NST - January. Bobs post bauble debt busting challenge

misstara

Today has been a NSD went to the gym in the morning, thought it would be busy with 'ny resolutions' people but there was hardly anyone there.

I caught up on all the surveys in my inbox and managed to cash out £5.50 in @mazon vouchers so that's a good start towards Christmas 2016

I've also had a good tidy out of all my paperwork for last year and also had a clear out of my make-up so I feel like it's been a productive day

themarsbargirl

Checking in,

I can claim my first NSD of January.
Had a lazy day, Mum fed me at lunch because it was new years day, hoping now that I'll use all my chicken before it goes off...I miss my own freezer, there's no space for me to use in hers.

jeanangeo

Happy New Year to all

NSD 1 completed. I'm posting from my phone though so will update signature tomorrow.

I spent the morning researching ways to bring in extra income. I can't say it's been a huge success. I worked out that I would need to spend 8 hours a day on survey and/or reward sites to make a few quid (and I would die of boredom first). I was also screened out of most surveys anyway (after wasting several minutes filling out the pre survey). I don't think survey and reward sites are for me.

I am a software developer so maybe it's time to try and break the employee mould and figure out a way to use my skills in an extra curricular way that doesn't break my contract. I don't have much confidence in sticking myself out there though even though I have years of experience.

The only other ideas I have are eBay (but what to sell exactly???) and/or blog (but what to blog about???). I really struggle with this kind of thinking but I'm going to keep at it. At the very least it will be learning and distraction from obsessing about mortgages and budgets.

I'm happy it was an NSD at least. Cowabunga .

DawnW

Oops, forgot to check in yesterday

But on the plus side, I managed my first NSD of 2016
I realise that my stumbling blocks are food shopping and internet shopping - little bits from ebay mostly. Some of this is unavoidable (such as a new front panel for one of the freezer drawers that I broke over Christmas) but some is definitely not! So I must be mindful of this!

Also managed to use up more bits from the fridge :T

dolly84

Fmess wrote: »

Evening all,


SFD number 1 here today I ended up going on three dog walks, think I was just a bit excited about them wearing their coats! So I have got in plenty of steps. I ate pretty healthily until I realised that the fajita spice mix that I put in with my chicken and veg had 632 calories in it! I made two potions of dinner so that's 318 calories extra in each dinner, so lesson learnt, although I did get it free through a shopping app.


I took the Christmas tree down, cleared away the decorations, hoovered through the downstairs and changed the sheets on my bed, as well as preparing for my tutoring tomorrow. Pretty happy with my progress and getting to spend the day with the dogs - not looking forward to going back to work next week and having to be out of the house all day

Could the calorie count be for 100g of the mix and the pack size actually be much smaller?

HelgatheHairy wrote: »

Day 1 NSD (I hope - I have a bit of a stationary/planner addiction and etsy is really easy to order from)

In not so good news I managed to fall off the bed and broke the wooden clothes airer so will need a new one. Was completely stupid, I was getting something down from a cupboard over the bed, stumbled, fell to my knees and then bounced backwards off the bed! I'm fine, just hurt my arm a little bit.

Crikey - that could have been a lot worse.

The_Only_Girl wrote: »

We had a simple New Year's Eve celebration at our house last night. We had a few friends over. The highlight of the evening was the cork popping ceremony to celebrate the new debt free status of 2 of our little DFW gang. Both of them made their last debt repayment 6 and 9 weeks ahead of schedule. Because it was also in 2015 when we earned our DF status, we all had bottles of (non-alcoholic) bubblies to pop. Perfect way to say goodbye to the challenging yet rewarding year that was 2015 and a joyous way to welcome the challenges that 2016 will bring. One of the new DF friends and their family stayed overnight watching DVDs. chatting and bonding all night til they left at 6am. It was one of the best times we've had that cemented our friendship. We didn't get up til 3pm! We had left overs for lunch and supper, and lots of left over drinks and juice too. Freebies on the first day of the year! Hopefully there will be more on the way?

How lovely to have a group of real life friends all doing the same thing. I don't know anyone who actually talks about money except to flippantly say they are skint when what they actually mean is they have spent it all.

*Jellie*

Is it too late for me to join the challenge?

The_Only_Girl

dolly84 wrote: »

How lovely to have a group of real life friends all doing the same thing. I don't know anyone who actually talks about money except to flippantly say they are skint when what they actually mean is they have spent it all.

