NST; January Challenge- The Money Saving Game

mothernerd

Another NSD. Walked to the shops but couldn't find anything worth my pennies, even though I would only have been using points - checked mum's favourite toiletries but no bargains. DS3 had asked about chocolate and encouraged me to walk to little Arseda - NO. I checked at B00ts by the counter, Bags of minsterels for 80p and crisp 30p - too dear. Might go back in a couple of days and use my points if they come down (I owe Ds3 chocolate - he hasn't realised I ate 2 bars of his chocolate while he was away).

Washed,dried and put away pots, two loads of washing done (other loads dried/put away), cooked for myself and DS3 (trying to keep him away from takeaways but it's 2fer tomorrow) and cleared a bit more of the kitchen table - want to bake and need enough space to have everything lined up to make best use of oven space.

Written a list of what is in the fridge so I can plan what I want to do with it. Lilt I will be using your pasta recipe, I have used the ham slices I brought from mum's but I have two slices of gammon bought before my operation. I separated them before freezing but then remembered that last year I halved them as well - so good make a second meal the next day recipe stored away.

Some spending deferred - my optician has been taken over by a chain (staff retained) but will be closed from 17th to 28th for rebranding. So my appointment and any subsequent spending can be put off till February. E-mails included latest energy bills so will be asking for a refund (finally took notice of the photo evidence) for the other house and need to sit and work out the figures as have possible cheaper supplier for both - not sure it's worth changing an empty house with negligible costs, especially if my refund comes through (want to keep it near to usage and not let it go up - daily standing charge is only pennies).

Ploughing on with sewing but very bored with the one I have chosen to start with - 10 little geishas in different colourways (1 pattern) but I started with the 2 that needed most doing, fine canvas and only 1 thread in my needle. May try something else for a bit as have just completed the largest single colour, then finish these tomorrow.

Today I am grateful for planning, for refunds and for raspberry sorbet (had a bit last night and going for more now - must put down the sewing, would cry if I got marks on it now).

Samiszel

Poor you, lilt- back doesn't sound good.

Great news, Calling. I've always been lucky enough to be with NHS dentists, so can't imagine being quoted silly amounts for dental work. Years ago, my DH opted to have a tooth pulled out rather than go for root canal treatment as he was with a private dentist. He didn't realise he could have had the root canal done for hundreds cheaper with an NHS dentist.

Finally got my first NSD today :j. Have made homemade veg soup for work lunch tomorrow and had leftovers for dinner. Took down the Xmas decorations (maybe a little early but couldn't foresee much spare time later in the week). Also hand-washed a couple of items I'd been meaning to do since the start of the Xmas break. It's been a productive evening

Racing_towards_retirement

FMESS thanks for concern, things not improving yet , but it could be all the running around.
Well another NSD ! That's 4 �� slowly getting there .
I forgot to add something to budget , 50.00 per month for extras for wedding .
Hope everyone is enjoying this challange x

LoveaDove

Hello all!! I am all moved in now, have been at work all day and just catching up on Broadchurch (pretty intense!) so will have a lil catch up with you all shortly! Looking forward to seeing how you are all getting on with your Money Saving goals!

Philae_2

Somehow I've managed to hit 5/20 NSDs, and am tempted to see how long I can last without spending any money.

Managed to forget to take my lunch to work today (but made sure to remind OH to pick his up....I should listen to myself more!) so instead raided my emergency soups. BLEUGH! Not something I intend to repeat!!

I may also have persuaded my manager to let me move to my new job on Monday. It's still within the same company, just a different department, and came with a pay rise. Fingers crossed he lets me go as otherwise I'd have to wait 8 weeks and I'd appreciate that pay rise a lot earlier, especially as we've started wedding planning, and reception venues are looking pricey to say the least!

liltdiddylilt

Philae good luck on moving job quicker, and congrats on getting a pay rise in your new job and getting married soon

mothernerd it is one of those easily adaptable recipes that works so well as a base to anything really, so you keep it

I ought to go to sleep.. instead I just put washing on the radiators and now need to stay awake to let it have an hour...

Making a list of things to do tomorrow pre going back to work. 19 days off comes to and end Weds morning

thriftylass

First day of work done. Off again tomorrow as one nursery is still shut and DH took today off but he's back tomorrow.

Took pictures of my old doll house furniture for eBay today and will see what else I can find tomorrow. Will hopefully list this week.

Confession, made a rollie (as DH still keeps tabacco in the house) and started to smoke it. Luckily found it revolting and put it out. Not drinking is easy (as I hear DH pour a whisky down stairs) but the wind down fag after a long day is hard. Well first fail in 5 days and it will hopefully remind me how horrible it is. Actually felling less stressed not smoking most of the time as it was getting difficult to sneak one without neglecting the kids or them noticing, iykwim. So back on track now.

liltdiddylilt

The fact you confessed says it all thrifty - you will beat this. How many do you usually smoke a day and what does it cost a pack? You should count up the money saved in your siggy as you go along. Someone I know did that and it was ridiculous, £100's after a couple of months! Keep going. We believe in you!!

LoveaDove

liltdiddylilt wrote: »

I don't want to be chicken kiev and chips thursday girl...

Calling14 wrote: »

Lilt totally agree with you, meal planning is halfway step to shopping On Tuesday, Bin day excitement Weds..... Like being tad unpredictable and surely a bit of what you fancy is FUN.

Ladies I do agree that such rigid-ness with meal planning can take the fun out of cooking/ shopping, but you can still cook what you like. You can take your meal planning as far as planning every meal of the day, but I think focusing on the main meal is enough. At the end of the day, it's up to you how far you want to go with it, the rules are there but the intensity to which you apply them to your own personal challenge is up to you. The real underlying aim, is to try to keep to budgets when food shopping- greatly aided with a guiding shopping list and to use up what you have.. Of course the unpredictable yellow sticker beauties can throw a bit of excitement into the mix- hahaha! This goal is a pretty good starting block for those newer to money saving- to help make them think about what they are buying and why, when it is so very easy to fritter money in the Supermarkets (I am terrible for this) and buying food that you do not end up using.

Wow it's gone midnight and all this typing about food is making me hungry!

LoveaDove

liltdiddylilt wrote: »

Am struggling with my back and finding it very hard to sit to type. Lying down doesn't work with this current set up. Roll on Mac Monday! xx

Sorry I am so behind on my catchup, I hope you are feeling better! When is the long awaited Mac arriving?? (I saw in today's/ yesterday's post that it had not arrived yet)

Edit: Just read your later posts regarding your health. You poor thing! I agree with apple you are Wonder Woman! x