NST; January Challenge- The Money Saving Game

LoveaDove

Hello Turtles,

Sorry for my little absence the last couple of days. Had my lovely colleague come over for the evening yesterday for a Broadchurch evening, she is leaving on Friday and is actually my senior manager- so super sad about this as we get on so well!

I have accumulated another 2 SFDs so I am now up to 15SFDs - Ooooo a lil bit tight but potentially still achievable hitting the 18 target!

I have heard back from the University administrator this afternoon who has been moderating the initial applications for the Masters programme, she has now approved it to be passed on to the Graduate Director, who will decide whether I will be invited to interview or not. The closing date is not until February 19th and interviews not until March, so I imagine I will find out in the next 2-3 weeks whether I have an interview! *paws crossed*

I'm enjoying reading everyone's bargainess finds so far and some awesome money making going on!! :T:T

traveller - Have you checked your local vets for any adverts, some do allow advertisements. I got my kitties via an advert placed in my Nan's local vet's.

mothernerd - Panda Hat!! I LOVE this!!

Synonymous - Hugs to you, hun! xx

Just a quick post from me tonight- super tired and an earlier start for work tomorrow!

Night, night and Keep Saving!! :money:

thriftylass

Sorry to hear your news syn. It wasn't meant to be. But as my granny said: every pot finds its lid . I was more or less single till 26 when I gave up looking and found DH. Enjoy some me time and focus on your research but don't despair. Mr Right will come along when you least expect it. Sorry if that was a bit cliche.

Made a nice salmon lattice pie, coleslaw for my lunch and a rhubarb crumble. Today will be a SFD and probably not very exciting.

Till later

blubella

Thankyou Bobarella Charley27 Calling14 Fmness Thrifylass for the dating suggestions.

In response to the questions; Yes, I do know him very well...we have known each other for 20+years but have not seen each other for approx 13 years. Recently connected and went out for a meal and things have snowballed from there. Not sure it’s right but my friends have been encouraging me to get out and enjoy it for what it is. With this comes spending!!

I have not explained to anyone on here but I guess we’re all friends now...I have been off of work for sometime due to a bullying and harassment situation which I am trying to get resolved with support of a union representative. I am on half pay and just managing to survive – pay mortgage and bills, which leaves hardly anything to live on. He is aware of all of this but i haven’t told him the extent of my debt – I am very independent, I brought my son up from age 4 on my own and I find it really hard to let a man waltz in and start being over generous. I guess I don’t want them to have any control or the upper hand! God, that probably sounds really bad. I guess i’m just scared of losing my independence.

He drives every time to see me, he has two boys who I don’t want to meet yet for obvious reasons. I always cook a meal as I think he has made the effort to drive. Last weekend we went to Bath, he drove, I paid park and ride and he paid for lunch. He has paid a few times now and suggests that he’ll pay for lunch today because ‘you’re not working and I am, and I can afford it’ and it makes me feel uncomfortable tbh. I’m also worried that maybe he can’t afford as much as he suggests. I don’t have any seasonal memberships, picnic might be a little cold at the moment (maybe when it starts to warm up.) I am off to meet him in Chepstow today (which I will pay)...I have however, cancelled our date at the weekend in favour of seeing friends (at home) and the following weekend he has to be around for his boys. Hopefully that will be a few pennies saved!!

Synonymous - Sorry to hear about your break up. Maybe it’s too early to consider dating, you just need a little ‘me’ time. I feel exactly the same about finding the right person, I won’t settle for second best. I find the whole time i’m single I almost crave meeting that person and then as soon as I meet someone I find it stifling, want my independence and to push them away!! Haha..too many years on my own I guess!! Keep up with the meditation and mindfulness...something I need to practice more frequently and perhaps I will find my answer!!

Sorry to waffle on...I only signed in here to log my SFD yesterday which now stands at 17/18 :T

Thriftylass - Your lunch sounds amazing!

stewby

Good afternoon.

Had a hellish shift yesterday... The work is fine, busy but I still love it. It's the other stuff alongside it that causes the stress. The non-normal work stuff.


However... in financial style news. We have now applied for a 123 account, just waiting to hear back if we have been accepted and then we are going to start our joint account (strictly for paying bills).


