NST December: Frugal festivities

dolly84

Bob - well done on your extra payments.

Calling - well done on your savings.

LSD - I think it's normal to feel worried about how you will cope with three children. I felt the same when I was expecting DS but when he arrived I didn't have time to fret and just got on with it.

It is wild and wet here today. I'm not sure what our plans are once DD's guests have gone home but it doesn't look like it will be anything outside.

littleskintdragon

Thanks all, i'll see how i feel. Ive got a midwife appointment on the 14th, so ill see how i am then.

Had my cashback from swapping phoneline and b/band confirmed, so ive just paid that off the big cc £190, and a couple of extra £ i had ready in quidc0, rounded up to £200. Plus i paid the £130 from swapping utilities and bank account off the cc. That to me is a massive payment and a huge step in the right direction.

Not sure i'll make it on here later so today i am grateful for -
1. Quidc0 and everything else that gives cashback!
2. The wind blowing. My clothes by the back door. They might not dry but will be dryer than being sat inside.
3. Dh getting up with ds and me getting a lie in.

chocolatelover93

Morning everyone had a chance to catch up now

Fmess - sending hugs your way, counselling is a really good way of expressing your feelings and getting it all out, it really helps xx

Bob - hope baby Bob is feeling better after her jabs also well done on the PAD's

MissTara - Thank you I will make sure I have them to hand!! I could never get mine threaded, my mum had it done and said it was quite painful, I am a MASSIVE wimp and hate pain haha.

LSD - Hope you're feeling ok, sending hugs, maybe it is worth talking to your midwife and seeing what they can do for you?

Also I FINALLY HAVE MY DEPOSIT BACK FROM MY OLD HOUSE!! :j:j:j:j Sorry a little excited only been waiting over two months!! haha

Now I've got time I can properly update my budgets:
Electric - £20/£50
Oil - £0/£100
Fuel - £35/£140
Food/Toiletries etc. - £76.50/£250
Presents - £50/?
Misc - £18/£0 (this was my hair cut and eyebrows didn't budget for this )

Debts:
NPower - £0/£23
Halifax - £0/£41

I have also got my lunch with me today (at work) and so aiming for my first NSD of the month

I've been using my guided meditation on Youtube to help me sleep some nights when I can't drift off

Three things I am grateful for today:
1. I had a good nights sleep
2. Hubby giving me a cuddle in bed this morning
3. Traffic clear so got into work earlier than usual

black_cat

Fmess - barn owl moment is rather special

Sorry that this is the first post of the month - been very busy and stressed but, hopefully, life is calming down now...

Yesterday's gratitudes:

• completed 3 major projects at work
• finished Christmas shopping (minus an Amazon voucher)
• lovely comment from student

Will definitely be back later to post...

black_cat

Wow, that wind is raging! I dread to think what it's like for those in Cumbria and Scotland. I braved the storm to go to Iceland to use my £5 voucher and then went to Sainsbury's, so the freezer's stocked up and I've menu-planned for the rest of the month. We're going away for Christmas so we don't need any "special" food, although I'm sure OH will sneak some in at some point...

I'm hoping the there won't be too much spending for the rest of the month. I don't get paid until the 31st so I need to be prudent. This weather makes me want to stay in and enjoy the comforts of home, anyway.

Three things I'm grateful for:

• the roof's still holding strong
• cuddly cats this morning
• Christmas shopping completed

stewby

Good evening turtles!!


This is my first post of the month, arrived home last night but headed straight to work to help out before watching some TV and trying to catch up on the thread.
Fell asleep (not surprisingly) so finished off today and am now posting.


Holiday to London was a bit weird. Incredibly stressful as I had planned everything and was very much aware that I had to impress my auntie (who is never impressed with me) and keep my nervous mum happy too.
Think we managed it... only issue is that I have fallen in love. We went to the west end for the first time ever and Oh my... it was stunning and amazing and wow.
Might work out as a bit of an expensive habit seeing as we will need to fly down south as well as buying the tickets.
Trying to rationalise it but think I might fail to do that.
:rotfl:

So... that was our final "girls holiday" as my cousin is wanting to save for a house.
Sounds bad but I'm kinda pleased as it saves me £50 a month. This was what used to go into a pot every month for spending money and I topped it up to pay for our actual holiday.
I feel really awful saying that I am glad as I do enjoy our holidays just the four of us... but I want to get on top of my finances.


We do have some interesting news... OH has applied for a new job. Still in the same field but more like what he did before the other training. Keeping my fingers crossed as it will provide him with a much needed confidence boost, as well as a boost in pay. He must be keen for this job as he is normally the sort of person who would wait for someone to mention it to him whereas this time he has gone to the head guy and asked about it.
Fingers crossed.

Mental health thing is tricky as I am still struggling with mine on a daily basis. Have not yet found something that works and to be honest, find soothing music quite frustrating so tend to avoid it. Planning New York will hopefully provide some much needed relief.
:undecided

2016 goal is to lose weight.
OH's sister is getting married in August and I want a decent photo of us all dressed up. It will also be the first time that I meet the extended family (only met one uncle and his family so far) and it makes me quite nervous. Would like to look less like a circle when I meet them.


Hugs to everyone that needs them. Xmas can be such a rotten time for some people but quite often it is overlooked as people get caught up in the spending and gimmicky showiness of the event.
I don't know if that makes any sense but I hope the thought is recognisable.
Roll on 2016.

Bobarella

Hi All

NSD here. It's seriously windy out, knocked over our wheelie bin.

Fmess. - I am so impressed at your owl sighting. Now I'm thinking of Hedwig or the owl from Labyrinth. Although now I'm thinking of David Bowie in dodgy man leotard...ewwww....

LSD - how exciting having an almost Christmas baby. Really hope all goes well for you between now and your due date.

Bob

Justforme

Evening all, yesterday was a busy and spendy day but was expected and worth every penny to have a lovely day with hubby, he has fibro myalgia and it flares up from time to time and he goes totally into himself and hates having to ask for any help the stubborn monkey, thankfully he seems to be over the worst and is smiling again.

I can't believe the weather on the news we seemed to have missed nearly all down here in Lil old south Wales although the winds been strong it's been dry all day. I hope all you turtles are warm and safe. I popped out for a few hours with my darling son we giggled all morning and picked up a few things off the Christmas list, he collects glass animals so loves to scour charity shops and was delighted to find an elephant for a pound then home for a party run by our after school club so all free. All in all a nice weekend and spends have all come from my overtime shifts last week which makes it nearly guilt free.

Anyone with little ones with a local pound land pick up the magic reindeer dvd it's so sweet we all en joyed it .
Things I'm grateful for over the last 2 days Hubby's feeling more himself, time with my beautiful kind funny son and that my Christmas tree is up and looks gorgeous x

Night all back to a NSD tomorrow x

mothernerd

SFD.

Today I am grateful for my bed, for nice bread and feeling rested.

Calling14

Hiya turtles quiet on here.

Justforme been horrendous up here in North Wales 83mph winds and non stop rain. Got to feel for anyone getting homes flooded especially this time of year. Loved your elephant story. Will look out for the reindeer story this week.

Had a lovely lazy day, made a cooked brekkie and watched James Martin. Walked neighbours dog, not sure dog appreciated rain/wind.
Made liverbacon casserole and just chilled out in my lovely xmassie house. No decorating been heaven.

Sfd in the bag.

LSD. Great news on your cashback, waiting patiently for mine.