Spend Nowt, Buy Nowt, Owe Nowt

Toni'sfriend

Hello
Hope you don't mind me popping in. Himself and I started low key/cost Christmas a couple of years ago. Basically because we were struggling to think of anything to buy one another but also because of the cost. Our present to ourselves is a holiday in January (which we always did anyway so it's not an additional cost) and I buy him books, chocolate, etc and he buys me books, nice tea and biscuits (and some silly little things we've picked up over the year but they're not allowed to cost much). I look for deals on the books and the chocolate comes from Aldi or Lidl. Everything gets wrapped up individually and it seems like we've got lots of presents to open on Christmas Day but basically they've cost hardly anything.
There are only the two of us for Christmas lunch so we have something that we both like (even if it's a curry) and we spend the day watching old films. I don't suppose that would work if you have a big family who want turkey with all the trimmings.
I think what I'm saying is it doesn't have to cost a fortune and your plan seems very sensible, XSpender.

XSpender

Thanks both for sharing your low key/cost Christmas ideas. I have set a budget of £500 for everything, we only have us 3 and DH parents, token gifts for our friends and my parents and a gift for our friends 2 girls to buy. I try and use vouchers for token presents and friends girls. I don't go mad on food anymore as we end up with a load of fattening stuff (cheese and chocolate) that nobody wants to eat. The biggest challenge is DH wanting to buy DS extra stuff. I would prefer a weekend away or some family activities later in the year to more stuff especially for DS who never plays with it all anyway.

I started my summer holiday yesterday. I had two mad days at work Monday and Tuesday and visited my parents yesterday (2 hour drive each way) so today DS and I are 'chilling' and are still in our PJs. Apart from a dog walk later and a late gym class for me tonight we are not planning on doing much at all. Tomorrow we will probably go swimming.

I had my weigh in yesterday and my weight loss was disappointing but not surprising as it has been difficult to stick to plan last week and this week as I have been away with work so much. I am back on it with a vengeance this week and am aiming to lose at least 5.3lb by bank holiday Monday. DH referral fee finally came through so I have allocated it to the Christmas pot.

A letter confirming our new mortgage rate and payment arrived yesterday and it is a scary sum. :eek: Quicker we can remortgage the better.

To Do on Holiday (not including activities with DS)

1) Submit meter readings
2) Fringe cut (it is desperate but may try trim myself as going nowhere and haircut is due bank holiday weekend)
3) Eyebrow wax (desperate but hidden by fringe at the mo. )
4) 7 gym classes (5 plus 2 catch up sessions)
5) 8 x 1 hour cardio sessions
6) Update CV (seen a job I may apply for)
7) Register CV with 4 agencies
8) Decorate guest room (new plaster paint coat and ceiling. Poss walls if have funds for paint)
9) Put furniture back in guest room and sort front bedroom where it has all been stored
10) All laundry done and put away
11) Deep clean house(Living/dining/kitchen/utility/conservatory/bedrooms/bathrooms)
12) Finishing reading Your money or your life
13) Clean guest room, DS room and living room carpets (will ask DH to do)
14) Energy comparison/swap to cheaper tariff with existing supplier
15) Day pass at friend's gym or visit at her house
16) 'Snagging List' of the little jobs and repairs required as we are not doing any big jobs until 2020
17) Spend some time researching how we want to eat as a family after my 6 week plan as healthy changes need to be made
18) Agree our goals for the remainder of 2018
19) Dust off bullet journal and start using again - I feel that I need to be achieving more both at work and home
20) Read a couple of books and watch a few movies for fun
21) Make DH lunch everyday to stop him spending a fiver in the shop!

Suffolk_lass

If you also change jobs, how will that impact your ability to remortgage?


I was wondering if you could call your current lender and ask if there is any better rate they could switch you to, without going through a full remortgage application process. You never know, they might offer something and asking costs nothing...

XSpender

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

If you also change jobs, how will that impact your ability to remortgage?

It would be a bit of a risk I suppose.


I was wondering if you could call your current lender and ask if there is any better rate they could switch you to, without going through a full remortgage application process. You never know, they might offer something and asking costs nothing...

I did think of asking the broker if we would need to wait the full 6 months of DH probationary period before remortgaging but hadn't thought about asking the existing company if they could change our rate. I will give them a call. Thanks.

