NST December Challenge - Festive and Frugal

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for 2 lovely friends helping me by having dd, for a bracing walk after work, for catching up with people, for a warm fleece blanket to wrap round me, for apples.

liltdiddylilt

Joining you today apple

Today I am grateful for karma, nice bus drivers, lovely landlords, for having enough that I can give to others, for my electric blanket and homemade red onion gravy.

Just pledged £5 to this fabulous cause after seeing a youtube video of a heavily pregnant woman remonstrating with protesters outside an abortion clinic. She happens to tell them about the work her company do with disadvantaged children, just around the corner from the clinic. Kids Company... One powerful lady.

Bex296

Evening Turtles! I've been a bit slow on updating, busy at work this week- got back at 11 last night as we had an open evening :shocked: I've been enjoying catching up on everyone's activities though.

So, only one SFD to report thus far- diesel on Mon, epic Christmas Shopping Extravaganza on Tues and a few odds and sods for food today. But some were yellow stickered, including a v nice soup which will do a couple of lunches. I also spent some of a gift voucher left from our wedding on a slow cooker, which I'm very excited about using! :j I have factored in some yummy-sounding slow cooker meals into this month's plan. Will update you if they work...

Budgets will be tight this month but all the Christmas shopping is done, and all the food is in except for fresh bits. Plus DH and I are having a 'duvet day' instead of our monthly day out- which he made compoulsory a few months ago so we could see more of each other as I was working so many weekends

I've been thinking about the 5 achievements, I think mine are:

1. Getting married!
2. Not getting into any more debt for said wedding, we saved everything in advance :j
3. Paid off an old personal loan
4. Finished collecting data for my PhD (*just* a thesis to write now, :eek:)
5. Building a new website (with help from a friend) for a charity I volunteer for

I will be a better-at-updating turtle for the rest of the month, I promise!

Samiszel

I think today is NSD number 3 as I'm probably not going to spend, now that it's past 9pm. Will be away at the long-anticipated SIL wedding this weekend, so won't be updating again until Monday.

Can't imagine that I will be spending much, if anything, so possibly another 3 NSD? There had better be an open bar

Off to finish icing those last few cupcakes... Have a good weekend guys!

nannygladys

Hi all

I am so glad I have been putting money away each month to cover the annual bills, as today my car has had a full service, two new tyres and its mot and cost £345 and it was all paid for with cash and it was less than I had saved, so the leftover has been put away for the next car bill. So happy.

So today has been a spend day but that was it. DD1 has been over and has been helping me to declutter, I haven't got much really but I tend to hold onto some useless bits 'just in case' so three bags have gone to cs. Sounds like a lot but they were only shopping bag size lol.

Anyway off to make final drink before bed, oh lunch was hm soup and tea was made using stuff out if the freezer.

Nannyg

Aphidgirl

Evening all,

Spent £5.88 today so no NSD. That was £1.88 on some fruit and veg in Mr T and £4 on a hat and scarf from Primarni.

I was trying to live without the hat and scarf for as long as possible but been getting bloody chilly! I wore the hat and scarf home and felt very snug

I did another mystery shop tonight so got a free dinner and made £2.75 profit, covering some of today's costs.

I gave some change to two homeless people I saw begging in town, so that's a good deed for the day. I'm very grateful for my job and having a warm, cosy room to come home to at the end of the day. I'm very lucky indeed not to be out on the streets tonight in the freezing cold. Always good to remember that although I'm in debt, there are plenty of people in much worse situations!

Happy debt-busting/saving

Fmess

Evening,

Very quick check in as I'm tired and just finished working.

SFD number 3 and LTW number 4

Walked the dogs but still no other exercise. Tomorrow is my work do so will be a spendy day but looking forward to a meal out and a few drinks.

Hope you've all had a good day

LoveaDove

Evening! Another speedy check in! Spend day today, kitties run out of food sooner than expected so sfd lost! Whilst picking up food I also picked up another xmas gift. Getting there, slowly but surely Hope you are all keeping warm and sleep well. Definitely food for thought aphidgirl! Night all!

CoffeeandStitches

Morning all,

Checking in with my first NSD for yesterday! Woop!

Mother - Is there any way we could see a pic of your stocking? I love a bit of sewing, just wish I had more time to do it!

Lilt - I saw that too, and totally agree with every word she said. Thanks for posting the link, I've just donated too. I can't believe how angry I got at the video....

So today is defo not a NSD - heading into town this evening for Christmas par-teh number 1. Really looking forward to it, just the day of work to get through first!

As-der delivery last night, they once again scrimped on the weights of their subs, quick call and £4 refund coming our way. DH laughed at me a lot, 'Is it worth it you mad woman?' Yes. Yes it is, £4 is a few meals for us!!!

Today I am thankful for - My big warm duvet. Not having a bad hair day. Giggles last night with DH. My mum. And life, which can be too short. (unfortunately had some sad news yesterday )

Synonymous

CoffeeandStitches, sorry to hear about your bad news, it is at times like this we realise how precious life is isn't it?

I had my first spending day yesterday, as I went out for Xmas drinks with my PhD-mates, but just had one drink so not too bad. Still living on the food in the fridge and cupboards so far. The car did not want to start yesterday so fingers crossed I can get away for the weekend later on tonight!

I've also joined the make £10 a day in December challenge (although £5 per day for me to start with) which I think will compliment this challenge and hopefully bring a good end to the year!