NST December: Frugal festivities

Bobarella

Sorry Justforme such a very sad list of bad news there. And Calling that is so sad too.

WelshKitty - so glad your shop has been a positive experience for you..it sounds like 2016 will open very well indeed for you. And you've worked hard for that from what you share here. Well done you.

I have put up January's thread although I need to flesh out the detail but with the Christmas close down impending I wanted to get us organised early. I hope everyone will sign up.

Today I am grateful for:
1. A simple dinner that gave me more time to relax with the baby
2. A thoughtful card from my sister
3. Kindness from a friend

Night all

Bob

Fmess

Thinking of you both justforme and calling and your family and friends.

I'm off to sleep do very briefly, Today has finally been another SFD I am grateful for:-
1.) the chance to earn extra money
2.) the cheeriness of Christmas, although the Reds, greens and golds and twinkly lights do bring a smile to my face
3.) my home which feels like my little sanctuary

misstara

Sorry not posted for a few days - been having mostly tech free days while spending time with my family so a lot to catch up on.

Justforme and Calling sorry to hear of the sad news, hugs to you both

Bob Thanks for putting up January's thread, have signed up, need to get a bit of focus back after the spendy festive period.

So I'm back home now, had an unexpected travel expense as the boat I was planning to go on got cancelled so missed my connecting bus in Glasgow. Thankfully the weather got better so I made it over on the next one but then had to buy another bus ticket, worth it to get home though. Also bought a coffee, magazine and snack on the boat, Then when I got back me and OH went and bought our festive food, spent £52.47 which was rather more than I hoped but will keep us going for a while.

Today I'm grateful for
- the weather improving so I got home
- seeing OH after my days away
- OH cleaning the flat before I got home

Bobarella

MissTara - what a pain to miss your boat. You have done so well this year in reducing your debt. A few overspends aren't going to scupper you in the long term..

dolly84

Hi all.

Well I braved the barbers with DS yesterday morning, it's just as well I did as it is appointment only today and tomorrow morning. He is very happy with his haircut (and so am I), £7 spent there.

Also did the grocery shopping last night, we had a £3 off a £30 spend at Tesco and £3 off a £20 spend at Sainsburys and luckily they are next door to each other pretty much so we split the shop up. We came in £6.65 under our December budget. Our January budget starts this weekend and I have reduced it by £20.

DH got given some beer and a tub of roses by some customers at work yesterday so those have been added to the stash.

I will be spending today as we need to go and buy some dog food. I am calling into our little town to collect a Boots order but I used points to pay for that so no money spent there, I will pay some money into the kids accounts whilst there and other than that today's plans are walking the dog, running or cycling and cleaning.

The_Only_Girl

Good morning all! Not long now before Christmas Day! Are you all ready for it? I have a few bits and pieces to pick up and I should be all done. I'd say it's not too bad considering I only started last Thursday. If it wasn't for DS2's constant plea for food, we would have finished the whole lot yesterday. Never mind, I still have time to do it today, as I am on my second to the last night shift of the year tonight! Yay!!! This year is the simplest Christmas ever. The whole family is still determined to make it memorable, only without the trimmings and trappings that is usually associated with it. It's also the fifth year that I've avoided going to the big malls and shopping centres as parking is a nightmare there, it's so crowded, and it puts me off just thinking about it. The other less popular retail parks with almost the same shops do it for me and it saves me from a whole lot of stress.

DH and I got paid yesterday, the budget for January has been made and we've already transferred £300 to the EF. We might be able to add some more, subject to one of our regular monthly commitment being significantly reduced. Will update you on that later. The individual cash ISA's have also been topped up. It's looking good. I can't wait for January to start. New year, new job, new prospects. New opportunities to make our family's finances so much better than ever before. I know that there will be lots of challenges, lots of negative comments and detractors but we are all fully committed to taking this journey together as a family. With the fellow turtles behind me, offering support and encouragement and inspiration, what more can I want? Have a nice day everyone!

chocolatelover93

Morning everyone
Woke up feeling ill this morning not sure why, didn't get much sleep last night too me ages to drift off again. Not sure if it is because I am excited for Xmas (I would make myself ill when I was younger), my IBS playing me up or just general worries

My three things I am grateful for today are:
1. Lots of cuddles from one of my cats last night (think he was saying sorry to scratching me!!)
2. Cuddles from hubby this morning
3. LAST DAY OF WORK BEFORE XMAS (as you can tell just a little excited :P)

Calling14

Thanks for all your nice comments, starting to worry as sent few msgs to my friend to see if I should walk her dog and had no reply. May just call around and check if dog is alone.

Went to Sainsbobs this morning I completely finished shopping pressies, food. And bought myself a skillet pan. Wanted one for ages reduced to £10.00. Had a £10 off voucher off £50 spend. Spent £45 so happy with that. Lovely and quiet there as well.

No more shopping now. Just let the eating commence.

Calling14

Happy to find friend and her daughter alright. I am a stress head.

misstara

Very quick post tonight as OH is accusing me of hogging the laptop - me, never :rotfl:

Today I'm grateful for
- a NSD
- the inspection at work going really well :T
- twinkly christmas lights