What small DFW things will you do w/c 24th December?

allydowd

When we start out on the DFW trail we do loads of "big stuff" that makes quite a difference to our situation. These include having our lightbulb moment, cutting up the credit cards and cancelling Sky and the gym.

But once we have done the bigger stuff, we often feel that we are not making the same amount of progress, when in fact the small steps are helping us form good financial habits and helping us get closer everyday to staying in control and becoming debt free, or staying debt free.

Examples could be hanging washing out instead of using the tumble dryer or leaving your purse/wallet at home to avoid the risk of spending.

So be proud of those small steps, they really are important! :money:

allydowd

MONEY MAKING AND SAVING SITES AS OFTEN MENTIONED IN THIS FORUM:

• Benefits check-up (Link)
• Birthday Freebies (Link) New-ish!
  
• Coupon Shop Forum list of money-off coupons (Link)
• Cooking On A Bootstrap, cheap recipes. (Link)
  
• eBid (Link)
• Freecycle (Link)
• Freegle (Link)
  
• FreeStuff (Link)
• FreeUKStuff ( Link )
  
• Income Tax Calculator (Link)
• i-Say Surveys (Link)
• Jobseekers Railcard (Link)
  
• List of online newspapers. At bottom of the linked page. (Link)
  
• Marriage Tax Allowance (Link)
• Martin Lewis' Weekly List of Deals and Tips (Link)
• MSE Bank Charges Comparison Tool (Link)
  
• MSE Boost Your Income page. Gateway to lots of money-making links. (Link)
• MSE Budget Planner (Link)
  
• MSE Abbreviations Explained (Link)
  
• MSE Deals and Vouchers (Link)
• MSE Demotivator Tool (Link)
• MSE Credit Card Minimum Repayment Calculator (Link)
• MSE Money Makover (Link)
• MSE Piggybank Budgeting (Link)
• MSE Stoozing Guide (Link)
  
• MSE Wow Offers (Link)
  
• NHS Minor Ailment Service article (Link)
• My Supermarket (Link)
  
• NHS Free Prescription Checker (Link)
• OnePoll (Link)
• Parcel2Go: compare postage prices (Link)
  
• Parkopedia: compare parking charges (Link)
  
• Pick My Postcode Lottery ( Link )
  
• Quidco (Link)
  
• Reclaim PPI at no cost to yourself without using a claims company. (Link)
• Reclaim Packaged Bank Account fees at no cost to yourself without using a claims company.(Link)
• Reclaim phone credit (Link)
  
• Resolver tool. Helps you draft a letter, send it, monitor replies and then escalate it to an Ombudsman or key complaint body if it's not sorted. (Link)
• SayNoTo0870 cheap phone number finder (Link)
• Split Ticketing (Link)
  
• Start Rescue Breakdown Cover (Link)
• Super Saver Amazon Delivery Tool (Link)
  
• Survey sites that pay for your opinions (Link)
  
• Swagbucks (Link)
  
• Swapit (Link)
  
• Tickety Split cheap train tickets (Link) Site closed
  
• Toluna (Link)
  
• TopCashBack (Link)
• Wombling Guide (Link)
• You Need A Budget site and App (Link)

If any of the links are broken, let me know.

allydowd

For you all

:rudolf::rudolf::rudolf::rudolf:

Twas the night before Decemberfest, and all across the Net
Not a Moneysaver was spending, not a coin, not a Lek.
Their stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Frugal soon would be there.


The Savers were nestled all snug in their beds,
With visions of homemade jam in their heads.
DNM in her onesie, DawnW in her cap,
Had settled themselves for a warm, cost-free nap.


Suddenly outside there was such a clatter,
Foxgloves sprang from her chair to triage the matter.
Off to the window HappyK flew in a flash,
Tore open the envelope...coupons and reward points...free 'cash'!


Using Quidco and TCB FatVonD is a-glow.
Buying gifts reduced price, RRP much below.
When what to LaE's eyes should appear?
But a cut-price sleigh, and eight allotment-fed reindeer.


With Pixie the driver, coming to rescue the clueless,
I saw in a flash Mister Martin Lewis.
More rapid than eagles his Savers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!


“Save Baileys! Save CCL! Save Perni and Carrie!
Save NTBY! Save Ziggy! Save KatyAnn and Pippi!
On food. On gifts. On cars. On calls.
Save away! Save away! Save away all!"


Candy in faux-fur, from her head to her foot,
Warm clothes un-tarnished by ashes or soot.
Ally's foraged treats on the back of her bike,
Rocking the outdoors, Wee Elf-Shaped Dyke*.


PF's eyes twinkled! Linky's dimples were merry!
No Cadbury's Roses, saving every penny.
Karb's happy wee mouth was drawn up like a bow,
Enjoying Random Football, outside in the snow.


Stitchy spoke not a word, but went straight to her work,
Hand-stitching stockings by candle-light, in the dark.
And keeping us safe from perilous foes,
Shoot dons her uniform and off she goes!


