NST December 2018 – Exterminate the debt!

dolly84

LavenderBee - congratulations on DD and welcome back.

apple_muncher

greent wrote: »

ccl - I think your (divorce related) spending at the moment can be considered an investment in your future life x

Absolutely right!

greent

Firstly, thanks to apple for this month's challenge!

Secondly - may I please request David Tennant for Xmas? :santa2:
[FONT=&quot]D[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ebt-free date / Mortgage-free date / Savings target date. [/FONT][FONT=&quot] interim savings target 08/2020. mtge (taking a breather on this whilst concentrating on savings) 09/27 (although the majority is due before then) Xmas & bdays spending on CCs - to be repaid no later than Feb payday
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[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]rganise your outgoings. .[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Lots of spending this month, not all is Xmas related - will need to keep track
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[FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ount up to 15. Fifteen No Spend Days[/FONT]will monitor

[FONT=&quot]“T[/FONT][FONT=&quot]here is no such thing as an ordinary human.” Treat yourself well. [/FONT]Hugely important to do this in a month of craziness!

[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ne thousand days. .[/FONT]Intrigued by this!

[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]efrain from browsing your phone when nothing else is going on for the duration of the challenge. .[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]I do need to be more mindful about this - I am better than I was - but still have a long way to go. Mindfulness!
[FONT=&quot]W[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hat kind of month do you want for yourself? [/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT] December - a month of 8 days at work, 1 trip to Cardiff to see DD on her 21st, 1 trip to Swansea and Cardiff to collect DD & DS1 for Xmas (OH will do this), 1 meet up with relatives at my house (eek!), 1 Xmas show to see (DS3), 1 meal out for DD's 21st when she and DS1 are back home, ! Xmas/ bday meal out combined celebration and paid for by OH's business , lots of cooking, lots of family fun and games and a decent amount of sleep!
[FONT=&quot]H[/FONT][FONT=&quot]olly and other decorations[/FONT][/B]I may change this as we go through the month. To start with for me - Xmas prep of decorations and other nonsense (time to get the Xmas mugs and glasses out - and the tea towels Have also succumbed to Xmas-sy (ish) soap in downstairs loo, and spiced apple reed diffuser in there....:o:p)
[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]utings. Drop one. .[/FONT]I dropped a work one.

[FONT=&quot]S[/FONT][FONT=&quot]low living this month.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Will take time for R&R and set timescales to get things done in reasonable time
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[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]mm. Take care of your mental health. Do something every day this month that makes you feel good: Write down 4 gratitudes each day.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ok
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[FONT=&quot]N[/FONT][FONT=&quot]o entry to any sales. Likewise, [/FONT][FONT=&quot]no[/FONT][FONT=&quot] takeaways etc.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]Will likely pick up more cards and paper in sales - but won't make a special trip - I try and stay away from shops until 29th Dec for even food shopping.
[FONT=&quot]“I[/FONT][FONT=&quot] am and always will be the optimist. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]I generally am
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]andles - Switch to candles and firelight after dark And switch off your tech an hour before going to bed please.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]Will do so once smalls are in bed
[FONT=&quot]“S[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ome people live more in 20 years than others do in 80. It’s not the time that matters. It’s the person.” “We’re all stories in the end. Just make it a good one.”[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hase down more awe and joy. Go after it with a purpose. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]DD tracks FC on Xmas Eve with DS3 and we have already started Xmas light spotting when out and about
[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ead fiction before bed. .[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Reading has fallen by the wayside recently - I have 2 good books by my bed - must start one of them!
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[FONT=&quot]E[/FONT][FONT=&quot]xercise. Get 10,000 steps a day (or set your own target). Move a little more. Embrace the outdoors and enjoy the fresh air.[/FONT] target of 10k steps each day (may give myself Xmas day off) + a squats challenge + tracking food (but still enjoying it)

[FONT=&quot]“W[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hat’s the point of being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes.”[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Yes!
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“D[/FONT][FONT=&quot]on’t give up. Not ever. Not for one single day. Be safe if you can be. But always be amazing.” Pop on here every day .[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]efuse to get sucked into guilt spending. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]I[/FONT][FONT=&quot]dentify activities and people who drain you. Give yourself permission to take a break from them for 21 days (or as many days as possible) if you can. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]I've been gradually doing this over the past few years....
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[FONT=&quot]V[/FONT][FONT=&quot]isit your local area. Find new footpaths, see where a road or path takes you. Explore new horizons. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Would like the weather to be drier to do this.... cold is one thing, total sogginess another!
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[FONT=&quot]E[/FONT][FONT=&quot]xterminate (see, we can learn from the DALEKS…) one bad habit from your life for the first 10 days. [/FONT][FONT=&quot] Darn - looks like Candy Crush for me...
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[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]emember that you are blessed. [/FONT][FONT=&quot] will donate
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Back later with Day 1! x

f0xh0les

Advent competitions start today Turtles!

