NST: September: the Turtles go Wombling

thriftylass

Good morning,

today should be a SFD.

Love the christmas challenge.:xmassmile Will definitely be more organised this year. When we come back from holiday next Friday I'll start a wee notebook. Got out of the house this morning and it was quite chilly and started to smell autumny/wintry. Love it. However, the living room was only 15C this morning. Will try to keep the heating off as long as possible.

traveller

Morning everyone:)

Apple thanks for adding me to the challenge and I too am loving the Christmas planning. I was part of the 365 in 365 days challenge to save for it but had to abandon it and have only started again this month. So I'm hoping the money I manage to save will take care of presents. Each year my ex and myself take it in turn to have the kids,this year is his turn to have them at Christmas and was feeling a bit miserable as my daughter would be home after being at uni. I know that sounds a bit selfish :oo But welshkitty, reading your post and how happy you sound doing it on Christmas eve, I may give it a go.

Welshkitty, I hope everything remains OK for you all,fmess thanks for the congratulations and bob,I'm ii nn awe of how much energy you have. I worked until the day before my 4th was born but I was waddling in at snails pace,you seem to be a full throttle, lol. And we'll done on the TV stuff,how exciting :TT I can't believe a family of five spend that much a week :eek: I was moaning I'm now up to approximately 350 a month for the 5 of us,lol. And for the cheese grating,I'm lost for words....

Well today I'm working from home and at some stage I need to get out and pay my post office credit card. I was with virgin which I preferred as they had a proper website you could make payments to. When I tried to pay the post office using online banking the account details were coming up different, so I didn't feel very confident to pay on there. I missed a payment date with virgin a while back so had to transfer to another interest free card. Enjoy your Friday and take care everyone : )

dolly84

Morning all.

Welshkitty - good news about your son in the end - the surgery was inconsiderate though. Your town's xmas eve celebrations sound lovely.

I watched the last half of the 'Eat Well' show and couldn't believe how much they spent - where do they get all their money from??

I have already bought quite a few birthday/xmas presents for DD and she is getting a laptop as a joint xmas/birthday present but will wait until her birthday in December for that. DS wants football boots, an xbox game and some of the really big metal goalposts for the garden.

How much do you guys spend on your children for xmas/birthday and for birthdays does this include any celebrations on the day i.e. cake, food, party....?? We do the whole lot in one calendar month (2 birthdays and xmas) and it always feels like it gets out of control but I haven't anything to compare it to. Me and DH just get a small present for each other- somewhere around a £25 spend.

I have all my wrapping paper stashed away and enough cards for the next 5 years. DH goes to a card shop through work and they skip loads and loads of stuff and he gets some of it and brings it home. They have those massive industrial skips and just chuck all the cards, paper, mother's day stuff etc in there, it appalls me that companies waste so much - it all costs the environment to produce so should at least be used.

On that note, I've told DD to tell her teachers we won't be backing her school books because we are environmentalists and it is a waste of resources - I can hardly believe they are still saying you have to do this - the blooming books already have a cover on.

I am stepping off my soapbox - for now:rotfl:.

498louise

Good afternoon,


I managed to have my first NSD yesterday, I was off work with a migraine so that probably helped with the no spending! Back at work today and is looking like it'll probably be another NSD.


I was just catching up on the thread and saw that some people were posting their end goals/motivation, it got me thinking about mine. I aim to have my credit card paid by the end of the year and then I will only have a small interest free debt left that I am happy to keep paying off monthly. So in the New Year I need to start saving as we have no savings. It would be nice to have the security of savings so that if something goes wrong then we can afford to live off the savings/pay what we need to without getting into debt. We don't own a house, we rent and have no real desire to buy one. My daughter is planning to go to university which will be in 3 years time so it would be nice to have some money to help her. My son will turn 18 five years after that so again it would be nice to help him with any of his goals.


I was young when I had my children,19 and 24, I have always thought that the benefit to that is that we'll only be in our 40s when the children are both adults. I would like to be in a financial position at that point to have no debt, a good amount of savings and able to spend spare income on travelling and doing things that we enjoy. My husband and I would love to go and live in another country.


My dad died when he was only 66, he died just before he was about to retire. Most of his family have died in their 40s, 50s and 60s. As I have gotten older I have realised just how short life is (corny, I know!) and I don't want to fall into the trap of working just to buy endless things that I don't really need and that won't bring me happiness. I would rather be careful with my money, put money aside for security, to help my children and to spend on experiences rather than things.


Have a good weekend everyone

traveller

498louise wrote: »

Good afternoon,


I managed to have my first NSD yesterday, I was off work with a migraine so that probably helped with the no spending! Back at work today and is looking like it'll probably be another NSD.


