NST - January. Bobs post bauble debt busting challenge

CEW

Sorry didn't post yesterday as iPad died when I went to post just before bed :eek: obviously spent too much time on line yesterday.

NSD no 1 yesterday :j All food is from stores and hopefully another NSD today as I cannot think of anything we need.

Will update again later.

Chez x

apple_muncher

Lucky - sounds like you should keep studying for your maths, apply for TA posts - evn if temporary - but keep looking at/for other jobs too. Have you done the numbers for the house purchase? How much will you need? Are you eligible for a house-buying ISA? What loan-to-value % are you aiming for?

Can't be easy juggling it all whilst living in someone else's house.

x_raphael_xx

Aiming for a NSD today, fridge was stocked yesterday and my only plans are to clean my bf's flat while him and his flatmates are out at work.
I love cleaning so I've been looking forward to my week off so I can tackle this grimy flat! :rotfl:

rylee12

x_raphael_xx wrote: »

Spend day today, although it only ended up being a food shop and a meal out for my birthday. We used xmas gift money for our cinema tickets, and my main meal was free as its my birthday.
I signed up to F&B's app and couldn't find the birthday deal, but a polite inquiry to my server and she fetched the manager to write it off so result. They also have a £10 off voucher (unfortunately can't use both at once) for signing up to the app if anyone is interested.

I wish I'd have know about this before the weekend as we went out to F&B's on Sunday for my son and mum's birthdays

I think I need to do more research into vouchers etc before heading out in future

Bobarella

Catwoman_2015 wrote: »

Evening turtles!

Keep up the good work fellow turtles, I really enjoy reading everyone's progress and being a member of this group is giving me the push to do things I would otherwise procrastinate over!

Catwoman

I think thats a great summary of why these challenges work, I agree with you Catwoman.

Bobarella

x_raphael_xx - Well done on your first NSD

TOG - Sounds like the new job is going to keep you fit, add pounds to your purse & knock them from your bottom line if you get me

Bobarella

Hello to All

Day 5 of the challenge. Im going to claim a NSD now. And hope to keep it till the end of the day! The only thing that may torpedo this is the nappy situation is a bit dire. And the fact we were stuck in all day yesterday means I have a somewhat bored child rattling around the house & I myself having had a really bad night with the baby, could do with a walk and a pick me up.
Does anyone else with smalls get utterly sick of the park? Its just so not appealing on days where everything is wet & you know they are just going to slip off the trim trail equipment & get mud everywhere! Gah...

So we'll see. Im using the stick & carrot approach clearly.

OH took the leftovers of last nights veggie pasta to work, & I have defrosted the pork shoulder cubes I got on YS at the weekend. Im planning a pork & rice type thing for dinner.

I have packed away 3 new boxes of stock made from chicken carcasses & veg scrapes I'd saved up in the freezer.

Transfered the CB into the main account today so may be able to PAD tommorow. Still have the mortgage to go out tommorow so thats always one I like to see gone before tinkering too much...

Better go the small grumpy one awakes

Bob

rylee12

Thanks for the add, here's a quick update on my current situation.

1. We are aiming for maximum no spend days this month.
Not had the best start to the month as have spent something every day so far (an need to get swim nappies today) but will still aim for 21 NSD during the remainder of the month.
2. Pay to your debt as soon as priority spends are complete.
The only debt we have at the minute is a loan from the MIL which we are hoping to start paying back from next month once we have got all our finances in order.
3. State your intentions.
Although we’re not in a massive amount of debt our overall financial situation could be loads better so we are hoping this will help us improve our situation. All in all we need to put together some emergency funds and if possible we would like to go on holiday this year.
4. Check in every day.
Hopefully shouldn’t be an issue now that everyone is back to school/work/college.
5. You will donate £5 to a good cause of your choice.
My dad suffers from Parkinson’s so my charity of choice will be Parkinsons UK
6. Plan your diary.
January is quite bad for birthdays but most have been accounted for in the cash left over from Christmas. The only other things are a couple of date nights and a baby shower. The date nights are covered so only the baby shower to account for (once I know the finalised details)
7. Plan your grocery spends carefully.
Still playing catch up with menu planning/grocery shopping but hoping to get on track by next week. We still have quite a bit of meat in the freezer so should hopefully be able to keep costs down. Think I may also check out the grocery challenge for inspiration
8. Get something for free!
Not sure how I’m going to accomplish this but never say never. Signed up to quite a few of the free lotteries but might have to start entering some competitions.
9. Earn extra
Planning on a serious declutter of everything in our house this year (KonMari I thank you!) and am hoping to sell whatever I can. I’ve also signed up to loads of survey sites and cashback sites to help with some of the other MSE challenges I’m attempting so hopefully this won’t be a problem
10. Check your credit report.
Have had an Experian account for ages now and have prompted to cancel it (saving myself £14.95 per month) and sign up with Noddle. Don’t have any issues with my credit rating at the minute but will keep checking.

Calling14

Morning everyone.:j

Today I will lose a SFD milk and bunny food required. Rabbit may last few days but need milk.:(

Today transferred money about paid 30.00 off cc1 and 50 pounds off my current credit card(usually clear each month) not using it unless emergency this year. Have 100 pounds left to clear on that before beginning of Feb.:T

Eating left over mince pies as I am so cold in this office this morning, got the heating working eventually.:D

Called in dentist on the way to work this morning to see about swopping and taking out Denplan - made an appointment for idea of cost. This means however still need to attend my nhs one end of this month - can't find the estimate of the cost anywhere. May be dipping into savings for this.

Now need to find something to do for me this month. ? A nice man to sweep me off my feet would be wonderful and take me places.:rotfl:

Back to shuffling paper x

dolly84

Hi all. Well done everyone with the NSD's some of you are doing amazingly well.

I have been to the dentist today and the checkup was half the price I had anticipated (private dentist) as they have taken out the scale and polish and you now have to see a hygienist for a more thorough version of this - obviously at more than previous cost. I have booked my next checkup and will have the hygienist appointment then.

I transferred £12 of the money saved as above to the debt, new figure in sig. I used some of the rest to get DS some new socks (he has moved into the 4-7 range now) as the heel on most of his others is under his foot. Also got DD some new bras in the half price sale at M&S to be picked up at the weekend.

I managed to find a dry half hour yesterday evening and got out for a run, all the stodge and drink over Christmas has taken its toll on my running. Will hopefully go again tonight.

Right I'm going to have an early lunch now of leftover shepherds pie and then work for the rest of the afternoon.

Bob - hope you manage to find something fun to do with your son that doesn't involve mud.