Found this link - hope you dont mind -
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/75119715#Comment_75119715

All in the one place!

apple_muncher

f0xh0les wrote: »

Advent competitions start today Turtles!

Found this link - hope you dont mind -
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/75119715#Comment_75119715

All in the one place!

Awesome! Thank you!


I'm also doing the reverse advent thingy and giving 31 items to the foodbank this month.

f0xh0les

Debt-free date /- no debts except mortgage free date hey say March 2037 - I say no more than 2027 )

Organise your outgoings. Booking car service and MOT in today for hopefully week, then I will know what I have left over to spend on Xmas - Kids ransom demands submitted.

Count up to 15. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, sorry, I have dS4 birthday and Xmas to pay out for, and MOT so there is no reason as soon as the kids are off school that
I need to go spend stuff.

“There is no such thing as an ordinary human.” Treat yourself well. There is definitely no such thing as a normal person in our house

One thousand days. ooh, you tease! Tell me more, tell me more

Refrain from browsing your phone - My phone and I am barely on speaking terms! It is starting abandonment proceedings. I am ignoring it.

What kind of month do you want? For me, I would like to walk out the door and sit somewhere warm, next to a pool, and come back once the madness is over. I don't understand the pressure. I dont understand how we have all gone so mad about buying stuff. I can't understand how my kids are so avericious.

Holly and other decorations. Lights going on tree today. Twinkle twinkle, All the ys starwars baubles are going on my tree. The kids can have all the other stuff for their trees which are full of the things they have made and t-i-n-s-e-l the sight of which makes my teeth hurt. They love it though.

Outings - drop one - Cant! Only have school fair, Yr 4 production, and after school clubs which I have paid in full for until end of term.

Slow living -

Omm. - early evening hot baths (I throw the 2 smallest in afterwards so money and water saving too) candles -good for the soul (c/s ameretto and a frankinsense £9 candle for £2 each. But there is so much left over from some candles I have bought some wicks from the Zone of Ama, and am going to try my hand with all the left over bits into new candles - 20 wicks for just over £1. 4 gratitudes - no v&d in our house! full pantry, no debt, whoever invented the washing machine.

No entry to any sales.... I get the cards and paper for next year and I am on the hunt for a new fake tree for next year - this one is somehow going bald. Will try and stay away.

“I am and always will be the optimist." - hope for the best, plan for the worst.

Candles - Preaching to the choir

“Some people live more in 20 years than others do in 80. It’s not the time that matters. It’s the person.” “We’re all stories in the end. Just make it a good one.”
Will try

Chase down more awe and joy - will take 2 smallest into town after dark and see the lights and the tree, Might head to Bradgate Park for the kids to tell the deer (obv cousins to Santa's mates) how to get to our house and which presents are theirs.

Read fiction before bed. Always!

Exercise. Will endeavour

“What’s the point of being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes."
I am the silliest person in the house. Still put tails on my homemade mice pies.

“Don’t give up. Not ever. Not for one single day. " - ok

Refuse to get sucked into guilt spending. - will attempt

Identify activities and people who drain you - kids!!

Visit your local area. - Will dig out pith helmet and go exploring (well, it is a look, might not be a good one, but might find a leopard print clad person to stalk...... or not.

Exterminate one bad habit from your life for the first 10 days. Hmm. Will have a think on this one

Remember that you are blessed. I am extremely blessed.

Karmacat

I'd like to join again, please. Joined last month for the first time, but haven't been able to do it every day, there was a lot of journeying about the country helping with a moving job. I'll be following along regularly, but may only be posting three times a week or so, but it's very much appreciated to have a balanced list like this to keep track of everything.