I was just catching up on the thread and saw that some people were posting their end goals/motivation, it got me thinking about mine. I aim to have my credit card paid by the end of the year and then I will only have a small interest free debt left that I am happy to keep paying off monthly. So in the New Year I need to start saving as we have no savings. It would be nice to have the security of savings so that if something goes wrong then we can afford to live off the savings/pay what we need to without getting into debt. We don't own a house, we rent and have no real desire to buy one. My daughter is planning to go to university which will be in 3 years time so it would be nice to have some money to help her. My son will turn 18 five years after that so again it would be nice to help him with any of his goals.


I was young when I had my children,19 and 24, I have always thought that the benefit to that is that we'll only be in our 40s when the children are both adults. I would like to be in a financial position at that point to have no debt, a good amount of savings and able to spend spare income on travelling and doing things that we enjoy. My husband and I would love to go and live in another country.


My dad died when he was only 66, he died just before he was about to retire. Most of his family have died in their 40s, 50s and 60s. As I have gotten older I have realised just how short life is (corny, I know!) and I don't want to fall into the trap of working just to buy endless things that I don't really need and that won't bring me happiness. I would rather be careful with my money, put money aside for security, to help my children and to spend on experiences rather than things.


Have a good weekend everyone

If ever there was a post that makes you think it's aimed at you,for me,this afternoon its this one. I too had my first two kids at your age and went on to have two more who are now 16 and 7. I have been trying to rid my credit card debt for two years. I have got to the stage where I'm feeling fed up, burnt out and dissatisfied with work. There may be a voluntary redundancy coming up. I would never given this any thoughts before,but over the last few days it's been all I can think of. Thing is, I don't know what I'd do as right now I have no disire to do anything for a few months. But, I'm also a single parent,so feel guilty to even be having such thoughts. Im very obsessive regarding order so probably wouldn't be brave enough,but the reason you give for wanting financial security and for me,talking about what life's all about has really hit home :T

Calling14

498louise wrote: »

Good afternoon,

My dad died when he was only 66, he died just before he was about to retire. Most of his family have died in their 40s, 50s and 60s. As I have gotten older I have realised just how short life is (corny, I know!) and I don't want to fall into the trap of working just to buy endless things that I don't really need and that won't bring me happiness. I would rather be careful with my money, put money aside for security, to help my children and to spend on experiences rather than things.


Have a good weekend everyone

Totally agree with you 498Louise. Lost a friend recently to cancer 46 yrs old and chatting with her husband who was saying spent all their life saving for pensions and for what? So hard knowing what to say.

My month has been so far just stupidly spending. No excuse I needed food freezer was nearly empty so yesterday rather than do a monthly shop with sainsbobs I decided to shop around. Went to morrisons came home with lots of ys meat and veg. Got lot of groceries in home bargains.instore and poundland - result only spent under 50 pounds in total.

Today I used my amazon vouchers thanks Martin MSE for the tip spend 40 pounds on vouchers and got 10 pound one free. So microwave finally bought another 19.00 spent but a decent size at last.

Went out last night and big spend of 1.50 random, drunk guy insisted on buying me a couple of drinks( I was driving. )

Finally got some hair dye as well today and now will be avoiding the shops for at least a week.

Welsh Kitty will def go this year to xmas eve celebrations by the castle. Xmas just fills me with dread 2 weeks off work and can be very lonely. See my daughters xmas day am and then usually on my todd. Did have the option of going to xmas lunch with oldest daughter last yr but her partner had invited 20 family members over which I had never met. Not really my scene. Happier curled up with chocolates. Would like to go away if I can afford it just for a few days this yr.

Traveller I like you started the 365 xmas challenge and dipped into it. Will try to restart this month.

Thrifty it has gone chilly. Wore a jumper today, new skirt (Oops) and tights for work as yesterday I was blue. Been wolf whistled at by passing van and then asked out on a date by one of the road workers. Loving my Bridget Jones skirt already (knee length actually);-)

Have a wicked weekend. Can't wait to settle down with glass of red on couch tonight.
School run now x

Synonymous

Sounds like a great plan louise, thanks for sharing; life really is too short.

Hey everyone, first post from me, 2SFDs so far, and probably another today. The glut of apples from the allotment is coming, so if anyone has an unusual recipe for apples then please share!

My budgets for just me are as follows:
Food: £60
Travel: £40
Outings: £100
LTW and cycleTW each day I go in
Meditate and do physio every day
Got a budget for the allotment too which needs some tlc.
Have decorated my bedroom after living here five years! All budgeted for, and will need to spend a bit more to make the gallery wall this month.

I have no debt, except mortgage, emergency fund is in place, and my long-term goal, like applemuncher is FIRE - retire in 14 years (I'll be 45 which I think makes it 'extremeFIRE'), pay off mortgage in 10 (or less) as part of that. I overpay my mortgage quarterly and monthly, as that's how my income arrives, and all my savings go to investments for the retirement pot.

September is the calm before the storm of a busy Oct/Nov so I'm setting some targets to put me in a good position for the heavy months. Thanks for getting me thinking about some nearer targets apple.

