NST - January. Bobs post bauble debt busting challenge

Catwoman_2015

Evening turtles!

NSD 17 here - am getting quite excited that I'm close to the 21 day count seeing as this was my first month doing any kind of challenge and I didn't think I'd get anywhere close to hitting target so am quite excited (I know it's only a number but it has really helped motivate newbie me!) :j

Re how you work out a NSD, I count anything other than Direct Debits for bills going out of my account as spends, as different things go out at different times of the month that I can't control when the companies want to take my money.

Yesterday was a planned spend day - date day with the hubby. :kisses3:
We went for a coffee and late lunch, then to a wildlife photo exhibition, then cocktails afterwards! My favourite combination of activities - food, culture and strong liquor! :rotfl:

Today was a domesticated deep cleaning day - cleaned walls of our conservatory that suffers from condensation on the walls/slight mildew even with a dehumidifier in the room, vacuumed from top to bottom of house including all lampshades that may have developed sneaky cobwebs in the last month or so, changed bed and flipped mattress, and my least favourite job - disinfecting the cat litter trays :eek:
Rewarded myself with several coffees and healthy brunch between chores which made it less tedious and now chilling watching a film with hubby and cats.

Tomorrow will be a planned spend day too; going to my mum's to help her with decorating the kitchen, then will be going to a gig with hubby and friends as it is the last night off work I can consume an alcoholic beverage before going back to work for early shift on Wed. :eek:

Good luck with the final week turtles, can't guarantee I'll have time to check in tomorrow as have to catch the train to/from mum's but willing you all to have a good final week.

Catwoman x

The_Only_Girl

Hi all, been AWOL again sorry! But I promise I've been good. I am up to 15 NSD's so far. And I'm hoping that the last few days of the month would take me close to if not bang on the target of 21 NSD's. I did the weekly shop today, just a small spend of £33 including a new rice cooker in aldee. The freezer is full and there's enough fruits and vegetables in the fridge and fruit bowl, and tinned goods in the cupboard so I don't foresee any more top up shops during the week.

I attended my leaving do last Friday (it was a joint one with 2 other colleagues) and it was such a blast! It was my best ever leaving do. I was so touched by the warmth and friendship of my colleagues considering the short 23 months that I've been in the workplace, you would think I've been there forever. They gave me loads of presents, and the messages on the cards were overwhelmingly touching. I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity not work with them. I am also glad I am not leaving them completely. I am just moving across to a different department so I will still be seeing everybody.

DS1 had his 18th birthday yesterday. He didn't want any fuss. We just gave him some toiletries and colognes that cost only £11 In the sales in Debhams. He just asked to have a family meal in the restaurant where he used to work (he quit in April when his grades dipped). The staff on duty last night knew him so they gave us 30% discount on all our food bills and gave him a free drink too. They also charged us the refillable drinks even though that is not on offer during the weekend. Overall it was a delightful meal and very MSE too. We saved at least £40.

Hubby and I have been paid last week. I received some back pays for some over times and enhanced rates for bank holidays and weekends so I am very happy. The extra money will go towards the EF, (extra £200 to what we normally save every month). We also need to put a large amount into the holiday fund as hubby has decided we would visit our parents abroad in April. The EF will remain untouched and we are just going to work out socks off to save enough money for the flights and expenses. There's still little money left from the January budget and we're hoping to not use them so we can call ourselves underbudget. I will keep you updated. .

Been told by my boss that even though I would lose a bit of money for not doing out of hours shifts, I would be able to claim travel expenses when I visit the other hospital satellite sites, not sure how much it's going to be but I hope it would be enough to help me save up for our holidays and/or save up for emergency fund. .

Got to hit the sack now as I would be back to the grind tomorrow morning. Have a ice day everyone!

Bobarella

WelshKitty85 wrote: »

Hi everyone!

NSD 13 here today. Spent most of the day watching DS play rugby (they won!) and then showering the mud of both him and dd.

Not much else to report so will wish you all a good night!