I'm a huge Doctor Who fan! I remember the first episode. It was repeated the following week, and I was supposed to be going on a Brownie trip and I didn't tell my mum and dad about it so I could stay home and watch it again

This month, there's more Christmas events than I've had for years, as I'm much more healthy now than I used to be. It's still only a few, though there's one more person I'm hoping to be able to see.

greent wrote: »

LavenderBee - congrats (rather belated!) on the birth of DD! Next size up darker dress sounds like a good compromise (although who am I to talk - I took my eldest when she was a baby to her gt gran's funeral dressed in bright orange ) Take it easy on yourself - remember, you have achieved a miracle in this year already (birth!) - anything else is a bonus x

ccl - I think your (divorce related) spending at the moment can be considered an investment in your future life x

Thirded from me.

the_cross_rabbit

Debt-free date / Mortgage-free date / Savings target date. No debt. Mortgage free date is 2036 hoping for 2034. Saving for an electric car hopefully 2022.

Organise your outgoings. Cars booked in for winter tyres next week. Only 4 presents and one family collection (family each putting £10 in and giving to a national charity)to sort all budgeted for. Dad's birthday get together is here, other than that celebrations will be at other people's for a change.

Count up to 15. Fifteen No Spend Days. Sorry going to rebel against this one going for 10NSD

Treat yourself well. Make time for 15 minutes of yoga a day.

One thousand days. More on this later as it’s a meaty one. Or a vegan sausage-y one. But definitely gluten and dairy free.

Refrain from browsing your phone when nothing else is going on for the duration of the challenge. |This will be hard but will do it as I feel i'm been assimilated by my phone. Regular feature of my nightmares

What kind of month do you want for yourself? Hmmm I would like a stress free month if possible as this last year has been like a roller coast ride. Not put too many demands on myself to create a perfect Christmas.

Here’s a space to make up your own rule for the month. will think more on this one

Outings. Drop one. If I did this we wouldn't go out.

Slow living this month. Off loaded family christmas dinners to others. DH and DD1 are onboard to cook dinner once a week.

Omm. make time for 15 minutes of yoga a day 1/31 Write down 4 gratitudes each day. 1) DD2's PA came and took her christmas shopping and combined it with doing some homework. 2) Heating 3) DD2 been thoughtful, she's bought her 2 unborn cousins christmas presents out of her own money. 4) Memories - DD2's PA and I talking about when we were little cleaning grandparents houses using bee'sn wax, the smell mmmmm.

No entry to any sales. Nothing needed
No takeaways, canteen meals (unless free), coffee shop or corner shop visits. will have to break this rule tonight as out with mum.

Be an optimist. yep will be a glass half full rather than some b&*+>d has nicked mine.

Candles - will do
Switch off your tech an hour before going to bed - ok

“Some people live more in 20 years than others do in 80. will try

Chase down more awe and joy. Go after it with a purpose. Go and enjoy the sparkly lights. Take a tour of your neighbourhood to look at other people’s outdoor decorations – and be smug about how you are not wasting your money like that. Go and seek Santa’s sleigh in the sky on Christmas Eve. Smug face on and adjusted.

Read fiction before bed. love a bit of escapism

Exercise. Dog walk and yoga everyday

“What’s the point of being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes.” Go play. Go have fun. Laugh. Smile while you eat. Just because. Wearing my christmas jumper today.

“Don’t give up. Not ever. Not for one single day. Be safe if you can be. But always be amazing.”

Refuse to get sucked into guilt spending. Not doing this, this year

Identify activities and people who drain you. Already done this which explains why I have only 2 friends left:rotfl:.

Visit your local area. Ok
Exterminate (see, we can learn from the DALEKS…) one bad habit from your life for the first 10 days. I will not watch bad tv in the afternoons that suck me in and I get nothing done.

Remember that you are blessed. Count your blessings daily. Be grateful for what you have. And remember those that have less – donate money, food, non-perishables, blankets to a charity that you want to support. Relish life, one day at a time. Have a bag of clothes to to c/s, looking at doing the foodbank advent calender
CRx

crazy_cat_lady

Hello again. :wave:
Thanks for the dispensation to be a massive spender because of my divorce. I cry if I think too much about it (the amount it's costing me and how long it's taking - not for the situation). It's worse because I'm ill.
I ran out of Sudafed this morning so ventured out of the house to buy more strong drugs at the pharmacy in Mr A. Oh. My. GOD! I had to queue for 20 minutes to get into the car park, and it was like hell on Earth in there it was so busy. Spent £7.50 on Day and Night Nurse (so can still claim my nsd), and came straight home.
Have gotten the tree up and decorated and now watching Nativity!

the_cross_rabbit

Sending virtual hugs CCL hope you feel better soon.
CRX