Christmas-wise I am still a child of our family, so don't host. We do a secret Santa between 10 adults of closest family for £50, where you give a list of three ideas and get something you actually want! We've just started doing 'carp Santa' too where everyone brings a random cheap tat present and there is a bargaining process of who gets what which is great fun on the day We also go out for a meal on Christmas Eve where we all chip in. Apart from that there's one child in our family and my friend's two kids to buy for. It makes me a bit ill how much our one child gets, I might do her a voucher to take her somewhere this year instead of more 'stuff' :eek:

academiablues

Hi all! Calling, I was going to try to take advantage of the @mazon vouchers too but I tried to be too clever - I had £40 of vouchers on my account, was hoping I could pay for the vouchers with those vouchers, and get my £10 free! Alas, @mazon wouldn't let me - foiled
Today was good but so cold! Got me thinking about Christmas some more though. I have a very small family so only OH, mum and dad to buy for (OH buys for his own family, I buy for mine). Maybe two or three close friends to buy for (some friends get annoyed when I buy for them as they can't really afford to buy back - it's not my intention to get a present back, but I know it stresses them out so I won't buy this year and will tell them not to buy for me). And I think I'll buy something small (£1-2) for the secretaries at work, because they keep the whole department running and don't really get enough credit for it. Hoping to spend <£100 for the whole thing, and the majority of that in vouchers from surveys *crosses fingers*.
NSD today and yesterday, and got two workouts in yesterday so feeling smug (less smug when I got up this morning and nearly fell over!!!). Nice relaxing weekend before mad dash to hen do next Friday, but hen asked me to give a friend of hers a lift yesterday so I'll get half the petrol money paid for (it's over 5hrs away so this is a HUGE help!).
Happy weekend turtles

Bobarella

Hi Everyone

Im claiming NSD 4, tommorow I will need to spend a little as its a birthday party for a little girl sons been invited to. I am thinking around £5 max for some Lego Friends type affair. Depends what I see.
I paid £9 off my CC today. Decided on this by looking at current account balance then rounding it down. Have now hit 10% of my stretch target so thats good too.

I have really enjoyed coming in to read everyones posts about their Christmas traditions. We used to always go to my OHs family for Xmas as they have the most Xmasassy house ever. Roaring log fires, huge tree, & a lot of food. In a thatched house by the sea!
But ever since we had our son, I wanted to do it our way at our home. So thats what we've done. With combos of various rellies either with us on the day, boxing day, or in that period before NYE.
This year is the first year we've managed to keep a living tree going year on year, so we'll be bringing her in from the garden nearer the time obviously. Shes not very tall, but we pop her on a table, & son decorates her.
Other traditions we do, OHs mum used to always make big kilner jars of spicy pickled onions to serve with cold meats & cheeses. So my husband does that now. He has a massive session in late October with bags of shallots, peeling & putting them into the jar over a few nights. We add whole chillies, and vinegar, then wait
As money has been extreemly tight over the last 3 years, we dont really do big christmas gifts for each other, but have bought our son 1 big gift per year, last years was his first proper bike (£75) his grandparents go crazy for christmas, so normally deliver a big sack before the day, so we tend not to bother too much. As minimalists, we also dont really believe in lots of things. 'I am not my stuff, the best things in life arent things' being one of my favourite quotes to live by.
Food tends to be more important. I make my own christmas cake, mince pies, etc, & we treat ourselves to lovely meats, breads, hams for the big day.
To me, christmas is being left in peace with the ones I love most, being warm enough, having enough to eat & drink, & just soaking up all the lovely atmosphere. Walking around the neighbourhood & seeing peoples lights is one of my top favorites to do.

Right on that note! Off for a nice hot bath.

Bob

Fmess

Bob - I agree about the cheese grating, I often buy it from Aldi as its cheaper than the same weight of a block of cheese, and I am going to grate it anyway. I'd always go for the cheapest option though. My favourite part was where she said she didn't like to cut chicken breasts up because it was a waste of time.

498louise - I completely agree about ensuring that you create great memories and have great experiences.

Today was SFD number 3 for me, so doing well at the start of the month. I realised one of my spreadsheets was a little wrong, so amended it and its made everything extra tight. Its so annoying having so many expenses but I just don't see how I can get rid of some of them. My biggest expense after my mortgage, is paying a dog sitter/walker to come in whilst I'm at work. On one hand, its a huge expense and annoys me that I could use that money to pay my debts, however on the other hand, I don't think I'd feel right leaving my boys for 9+ hours everyday on their own.

On the subject of Christmas. My family is currently at the stage where we have no children in the family, so Christmas time has lost a little bit of its magic. This year we are trying something new and going to my sister's house. It's her first home and she only moved in in February and is keen to cook for us. We've agreed to take different courses to spread the expense - think I said I'd do dessert, or maybe I said the cheese and biscuits. I'm a little worried about saving up for presents, although I have a sealed tin that I have been putting coins into all year and I'm hoping this will yield between £50 and £100 by December and this will be used for presents.