NST December Challenge - Festive and Frugal

CoffeeandStitches

Morning all!

Sorry I have been AWOL - Terrible cold and too busy, good news is I believe I am in budget still, bad news is I lost track of spends. I'm going to try and go through the last 4 days and guess, I'm annoyed at myself for not recording it all, but I know that I stayed in control.

Hope all are well, I'm off to catch up on all the posts

CoffeeandStitches

So the guesses are in, I need to do some serious damage limitation with the groceries budget, we will only have one more shop before the end of the month, and I've got a few Christmas treats already, but there isn't a chickens chance that I will be able to stay in that budget.

Had to pop to the shops for some tablets, shampoo, xmas cards, tights and a xmas present exchange for the mothership (who decided, prior to Christmas, she didn't like what we had got her...) Managed to get tablets, toner and shampoo with points, conditioner from the pound shop, and some lovely little bits for mym, must have spent under a fiver in all - dead happy

Then went and got my hair done..... we won't talk about it........

And finally the office Christmas do. Lovely night, all paid for, fab meal and drinks, and a dirty hangover on Sunday

Also - just had another household repair bill topping £250.00. Luckily it can wait until Jan, but I'm hoping that I can get it paid before that. But what with that, the car insurance, a vets bill..... it's all mounting up and I'm not sure how I'm not going to use the CC to cover some of it. Hmmm. Thinking caps on! Anyway, it's now 3 unexpected household repairs, 3 big cars costs, all in the last 4 weeks. Hopefully that will be it for a while.

Still haven't figured my goals, but will have a ponder this week.

Today I am grateful for my lovely work lot, stories of shame from the Christmas do, clean bed sheets, caffeine and giggles, which cure everything.

Calling14

Coffee and Stitches bills seem to be heading your way - poor you.

Well claiming a SFD today whatever even though I have just added 21.75 to my debt by doing a wee balance transfer of 750.00 0% till Dec 2015. Current deal ran out 1st Jan and I already have another card to try and clear by then, damn you Fleetwood Mac. So not counting it as a spend until it appears on my statement.

Hope everyone is fine and having a good day, arrived early for work minus my keys, so had to be the day my boss is late as well. Grrr.

Tantrum time, so cold in office threatened to go home. Offered to buy me a fleece! I am dealing with idiots here.

Finishing work this Friday and I can't wait. No idea what I will do for 2 weeks but so glad to have lie ins and have some me time.

Lots of paper to push around will update my totals later, Need a brew to keep warm.

Catch up with reading later x

LoveaDove

Hi all,

Hope you are all well?

So Sorry for my absence in the last week! I had a hell of a week at work and have felt very low the last few days I have a couple of days of annual leave at the moment so am recuperating and forming a plan for next year- which consists of looking at adjustments to work, finances, home and relationships! Scary stuff, but in all honesty every element of my life (bar my physical health which I am grateful for although being impacted gradually by stress), everything else is completely out of balance- I feel like I am lacking any personal autonomy and it has taken it's toll over the last few days. That aside...

I have accumulated: 8 SFDs so far and have completed my Christmas shopping. The only thing I need to get is the BIG Foodbank shop- The money I would have used to buy presents for my closest friend's is now going towards food donations for the local community. I've still purchased gifts for their chiddlers but in all honesty us adults do not need gifts from each other. It's just nice to be able to see them.

I will try and have a huge catch up on posts. I vaguely remember reading about Thread leading for next month- I believe it would be my turn, and I would still be happy to run this. If we haven't already got any volunteers for thread leading in the New Year could we start a new list?

Right, going to head back a few pages and catch up with you lovely lot!

BTW. I found 45p in a self-service till at Sainsbugs last week, but couldn't bring myself to keep it, so donated it to a brass band who were playing festive songs in the shop and raising money for charity. I had absolutely no cash on me (was paying for my shopping with my debit card) so felt better for giving them something as the music was so festive!

traveller

Morning all I'm working from home today but went near my work to collect the presents from stores I couldn't be bothered with yesterday. Coffee and stitches-I know exactly what you mean re. budget! I too have been wondering how will I stay on top this month. Sorry about your further household bill! Luckily, my daughter have 50.00 left over from the money for refreshments for her party. Worst thing is, when your fighting debt, it's never extra-just limits too much further damage

I had an acknowledgement from the limo company as well as an apology. They said they have forwarded my email to the owner of the company. Hopefully he'll be reasonable, but, at least they showed good customer service so far. I was expecting next to no acknowledgement and attitude.I don't expect to spend today, but I know any NSD leading up to christmas is just putting off the inevitable as I have to buy the food ect. All presents are now bought, so I can relax on that front

Well have a good day everyone Today I'm grateful for my family, who have been really supportive with all this job upheaval carry on and the fact that we are all safe warm and I am able to pay towards my debt rather than make some difficult and tough choices many will have to regarding heating a home or putting food on the table.

