NST; January Challenge- The Money Saving Game

blubella

Morning turtles

I have reached my 5th SFD yesterday...it has been hard to resist the lure of the shops...I have been poorly, so resting up and poor appetite so at least saving on spends! However, yesterday I raided the cupboards and fridge/freezer and made a lovely spicy lentil and tomato soup, a carrot, sunflower and pumpkin seed loaf with a yoghurt dressing. That should keep me going for a few days...I think I will have a go at making bread today...I am on a roll!!

I paid an extra £5 off of my credit card, not much but every little helps right? I also made £15 and have about £47 to last me until next pay day...hoping my fuel lasts me and I wont need to top up at all until end of month.

thriftylass

Gooood morning!

So far this no smoking thingy put me in an extremely good mood. Never had that before, long may it last. Feel so much more productive and bouncy (?). Started even crocheting again last night but put the ebay listing off to Saturday when OH is out and I got peace and quite.

Love the new challenge will have a look out. Usually find sth every other day. we'll see.

Up to 6 SFD's now. Spend 1.50 on the bus yesterday but that came from the emergency bus kitty put aside at the start of the month for horrendous weather so we can take an earlier bus from a different company rather than the one on the bus pass.

Will crochet some more tonight (trying little stash/spa baskets). If they work might make a little assortment as christmas presents. Also started looking for more ideas of homemade christmas presents that I will make over the year to have in stock or reduce the stress/spend then like using our elderflower tree to make cordial maybe etc.

Will get the slowcooker ready tonight with pulled pork for tomorrow night when we'll batten down the hatches and wait for the storm front to pass.

Have a nice day

Calling14

Will look out for road kill, not really in right area too much country bunkin.

Well off work this afternoon and need essentials, bread, butter veg and fruit - lidl trip on way home so spendy day. Confession time - bought 2 work dresses on line at tenner each seems way forward - will be put into my food spends as I haven't got a clothes budget this month. Already put my jogging bottoms and hair dye into food shop total. Determined to stay on track tho.

Thought this afternoon was supposed to be dry, another wet windy dog walk. Walks get shorter and I eat more.

cupcake-queen

Feeling a little bit pleased with myself and I've definitely started to become more proactive when it comes to making small changes to save money. I pay £13 a month for my contact lenses and I'm beginning to accumulate a stash of solutions, just called Specsavers to see if I can opt out of receiving solutions every quarter and I can! Saving me £3 a month.

Fmess

cupcake queen - I would say that if it is for your business and it comes out of 'business funds' then it doesn't affect SFDs. I have to buy items for work and get reimbursed and don't count these as they don't come from my money. Hope that makes sense.

Synonymous

cupcake-queen wrote: »

Feeling a little bit pleased with myself and I've definitely started to become more proactive when it comes to making small changes to save money. I pay £13 a month for my contact lenses and I'm beginning to accumulate a stash of solutions, just called Specsavers to see if I can opt out of receiving solutions every quarter and I can! Saving me £3 a month.

Hey cupcake-queen, I've been 'modifying' my specsavers lensmail orders for years and thought I would mention in case you don't know - You can also freeze your lensmail (and payments) for up to six months at a time and still get the benefits of free eye tests and cheaper glasses etc, in case you have a stockpile of lenses too. They will also buy back unopened and in-date lenses (and I would think solutions too) in the shop if you don't think you can use your stash before it goes out of date.

Don't know about now, but a few years ago it actually cost more for the solution via lensmail than to buy in a Specsavers store so might be worth checking that if the store isn't out of your way.

I've just cancelled mine altogether as I've reached the limit for freezing my account, have tonnes of lenses, and don't need a sight test for another year, so can always sign up again later.

cupcake-queen

Fmess wrote: »

cupcake queen - I would say that if it is for your business and it comes out of 'business funds' then it doesn't affect SFDs. I have to buy items for work and get reimbursed and don't count these as they don't come from my money. Hope that makes sense.

Thanks, just want to play by the rules and not cheat myself if that makes sense. Want to make a proper go at ridding this debt

thriftylass

Here we go again with trying to find out what we have to pay for DD's nursery bill. The last few months it was because we still had childcare vouchers in credit plus the mixed our account up with another child. This time they seemed to have gone back to 4/5 week month billing rather than the averaged bill promised. Since it has been taken over by the new owner they haven't even sent out any information about the current/new? billing system. Whenever we get some information from head office it is in some excel spreadsheet that I could have done better and I'm no accountant. The bill was 150 quid higher that what I budgeted , but as long as I get the right explanation and information for future months that's fine as it will balance out. But the hassle each month, anyway rant over. Back to my happy clappy self

cupcake-queen

Synonymous wrote: »

Hey cupcake-queen, I've been 'modifying' my specsavers lensmail orders for years and thought I would mention in case you don't know - You can also freeze your lensmail (and payments) for up to six months at a time and still get the benefits of free eye tests and cheaper glasses etc, in case you have a stockpile of lenses too. They will also buy back unopened and in-date lenses (and I would think solutions too) in the shop if you don't think you can use your stash before it goes out of date.

Don't know about now, but a few years ago it actually cost more for the solution via lensmail than to buy in a Specsavers store so might be worth checking that if the store isn't out of your way.

I've just cancelled mine altogether as I've reached the limit for freezing my account, have tonnes of lenses, and don't need a sight test for another year, so can always sign up again later.

Thanks, I have done this before as I had a huge stash of lenses. It never occurred to me before that I could put a hold on just the solutions. I've just counted 9 unopened bottles and my next delivery is February. I'm pretty sure a bottle of solution is more than £3 but I will check on this next time I need some in about 18 months!

nannygladys

Achieved another sfd so that's 6 now. Really pleased but I will have to spend a little tomorrow as I'm having eldest dgd tomorrow night and then her baby cousin on Saturday, so child friendly food needed for tomorrow's and Saturdays dinners.

Work today has been busy but that's how I like it as my time there goes quicker!!!! Sorry I can't do a month for you but I know I would be hopeless keeping up with it and I seem to be out, at work or looking after dgc, so I will decline on the volunteering for the time being.

Anyway off to have a look around.
Nannyg