NST: December 2016: A pared back Christmas

Seasidegal58

Happy New Year all! apologies for dropping off the edge on the world lately. Miserable fail with my NSDs - I really shouldn't have tried it in December! Other people have done so well - especially fmess and calling!

And big thanks to dolly for running the thread this month.

Had a lovely Christmas with the family. Am currently in Scotland for the New Year in the blustery Western Ross! Epic fail on Friday with the NSD as had a six hour delay at Gatwick due to fog so had to spend on grub and coffees (though I did factor in my cab fare)

Comments for December thread:

1. Set your own NSD target of 12 or more – I am going to try for 15 – which may be optimistic for December but here goes..........!only 9 days racked up. Failed!
2. Make a donation to a charity close to your heart – donation going over to Help the Aged. £10 donated and £5 to Salvation Army
3. Pay to your debt/savings first – I get paid on 25th of each month so this happened in November. I have already transferred my monthly Emergency Fund amount over to YNAB category. Passed!
4. Work out what you expect to spend on Christmas and then knock £20 off this – I’ve nearly finished with the presents – will see if I can get it down a bit!Failed - went over!
5. Turn down at least one festive invitation and work out what you have saved in doing so – I’ve already turned down the firm’s Christmas Party! This is actually a free event all night, but always ends up costing me because of new outfit, taxis, drinks beforehand, etc.passed!
6. Spend responsibly, think about small local businesses, charitable/ethical organisations etc rather than lining the pockets of big organisations who care about no-one – I have bought some presents locally already via independent retailers.Passed!
7. Try to get partners/family on board and do something free and fun together – hmm – day out with sis and DD paid for already – hopefully there won’t be any extra expense.forgot to include cab fare!
8. Set your grocery budget including any festive extras. Try to come in £20 under it – have already done my big Tesco delivery shop last week when I got paid. We are all over my sis’s for Christmas. DD and her OH doing the cooking and she has bought the turkey. My contribution is buying all the non-perishable goods needed the weekend before – won’t be able to estimate this until she sends me her list!failed on this!
Try to post as often as you can, sometimes just reading what someone else has achieved in their day motivates me and I’m sure others must feel this way too – Yes indeed! I will try and post each day!failed - was doing well till the latter half of month!

So not that great on the money front. Hoary old favourites of overdoing presents and food.

Still onwards and upwards for the January thread! Had a lively New Year's Eve last night - having a relaxing morning sat by the fire today!

See you on the other side!