NST December: Frugal festivities

Shortie

Morning all, I will try and report back later but so far today:

- Today I need to take cash out for the planned school (tutor) spends and for DS1's Christmas cash. As it will be a spend day, I'm going to ask Mr Shortie if he can grab me some more soups for my work lunches
- I have got my breakfast, lunch and a snack wih me for work. Tea will be made not bought in
- Clearly, my mental health improvement of more down time (I sat and played computer games after having a tidy up) needs to have the caveat that it doesn't encroach on sleep whoops. Going bed after midnight and posting on this thread while falling asleep isn't really the point of the downtime, whoops o_O

Today, I am greatful for:
My comfy, warm coat - I'm going to snuggle down and snooze the rest of my train journey in a mo
Warm, reliable showers - to wake me up. Our last boiler was very very old, and very very unreliable
Heinz tomato soup - today's lunch. I haven't had it for ages and am really looking forward to eating it

dolly84

I have a super busy day today. Tomorrow is DD's birthday and I am making her cake, I will bake it this morning and then do the filling later in the day or tomorrow. I have a ton of work to do. The washing machine is on and as soon as it finishes it needs pegging out. The dog needs a good walk, my Avon delivery is coming today so that needs bagging up and then after tea tonight I will deliver it all.

This is my last Avon delivery, I have resigned. I have done it for 4 years and have had enough.

Tea tonight is chicken breasts with a garlic rotisserie rub and roasted vegetables.

I did a click and collect grocery shop with Tesco last night and used quite a few vouchers and also picked up my re-ordered game for DS for Christmas.

chocolatelover93

Morning everyone

Bob - Hope your hubby's tooth is feeling better!!

Spent £2 yesterday on something for lunch/snack at work - I know not ideal but I did get a £5 gift set for nothing (when I get MS money back) it will go in the Xmas present box ready for someone

Today will also be a spend day - getting my eyebrows done. I know for some people this might be a luxury and I could do it at home. However when I try to do it at home I mess up and looks ridiculous and last time got so annoyed I shaved them both off. So off to the salon it is!! Will aim for a NSD tomorrow though

Not got my lunch with me at work today so I will be skipping my break and leaving 30 mins early so I can have something when I get home

Three things I am grateful for today:
1. Woke up feeling better than I did last night
2. Morning shift at work so I have the afternoon to myself
3. The texts I get from my bank to let me know I am paying £1 a day again for being OD so I could transfer some money over to stop that

Bobarella

Morning Turtles

Meant to say Mothernerd I really liked how you had laid out your intentions for the month. Really motivational to read.

MissTara - that's nice someone gave you a bus ticket. We can't do that here as it's all oyster.

Chocolate - thanks lovely

Well today is the 2nd day I've made a PAD to THE DEBT so I'm cheery about that. I am sitting on the fence a bit on that front. Because I'm self employed I swing between wanting to clear the debt pronto but also the fear of an empty bank account when cash flow isn't good. All my CC debt below is on a 0% so I want to pay it off asap but I also know it's not accruing at the moment. I will see what is left once the mortgage goes out and take a leap

Health Visitor came today. DD is now 12 pounds 5 on her 8th week exactly. I'm pleased with that. And to know she's doing well and thriving. She's gone from 50th to 75th percentile apparently...

After we retired early last night the cat brought us a dead mouse at 3 am then OH got up to change DD and didn't catch her in time whilst the nappy was off. Silly Daddy...so he had to sleep on a towel for the rest of the night as I wasn't about to start stripping the bed for a baby wee at that time of night. He has to go to a parents information evening tonight so he's going to need all the coffee

Have a good day everyone.

Bob

thriftylass

Not an SFD today as I got my overdue haircut. Will maybe pick up some more bread (where does it go all the time?). Tomorrow won't be a SFD either as we have our work group's christmas lunch. Three course for 16 quid (luckily miss the start of christmas lunch and a price hike of 10 pounds by one day). After work I'll take the kids to the christmas light switch on and hopefully just a bus home otherwise it'll have to be a taxi we'll see, as hubby needs the car.

My budgets for December are:

300 food
150 presents, HM gift ingredients etc
50 essentials, HH
50 treats
50 going out

Hope too spend less on gifts etc as I over budgeted just in case

Justforme

Afternoon lovely turtles x I didn't get a chance to post yesterday as work was absolutely crazy busy and had heaps to do at home too, I would love any advice on how you manage to keep on top of your housework, work fulltime, run a home alongside walking the dog, to-ing and fro-ing kids clubs etc I am continuously chasing my tail and to be honest it stresses me right out. I made a conscious effort this morning and was up ironing at 5.00am before work and cleaned right through downstairs before leaving but this isn't practical on a daily basis obviously. Think I need a rota..