Suffolk_lass

XSpender wrote: »

Lloyds Loan #1……………….£9472.59….£275.11…..3.9% APR…….37 payments left
Lloyds Loan #2……………….£13,596.26….£265.98…..3.9% APR…….56 payments left
Lloyds CC (Me) Part 2………….£2958.24….….£0......…….0.0% APR…….until March 2019
Virgin (Me) Part 1…………..£599.42……..£25………0.0% APR…….until 30th May 2018
Virgin (Me) Part 2…………..£1038.00……..£0.00….…….0.0% APR…….until 30th Sept 2018
Virgin (DH) Part 2……………£5653.38……..£102………0.0% APR…….until July 2018
Virgin (DH) Part 3……………£4372.97……..£0.00………0.0% APR…….until Sept 2018
MBNA…………………………….£8040.65……..£81.21…….0.0% APR….…until Sept 2019
Person 1…………………………£1275.79……..£0.00……….0.0% APR……………………………
Person 2…………………………£1377.18..…..£0.00……….0.0% APR……………………………
Hitachi…………………………...£1439.31……..£47.97……...0.0% APR…….BNPL payments start May 2018


TOTAL £53,315.15 @ 16.12.17 TOTAL NOW £49,778.78

Back in April you posted this update of your debts. please can I suggest you do an eligibility check on the main site and then consider applying for a Santander CC 0% fee 0% interest for 27 months and ask if they will let you move the two balances I have highlighted above. Then your DH can apply to move that Virgin Part 3 before the end of September, keeping you on 0% cards. Keep that laser focus XSpender!

XSpender

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

Back in April you posted this update of your debts. please can I suggest you do an eligibility check on the main site and then consider applying for a Santander CC 0% fee 0% interest for 27 months and ask if they will let you move the two balances I have highlighted above. Then your DH can apply to move that Virgin Part 3 before the end of September, keeping you on 0% cards. Keep that laser focus XSpender!

I have moved some of the cards around to get on 0% with our existing card companies which has incurred some fees. We didn't qualify for the Santander card on the eligibility calculator. I will do an update of the balances at the end of the month as some of the cards have interest bearing balances now or will do shortly.

XSpender

DS and I had a PJ day until about half 2 when we took the dog out for a walk. He is getting an old boy (the dog not DS) and seemed tired on the way back

I went to a late gym class last night and it was tough, the muscles in my back were groaning at doing weights 2 days in a row. Almost stuck to my diet plan but will be glad when there are no treats in the house to tempt me Swimming with DS may have to be deferred to next week when I can move my shoulders :rotfl:

DH and I have both become very aware of our plastic use over the last few weeks. The news report of the wave of plastic on that island really got to me as did the report that so little of the plastic we recycle gets recycled and it never actually ceases to exist. We have agreed to reduce our consumption and replace items with non plastic items as we go along and re-use what we already own that is plastic. DH has already changed from shower gel to soap bars. Some things we buy often like sparkling water will cost more in glass bottles rather than plastic but many other processed and shop bought items we just won't buy anymore which helps with our goal of eating better as a family too and will save us money.

I need to do some research around home cleaners as I am not sure what the alternatives are apart from making your own with good old vinegar and bicarb. Even the ecover stuff is packaged in plastic.

Update on the to do list:

To Do on Holiday (not including activities with DS)

1) Submit meter readings
2) Fringe cut (it is desperate but may try trim myself as going nowhere and haircut is due bank holiday weekend)
3) Eyebrow wax (desperate but hidden by fringe at the mo. )
4) 7 gym classes (5 plus 2 catch up sessions) - 1 session & 1 catch up done and the DOMS are setting in :eek:
5) 8 x 1 hour cardio sessions planned a 5 hour walk for tomorrow but this counts as 1
6) Update CV (seen a job I may apply for)
7) Register CV with 4 agencies
8) Decorate guest room (new plaster paint coat and ceiling. Poss walls if have funds for paint)
9) Put furniture back in guest room and sort front bedroom where it has all been stored
10) All laundry done and put away
11) Deep clean house(Living/dining/kitchen/utility/conservatory/bedrooms/bathrooms)
12) Finishing reading Your money or your life
13) Clean guest room, DS room and living room carpets (will ask DH to do)
14) Energy comparison/swap to cheaper tariff with existing supplier
15) Day pass at friend's gym or visit at her house
16) 'Snagging List' of the little jobs and repairs required as we are not doing any big jobs until 2020
17) Spend some time researching how we want to eat as a family after my 6 week plan as healthy changes need to be made
18) Agree our goals for the remainder of 2018
19) Dust off bullet journal and start using again - I feel that I need to be achieving more both at work and home - made a start
20) Read a couple of books and watch a few movies for fun
21) Make DH lunch everyday to stop him spending a fiver in the shop! - dragged myself out of bed to do it this morning so 2/2

I have read a little more of Your Money or Your Life and one of the initial ideas about 'enough' has struck a chord and has really got me thinking.

