NST: Standing Firm in November

black_cat

Three things I'm grateful for today:

• Got my preparation done for important meeting tomorrow
• It's raining and the roof is fixed!
• Pork chops in Calvados sauce for dinner

Mothernerd - you've inspired me to get my knitting out again!

Fmess

Three things I was grateful for yesterday:

1. Not getting stuck in the traffic too bad on the way to work (some teachers and staff were 2 hours late!)
2. One of dogs is off his food but still seems happy and healthy (fingers crossed)
3. Lovely chat with someone I hardly know

apple_muncher

:T:T:T Thank you to one and all of you great Turtles who share your lives, experiences, ups and downs with us. You make this thread so special and uplifting, a haven for the bad times and a place of rejoicing for the good. :T:T:T


Today's quote:

Life is full of ups and downs but I have learned that what matters most is to enjoy the ups...be grateful for every single one of them. During the downs, do your best and make an effort to learn from every hard part of what you are going through. We have the gift of experience to grow, change and evolve for the better from each hardship faced.
When times feel so difficult that you don’t think you can handle it, remember, “You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it” So LIVE IT WELL

thriftylass

Good morning,

today won't be an SFD as I scraped together some shrapnel to pick up bread, fruit and yogurts from Mr L for the kids to get through the week.

Went for a swim yesterday and finally discovered the sauna (all for 94 a year, will def get that one next year again). So tried that out too, a very relaxing lunch break

Will nip to Mr at coffee and hopefully make it out for another swim again today. We'll see.

dolly84

Not much going on here today. It is much milder here which is good news although the rain is back but just light rain at the moment.

I managed to get out for a run last night and hope to cycle later today. I had the dog walk from hell yesterday so will be picking a different route for that today. I am making a spaghetti bolognese for tea tonight and chilli for tomorrow night using one pack of mince - makes sense to get it all done in one go this morning. Pay day is on Thursday so we will be starting with our new budgets for December then.

Is someone doing the December challenge?

Today I am thankful for being able to make meals from scratch, for DD making a big effort with her attitude (she has had to be blackmailed into it though) and for having lots of lovely winter clothes.

apple_muncher

misstara is doing December. Are you volunteering for Jan, dolly??!

thriftylass

Well I just done my numbers for Nov (as I have no money left till the Dec budget anyway .

I spend (my new keyboard doesn't have a pound symbol)

269 quid on food for 4 of us and cat, which I am very happy with as it is lower than previous months and we ate well. And that included a duck and a goose for christmas.
267 went on xmas gifts (our kids, DH, friends kids all for under 10, stuff for making lemon cello and cheese).
200 were spend on essentials including Euros (have 40 left), a triathlon entry, some clothes for the kids, fuel and DH borrowed 25
Only 23 quid were waste this month on treats, snack and tobacco. A good reduction. 10 pounds were spent on eating out.

Overall a lot spend but happy as I stuck to my lists especially for christmas gifts, used vouchers, and will hopefully not be too stressed about money next month.
Still need to buy for my parents (40 Euros plus little things and postage, BIL and girlfriend- maybe 20 or less if surveys pay out vouchers in time, baking ingredients and a few little things here and there) But my top budget for that is 150. So I should have wriggle room to fit in a much needed hair cut and two christmas outings. Oh and I get 40 quid back from FIL as I bought gifts for our kids in his name.

traveller

Hi everyone Sorry I haven't posted I had a dodgy tummy due to a hot chocolate from C0$ta and apple pie and custard In my defence, the meet up with the friend took place here instead. My main milk is Soya, but I can drink normal milk in small quantities. Having a frothy hot chocolate followed by apple pie and custard when I got home was a recipe for disaster.

Calling you have done extremely well, so please give yourself a huge pat on the back. Apple that quote was brilliant as always and Mothernerd, your always so spot on with your words-I always think of you as this Mother turtle figure, that always has a calming effect on the group :T

Financially, it hasn't been great this month at all. Christmas is giving me a pounding as I have gone off a very small and possibly unrealistic budget nywy. But, because I no longer buy stuff just because any more, the damage isn't too bad. I so cannot wait till pay day. GSR, huge hugs to you and your family Take care everyone and have a great day

traveller

Well done Thrifty :T Your analysis hit a nerve with me as it's the waste on just because it's cheaper items, that used to throw me off budget.The waste in my budget this month is £15.50 I spent on a takeaway as I had really bad PMS and was knackered anyway. I felt awful, but it was a needs must. A vast improvement on previous months

dolly84

apple_muncher wrote: »

misstara is doing December. Are you volunteering for Jan, dolly??!

No, I was just asking.