LoveaDove

Sazzlebegood - What a lovely occasion! Bless your lil poppet!
Kaspadoc - How did your interview go?
Fmess- The 'What do you want to achieve?' challenge fits in well with my current situation. Will feedback once I have set myself some concrete goals Give yourself some time to mill over home/ wedding and debt repayments- you'll find a compromise just give yourself some time.
traveller- fingers crossed for you for you regarding news on your interview for your own job. I have had to do that before, it's quite demoralizing, however who better to do your job than yourself! No one knows it like you!

mothernerd wrote: »

...'healthily selfish' - I should give my needs as much respect as I do other people's.

- I believe this is my exact problem as well mothernerd. I lack autonomy because I have allowed my world to revolve around others needs around me and lost myself and my own needs among it all.

thriftylass wrote: »

P.S.II some good news before christmas. My contract got extended till June 2016

- Hooraayyy! Super news!! :T
Synonymous - I am also a huge spreadsheet geek! Will check out this 'Passion planner' -was initially a little apprehensive about googling it but the top results look pretty sensible - Thanks! (after a quick peruse-this looks fab!) Also what great freebies at lush! :T

apple_muncher wrote: »

Am very glad to have opted out of the mad consumerism! Dd and I laugh at the adverts on the telly, telling you 'you deserve', 'treat yourself', 'enjoy the thanks, knowing you only spent £79 on x'. And she's only 6!

- What a sensible head DD has on her shoulders! Couldn't agree more re: advertisement and the emotional manipulation they have! Great idea turning it into entertainment! Also applemuncher - Superb achievements this year! 18k off the mortgage! :j
Calling14 - Great news about MOT! Sorry to hear about your friend's sad news though- as you know too well after the year you have had yourself, putting things into perspective when it can be all too easy to take things for granted!

sazzlebgood wrote: »

OH and i had a conversation about the fact that when we look round our house most of the contents is others cast offs, gifts or stuff we've recyled.

- Superb!! I am the same, have absolutely no qualms with second hand, upcycling or recycling! Especially when it comes to furniture or electronics.
speakingofart - How organised are you? Wrapped, written and some delievered?! Wow! I haven't reached the wrapped and written stage yet! I am seriously considering YNAB- I may try a free trial! How long would you say it would take to learn how to use the software?
traveller- Hope you get compensation from the limo company! That is terrible and so unprofessional, even if they did eventually find a replacement driver! Wow 5k cleared- it's great to have it confirmed on paper!
nannygladys - My holidays have worked out the same, 2 days in between Christmas and New Year at work! Having Christmas day and Boxing day on a Thursday and Friday has worked out well for a few days off in a row Hope your final working year is a great one!

sazzlebgood

been to Mr S for top up food and spent £52 :mad: hopefully that the only food for this week

Fmess

Evening all


Going to post whilst I'm still on the laptop working and then read back at all your posts once I'm on the sofa with my phone.


SFD, except for an unexpected trip to the vets. Oldest dog has developed a lump, and we think it hasn't been there fore more than a few days so it must be fast growing. Took him to the vets and they charged us £35 to say it could be something or it might be nothing! Decided to bring him home with us, with no treatment or tests and monitor at home - apparently, it may go away, it may grow, it may burst, it might be cancer or a cyst or an abscess. So we are none the wiser but he hates the vet so I'd rather they didn't prod and poke him unless they really have to. If it grows we need to get him back asap, as they could remove it at the size it is easily but if it gets much larger then it'd be difficult for them to sew the skin back together easily. He is an old dog (not sure how old, as they are all rescues) so we'll just keep him comfortable and under a watchful eye for a few days.


Also had to pay the vets for a course of dog agility classes for the youngest two dogs. This may sound like a waste of money but OH and I don't go out much and this is something we are going to try together and hopefully the dogs will get a lot out of it too.


Achievements today - took LTW and done tonnes of work, worked like a Trojan at work and have been working all evening apart from the trip to the vets.


Hope you've all had good days, I'm off to lie on the sofa and read your posts

apple_muncher

NSD again here in apple world :j. We are nearly halfway through the month, so I guess it's downhill as from tomorrow... But not in a slippery slide of doom way!


Today I am grateful for my lovely neighbour, for dd's LPS present from gma arriving, for phone calls with dh, for a good day at work, for feeling able to stay up beyond dd's bedtime.

liltdiddylilt

"for feeling able to stay up beyond DD's bedtime" :rotfl: wow I know this one well appley - I am pooped and off to bed shortly. Been a long day indeed but I defo got my exercise in. I blew the grocery budget by a couple of £s but nothing drastic.

Not a SFD. Tomorrow probably not either.

Big hugs to all. I am reading and enjoying your posts but I just can't summon the energy to type tonight. Better after a good nights sleep!! xx