NST December: Festive Fun

greent

dolly84 wrote: »

It is DD's 16th birthday today, I gave her one gift this morning but she will open the others when she gets home.

Belated birthday greetings to your DD, dolly

thriftylass wrote: »

I am debt free as on this month. May this be the last decade I spent in debt. I just paid off the last £265 pounds and have money in my savings account to cover Christmas etc. :j:j:j

Whoop! Whoop! Go you, thrifty!!:j:beer::T:beer::j Huge congratulations x

greent

Foodbank/charity donation - still need to do fbank donation - will aim to do this over weekend
Eat well - about 80% 'good'
Savings/debt repayment. oof! All CCs have been repaid in full and some payments made in advance of next month's bills, too (bought things for my mum to give, so she gave me money, so paid it off already ) Savings made by stos/ ddrs/ salary deduction. Some extra paid to BTL mtge - will see if I can manage any more. Small bits being added to hol fund - will add more at end of month is any money left!
Treat yourself - Make sure you take time for yourself during December. Relax and read a book, have a bubble bath, light some candles, etc. - have been relaxing to series 1 of 'House' (got 30 days free trial of Amaz0n pr1me)
Invitations - Accept a maximum of 2 invitations during December. - Had (wider) family lunch out this week - but I didn't pay. Still to come: family (the 6 of us) escape room experience in Twixmas and I'm going to the cathedral with friends to listen to a performance of The Messiah
Very merry Christmas - Don't get sucked into all the consumerism that surrounds Christmas, set your budgets for presents, food, etc and stick to them. - should be fine
Exercise - At this time of year, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to get out the house and exercise. Aim for at least 10 minutes outside, even just a short walk around the block. - really need to do this bit.....

Fun - Think of fun things to do during December, preferably free. Wander round a Christmas market, watch a Christmas movie, make mince pies, etc. - cathedral service, Xmas carol service (am not religious, but love a good carol service ), decorating the trees and rooms with the kids, some cheesy Xmas films and the escape rooms (family outing instead of panto. Plan some walks up the common too)
Understand what motivates you - Think about what you want to achieve next year and why. How will you achieve your goals? - need to give goals and plans some thought during the month. Florida being all paid for before we go is a definite. A good reduction on BTL another, increased pension contributions (want us both retired in 10 years) Oh - and we've vaguely planned a renovation project for 2 parts of the house - likely cost c £7-10K:eek:
NSDs - Aim for 15 NSDs. - 1/15 -I rarely achieve this - but also rarely bust budgets at the same time:p

10 days where I'm at work in Dec (spread over 3 weeks)
2 student offspring returning home mid-month
1 birthday of eldest offspring mid-month
too many nights away with work for OH...
not enough sleep for me.....

mothernerd

Not done as much as I would have liked but progress has been made, I have finished a library book that has been hanging around for a while (gaslighting but went to double and triple bluff gaslighting) and went to the Pete Shelley (Buzzcocks) exhibition. No money spent so far.


Don't panic if I disappear for a few days, laptop is being temperamental (using the one that was 'semi-retired' last year and only kept as an emergency back up).


Today I am grateful for yummy food made by me, the exhibition which was uplifting and the book which was intriguing and fascinating.

apple_muncher

Thank you ccl. I have not been bothered by them at all- yay!

Will do a foodbank shop soon, as well as making a hamper for neighbour. Though to be honest, regular items for her are prob better than leaving it another 2+ weeks. She has had a biopsy on a lump that they removed a few weeks ago, has been called back to the hosp but has to wait 8 more days for that appt. She is obv expecting the worst. On top of that, her ex is being so nasty and mean. Her ex's parents have paid to get the boiler mended and will pay her december gas bill (it's a prepay thingy). She is struggling. I want to help but don't want to embarrass her. Heck, in the end, she'll get over any embarrassment, so I'd jolly well better not let that hold me back!

I am treating myself with WSM episodes :rotfl:, needlefelting (attempting a very simplified sonic screwdriver) and exercising more. Ah, and 85% choc (though I found a stash of 95% at liddle today - am assuming I'll eat it more slowly...)

Am really looking forward to our cmas jumper days. Dd is thrilled to have her first-ever new jumper and will show it off tomorrow. Next weds, I get to wear my elf one. It has a massive hood with a massive bell on the end, so you can hear me coming a mile off!

We have started looking at lit-up houses in the dark. I'm very grateful for those other people who spend their leccy pennies providing enjoyment for people they don't know.


Today I am grateful for having an abundance, for oofsted going away, for teaching some adorable kids, for being (almost, very nearly) ready for my sch fair tomorrow, for plenty of warm clothes, for having a car, for dd still mending and having more oomph.

lcc86

Foodbank/charity donation - waiting for the second DD to go through and still need to organise my donation.
Eat well - not too bad today, a little bit of chocolate as the cold is getting worse, have to make myself feel better somehow!
Savings/debt repayment - done.
Treat yourself - not really done today, work has just been crazy, more people off sick, I should've gone off myself but felt guilty as others have gone off sick at the drop of a hat, so I went in. Working from home tomorrow though and will take it easy.
Invitations - one of mine has been cancelled so just the three now. Although it was the cheapest one that got cancelled which is annoying from a financial point of view but it is what it is.
Very merry Christmas - nothing further done here. Hope to get the tree up this weekend if I feel better.
Exercise - feeling rough again so still no gym. Want to get back on it over the weekend. Went for a walk at lunchtime but it's not the same!