Well done to DS for winning the match

Bobarella

Catwoman - sounds like a lovely date day. You have done very well for your first month of the challenge.

TOG Happy 18th to your son. I wish you lots of luck saving for your trip away. Your meal out sounds really nice.

So the last week of January begins. I have 1 day where I could spend this week if I still want to hit the 21 days.
My batch cooking efforts have definately made the last weeks run smoother and cost less. This week's menu pretty much all made in advance is:
Chilli
Lasagne
Leeks & bacon in betchemal sauce with pasta
Beef and veg pot pie
Leek and potato soup
Home made baked beans with chorizo and cheese

And there is enough in the cupboards for quick snacks if we need to deviate from the plans.

I have managed to clear £440 worth of debt this month which is 16% of my starting total. And I am ahead of my planned monthly amount to repay by xmas.

OH is going to work from home two days this week which will help on things like evening meal times..I am still struggling to cook my son's meal and deal with the little one who is often very unsettled around that time. Even if I am simply trying to put pre made food in the oven put some pasta in a pan it's difficult if she doesn't want to be put down in another room for 5 minutes.

Overall I am pleased with how this month has gone. How about everyone else?

Bob

misstara

Definitely pleased with the way January has gone - I'll need to calculate properly when I get home later but I've paid £430ish to the debt, have got less than £60 to pay to reach my stretch target of 3k and I'm hoping that I'll be able to pay it on Friday. Plus I've added £200 to savings, love no council tax months

DawnW

Sorry, I have been rubbish at checking in to this thread. It has really helped however - my target was to pay off my credit card (as I do every month, but this time the balance was over £600 after Christmas :eek:) and am doing well (for me) on the NSD front. I won't make 21, but I will be well into double figures

I am aiming for another NSD today - I have plenty of food in, though I do need to buy some cooking foil as I have run out (forgot to add it to the shopping delivery order :mad:) - but I don't need to buy it today.

dolly84

TOG - happy 18th to your son.

Funbrum - glad you are on the mend.

EE - I suffer from IBS and bloating if I eat white bread, I can eat gluten but just have to avoid the bleached white bread and stick to wholemeal, maybe your DH could try that first as a cheaper option to GF.

Today is dog walking, work, running and cycling. Tea is sausage casserole which I am going to get in the slow cooker in a mo, no plans to spend any money and tomorrow is payday - yay.

Calling14

Probably the best January had in years. :beer: Thanks to this thread, heaps of telling offs in the past, naughty step I have learnt to budget :cool: Just thinking no one has been put on the naughty step this month- has Bob gone soft or are we all good turtles?

Paid off 580.00 off credit cards which is 12% of this years starting debt.

Added 125.00 to Emergency fund.

Up to 16 SFD yesterday.

Food 63.34 /100 can't believe I have spent so little. Freezer still looking good.

Petrol 30/40 and still enough to last the month.

FunBrum

Bob & misstara.....well done! That's a huge amount to pay off!:T

dolly84....many thanks. On the mend thank goodness.

NSD again for me today. I'm desperately trying to make it 30 days without spending. I need some hiking gear so will be on the look out next weekend!;)

I must drop my charity gift into the hospice on Saturday to complete my challenge. I could do it tomorrow but then that would be classed as a spend, so will leave it until Saturday.

Well done EVERYONE!!:j

apple_muncher

This month has been a funny old one here, with the threat of dh's redundancy hanging over us. So although the budgets have been fine (will go over on food, but that is because I counted all the bits and bobs for dd's party in there, instead of taking it off the party budget; and I also took advantage of big washing liquid discounts and that accounted for another 20), I haven't felt able to pay any s t r e t c h monies, bar a few bits and bobs.

The NSD total has been a challenge - again scuppered by the party bits - although I may yet get there...!

My personal steps target and exercise minutes have gone well, which helps me to feel good in myself. And I have enjoyed the crafting I have done.

So, like you Bob, overall a good month! Thank you for running the challenge.