St Martin sprang to his sleigh, to his Forum gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Decemberfest Money-Savers, To all a good night!"

:rudolf::rudolf::rudolf::rudolf:

* I reserve the right to reclaim the term 'dyke'; it rhymes. Don't write in.

allydowd

Hi Decemberbest Devotees,

Morning!:coffee: Lovely day off. I awoke early and decided to fling mysef out of bed.


Debt-Free-Nillionaire Continuity Plan Year Four:

* Check online banking. Done.

* Check DW's online banking. Done.

* Pay last Council Tax of the financial year for Jan as we pay nothing in Feb and March Done.

* Restart my Savings fund instead of leaving money in my Current Account. Done.

* Start my new Challenge. I am going to travel 500 miles for free before the end of 2019: walking, hiking, climbing, cycling, running and swimming. (There is a charge to use the local pool but I will offset the cost in other ways so there is 'no charge'.) Spreadsheet set up.

* Read meters. Done. We have saved more in the bills account that we need to spend out so I'm pleased. Energy DD is going to go own £8 per month in Jan. That being said, we are not stinting on heating for the next 3 days.

* Check loyalty points. Done.


* Backup Finances Spreadsheet into cyberspace. Done.

* More later...



If there is no struggle there is no progress.

determined_new_ms

Morning ally thanks for starting us off. Thanks also for writing us a poem :A hope you and dw have a lovely Decemberfest x

ooooo alley you reminded me about the tax free months :T that will pay for the built in wardrobe we're getting/building :j

Whoop I've finished work :j:j:j yesterday wasn't too bad after all!

Tonight we are doing our first Christmas celebrations at the outlaws Brazilians celebrate xmas on 24th Lovely food, company & end off with gifts

I need to wrap 2 gifts - I've really been protracting this!

washing in machine and will start soon - I woke up before the timer! Will hang immediately when it's done so it can be put away tomorrow morning

Will be playing xmas games, songs, jigsaw puzzles, and making gingerbread house with madam

oh going to do his xmas shopping! He only has to get 2 gifts so not as arduous as he's making out!

will check onepoll but have small hope there'll be any!

would like to go for a walk. Might contact pup sharer and see if we can go with her

will prep the veg for tomorrow. Also want to check the price of a taxi for dd tomorrow

Ok think that's me! Hope you all have a peaceful and joyous day x

Dawn so sad to read of the family in your village. Hoping everyone recovers fully. Despite the horror of the event I imagine they are all very grateful that the outcome wasn't worse. Makes you realise it's the people you love who are most important

allydowd

Free NORAD Santa Tracker now live in 3D. (Link)

DawnW

Morning all
Thanks for starting us off Ally, and for the poem! Don't forget that some current accounts pay more interest than savings accounts do I have more than 1 current account for this very reason - it does mean a bit of money shuffling, and sharing around of direct debit bill payments (to qualify for the account and / or the interest rate) but worth it IMHO especially as the money is instantly available - so ideal for an emergency fund
Lots of little bits today:

Order requested DVD from Amazon, for DD2's birthday which is very soon after Christmas. No money needs change hands, as I have enough in my gift card balance (from surveys) to cover it Done
Wizened apple for breakfast fruit Done
Check banks and update spreadsheet Done
Load of washing and get dry before Christmas Day, as I don't want to be looking at the airer while I eat my Christmas dinner! All done, and on airer. Should be able to get rid of it early tomorrow morning!
Some ironing Done
Cook a gammon joint for Boxing Day contribution for family gathering I have asked OH to do this
Remember to get turkey thing out of freezer Done, it is a stuffed turkey crown from the butcher. Always had a whole bird before, so hope it will be ok. Will tell butcher if not!
Make sausage rolls Done, fancy ones, sloe gin and wild game - bought puff pastry but HM sausagemeat, using gifted pheasants and herbs from the garden
Pack and post an ebay parcel, walk to post office to avoid traffic and get some fresh air (hopefully not rain as well ) Done, no queue in the post office today :T
See if the pound-ish shop still has 2 quid fairy lights, as one of my 3 year old sets has died Done, they were £2.99 this year. And they are purple :eek: which as you can imagine, go beautifully with the clear and multicolour sets already on the tree :rotfl: Not at all tasteful, but kids will love it!
Plenty of stuff in fridge for lunch Done
Still need to get rid of a load of stuff from the dining room, which I will put in the loft cupboard. It is mainly stray sales items. I will get the Christmas crackers out while I am up there - I have forgotten them for the past 3 years :rotfl::rotfl:

Hope everyone has a productive day!
We are here tomorrow, feeding whoever turns up - I know my brother will be here, but DD2 and family normally come and haven't let me know. Oh well, I can do more veg if needed, and there is enough for everyone, I certainly shan't stress about it . We are all going out to DD1's on Boxing day. Used to do it here, but DD1 has far more space than I do! Will take contributions though.
The tree looks quite pretty now it is dark, with its red, blue, yellow, green, clear - and purple - fairylights :rotfl:

Hope everyone has a great Christmas

Baileys_Babe

Ally you are so talented. Thank you for your retelling of the night before Christmas. It is a great piece of work, you have managed to include so many of us past and present, such happy memories.

