NST December Challenge - Festive and Frugal

Fmess

Evening all

Thank you for your support and participation throughout December It's been lovely to have you all for company.

Today has been a spendy day as met a friend for lunch and did the good shopping, although the shelves were pretty bare at Ald! so couldn't get all my shopping

Took the dogs walking so final exercise session done

See you all on the January thread, looking forward to it LoveaDove

CEW

Well last post of the year.

Happy New Year everyone :beer:

See you all in 2015.

Thanks for the thread Fmess I know I lost my way with logging all the budgets during the month but basically I think I came in on or under for most things except the SFD's which were a complete disaster :eek:

Chez x

Dottydaisy

Mothernerd you never fail to amaze me with your eloquence, most of what you post I can relate to. I am going to print and peruse this post for a long time.


Lots of stuff happening and over Christmas so not in a good place, but I am determined to sort out the problems with tough love and if people don't like my rules then they have the option of moving out.


One of my goals is Be kind to myself but I think it should be renamed Be selfish - I like that!


I've decided to rethink my month as this one has gone haywire apart from fuel budget, and work 1st to end month only can't pay off debt until money comes in mid month.


Shopped for a bed for DD3 boyfriends flat at charity Emmaus, if you have one near you do support them as their aim is to take people living on the streets, give them somewhere to live, a small personal allowance each week and to be taught a trade to enable them to get a job. It was hard talking to a couple of the companions as they are called and learning their stories. One a researcher at uni, marriage broke up, funding ended so found himself homeless now he is teaching the others computer skills and learning how to repair furniture. The other was in flat with mother holding tenancy, she died he was thrown out and couldn't find anywhere he could afford to live -lost his job and slept rough for a year. Now he is supervising the sales team and is looking for a retail job. A well worthy organisation.


Well fellow Turtles it is the end of 2014 and I would like to thank you all for advice, funny stories, sad stories, hugs, spoons and sticks throughout the year but especially since I've thrown my hat into the ring and I would like to wish us all a Happy New Year .


Dotty.

Calling14

Can't believe 2014 is nearly over oh what a year. Will maybe shed a tear later and have a drink to three family members gone but not forgotten in last 12 months.


Thanks Fmess for taking the time to run December. Managed a sfd yday up to 17, met up with an ex boyfriend who treated me to lunch, think things maybe going well there;-) today needed milk and bread.

Have a great New Years eve folks, stay safe. Quiet one for me will just watch Queen on tv and try to stay awake.


Thanks for turtle family sticking around, you are best, see you next year x

Caeraugirl

Got a new bed and table and chairs in a good sale yesterday, and did visit Co$ta to discuss after choosing but before we bought them but as DH got them in, hoping that doesn't count. And money came out of savings so no debt involved, just a slightly dented offset account to show for it now.

So hoping to start with the principles of NOT BUYING IT for 2015, as nothing we need unless something breaks - fingers crossed nothing will!

Budgets a little dented too, but final food bill came in just under my (admittedly generous) limit, and petrol under too.

Hope to do better in 2015, thanks to everyone on this thread for support and ideas, hope you all have a good evening and here's to the next twelve MSE months - Happy New Year all!

CG x

mothernerd

Added a final NSD for the month (and year). Quiet purposeful pottering. Bins collected, assorted rubbish decanted appropriately, 2 bags to charity hopper.

Planning a quiet evening - not sure about food for tonight or tomorrow (cough/sore throat trying to make a comeback) but taken 4 onion bhajis, hm tandoori lumps, sliced turkey and 1/2 pack of prawns from the freezer to defrost so a few options with salad or cooked veg. Opened a bottle of fizzy water to celebrate.

Thanks to you all for your friendship and support throughout the yearand let's make 2015 a great year for all of us.

Fmess

Final check in, just looked at my totals and think I can conclude that this has been a successful month :j Almost on target for all categories and some exceeded :j


January is already looking like a right off with a couple of big unusual expenses (dog agility anyone?) and some unexpected expenses (fleas treatments and vet visit). These don't really come out of any of the expected budget categories but I am already £127 into the red My only consolation is that these are joint expenses so OH and I will have to come up with the money between us next month to pay it back!


See you all on the other side

stewby

Happy New Year turtley peoples.

Can't wait to see you all next year.


We are off for a quick nap prior to hogmanay/new year. Will get up at 23:00 to get ready and then watch some TV.
Up to my parents house, then off to Grannys. Hopefully get home round about 05:00ish (maybe earlier as it is OH's first Scottish New Year).


Absolutely love this family celebration!!
:j

sazzlebgood

was going to have a fire and bbq tonight with the kids, unfortunately it rained. So inside with lots of board and wii games followed by a film. Sausages and fried onions in buns with lashing of tomato sauce. yummy. Small spend on bread cobs today. Happy new year everyone see you next year

Synonymous

I know it's not December anymore but just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and say that my first month with NST has been really great and although I was overbudget in some areas, I came out with a small underspend. Will hone the budgets and aim to be under target on all areas next month.

Toddling over to the January thread now, thanks everyone