My middle sons work admitted making a mistake regarding his pay so that is a huge relief all round, he paid me back what he owed me and can treat himself over Christmas. I also sold my chest freezer which may sound crazy to lots but most of my overspending is in supermarkets and it has taken me a whole year to empty it which is ridiculous, so now I know exactly what space and food is available, and can shop monthly and use up monthly. Enough rambling.
Mothernerd- I find your lists so useful so thanks for posting, sounds like you have a massively busy week.
Shortie- Welcome, I joined last month and was very scared lol. But the help and support here is immense and it really does help you focus on your spending.


My budgets are set, my NSD are going to be tough this month, I will just be very grateful to get to January in the black which will be fine for at least one day as hubby gets paid on the 31st


For my mental health aspect this week I VOW to get 100% on top of my housework, clutter gets me down massively, reclaiming my under the stairs back from the chest freezer will help as I now have storage for essentials hoover, ironing board etc.Alongside this I will charge my fitbit and start counting my steps thankyou applecruncher walking helps my moods no end so back to steps.


My goal for 2016 is the same as ever to lose weight, I have lost just under 9stone so far, 3 of those in 2015 but still have 8 to go no doubt I will stick at slimming world but really I want to start 'eating cleaner' so clich! but it's true, you cannot diet for 30 odd years and not know what your supposed to eat eh.

chocolatelover93

Justforme Wow that weight loss is amazing!! Well done you!!

In regards to getting on top of the house work, I know how you feel!! We've not long moved and our house is just a tip at the moment.
I find that if I give myself a "reward" after each job or a couple of job that helps. Like If I clean one room after I will watch a bit of telly and then do something else. Or I set an alarm on my phone and work until the alarm goes off and then it is ME time
I also LOVE listening to music when I do the house work, it makes the time go much quicker plus it's good exercise because I'm gigging along while doing it and also maybe have little dance breaks too.... haha
xx

Calling14

Lost a SFD today I needed an umbrella tried holding the broken one up impossible was getting soaked.

Chocolate lover I do that set alarms on my phone, especially decorating over weekend. Probably have too many treats to get me motivated as well. Need to clear back bedroom tonight, new carpet coming tomorrow. Not sure where I can clear the rest of the stuff to. May do a quick clear out of garage when get home to tip.

Glad to hear we have a bouncing baby Bob here. She is doing fab.

LSD I can be your tour guide in North Wales.

Sorry quick post for me, finishing work early as couldn't sleep this am wind was awful so appeared mega early in work.

littleskintdragon

Hi all,

justforme that's amazing, well done. If you find a way of not going around in cirles in the house etc, the please let me know!!

Dolly are you pegging your washing outside? i havet been able to do that in weeks I'm very jealous if you are. My tumble dryer was also one of the models recalled last week, so i'm to scared to use that. I dont use it often, but its handy for bedding and towels. Saving money though I suppose.

calling thank you! I'll take you up on that closer to the time.. we're thinking of visiting Chester zoo as the kids will love it, but it's so expensive!

2nd nsd today, we do need potatoes to go with our chicken. We had about 8 small new pots (2 each) left which I threw in with the chicken to cook. I'm wondering if i can get away with giving those with extra veg instead? We'll have carrots, broccoli and peas and stuffing with it :cool: I really want a nsd as I know tomorrow wont be one. I'm hoping for enough meat left to make food for tomorrow, or to freeze a meal ready for when baby is here.

The plan is to spend an hour or two every week making meals ready for after birth, for the freezer. Cooking isn't dh's strong point at all so I need to make life easy. i made 5 lasagnes last week, and am planning shepherds pie or curry this week, might buy supplies tomorrow while I'm spending.

Started a list on Mon of to-do's, it's good plodding through them, I'm well aware its the nesting stage but I'm definitely taking advantage of it! :rotfl:

Three things I'm grateful for today -
1. Mil having ds for me to have a short rest
2. Finding time to sort out a pile of paperwork which had been littering my car
3. a health-ish looking bank account after the bills going out,

Bobarella

Just for me - I have found the only way of running a house, own business, & children is being very consistent in my daily actions. Yes it's boring but I always know what needs doing when. I'm sure you do the same already but each day I get up, load the DW, take any dry clothes upstairs first thing and put them away. Before we leave the house I tidy superficially in each room. All beds are made. Bathroom is left tidy.
When I return I immediately open all post and either file it. Put it for the recycling bin. Or put it in the relevant place. All reciepts go by the computer for ticking off my bank statements. I go through school bag and check for homework. Notes etc. Reload change bag with nappies and baby grows. Stick a new load of washing on.
Then feed the cat and get dinner on. I catch up with OH when he gets home on any appointments for the next day or items for actioning. Then it's the night time routine for us all. Dinner. Homework. Chill out time. Baths. Bed.

When you are out of the house 80% of the week I find its the only way to maintain sanity! Plan plan and plan again