Thank you for starting this week's thread Ally your a star.

We are recovering from the cold that flooded us all, the men seem slowest to recover, they are both chronically ill.

We have decided to have our Christmas dinner today as tomorrow we are going to my sister's for an all day buffet.

Due to how poorly this cold has made us over the last 10+ days we are behind with some of our Christmas preparations, hence today will be doing those things we feel are important to us:

The children are making a selection of simple home made sweets to give to as hampers to friends and family.

The children will decorate the tree in the dining room, we also have a tree in the living room which has been decorated, both are living trees of my parents which they brought with them.

Display presents under the trees.

Make the dining room usable.

After dinner we plan on playing games together.

Thoughout the day we will be listening to & joining with Christmas songs, both traditional and modern classics like Wizard, Slade, Band Aid. As well as continuing our tradition of tracking Santa.

We will be taking regular rest breaks, to continue everyone's recovery.

foxgloves

Greetings my favourite little online festive reindeer,
Yes, lovely of you to compost us a poem, Ally.....& as for 'writing in' regarding the word you mention, I had to smile, because I was going to 'write in' to ask you, as one who should know, whether this is an acceptable term. I have only ever heard it used perjoratively. Reclaiming is good. I may reclaim 'bossyboots' - a description regularly applied to my good self over the years, lol!
Away with semantics & onto today's list:
*Printed off free returns label in order to send back the non-functioning charger that came with mr f's birthday camera. Sadly despite spending his birthday in none of his favourite parts of the country, he was unable to use it as it was supplied with a faulty charger. As you can imagine this was not a cheap gift & I managed to find a tiny bit of data signal right up in the eaves of the old cottage we were staying in to make contact with camera company's Facebook page. Hope to receive replacement soon.
*Treated ourselves to a cranberry & orange scone in our fave indie coffee shop, but shared one to cut cost & also because, in truth, we didn't need one at all, being full of porridge!
*Withdrew some cash in order to put a couple of budgets straight - all planned spending, it's just that a couple of 'pots' were swapped over & I like to correct this sort of anomaly asap.
*Took stuffing, bread sauce, braised red cabbage, stock, trifle sponge & fruit out of the freezer - I just did those when I felt like it, so it is nice to have them all ready.
*Made ultra low-fat chestnut stuffing for me - I have to be careful at Christmas time, as have a dodgy gallbladder & too much fat as well as alcohol can make me feel poorly. Enough chestnuts to freeze for a nut roast or burgers or something at some point.
*Made winter fruit compote which I shall eat instead of mr f's cream-fest of a trifle. Used up the last of a bottle of port in it. The leftover dried pears, figs, apricots etc, will be used to fill our little snack boxes.
*Bath, pamper & hair wash - will be aiming to use up lots of little odds & sods of products, esp free samples of things.
*Updated budgets & paid some money across to a CC we only chose to use for voucher points.
*Entered a prize draw.
*Update DFW diary - I think I'll do that now, then rest my poorly tendon. It's no better & I've now had it since the beginning of November. I am just not resting it, because I am absolutely HOPELESS at doing nothing! Have promised I will try to rest it from this afternoon until Dec 27th.
Yuletide blessings to you all,
F xx

allydowd

foxgloves wrote: »

Greetings my favourite little online festive reindeer,
Yes, lovely of you to compost us a poem, Ally.....& as for 'writing in' regarding the word you mention, I had to smile, because I was going to 'write in' to ask you, as one who should know, whether this is an acceptable term. I have only ever heard it used perjoratively. Reclaiming is good. I may reclaim 'bossyboots' - a description regularly applied to my good self over the years, lol!
Away with semantics & onto today's list:

Composting rocks. :rotfl:

Some folks like the term; Some folks loathe it. Personally speaking....folk can call me what they like if their heart's in the right place. MSE doesn't seem to censor the term in the way it does many 'swear' words by replacing some of the letters with explanation marks.

PurpleFairy26

Afternoon frugal pals :hello: festive tidings to you 'all. Top poem ally festive wishes to you and t'other Mrs Dowd. Hope it's peaceful and full of blessings.

I've been working this morning so now need to get on it at a pace:
Check banking
Made cauli macaroni for lunch for us all, filling and cheap with a 29p cauli
Made hm coleslaw using a 29p white cabbage I bought a few weeks ago but knew would keep
Making yp for Boxing Day. Will freeze half the batch
Had a couple of past their best spring onions (no spring left :rotfl:) in breakfast burritos
Vacuumed through
3 loads of washing
DH and I will go for a run ( separately) when he's back with this smalls
DH delivered reverse advent calendar to homeless shelter whilst en route to take smalls for walk in the woods

Right, off to put a mountain of washing away and put some stuff in the loft that's cluttering the place. If I'm not on tomorrow, merry Christmas everyone