under the bottom but that seems to have been the only defective one - I have weeded out the old tatty ones. One of the benefits of losing weight is that I am left with the few new ones I bought last time I was a reasonable size (using the term loosely as these are 42G plus a couple of 42E that I will keep for now).

New laptop cable has arrived so updated my figures, except debt which I totted up the other day but have temporarily misplaced (worse than last month but better than the beginning of the year).

Achievements
1) Went 'public' on my debts by coming on these forums
2) Did everything necessary to get the big house saleable - working myself to the point of exhaustion at times and then keeping going when I could only do 5 minutes up a ladder and getting up the ladder took longer than 5 minutes. Had to pay for some work but overwhelmingly down to my efforts.
3) Moved house which has cost money last month but should reduce my monthly costs as far as possible (unfortunately income has also plummeted).
4) Managed to reduce my debt over the year which included paying for the damp proof course, the kitchen ceiling repairs (bathroom leak), roof repairs and 'new to me' kitchen at a time when income was limited.
5) Kept going through months of physiotherapy, final diagnosis in August, major surgery at the start of November and loving my new hip (starting to feel slightly graceful when walking around even though there is still a limp - well the new hip is only three weeks old tomorrow).

Don't think I am brave - I think I am just to stubborn to lie down and admit defeat, I may get down occasionally but I bounce back.

Fmess

Well done on all of your posts - I love it when the thread moves quickly with chatter


vintagebrighton – loving your 5 achievements I am sorry to hear about your son, it must be so tough. I am the OH of a man who has very little to do with his family. He has his reasons but has never told them, as they have never had open, honest discussions in their family. It’s very sad.

lilt and Coffeandstitches – I have just swapped to 1st utility, although didn’t get any cashback (doh!). They seem to be cheap but do watch out as it had taken a couple of months to get them to take DD on the right day. Also when I called up about something, having agreed a fixed amount per DD, they had ‘accidentally’ set me up to pay the full bill every month.

calling – hope your back has eased a little?


applemuncher – well done on your good deed


samiszel – that cupcake venture sounds like a yummy good deed


sazzlebgood – hope DD is doing well after her op


mothernerd – well done on your achievements


SFD number 2 and LTW number 3 I also had to go to c00p for some work things and scanned my c00p card and got a free chocolate snowman and £2 off a shop It made my day!


Nothing much else to report, I am starting to get overly tired and have my work do on Friday, and although I want to go, I wish I could have a day of sleep first.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for time with dd in candlelight, for an easy foodshop, for the cleaning powers of wetwipes, for my sewing machine, for good strong coffee.

LoveaDove

Popping in briefly with a 3rd SFD! Yay! Great to read everyone's achievements- you're a bunch of tough cookies

Wanna_Bee_Free

Fmess wrote: »

Wanna bee free if the only thing you spend is direct debits then it's a SFD. I think you can definitely count that as your good deed, well done

Yay, thanks! So yesterday went to plan with a LTW and NSD. Today I took lunch to work, ate it early and then ate a second one because there was a yummy pancake/galette stall right outside work. No other spending so that's the naughty step for me. How do you count that for LTW? 3 or 2.

Tired now, sweet dreams turtles.

speakingofart

Just a very quick check in to say that I am still here - haven't checked in yet because I've had the most ridiculous week in the world, but will set my budgets and goals etc over the weekend and catch up with everyone's posts. I'm a very bad turtle!

ilovetea

Good morning.
Still no budgets set or achievements thought of.
Had 3 NSD though.
Will be back later with my plan :-)

ilovetea xx