Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

So glad it's Friday.  Enjoying a nice glass of wine, candles lit and Series 2 of Strike lined up ready to watch.  I'm getting going on buying Christmas presents and I've got very good intentions to wrap them as I get them instead of a last minute, pressured rush.
so, I've been spending money on presents and had my car repaired this month and I'm so pleased that I have money budgeted to cover these spends.  It's hard to know what Christmas will be like this year so I'm not starting to buy food and drink supplies yet.

savingholmes

Hi Blackcats sounds like you've been showing excellent restraint. If you really want the plastic flowers you could ask for them as a Christmas present maybe? Personally - I'd prefer 19 weeks of buying real flowers by the bunch for that price! I know what you mean about Christmas. Will we get to see our families of not? One of my relative is talking about possibly needing a pacemaker fitted - I think in the circumstances - I won't be letting someone else dictate if I can see them!!!

Blackcats

Hello Saving Holmes - unsurprisingly enough I'd already forgotten about that expensive plastic bouquet 💐 - just shows you how easy it is for me to want to buy stuff on impulse.  

I agree about Christmas - I feel more worried about the potential relaxation of rules than the current situation.  I'd love to spend time with family but many are elderly and I worry about wiping out the whole older generation of family as a result of a Christmas lunch.
i tidied up the cupboards at one elderly relative's house today and with their agreement brought home some of their baking supplies.  Sadly, I don't think they will be baking again, however, I made a lovely Dorset Apple cake using their ingredients and more apples from my tree.  I'll take a few slices round later in the week.   Mind you, I had to attack the brown sugar with the pestle and mortar as it was extremely lumpy - good exercise for the upper arms! 

savingholmes

LOL at needing a pestle and mortar for sugar!! I agree about xmas - I rang my parents yesterday and they had misunderstood our earlier conversation about xmas and may therefore be having others around instead of us - particularly as the others are likely to stay over and we'd have to travel due to the dog. However - even if we were allowed I am not sure I would want to attend a larger gathering... 

Blackcats

SavingHolmes, I think we need to go with our instincts about Christmas - better safe than sorry.
No spending day today - I had a flurry of Christmas present buying over the weekend, so the "paid in full each month" credit card needed a rest today.  I get paid at the end of the week and hopefully I will still be a month ahead with finances.  I will try and top up the car pot after the repair costs last week.  Car service is due in February so there is a bit of time to replenish it.  I think I will also be able to finish paying this year's council tax in 9 months instead of 10.  I tried to pay just over 10% more per month which was a bit of a stretch but it now means I get Jan, Feb and March as council tax free months - a big chunk can move into savings to boost the end of year total.  (My council tax is so expensive that 3 months' worth will be almost £1000 😱)
Reading back over this post, I can hardly recognise myself - I sound very sensible and disciplined with money - so different to the former me.  

Blackcats

Very chilly tonight - got a blanket over my knees and a nice mug of tea.  The hallway is now full of presents which need sorting and wrapping but my list is getting shorter.  I need inspiration for a mid thirties woman - she's not really a jewellery, candles trinkets or toiletries type so I'm struggling on what to buy.  She is very environmentally friendly.

Looking forward to bake off later - will start watching it about 15 minutes in as there are so many adverts.  

vampirotoothus

Hi does she have a garden? A plant or bulbs that come back every year could be good.

astrocytic_kitten

Not sure where you stand on ‘useful’ presents, but a nice set of beeswax wraps went down really well with a similar person I buy for. Can’t remember the company I got them from, but they did gift packs.

Sarahwithlove

I know you said she isn't really into toiletries but what about environmentally friendly/vegan options. I got some on @mazon for my friend and she loves them. 

savingholmes

Good luck with the xmas present buying.