NST December: Frugal festivities

Bobarella

Wow Dolly that is a fabulous win!!! I'm so happy for you.

Calling - lamb again? Now your just being cruel well done on sub 5k before Christmas too!!

My credit card bill came in today and shows we have paid off £389 this month including the min payment. The tide is out a little from where I'd like to end the month but I will keep trying.

Don't think I've quite got my head around the fact it's a whole new year in just a few days. And time to start planning next year's goals too.

Bob

mothernerd

Had a hospital appointment and weather was not nice (plus ankle and hip are aching - did something approximating running between the bus stop and the house the other day) so had an all day ticket. Someone had pushed a card for my mum through my door so wrapped presents for her and her partner and took them and the card. She gave me my presents (not wrapped but told her to put them in a gift bag (she has a drawer full) and cover them with a piece of paper and promised not to look before the big day. She also had a card for my aunt so I offered to take that (more bus hopping).

Spent £5.20 on the bus and £1 besides. Back to cleaning and sorting tomorrow. Hope I finally get my tree up.

Today I am grateful for hot baths, for my feet being fine and for still living off the YS bargains I got last week.

Was singing along (quietly) to a song on the radio when I was on the bus, tried to place the group and realised it was us https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRCe5L1imxg&spfreload=10

Fmess

Evening all,

So excited to finish work for the holidays tomorrow :j

Today I am grateful for:-
1.) having lovely work friends and colleague
2.) my year 9 bottom set being engrossed in The Hunt for a while lesson
3.) freezer stocks of batch cooking

chocolatelover93

Evening everyone
Now had a chance to catch up today, been a busy day.
Just wanted to pop on and post my three grateful things:
1. Hubby taking me and tyre to be changed this morning - taking time off work.
2. Dad coming to re-fit the tyre for me after work
3. Seeing two of my friends for a good old catch up one of their mum's got us a pizza each too

The_Only_Girl

Finally managed to get some rest after a very hectic and tiring day. Managed to accomplish loads but still plenty left in the to-do list.

Managed to switch current accounts from Santander 123 to natwest rewards, we don't fancy paying £5/month n January. It seems like the switch is going smoothly as we've received text that the debit cards will be with us in a few days. We were supposed to open another account in TSB but we decided to see if we could find an online line to a switching bonus that's not available in branch, it turns out that the switching bonus promo has already ended. Will need to put that in the list for laters. We went to Halifax hoping to avail of their £150 switching bonus and £5/month if the account stays in credit but they told us we can only open a basic easy access account that doesn't qualify for the switching bonus. We are not their biggest fans anyway after the unsympathetic treatment we got from them when we were on DMP. They squeezed every single penny out of us. When other creditors agreed to freeze interests and accept full and final offers they did not. The sooner we can transfer our mortgage out of them the better. Shaking the proverbial dust off our feet.

Finally managed to get my Christmas shopping started. I only spent £47 buying presents for nieces, nephews and family friends. Still have a few to buy but I know what and where I am buying them from. Hopefully it won't be too painful. I am going to stick to my £250 budget if not less. DS1 is very clear on what he wants - NOTHING. He said he wouldn't mind Christmas money so he can buy things cheaply after Boxing Day. I have finished sewing my curtain fabric (that I bought from carboot for £1.50) I managed to make 9 tote bags. Not bad for a first attempt. 2 did not have enough materials for the strap but I could easily buy strap material from the fabric shop tomorrow. I am thinking of popping in to IKEA for more fabrics. My sewing teacher said they have nice fabrics on sale that are perfect for tote bags.

Speaking of sewing my ever patient, soft spoken, long suffering husband commented that we probably need to have an extension or a conservatory as my sewing has taken over the whole living room. It can quite messy as you can imagine. That's music to my ears but in reality we don't have the funds for it. I reminded him that in a few months DS1 will be in uni so I could use his bedroom as my crafts room / ironing room. The sheer relief on his face was quite a picture.

We called in to an organisation called Borderline books who distribute or donate books to people or organisations. Hubby and I were after finance books like Martin Lewis' Dave Ramsey, etc but she gave us loads of many different genre of books - 65 books in total - FOR FREE! We're supposed to be decluttering I hear you say. But they're free! Not sure if we can sell them as that would feel so wrong but they are books that we would love to read and also share. It's a great womble I'd say.

I wombled a receipt from Mr T with 8 unclaimed points. My first after a very long time.

Gotta hit the sack now as ds2 will be leaving for his trip to Harry Potter studio at 6am and I need to make sure he has packed lunches etc. til tomorrow my dears! Nighty night

apple_muncher

The only girl - my hubby practically banned me from making more craft items until I got rid of some I'd made! I have slightly rationalised the amount, and fitted it into several stacker boxes, so the floor space they need is much less. Unfortunately, the fabric and wool stash is still rather humungous...! I've also made tote bags, and the next step for me is to learn to do the corners so that they become more 3D than 2D.

dolly84

Calling - well done getting your turkey.

TOG - 65 books - wow that is fantastic.

The kids finish school today and I am a bit sad because I have to miss the carol concert at DS's school for the first time ever, DD is finishing school early so I have to pick her up and can't get there. Everything was so easy when they were both in primary school.

I have given DD money for a school lunch today rather than a packed lunch, it feels extravagant to me but it's only the second one she's ever had there.

Tea tonight is hm pizza and I think we will watch a film. DH is working overtime tomorrow, he gets paid, banked hours and a day off in lieu.

misstara

so very confused welcome to the thread

Calling fab news about being under 5k before Christmas and on your free turkey :T

mothernerd hope your ankle/hip are better today.

dolly what a shame you will miss the carol concert.

Spent about £27 yesterday on additional travel to get home plus some snacks along the way so happy enough with that. Later on I'm meeting an old friend for some drinks so won't be a NSD today either. Don't mind though as I haven't seen my friend for about 4 months so we have lots to catch up on . Hoping for a few NSDs over the weekend.

I made a wee £5.87 payment to the debt yesterday, I was hoping to get under £3500 by the end of the year but pretty sure its not going to happen will keep paying what I can though and see how I go.

Calling14

Did a bit of xmas shopping online today with body shop.

Paid 10 pounds off cc1.:j

Wish I was finishing work today, feel so tired instead have to work at least one day next week as had day off for gs carol service the other day. No plans for the weekend, eat, walk, watch box sets and try and find a present for impossible friend who has everything also never grateful.

So very confused welcome to the madness :beer:

Anyone see Eat well for less Xmas last night. I couldn't believe how stupid people are 1400 pounds on food and drinks.

Mothernerd loving The Turtles happy together it is us. :xmastree::grouphug:

Right lots of work left to do and so little time, Like a scene from Muppets xmas carol here without the snow.

GSRcat

Afternoon,
TOG well done on the books!
Calling- well done on the free turkey.

I love crafting too and I am currently addicted making crochet hearts, they are so quick and easy and pretty look fab one the tree. Currently I am finishing off a blanket for DD and I'm so proud of it, it's my second big crochet project and I'm sad it's nearly come to an end.

I didn't watch that programme Calling but I can quite imagine it, working in food retail you see people go mad and pile stuff into their trollies as its a must have. This is what I don't like about Christmas now, it's insane, people go too mad when it's really not necessary cos it's only a meal! And it should be about being with those you love, it's just become too big and too crazy and it's exhausting before we have even got there.

Got loads to do, gifts to wrap and still two more to buy and some good to pick up from Iceyland.
I'm grateful for-
My dad helping with the painting and getting the new room sorted for Christmas
My mum for being so supportive
School finishing today so we can have a break