NST: December 2016: A pared back Christmas

wishus

Thanks for the hugs and good wishes - means a lot.

Just popping on to say NSD 10 achieved... proud of me.

I've turned down many drink invites, friends' plays, works parties and birthdays... but tonight will go to my writing group as I just need a break. The money for this is leftover from the social budget of the other night, which in turn was cashed in Euros. Not exactly free money, but not money I've had to scrape around for either.

Tomorrow I had tickets for a show, but I'm getting my money back as I've actually been asked to help behind the scenes at it for the next two nights... so I get to see the show for free!

It does mean I have only got Christmas Eve to tidy the house ready for visitors, deliver my freelance project and, probably, put up the tree. :eek:

I am mega stressed... enough is enough I think.

Oh... and work review on Friday... wish me luck!

Toni'sfriend

Still spending but only on essentials. Can't quite get my meal planning, etc sorted this month but we are eating from freezer so not too bad really.

Wishus - Do not stress. People are coming to see you and have a good time not examine how tidy your house is.

Christmas should be all about people. I think we should forget about all this madness and just have a good time, enjoy one another's company and count our blessings.

abundant1972

Afternoon everyone...

Sorry for my absence the last few days - fell of the wagon/sleigh somewhat...

Monday was a funny day... I ended up getting my haircut and was in a bit of a low mood... and made the fateful mistake of going out hungry!!! I ended up buying a tonne of stuff that really was treat food as had all healthy stuff in - and then my brain went on a f*ck-it - I need to cheer myself up

I then struggled for a few days with coming on here admitting it all... but I figure it's all about accountability and learning from mistakes and acknowledging behaviour...

Monday's slips:

1) £31.89 - food spend
2) £1.49 - online game
3) £10.00 - online game

Tuesday's slips:

1) £5.00 drinks for me and a friend

However... free online game I won £70!!! Seriously.

So - I've adjusted my overspending - and will put the bonus cash into paying off the excess spends and the remainder can go off the credit card bill...

So - Monday and Tuesday were spend days...

Today = NSD number 14

Because I'm now over my planned budget - I should have no more spend days this month. Bad BAD Abundant. Naughty step here I come.

dolly84

wishus - good look with your review.

abundant - at least you stopped there. So many people seem to need to buy things to cheer themselves up which if we really look at it is odd as we have so much to be thankful for.

Me and the kids got rained on on our day out, that plus their consant bickering put a bit of a dampner on the day - literally.

Bobarella

dolly84 wrote: »

Bob - no DS won't be able to walk to school next year, he is going to the same grammar school as his sister which is a 10 mile round trip. DD has been getting the bus since September and I have to drive her to a bus stop in the morning and pick her up from a different one in the afternoon, if I didn't it would be 4 buses and over an hour each way. My plan for September is to drive them both there and pick up as otherwise I will have to drive to get them from bus stops and pay over £75 for bus passes for the month:eek:.

Ah yes now I remember you saying about the rubbish drivers some mornings. Brilliant that they both got in. :T:T

Bobarella

Dolly sorry your day out was spoiled. And for you having to put up with the bickering!

Tonisfriend I agree, looking forward to uninterrupted time with my family and finally being able to ignore my email for a day!

Abundant Don't beat yourself up. This is a super hard time of year. So much expectation piled into 1 month. It gets to people in different ways.

Wishus Well done on your NSD total.

Mothernerd Glad you made it out and about.

mothernerd

Feeling totally wiped out, maybe bug v8.0 is on its way. Crafts was good. I had prepared an 'emergency' quick make present but it wasn't needed, so sat quietly getting on with the larger (but planned for some time) piece I was embroidering. However I had to take 2 ibruprofen before I left the house and things didn't really improve.

Trying to motivate myself to go and do the dreaded 'shop' now. Further more, I am trying to persuade myself to take the shopping trolley (large box type on wheels) and bring it back myself rather than wait/ pay for a taxi. DS2 has offered to do it for me on Saturday but would rather have it done.

Need to go soon to avoid the drunks but already had to deal with one of the habituals at lunch. She's banned from most of the town centre pubs so sits at the bus stop drinking cider from a 3l bottle (sometimes asking passer's by for cash to fund the next purchase). Several people were waiting for the bus but had chosen to wait outside the shelter a few feet away. At least she was still at the over friendly stage rather than the aggressive.

May have a sleep now and drag my clothes on whenever I first wake up. Could shop at 5am, then have breakfast/ pills/ bath, dive into other shops first thing, go to local history session, visit mum and be home and back in bed at teatime (my rock'n'roll lifestyle). Have already given myself permission to pay a bit extra if I can avoid the worst shops.

Today I am grateful for having gifts to share (baby cubes were much admired), for surviving even if I am only plodding and for having found out about a free showing of 'I, Daniel Blake' in January.

misstara

A spendy day yesterday again - I still haven't been proper food shopping since getting back and have just been buying each evening after work. Really struggling to find the time but will go tomorrow after work or Saturday.

dolly84

mothernerd - I always find it a chore to go grocery shopping at this time of year, I just get a normal shop and a few extras but have to contend with the madness if I go to the store. I had mine delivered yesterday by Sainsburys in one of the £1 delivery slots - thank you, thank you for online grocery shopping.

Not sure of our plans today but will be visiting mum and calling at the library this morning I think. Will also walk the dog and run later.

Toni'sFriend - I agree with you. I genuinely have no idea why people go crazy over Christmas, I just enjoy us all being at home, no work or school, no clock watching, a few yummy, once a year treats (for me that's Christmas pud, mince pies, baileys), a nice warm home, a few well thought out gifts, a pretty tree, snuggling up with a hot chocolate watching tv, and being very, very thankful that we are all safe, warm and healthy.

Fmess

Morning all,

Spent yesterday but only on two ys items and items to redecorate following the house renovations. Today will be spendy as I need a few bits for the next week and I have my final Christmas meal out today. The meal has been paid for but need a taxi home and drinks whilst I'm out.
Today is payday today so I've paid more towards the debt. Think I'm going to use the last of my renovation budget to clear the debt before Christmas However next year I have the renovation loan to clear But at least I have a new roof