This Duo's debt free journey

DebtFreeDuo

Thank you both. I always feel guilty when setting a higher budget, I don't really understand why because when its unrealistic I just go over my budget and then still feel guilty. Hopefully this will stop when I start realising more and more just how important it is to be realistic with my figures rather than thinking I can live on a lower amount.

Very impressed with PA today, I also received an email back from a company I applied for regarding an online forum for 5 days based on household decisions, I'm unsure exactly what I need to do yet but its £100 worth of amazon vouchers for taking part, that will be incredible if I can do it!

Didn't complete anymore of my list as I took the small out after school. NSD overall although tomorrow I am going out to finish my Christmas shopping (hopefully) and to get DS a warm hat and maybe another pair of gloves incase (when) he loses his current pair.

Tomorrow

Finish Christmas shopping
Start MT assignment
Give bedroom a good clean

Willowtree222

I don’t know what PA is? I use a couple of survey sites and enhoy seeing it build up to get vouchers out. If it wasn’t Christmas, I would buy myself a little something too. I think you need those treats to keep you going.

What’s your fave Yankee? I like soft blanket and fluffy towels. Willow breeze was my ultimate fave but they stopped doing it.

The guilt would probably culminate in a huge blow out too so not worth it in the long run. It’s better to stay realistic x

DebtFreeDuo

Prolific academic Nicnak, I've had almost £60 from it in about 6 weeks with very little time spent. You do have to keep checking the site quite regularly and I have had weeks at a time with no surveys but it is the best site in terms of not being kicked off surveys, the rate you get in time vs money is also reasonable unlike some other sites.

I've never really been particularly into candles so I'm very new to all the smells. I'm sure I will decide on a favourite and I will be sure to let you know, for now I have Christmas eve and festive cocktail on the go which are both nice, especially at this time of year. I have them on this afternoon before the school run and then when I got home 5 hours later the house smelt lovely! Oh how disappointing that they don't do your favourite anymore, do you think they will bring it back? Have you checked eBay out for any second hand ones?

I agree about the blowout, it would be inevitable for me, one thing I do know about myself is that I will have a blow out if I feel too restricted. Also I can try and aim to save money from my budget, I'm aiming to hit the target that Kitten has set and get as close to saving the 10% of my budget as I can.

Tea&Kittens

Duo, looks like you're doing great Well done on the budgeting breakthrough! Still figuring out the best balance myself.... !
I love the christmassy scented candles, I'm sure you have a really welcoming smelling home

Willowtree222

Thanks for that. I'll have a look at it x

DebtFreeDuo

It is really hard finding that balance isn't it T&K? The change in my budget should open my eyes up to seeing how much of a budget I truly need.

Today has been very productive, I have now completely finished all of my Christmas shopping, just need to wrap them up which I will do at some point next week whilst listening to some Christmas music with a nice G&T. I also bought my mums birthday present. I had a total of £80 in the gifts envelope, I spent more than this today but some of that was because I bought myself something that I have needed for some time.

Spends

£32 in boots - one Christmas present and one present for smalls school friend for the birthday party he has been invited to tomorrow, as both items were part of the 3 for 2 deal I then added in something for me. I didn't need anymore presents at this point but I knew I would need some eye make up in the next month or two. I got myself a lovely set with mascara, brow kit and eye liner. I saw it as money saving in the longer term and it also give me something that I can get DS to wrap for me.

£30 mums birthday present, should have been £40 but was reduced.

£17.53 - last two remaining presents

£44.80 - this is the item I have both wanted and needed for a long time. My old coat was on its last legs and I have wanted a lovely smart coat since before last Christmas, saw this coat and fell in love with it, it should have been £70 but it had 20% off, I then saw the same coat in a different colour with fur around the neck, mine was missing this. Mentioned it at the check out and the lady went to find one with fur, she then gave me the option of having the one with fur or taking the one without but with a discount, I went for the discount which then bought it down by £11.20! So an expensive spend but it was quite a bargain!

Total spends = £124.33!!

I will be deducting the cost of the coat from the money that my dad gives me for Christmas so taking this in to account I am still within my budget (just) and managed to add in a present for myself. I felt guilty about spending so much on the coat but it was something I really needed, especially at this time of year and I can cover the cost of it. I know that if I didn't treat myself with the money from my dad then it would be eaten up by day to day costs as this is what generally happens.

In other news, I received an email about the research I submitted my details for (worth £100 in amazon vouchers) to let me know they will be forwarding me some log in details to take part with! This is fantastic news for me as it will really give me a boost with birthday presents in January.

Willowtree222

Morning,

Have a good weekend x

DebtFreeDuo

Thank you Nicnak, I hope you have a lovely weekend too x

Pauper1

I think keeping warm should be a priority really, and if your dad will cover the costs then even better! Sounds like you got a good deal too. Sometimes we have to spend money and it's just about making the best decision we can. I had to buy a phone today, and previously I'd have just got a brand new, top of the range one on contract but I went to a local trade in shop and bought a second hand one within the budget I set myself.

DebtFreeDuo

I need to replace my phone I think but I'm trying to hold out as long as I can! I can't receive phone calls, just get a notification that I've missed a call, screen is smashed and it turns itself off with loads of battery remaining. I should look at a trade in place but then I worry that it will be just as used as mine. My current phone is only about 18 months old, I feel like phones are designed to die after a certain time.