NST: December 2016: A pared back Christmas

BeLikeMonica

Hello, just dipping in quicky!
Things are crazy here at the moment as we moved house over the weekend. I'm back at work today, it's lovely to be able to sit down!

I'm keeping on track with my NSD's, and I'm feeling so proud of myself. All my debts have been paid for the month except one which is on a DD, but the money is allocated in the budget for it.

I've got two evenings out this weekend, but I have a budget for each evening and I'm going to drive to both so that will save me some funds too.

I haven't worked out my festive budget yet, but because of the house move we decided and have told our family that we are not buying much. My family have also decided not to give presents, instead we are all making a donation to a charity of our choice.

Food wise, I have a budget but I need to have a look at that today to make sure we are still on track.

Hope everyone else is doing well, sorry I haven't got time to stay and chat longer.

Calling14

Thanks folks still Grandma in waiting.

Spent today Bshop gifts - they gave my account 10 pounds credit instead of 5 woo hoo. So did 55 pounds spend with 25 pounds off plus my vouchers - gifts and my xmas treats - for 20 pounds plus quidco 1.10 cashback.

Been and got milk, butter whilst in spending mode. Also xmas card for dd2 in Oz, no doubt will tf money to her acct as I am a softie. EF reducing again. I should have budgeted better I know before you tell me.

Love your ideas Abundant. Try with the emergency fund to tf 20 a month but somehow it gets used up now and again. Like the bad day tin idea - may put all sweet things in there to stop me binging when stressed.

Dd had appointment this am to see consultant but after waiting 1 1/2hrs no one told him she was there. So having to wait another 1hr. Stress levels rising.

Booked my car in for MOT next week can only handle so much stress at one time. Got a half price voucher so 27 pounds.

I usually get a xmas bonus in work - I lose most of it in tax - so decided to ask for it in goods instead this year, need things replacing in my house and will stop me buying too much food in. Plucking up courage to do so. eek.

Mothernerd concerned you seem really to be exhausted lately. Hope your alright.
Belike Monica - how exciting a new house for xmas. Hope you get settled quickly.

Seasidegal58

Hi there - I haven't posted for a few days, but just read through the posts and everyone seems really busy and gearing up for the run up to the Big Day!

Thanks to all for your kind comments about my friend - she would be very touched if I was able to convey them to her in RL!

Well!- I've not done well at all since Saturday! I ended up going out for lunch with a friend and also bought my Xmas card stamps - nearly £21 for second class - phew!:eek:

On Sunday my sis, OH and little nephew came over to deliver my Xmas deccies. They keep them in their loft for me as I don't have room to store them at mine! We went out for a bite to eat so that came to £31! On Monday ordered the last of the pressies online!


Yesterday was our team lunch at work. Didn't have to pay for this as "the bosses" kindly pick up the tab! However, in the evening went for my friend's delayed retirement dinner so this came to £40, plus taxis which worked out at £10.50. Turkey lunch and then chicken tikka biriyani! Was stuffed when I got in!

Today is working out a bit better. I went to the dentist this morning for my half yearly check up and hygienist session which is covered on my dental plan. However, the inlay in one of my back teeth came away a couple of months ago and had to be re-cemented by the emergency dentist at my practice. My usual dentist checked it out this morning and said it looked fine and we should "go with it" unless it causes me gip! So at least I wasn't looking at a great big bill for a new inlay!

Tomorrow I'm off with sis and DD for a day out - trip on Orient Express and lunch at a quite famous restaurant which is all paid for by DD as she bought the day out for my sis and I as our Xmas pressies last year! So nothing to pay here, but my sis and I are sharing a cab home so will go halves here!

Friday should be ok! :j - I'm off in the evening to stay with DD and OH for the weekend. Catching an evening train but I booked this a few months ago so this and return ticket all paid for!

Next week should be a lot quieter so I should manage to rack up some NSDs!:)


Postscript: On last month's NSD thread I ask whether I should buy my new nephew his own Christmas card seeing he is only just over three years old and can't read yet! The overwhelming response was NO which was my own opinion as well. HOWEVER, when he visited on Sunday my sis and I exchanged Christmas cards. He saw this and immediately asked me where his card was! They had previously been over to sis's OH's sister who had given him one from her! I was extremely cowardly I must say and said my own card was being delivered to him by the Christmas Fairies and was on its way! So I had to go and get one for him in the end and post it. Apparently he has already asked my sis this morning whether it has arrived...............:rotfl:

carlislelass

Our GS has had his own xmas card since he was born

abundant1972

Hey All...


Thanks for the responses... Was just food for thought...