Today's plans are:

Submit meter readings
Dog walk
Watch Moana (again)
Some housework/laundry
Food shop
Gym
Make a cookie kit with DS (bought non GF so I can't be tempted )

XSpender

I've been awake since before 6 and trying to find the enthusiasm for my long walk today. Three gym sessions in a row is catching up with me and last nights boxing was tough.

Not much progress being made on the to do list but will ramp up the activity next week after recharging my batteries this week.

To Do on Holiday (not including activities with DS)

1) Submit meter readings
2) [STRIKE]Fringe cut (it is desperate but may try trim myself as going nowhere and haircut is due bank holiday weekend) [/STRIKE]It looks OK and I can see again :cool:
3) Eyebrow wax (desperate but hidden by fringe at the mo.)
4) 7 gym classes (5 plus 2 catch up sessions) - 2 session & 1 catch up, my arms are feeling it today
5) 8 x 1 hour cardio sessions planned a 5 hour walk for tomorrow but this counts as 1
6) Update CV (seen a job I may apply for) reconsidering applying for the job
7) Register CV with 4 agencies
8) Decorate guest room (new plaster paint coat and ceiling. Poss walls if have funds for paint)
9) Put furniture back in guest room and sort front bedroom where it has all been stored
10) All laundry done and put away
11) Deep clean house(Living/dining/kitchen/utility/conservatory/bedrooms/bathrooms)
12) Finishing reading Your money or your life - not had much time to read with the gym every night and spending time with DS
13) Clean guest room, DS room and living room carpets (will ask DH to do)
14) Energy comparison/swap to cheaper tariff with existing supplier
15) Day pass at friend's gym or visit at her house
16) 'Snagging List' of the little jobs and repairs required as we are not doing any big jobs until 2020
17) Spend some time researching how we want to eat as a family after my 6 week plan as healthy changes need to be made - found lots of lovely recipes but need more child friendly ones
18) Agree our goals for the remainder of 2018
19) Dust off bullet journal and start using again - I feel that I need to be achieving more both at work and home - made a start
20) Read a couple of books and watch a few movies for fun
21) Make DH lunch everyday to stop him spending a fiver in the shop! - 2/2 and 2 days off

Food shop done yesterday and have opted for some ready meals for DH and DS to share as I am making my own food on the plan, feeding DS and then DH is coming in later and not eating a proper meal. We don't usually eat ready made lasagne and what not but needs must. Our food bill is really coming down with me on this plan as I have had no beer and hardly and snacks for the last 3 weeks and we had a lot of chicken in the freezer, half a 5kg tub of rice left and lots of frozen veg so I am sorted I will need to buy some more GF quorn sausages from Morries early next week. Making DH lunch will drop the spends further too.

The bank balance is looking low but all but 1 debt payment has been made and only 3 smallish DDs still to come out. CB still to be paid and will add a bit to DH fuel and grocery pots.

DH is off for his haircut this morning and has decided to change from the city centre salon where I go to the really good barbers in the village where he used to go. This will save £28.50 every 4 weeks plus £2.50 in parking and the tip.

To Do Today
Meter Readings
Long Walk with DH and DS
Short walk with dog (too old for long walk:()
Clear very untidy dining table
Clean kitchen
Read another chapter
Possibly watch a film of we can keep our eyes open later
Text friend about meeting up next week

Honeysucklelou2

Enjoy your walks. It is sad when much loved dogs get too old to do the longer walks. I have an elderly lurcher who is happy with a medium length walk but his days of even 2 hour walks are gone .

XSpender

Honeysucklelou2 wrote: »

Enjoy your walks. It is sad when much loved dogs get too old to do the longer walks. I have an elderly lurcher who is happy with a medium length walk but his days of even 2 hour walks are gone .

He is an almost 14 JRT and can manage about an hour at most. He has been on all day walks and up fells in the past but not anymore We can always tell when he is tried as he walks next to us instead of exploring ahead.

Our walk yesterday only took 3.5 hours but had a lot more steep bits than expected over the 7.5 miles. Was a lovely warm and windy day and we really enjoyed it. It did make DH and I aware that we need to get a lot more training in for the 3 peaks in October especially as it set a niggling injury of DH's back off again.

Spends yesterday were 50p on a map from the tourist information, £4.50 on a big bag of wild bird nuts and £7.45 on beer for DH.

DS has a pre-season training session this morning but may be called off as it is chucking it down. DH has been doing the laundry over the weekend so it would be a good job done to iron and put all that away. The beds need changing and the floors need a mop too. DH is suggesting a visit to my favourite NT place this afternoon so I may be dragged away from the housework