Thanks Dolly. We've been friends for years with the family who stayed overnight but we didn't know or talk about our financial worries until March when he recommended an audiobook to listen to, which was recommended to him by the other friend who also became DF last week. Then we started comparing notes and realised we can do something together to help others too and the DFW gang was formed from there. It's not easy putting yourself out there and exposing our unwise past but if it keeps others from making the same mistakes as we did and turning the situation around, it's got to be done. (We have started doing presentations and seminars last year and we're hoping to do more). Don't get me wrong, we've had our fair share of mockers, name callers (some of our common friends call us the "money people" as if it's small pox) and accusers. Some of these negative people are actually in far worse situation than we were in, they are just in denial stage and the pain of change and sacrifice is felt to be greater than the pain of the possibility of bankruptcy. Well, we're not forcing anybody. As they say, whosoever will may come. Live and let live. As for me and my DFW friends, we are lucky to be surrounded by likeminded people. I'm even luckier because I've got you my fellow turtles here on MSE forum and my little group here.

must.try.harder

Happy New Year Turtles! :beer:

apple_muncher wrote: »

Must.try.harder - I sell my home-made toys/christmas decs at school fairs. The first one I ever did was scary! Putting myself and my creations out there for all to see. And I was concerned about having enough to fill my table - which is no longer a problem! For you, I guess it depends on the size of the items you are upcycling. Would gumt or your local fb site be any use?

Thanks Apple Muncher! That's really inspiring that you are out selling your personal creations. That's definitely something I would like to do in the future. Gumtree is a great idea for the things I have at the moment, I think I'd feel a lot more comfortable being faceless for now!


I started the year off with a NSD, which seemed like the most positive way to start the challenge for me

Then today I have made the promised donation to my friend's 3 peaks challenge. I have also promised to go on a practice walk with him as I think the training on his own is tough in the winter! I also like that it is also a social event that's free :j

Unfortunately, I had a few too many drinks on NYE and promised to go to the cinema with my friend as she was desperate to see the Hunger Games film. I don't feel like I can back out now, and to be honest I love spending time with her too... is there any way of getting cheap or discounted cinema tickets? I am not a regular cinema goer and always get a shock when I see the prices!

apple_muncher

Also called 'Scotch Shortbread' in my Marguerite Patten book - it naturally falls open at this page now!

100g/4oz pl flour
50g/2oz rice flour or extra plain flour or cornflour
100g/4oz butter
50g/2oz caster sugar
(I also add vanilla essence)

Sift flours into a bowl.
Cut up butter and rub in with fingertips.
Add sugar and knead until it binds.

I then roll it out and cut out the shapes I want, put on greaseproof paper and bake at gas 4-5 for 15+ mins. Leave to cool before taking off the baking tray.

It is rather a random recipe when I do it (!) and I sometimes get it all wrong...! Oven temp and time may vary depending on your oven.

I use gf flour that I get for dd on prescription, but the Dove's one is fine too. I sometimes reduce the sugar a little too.

Tis rather a hit and miss - but more hit than miss!


Enjoy

crazy_cat_lady

Good morning everyone and a belated Happy New Year from all of us in the CCL household. Didn't check in yesterday as we spent NY away at my friend's with good company and no internet in sight. But I'm back now and raring to go so going to make the most of it before the post Christmas slump sets in.



1. We are aiming for maximum no spend days this month. I will aim for 21 - started the year off with a spend day yesterday but not planning on leaving the house at all today...

2. Pay to your debt as soon as priority spends are complete. This will happen tomorrow when all of my dd's go out of - I don't have debt to pay (thank GOD) but I need to budget very carefully this month.

3. State your intentions. As you know, our income is about to decrease by £700 a month so we need to prepare for this

4. Check in every day. Didn't manage yesterday but every other day this month is planned...

5. You will donate £5 to a good cause of your choice. Already to this every month to PDSA and Cat's protection.

6. Plan your diary. I haven't planned this yet but I'm aiming for one night out with dh at some point - working round babysitting etc. Need to think about something we can do that's not alcohol related or too costly. I have 2 for 1 meerkat cinema but dh doesn't have the attention span for a film at the moment.

7. Plan your grocery spends carefully. Very carefully. Fridge and freezer is overflowing so shouldn't need anything other than bare essentials for the next week or two

8. Get something for free! - I can't believe that I managed this already, but yesterday I acquired a couple of veggie peelers and a box of paracetamol from friends. Just by mentioning I needed those things, lo and behold I got them.

9. Earn extra - Determined to get back on with receipt scanning etc - also looking into selling a couple of home made items after a conversation yesterday.

10. Check your credit report- I check every month on noddle and clearscore

Now I have a plan, woe betide anyone who stops me.