NST; January Challenge- The Money Saving Game

mothernerd

A SFD but nearly wasn't. DS3 told me he had invited his friend to stay. he told me he was arriving today and I asked about food. DS3 said he and his friend would go shopping when the friend got here. Fine I thought, no money for takeaways so they are going to go and buy some things they like to save their money.

Then about an hour later he came to ask how much money he could have to spend. So I said none. He had already given the thumbs up to a portion of the curry I made so didn't need more food today. So looked in the freezer and suggested chicken and chips for the friend (I checked to see if it was the 'cook from frozen' one).

So I had that too - had planned on fish with veg and sweet potato mash but no point cooking two meals rather than putting double in the oven. Friend brought mini-rolls and soft drinks for the two of them so doing okay for now. Chicken check reminded me that I still have lots of meat.

Tomorrow will be spendy as I have another viewing. Hoping it doesn't snow again so I can use the bus - if it snows again I will need a taxi. Need to try to take a photo of the meter whilst I am there.

Today's positives
1) So glad I phoned mum to say I wouldn't go today - heavy snow yesterday evening and didn't really clear until late afternoon. Did venture as far as the Post Office to deposit cash but bitterly cold.
2) Just taken more stuff to the charity bank on the car park and little ice crystals trapped in the tarmac (I think) were reflecting the street lights - looked like a thousand tiny stars.
3) Friends who arrive bearing gifts (and who are good at doing things). May even get the two of them to move some shelves in the kitchen, now that half the contents have gone to the cs they would be more use at the other side of the kitchen to take the weight off the microwave. Might even persuade DS3 to put clean sheets on his bed as the friend is sleeping there and DS3 downstairs.

Thanks for this month's thread LoveaDove. I have had a really low spending month thanks to this thread and the Not buying it thread. Not a lot of progress on debt reduction (tomorrow's viewer already has her mortgage sorted out, fingers crossed) but I am managing on an insanely small amount of money.

Fmess

Evening all,

Still super busy here. Hugs to all who need orwant them.

Spendy day as has to pay charity money but no other spends. Went tutoring so a bit more paid off the debt.

Today I am grateful for;
1.) havimg an extra source of income to help debt busting
2.) having a weekend off work (almost)
3.) all today's activities getting done on time

Bobarella

Morning
Just to say today is NSD 16 so I'm afraid I didn't quite reach my target. But it took me a little time to get my head around how best to shop at the beginning of the month so some of the days I've bought one loaf or some butter and lost a day for that.
So I am looking forward to the 15 day goal and taking part in the next challenge.
I would be happy to run a challenge by the way at some point in the rota. Thanks LoveaDove for doing this one.
Bob

thriftylass

Morning.

Oh stayed out late last night, so there goes my lie in. Took the kids shopping (from the Feb budget) and spend 25 quid in b&q on compost, seeds and various seed potatoes. Then went to Aldee for mainly fruit and veg, but also wipes, cold cuts, bread and dairy product. Another 47 quid gone. But in both cases I stuck to my list but bought bigger packs where cheaper to stock up, hence the higher than anticipated spends. Not much else planned for today.
Have a nice weekend.

cupcake-queen

Thanks so much for this challenge, I've not managed to be as tight as I wanted but I'm pleased to report that I was just planning my budget for February and getting ready for next months challenge and I have managed to pay off £131 of my over draft!!! I had no idea! I'm so glad I recorded what I had started the month on it makes everything more real. In plan to tackle the credit cards once the overdraft is dealt with. I get paid my annual bonus march pay day so it should be gone by April

WelshKitty85

Good afternoon everyone!

Thanks for the challenge. I have enjoyed taking part this month and getting to know you all. I am off today and am taking the opportunity to reflect on the progress I have made so far this year. I have gone slightly over January's shopping budget but February's will be altered to reflect this as most of my last shop will be used in February. Fuel budget was fine. I am not planning any spends today so should finish with 18/18 SFD. To be honest, I am surprised it is not more. I thought I only shopped once a week, so I am now more aware of the little shops in between. My money to charity went to one of the neighbours children who were fundraising for a local cause. I have also learnt to spend a little time at the end of each day reflecting and appreciating the positives. I have made good progress paying towards debts and am confident this will continue until they are completely paid off. I have also made a conscious effort to put any extra money from selling items, paid surveys, overtime etc into savings and am pleasantly surprised to see how quickly it is adding up. Will hopefully manage to sort some more items to sell this afternoon to continue with this effort.

For now, I am going to have a soak in the bath while everyone else is watching a film. Then will cook a roast today as I am working tomorrow. Will try to set my February budgets today, so will see you over in the new thread.

Bye for now!

shyspender

End of the month and I've come in under budget on everything. I over estimated a little because I wasn't sure what I had left to use up from Christmas and such and I had the OH's birthday.

I have set my budgets for February, using YNAB. I am going to try February without using cash which I have been doing the last year or so. I would take out in cash the money for food, fuel, entertainment and household bits. Basically everything that didn't come out by DD. Now that I've got a handle on what I spend, and I actually record what I am spending, I think I can go back to using my card. I will still take some money out for the small purchases and car parking if it is needed.

I've still got loads of food in so should be okay for this first week at least. I say it every month I know but I'm going to try and eat my stores down before getting more stuff. I'm trying to get my garage hooked up to power so I can run my old fridge/freezer in there and then do some more batch cooking, and buying. There are some foods that I want to buy in bulk because of not being able to get them from my normal supermarkets, but can't because I have nowhere to keep them.

I got all my new furniture yesterday and have been thwarted by a skirting board. Wait, I think I posted that yesterday.

Today would have been SFD #20 but I had to go and get a patch for my jeans. I've got a hole in the crotch and shuffling and making furniture yesterday opened it up a little. I don't want to buy any new jeans until I lose some more weight so a patch it is.

So end of the month summary, under on all budgets, even fuel and 19 SFD's. LTW happens everyday for me because I don't like the canteen. Looking forward to February and already got my thinking cap on for March's challenge.

Onwards Turtles!

rb6ac

Hi everyone!
I've really enjoyed this challenge. I got 14 NSD's so didn't quite hit the target. Plus I could do better with meal planning.

However, walked every day, took lunch into work every day, and put a lot of money into savings. So all worthwhile

CEW

Thanks for a great challenge Loveadove Sorry I didn't post as often as I should have but I did read every post.

Yesterday did not turn out to be a SFD after all as we needed some teabags so decided to top up on milk as well and OH wanted some crisps. Good news is I only spent £3.50 so still just under £20 under budget for the month.

Final totals are as follows:

SFD - 19/18 :j

Grocery - £80.78/£100 :j

Pets - £55.67/£50

Social/Birthdays - £26.30/£50 :j

Also managed to pay off a £500 overdraft and clear a credit card of just under £500 :j

All in all a good month me thinks.

Decluttering has taken a back seat this week but planning on hitting that again on Monday with a vengeance.

See you all in February.

Chez x

traveller

Hi everyone, I picked up my kitten today :j He's a cutie I have spent way too much, probably in excess of 200.00:eek: That is my last spend for a very long time. It did feel good to pay for him all cash though, even if I am cleaned out! I'll be super careful for all of Feb though! Thanks loveadove for a great Kick off to the new year. Have a happy end of January everyone and see you All on the other side