So... hopefully I will be able to pay a bit more off my credit card debt now that OH and I have combined our monthly obligations.
*crosses fingers*

It's quite scary to think that just 18 months ago I was living life to the full with no thought to the amount of debt I was getting myself into.
:eek:

Spending the day sorting out stuff for Dad's big day (I think we are heading for the cake today).
And then spending the rest of the day sorting out my finances. To be specific, I mean writing it all out nice and neatly on paper so I can see what is happening. I might be a little bit geeky in that respect.


In relation to dating... speaking as the person who used to pay for everything, it didn't set me up very well in the long term as OH was quite shocked when he realised how much outgoings I had as I gave him the impression that I had a lot of disposable income. Sadly, I had a credit card as opposed to the money.

So, I would be honest about the fact that your income is limited.
If I was in your position, I can imagine that I would also feel a bit pressured into paying for stuff due to what he said.
I hope everything goes okay for you blubella.

Hugs to everyone.

Calling14

Hiya guys sorry was too upset to post yesterday, mainly due a bully in work. Had a go at me for being off sick, not jokingly either really nasty, anyway payback he was off sick today. hehehe.

Syn - sorry to hear things haven't worked out on the dating front. I dread going back on dating sites full of leftovers that everyone has spat out and chewed up. I probably spend too much time on my own at moment, Boyfriend situation is not bowling me over and do make excuses not to see him to save money. To be fair he did offer to come over the other night and look after me when I was poorly. So he's kind but tad boring.

blubella I can see your point I would hate to have someone thinking they have control over me. Been an independent woman last 5 yrs and can't see it changing in the near future. Unless Prince Charming comes along. Just enjoy life. I want to go and see a local band this week, plucking up courage to go on my own. Sure I will know people hopefully there but find it bit daunting, going in pub alone.

Think I have reached 18/18 sfd today but as I have blown my food budget not that pleased with my Jan. attempt.

Paid a tenner off my ccards today as addicted to getting them lower. Saddo.

Have a great day folks x

cupcake-queen

Hi,

Had a quick skim through. For any one thinking of HM pastry. If you have a food processor you will probably never buy shop bought again. Whizz half fat to flour and when at the crumb stage slowly add you water until it forms ball. Cling film it chill for a bit - perfect pastry!!

Had a really bad evening. My landlord called over unannounced and started shouting the odds. Very upsetting and I have no idea how I kept it together in front of him and didn't shout back. Once he was gone I of course broke down so my third positive for yesterday is having my sister-in-law next door. A neighbour overheard and called them saying they might want to check on me which they did.

Groceries: £130/£100
Travel: £29.30/£50
SFD: 14/20

Positives for today. I have no idea as I feel so low after yesterday.

stewby

Just had a nosey at my credit card account and feeling a lot happier. I piad £400 off and my mum paid me for her flight to London in December so that was over £500 off my credit card which means that I have dipped below £3000. My new credit card total is:

£2969.00!!!!!!
:j

Hopefully we can keep this momentum up and get rid of this card for good.

Samiszel

cupcake-queen - your landlord must give 24 hours notice if they wish to enter your accommodation. Otherwise they are breaking the law.

Sorry to hear your news Synonomous & blubella


I'm up to 13 NSD's. Grateful for:
1. Lovely weekend in Dublin with best friend & her family. Spent less than £40 in total (including meals and night out with cocktails!)
2. Yellow sticker items bought to stock the freezer and make some soup for LTW in a min
3. Pay day today!!

Calling14

That's brilliant Stewby well done you.

shyspender

Evening folks

Up to 19 SFD's now and fairly certain I don't need to spend until February.

Been sorting out furniture for new furniture. Got a bookcase and fold up dining table, drop leaf, that needs to be moved upstairs. I've spent the time since getting home emptying the bookcase and moving the books and junk upstairs.

Friday has a new bookcase, tv stand, coffee table, dining table and chairs and side tables arriving. Got a friend coming round tomorrow to help me move the old bookcase and table upstairs and then they will be getting sold or given to charity.

OH has just got YNAB so is working her way through how it works and stuff. She is moving in a few months so is kind of planning ahead for the changes.

Today I am grateful for having friends close by to help me out, for my OH making me smile and for work not being manic.