Fun - not really, just feeling tired. Ended up sleeping on the sofa as my cold made me snore and wake OH up! Then kept getting woken up by the rabbits jumping on the sofa interested at who was visiting them during the night!
Understand what motivates you - already done.
NSDs - Aim for 15 NSDs. Up to 4/5.

ditty1234

Hi apple muncher I bet you're grateful for seeing the heel cap of the ofsted militia. Finally assed my teaching observation today after hellish 7 weeks of 'support'. I have never been this ready for Christmas. I have kept my pace - but it is now time to hit the challenges - and I think even the surveys ... I don't have much left to sell. Unless I actually get my craft skills up and running again.
Am mostly and utterly grateful for helpful colleague who helped me 2 hours last night, for tow trucks, StArt, was all lovely ness if a bit slow, lastly for ds who is so clear about what is happening with his dad hopping off to Paris for overnight stay (and two trips to Spain over the summer ds never once got the choice to come along. He is 17 for heavens sake, and he even deserves it. He even observed that he is always told over the text - not in person. What a mean thing to do (in particular when done repeatedly).
Anyways as said - back on challenges tomorrow.

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Evening all, one DD went out to charity today. Had a little walk at lunch time. Eating good meals but too tempted by xmas sweets in work and home! Not feeling too well so missed pilates. Glad it's nearly Friday Dx

facethemusic

Wednesday was a spending day, but today is NSD 3/15. Food has been ok today- home made frozen ready meal cooked in the slow cooker a while ago pork and butter bean stew, very yummy and the right type of thing for the current weather. Minimum exercise today but maybe better tomorrow. Nothing else to report.

DawnW

Evening all, apologies, things have been so hectic this week that I haven't had a chance to get started! The only upside is that I have managed 3 NSDs already. However, it has been an expensive few days, had relatives staying and had to do extra shopping. Went a bit overboard, but I guess I shan't need to go again for a while. Also took them out for lunch one day, but OH paid (his rellies after all) So, to start off:

Foodbank/charity donation - add a few items when you're doing a food shop or buy a gift to donate. I donate regularly to the food bank. OH and I have decided to donate extra this month instead of giving each other Christmas presents. We don't need anything, and to be honest if we do, we can just buy it for ourselves (within reason obviously). Must organise cash donation.
Eat well - It can be very difficult to eat well over the festive period with all the lovely food around so enjoy but don't over-indulge. I have definitely over-indulged today
Savings/debt repayment. Pay to your debt or savings first and live off what is left. Aim to pay 10% extra this month. Will do. I have opened a new savings account this week.
Treat yourself - Make sure you take time for yourself during December. Relax and read a book, have a bubble bath, light some candles, etc.Will think about this - this week has definitely not been a treat!
Invitations - Accept a maximum of 2 invitations during December. Works night out, panto, girls night out, whatever you have planned, set a budget and stick to it. Spendy day yesterday. We took visitors to a museum and had lunch in the museum's restaurant. OH paid, but it all comes from the same pot. We have arranged for a pub lunch with a friend next week. Only other invitation that I can think of is to someone's house. I will take a contribution towards food and drink but it will be something home made and a bottle of wine that I already have, so minimal additional cost.
Very merry Christmas - Don't get sucked into all the consumerism that surrounds Christmas, set your budgets for presents, food, etc and stick to them. Despairing a bit as I have done literally nothing towards Christmas at all, and have little motivation to do so Maybe just because of what has been a difficult week. Must get on with it I suppose. Not feeling the love.
Exercise - At this time of year, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to get out the house and exercise. Aim for at least 10 minutes outside, even just a short walk around the block.Walked to town and back today, a couple of miles if not a bit more
Fun - Think of fun things to do during December, preferably free. Wander round a Christmas market, watch a Christmas movie, make mince pies, etc. Will think about this when I feel a bit more organised and postitive about the C word!
Understand what motivates you - Think about what you want to achieve next year and why. How will you achieve your goals? Will think about this. I have treated myself to a new calendar and diary using vouchers earned from survey sites, and I will start by going through these and noting family birthdays etc.
NSDs - Aim for 15 NSDs. Usual rules apply, you won't lose a NSD for ys items, petrol or medical reasons. 3 / 15 so far, and I don't intend to spend tomorrow - unless I get on and do some Christmas shopping that is!

misstara

Foodbank/charity donation - charity donation has gone out.
Eat well - will do better tomorrow.
Savings/debt repayment - nothing added.
Treat yourself - gingerbread candle has been lit and read a few chapters of my book. Used a scalp treatment which has made my hair nice and shiny.
Invitations - girls night planned round at one of the girls houses. Went to see Frozen 2 today.
Very merry Christmas - exchanged presents with the friend who I went to the cinema with. Bought more Christmas presents, now almost finished. I just need to get some biscuits/chocs for staff/service users at work and something for my dad (waiting to hear back from my brother about ideas).
Exercise - steps: 62,513/310,000, gym: 0/4, run: 0/4.

Fun - cinema.
Understand what motivates you - done.
NSDs - still on 1/15.