NST December Challenge - Festive and Frugal

thriftylass

Just a quick checkin on day one. Will do numbers and catch up reading tomorrow at work. Spend day, some Christmas presents and went to h&m for a cardi, top and jumper so I don't have to wear a t-shirt and old hoody on Christmas. Picked up DS 3.5yo) in my new cardi and he said hello mummy, I like that but why are you wearing that , bless. I never had new clothes in his living memory . Anyway off to bed and proper post tomorrow

apple_muncher

Dd enjoyed her first advent chocolate this morning - she had ripped the wrapper off when I bought it in October, to check that it was 'brand new'! She has since kept it under her third (!) pillow until this morning. But it is back there for the night.

I have managed to retrain her to say that we occasionally buy her new things!!

Fmess

Evening all


We all seem bright eyed and bushy tailed today


Traveller - the £365 in 365 days spreadsheet is updated by MrC with the information you supply him on the update form (links for the form and spreadsheet are on page 7 of the challenge). He then updates the spreadsheet and it keeps a tally of your total. You need a google email address to see the spreadsheet.


Coffeeandstitches – I would say it’s better to have a big budget that covers everything, than a small budget and run out of money. Be realistic. Some months just happen to have a lot of expenses in. November is my worst - car tax, MOT, 5 dogs to be vaccinated, several birthdays and Christmas looming.


vintage brighton - congratulations on your anniversary of finishing treatment


Calling - please look after yourself (good advice lilt)


sazzlebgood - I find the only thing that curbs my shopping is having the money in cash and shopping at Ald!. Meal planning from what you have in the cupboards can be quite enlightening. We tried it once and apart from bread and milk, we went for a week without buying anything, I was shocked by how many meals we could make out of what looked like half empty cupboards.


CEW - I think you already do plenty to help others, please tick off this part of the challenge.

So today has been SFD number 1 and lunch to work number 1 My budgets are already partly spent as I run my monies from 25th-24th. I have updated my signature with my totals and budgets. I am hoping to come in on/under budget on them all but I know it will be tight.


So my achievements for 2014;
1. Getting to more than 40% paid off my debt
2. Getting a promotion at work
3. Going on a holiday that I had paid for in full before going
4. Paying for items upfront - mattress, electrical work, MOT, car tax etc.
5. Starting a savings fund


Hope you've all had a lovely first day

Samiszel

NSD number 1 today. Also had a free work lunch (allowed to take two per week but if you go towards the end, you can ask for what's left-over and not sign in).

Hoping to keep groceries under £120 again this month, and avoid going to the SM at all this week as plenty in the fridge/freezer/cupboards and will be away Fri-Sun.

Hmm... achievements of this year... joining these great forums with such wonderful supportive people; becoming debt-free; over-paying on our mortgage... erm... everything seems to be financial.. can't think of anything else right now

Early night for me I think. Till tomorrow x

kaspadoc

Hey :j
Just wanted to sign in on day one of the challenge, not a NSD for me as needed to get a few bits and pieces after working nights all weekend!!

Still working on my budgets, will update them asap

Kaspadoc

ilovetea

First NSD,but budgets not sorted.
Can't think of any achievements :-(
Will have a good think and be back tomorrow.

ilovetea xx

skintscotslass

Evening all

My budget is as follows
Food £0/200
Travel £0/100
Meals out £0/100 – 3rd, 6th, 16th, 19th

Lunch to work – 1/16
NSD – 0/15

I am based within a homeless hostel, so will donate towards Christmas Lunch. Savings have been done, debts are done on the 17th when I get paid.

Achievements – hmmm, this is difficult. Have just completed a graduate certificate. I’ll think of another four over the month lol.

LoveaDove

Happy 1st of December Turtles!

1st SFD acquired today :-) December spreadsheet is up and running complete with budgets for remainder of Christmas gifts and outings! I may have to cancel a trip to see some friend's as i'd be leaving myself a little short before Christmas. Will rearrange for next year.

Achievements in 2014: Saving for a dream Holiday to Hawaii (all paid for before I went) to mark my 30th Birthday and for being debt free. Despite losing my job I found a new job relatively quickly which changed my career path and has further given me the confidence and knowledge to be able to apply for a Masters in 2015. Paying for things like insurance and tax for my car in cash upfront and finally having savings!

It's proper chilly here this eve, looking forward to settling down with a book before bed! N'noight all x

Wanna_Bee_Free

Hi Everyone, budgets and days out planned anD I've paid towards my debt. I need to stick to my budget so I don't rack up a huge January credit card hangover.

SFD - 1/15

I did a good deed giving a free 5 day gym pass to a work colleague who cancelled his membership due to money. I've just cancelled mine as I'm not using it enough. does a good deed count if it doesn't cost you much money or time. I might find another one.

I took my lunch to work and feel proud of today being a SFD.

spendy day tomorrow- if we pay something with a Direct Debit that counts as spending even if we budgeted for it? if so I need to buy other stuff too to make the most of it. Sounds a bit perilous to me.

Hope your back feels better Calling and sleep well turtles all.

applejack07

I'd like to join, please! Bit of a newbie, but been lurking for a while so I supposed it was time to come out from beneath my rock

Haven't sorted out budgets yet, but I'll come armed with them tomorrow. Did bag my first NSD of the month today. Start as you mean to go on and that ;-)