NST December: Frugal festivities

Synonymous

Hey all :wave: I'm still here and reading along most days even though I don't reply much.

Things are going well here. I'm sticking to my budgets, but I've become so careful with money that it's a bit of a hindrance - if you have serious holes in your shoes/roof/clothes/whatever and you can afford to, it really shouldn't be so agonising to spend the money to replace them! But every significant expenditure now feels painful. I've stopped counting SFDs to help with this as I actually need to spend a bit of money now :rotfl: I'm debt-free and after a very frugal (and enjoyable!) year as a turtle there are some things that really have to be replaced! (Happy turtle anniversary to us both, Bob)

So this last few weeks have been spendy - I've had new front and back doors fitted to my house, which have been needed for over a year as the wooden one had warped and was leaking. I had my car battery replaced that was always on the verge of letting me down somewhere, bought a new laptop battery as mine is dead, and bought some clothes in the sales and in Germany as I haven't bought any for a year. Even some waterproof mascara so I can cycle AND wear makeup

Looking after myself and my house a bit better are both definitely linked to my mental health. When I was depressed I really didn't care about anything including what other people thought. Breaking that golden rule of 'keeping up appearances', and having the world just carry on (because the Jones's really don't care if you wore your pajamas all day) was partly liberating and partly terrible, because without social fear driving me on some days, I didn't have enough self-love to make an effort for my own sake. Happily, I'm finding that now, so whilst it sounds like something a shopaholic would say; "I needed to buy this mascara for the sake of my mental health" I do want to look after myself now, for my own sake. Voluminous lashes are not going to make me happy; no thing, or stuff, or gadget can do that, but I'm making myself happier from the inside out, and it's finally making it's way to the outer edges

Big hugs to all turtles not feeling well or under a heavy workload - we can't be super-turtles all the time, so make sure you take the cape off and look after you every once in a while. xx

Fmess

Ah love that pic syn

calling and ccl look after yourselves

So today I have done the unthinkable and taken a day off work! I never have a sick day and today would have been a super busy day but decided that my body couldn't cope and I needed to listen to it for a change. Feel quite proud of myself and think it is good for my mental health too. I did have to work for nearly an hour to get the instructions ready for others to teach my classes so now I'm back in bed and staying here. I've also asked the dog walker to still come walk the dogs as I don't think I could manage that either and I didn't take them out yesterday which makes me feel guilty.

Today will be a SFD. I put the wheelie bin out and was knackered so definitely staying put with plenty of ibuprofen.

Hope you all have good days, don't feel ill and are safe after the bad weather.

dolly84

Fmess/CCL/Calling - hope you all feel better soon. I think DD is coming down with something too, she is certainly not herself. I can't recommend echinacea enough, I take it from the end of October until about February and it wards off colds and flu.

Yesterday was spendy. Me and DH went to Sainsburys to use a £3 off a £20 spend, we had the intention of just getting some basics there but they had YS so many items we got those instead, we have two whole Sea Bream reduced from £3.50 each to 99p each, a whole chicken for £2, chicken kievs, fancy sausages, beef shin, 4 salmon fillets half price plus lots more.

Then we went to Wilkos and got sweets for the kids christmas stockings and some chews for the dog.

DH bought me a bottle of Baileys in Morrisons on Friday, it was £10 for 1L so that has been put aside for Christmas time.

We won't be spending today which will make a change.

dolly84

Synonymous - money does have to be spent at some point so enjoy your new things.

thriftylass

Hello,

hugs to everybody that feels poorly and I hope you feel better soon.

And congratulations to all the achievements over the weekend, overpayments, getting things sorted, fixed, new job prospects etc.

Spendy weekend. Done rthe weekly shop and that was the cheapest expense at £33. Got the kids some little presents to put into their polished boots on Sun morning (st nikolaus tradition) and a night out.
Dh went out on Fri and I had the most amazingly fantastic girl's night out on Sat :T. My first night out in months, even went clubbing . So quite spendy but will cherish that night's memory, a long overdue catch up with my besties. Even got chatted up a few times (don't worry happily married) which was a great confidence boost somehow especially since I was almost the most conservatively dress woman in the club . So didn't get up to much on Sat or Sun when we nursed our respective hangovers. But the weather was too horrendous anyway.

Back on topic, transferred £115 form my RBS CC to my new AA one and as soon as this is gone through will destroy that one, can't wait.

Calling14

Just a quickie from me.

Made it into work, felt alright to be honest. Perhaps it was just lack of sleep with Desmond. Shoulders achey now.

However my gs is off school with a fever and other daughter got sent home from work today with lurgy. So no doubt will have whatever by end of the week!

Spent today had to buy an engagement card for daughter. Was given a nice mounted photo of a firework display(photographer I sort of know) so that will go in her bundle(so chuffed people give things for free), probably get her vouchers as they have been living together for a while so got most things.

Be glad to get out and get some air feels stuffy in this office today - surprisingly warm 16deg out there.

Turtle pic brightened up Monday.

Welsh kitty wow bargain lights.

Justforme

Afternoon all, can I also say get well soon to all the poorlies here today, lots and lots going round everywhere it seems.


Yesterday was a NSD so number 3 in the bag, I feel I climbed mountains (housework) wise this weekend my home feels loved again, and I feel mentally able to cope with stresses and strains of December and Christmas again, will join flylady and keep on top of things now, my DS and I watched a few Christmas films with just the tree lights on and all food from stores and used up what needs using in the fridge.
Back in work this morning, lunch from home and trying to eat healthier than I have for last few weeks I rally can't be bothered going back to slim world this side of Christmas and new year but don't want to gain lots either so need to keep an eye there.
Nipping in and out of the office here in a t-shirt this weather is crazy it's even too warm for the heating on, be nice to save a few pennies on the gas for a little while longer.
Yesterday I was grateful for warm cosy afternoon watching films, that the winds had dropped here and nice fresh bedding and shiny bedrooms.

Bobarella

Hi Turtles

Happy 'birthday' to you as well Syn

Well 2 good things today. Managed a £20 PAD. And my husband had the entire £203 he had to spend on dental work, refunded within a week by denplan! He has cover through his work. We'd expected a 50% refund at some point so to get the whole lot is fab

NSD to round it off.

Bob

Fmess

Thanks for all the get well wishes, I am feeling a bit better but still get up to do one thing, like the dishwasher, and then have to have an hour on the sofa or in bed.


Congratulations on the payback of the dental money bob

Today has therefore been a SFD. Got an small unexpected payment into my account but think I know what its for so that will help towards the extra spends that December brings.


Today I am grateful for:-
1.) The dog walker taking the dogs out whilst I was feeling unable to
2.) The warmer weather meaning the heating doesn't need to be on
3.) Batch cooking providing me with lunch and dinner

Fmess

By the way, does anyone know why my TopCashBack account is a Plus account and charges me £5 a year? I can't find an option to undo this.