NST - January. Bobs post bauble debt busting challenge

Calling14

Just for me - you can have my bathroom scales the battery is flat:T
Must try harder - I have the same problems with my landing/ hall walls, will try to save as the wall needs time to dry out so will be a summer job - mines due to it needing repointing. However got water coming in from flashing around my soil pipe so will have to pay guy few doors down to fix it when he gets around to it.:D

Very sad to hear news about David Bowie's death today, so tearful and upset. Only got to see him once but so glad I did. Genius to the end, listening to his new album.

Today decided to spend money not on something rash - needed new walking boots mine are split in 2 places so any deep puddles and I get soggy feet and also bought some new arch support insoles as well, plan to do a bit of walking now it is getting bit lighter.

Will pop out and get milk/ veg/ fruit in a bit as well seeing as lost sfd.

Got my 13.93 back from Quidco today but put that towards my new booties

Bobarella

Calling - I felt very sad too. Bowie was amazing. I think the last time I felt so sad to hear of a music star passing was when Freddie died. I grew up with Queen. I think I was 13. You just feel like you know these people don't you. I hope he will rest in peace. On a more positive note I am so impressed with the energy you are throwing at your debt slaying. Look at your signature! Keep going Calling. This is your year to be debt free I feel it.

Catwoman -how annoying!

I don't know about everyone else but I feel like that initial boo ya let's do January feeling is ebbing ever so slightly? It's chilly, grey and damp. We need some sunshine people!

I heard the most heartwarming story yesterday about a young woman helping an elderly lady home with her shopping. Turns out the woman had literally not spoken to anyone in days. She was so grateful for the help and company that she cried. She insisted on giving the young woman a gift. They've now made plans to meet again and the young woman is going to get some of her friends to visit the older lady too. For London this is gold.

It made me think about how much I take for granted. My mobility and health for one. Anyway as a mini challenge I am going to find 3 extra ways of being kind to others tommorow and see how I feel then. Cheaper than a getaway in the sun and hopefully will help some people into the bargain. If anyone wants to join in please do and report back.

Bob

Bobarella

rylee12 wrote: »

Have had a hectic couple of days so apologies for not managing to check in.

My NSD's are not quite going to plan this month - I've only managed 2 from the last 7 days so really need to try much harder over the remainder of the month.

Just managed to complete my first online shopping order of the month so by tomorrow I'll have a house full of food so won't need to keep popping get to the shops.

Night all x

Don't worry at all. 2 is great. How many would you have done if you weren't focusing on not spending generally? Probably none..well done on your 2.

DawnW

Afternoon all
Didn't manage a NSD today, but I completed the following aspects of the challenge:
5) Donate £5 to a good cause - I looked at the local food bank's web site to see what they need at the moment, and bought those things and put in the donation point at the supermarket. It was actually £6.25 but that is ok Also took a bag of nice things I decided I could do without to a local mental health charity shop.
9) Earn extra - got £4 for a pinecone survey, and noticed that there was another £4 unclaimed in my account

Also paid off the Santander 123 reward cc,which I was going to close due to the much publicised fee increase, but when I phoned I was told that my fee had actually remained the same and had been paid in December for the next year. I therefore decided to keep it open and continue to use it for the cashback. Apparently the fee for me will increase next year (something to do with how long the account has been held). So I have written it on my calendar to close it next November instead

stewby

Evening all.

Thanks for the reply catwoman. I have actually removed that part of the post as I shouldn't really rant about things like that. It just gets to you sometimes.


Don't know if this will help some people but I duplicate this page (so I have it open twice) which means I can write my reply as I read. Means I don't struggle to remember who wrote what.
:undecided

GSRcat - If you can ever manage to get a BBQ sauce recipe, please give me a shout. All the recipes we have tried haven't turned out right at all and we are currently paying £1 a sachet for stuff from Tescimos. Would love to be able to make our own.


CCL - I am wondering if we should be able to pick like two days a month where we can go out socialising but still claim a NSD (if we are sensible like a cheap meal or a couple of drinks). It seems a shame to penalise someone for socialising when it is very common for over-spending to be linked to mood and loneliness.
:huh:

Bipex - Don't drop out!! There has been several people on here who have said that they still did better than expected even though they only did part of the challenge than if they had stopped altogether. Hope you relative receives the help they need. Just post when you can. We love cheerleaders!!


Eager Elephant - This is our first proper year of owning an allotment too!! We got it late last year and spent ages double-digging and now have some blueberry, raspberry, red gooseberry and blackcurrant bushes. As well as some strawberry plants.
We are going to start planting things in egg cartons soon.
(This is the royal "we" of course as my Dad and OH are doing it all. My Dad is teaching my OH everything he knows. It is quite cute to watch them together).


XSpender - I have been lurking about on the MF section and have seen your diary. Good luck on the house decision. Hope you get the outcome you want.


Must.Try.Harder - Trust me when I say we have all been there. That feeling is a nightmare. Push through and keep seeing that wee chink of light in the distance.
You are using the emergency fund for what it was saved for. There is no point going into debt just to keep it intact.
Be positive about the fact that you have not put anything on your credit card because you were prepared. Not many people can say that they are ready for anything that comes their way... but you can.
You will get there. We all will achieve our goals. Especially if we continue to work towards them.


Not much going on with me. Playing the Sims again. OH has found a new building game (from the makers of Simcity) that he is really enjoying so not going out to spend any money. The social butterflies that we are.
:rotfl:

Hugs to everyone.

DawnW

Stewby - BBQ sauce, have you tried this one?

1 small onion, chopped and fried gently till soft in a little oil
Add 6 tablespoons of tomato ketchup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce.
Cook gently on a low heat for 10 mins to blend flavours.

Don't remember where it came from (probably a friend), been using it for years, and doesn't cost a quid a sachet

Justforme

Evening all a busy day in work, and a NSD to boot.
Having a quiet evening snuggled on sofa under the fleece, brrr winters def hit Wales now. Lunch from home to work, and all food from stores. Need to do a shop for tomorrow or Wed evening as fridge is running low now. Got 2/3rd of my loan sat in a drawer waiting to be paid off when I get a day off in office hours hopefully Friday and then get rest cleared off end of month. It's been hanging around from when I got married in 2008 so will be so glad to see it gone.

dizzyblnd

Nsd8 today.

Checked banking
Free exercise
All meals from stores.

Calling14

Bob was a big Queen fan as well, saw them as a support act for Mott the Hoople and then had to order their album as no one had ever heard of them. Keep meaning to decorate my downstairs cloakroom and then have somewhere to display their autographs and other bands collected over the yrs.

Bob hopeful this yr be debt free. However I want to have some fun not just work and pay bills.

DawnW thanks for bbq sauce receive think I have made this many yrs ago.

crazy_cat_lady

I think I was about 13 when Freddie died as well - I can still clearly remember my dad sitting in the car in the garage for almost 2 days, refusing to speak to anyone. Neither of my folks were much into Bowie but I thought he was ok... Love Ashes to Ashes.
Work day usually = nsd and today was no exception. I am exhausted and have a bit of the Monday January blues today. Cash is looking tight and almost 3 weeks until payday - plus no money coming in from DH at all yet. Although I am hopeful about getting him back on some sort of phased return before too long.
I'm falling behind a bit with school work but just too tired to keep on top of it all at the moment.
No whingeing though - onwards and upwards turtles.:j