So today was a spend day for me (planned) to do first shop...

It ended up at just over £25 - which I know seems a lot... I did the 'scan and shop' as I went round with £25 as my upper budget (I went over cos I forgot I hadn't been able to scan in onions and lemons lol).

So I bought salad/veg for the week, milk, cereal, spread, tea, coffee, chicken breasts and turkey mince, frozen chips/veg. I own-branded where I could and got double points too... it was really the meat and coffee that hiked up the bill. However - I'll get 3 meals out the chicken (at least) and 4 portions of chilli with the mince... so not too bad. I have rice/pasta/beans in the cupboard but figured I couldn't live on that everyday for the next 2 weeks without chewing my own arm off!

Pleased with myself too - I got my credit card on a 0% transfer for 2 years, and was meant to get a £25 voucher. It never arrived and so I complained. 4 emails later - I eventually got a reply from a very nice lady who was most apologetic, and after looking into it - said they'd take £50 off my bill! It has yet to appear but if so - was worth persisting!!!

:T

thriftylass

abundant1972 wrote: »

Hey All...


Thanks for the responses... Was just food for thought...

Worked though, on me at least. Just finished a first draft of an online food order with Asd@ which I will amend till Friday. That way I can stay out of the shops till the weekend after (17th) and that should save about 2-3 NSD and unplanned purchases. Well that's the food side sorted. Now I just need to finish writing my christmas cards so I can combine spend days on Friday.

lcc86

Evening all,

Just here to report my 3rd NSD of the month. Yesterday was almost a NSD but needed some vitamins and nail varnish remover as hadn't realised I'd run out. Only a couple of £ spent so didn't break the bank.

Tomorrow will also be an NSD, am working from home and only plan to leave the house to walk a friend's dog and pick up a parcel from the post office.

Am almost done with the Xmas shopping, have one person left to buy for, OH's dad, but no idea what to get. On the plus side I'm about £50 under what I'd budgeted so I'm happy with that.

greent

NSD - have just bumbled around today. Did sort out tax credits and book hair appts for myself and DD though - so 2 jobs ticked off Also made a loaf and a big tray of fridge cake.

Have written a list for Fri's shopping trip of everything I need to buy to finish off Xmas presents and cards - hope to blitz most of it if I can

mothernerd

A NSD. I didn't go to crafts but did do lots of sewing. Still lots to do. Partly because I let myself be distracted and start on things which use lots of thread from the use up box (have just counted over 30 card bits - used up all the thread on them and swapped things round - use up box looks great). Also moved my underwear drawer up and put away all the clean dried undies - this is because I stacked two small sets of drawers.

Helps my back as it is nearer to the top. I watched two vieos on cleaning your room and tidying same the other night (was finishing a bit of sewing and didn't want to start a film. Both done by girls barely out of their teens but not too irritating and some helpful bits. One made the point about keeping things you need regularly near to hand and stashing those you only need every so often, so having knickers and socks drawer (every day) within easy reach makes sense.

The tidying one put everything on her bed, cleaned her surfaces and then put back a limited number of items. I am ahead on that as lots of stuff is already on my bed, just worried about putting any more on as there won't be any room for me. Sorting things into categories and then going through each section is something I do anyway.

The organising one had a 'make up' drawer twice as big as my top drawer which holds make up (one lipstick?), perfume, hand cream, medicines, brush, combs, mirror, jewellery, hair accessories and a huge roll of cotton wool. That was only the make up she used all the time. But both had tips I could use, even if out 'things' were different.

The house phone isn't working, so need to investigate that. It is likely that the handset had died. When my father died (13 years ago) we swapped it for his, much newer set then had a burglary a month later. Had to send DS1 to the police station to report it - as they had stolen the phone, so the old one came back out again. I think I can thank it and let it go. Replacement will have to come out of my money from mum (will look online and get it on a spend day, may be able to get click and collect (Argosy in December urgh).

I have been thinking about swapping/ adding to my gratitude list later in the month. Thought it might help those in search of 'the perfect Christmas' (no such thing, don't get suckered in by adverts - you will end up broke and exhausted) by adding a few tales of Christmas disasters. Not so fond memories but all part of the Christmas package and helps you keep perspective and know that even when things go wrong, you can survive and maybe even get to see the funny side.

Today I am grateful that we have not been burgled this weekend. I am grateful for lots of sleep and getting sewing done (white fish with chips was not perfect but was good ).

Toni'sfriend

Having a great time here in the Lake District. Have had 3 NSDs so far and have spent hardly anything. Our friends brought enough food and drinks to last the whole of this week and then some. All our trips to the pub have come out of our holiday account. So far so good.