BigDreams family chasing the debt free dream

BigDreams

Evening,
It's been a busy day. Got everything on yesterday's list done. It was a lovely night with the in laws and the goody bag of leftovers (some of which we had for dinner tonight and more in the freezer).
Another nsd.
Tomorrow will see lots of food prep for the new years dinner on the first in the morning and then off to the cinema (paid for from a voucher). Snacks will be taken from the kids chocolate mountain and then out for dinner using the restaurant voucher both DH and I were given as a Christmas present.
Feels like that'll be a great way to end the year.
Have a great night
X

BigDreams

Happy 2020 everyone!
All food and house prepped for family coming over tonight.
Yesterday was brilliant and very little spent £6.85 between tip for meal and a packet of eggs I forgot to buy for the cupcakes dd1 made earlier today.
We managed to end Dec with £11 being put in the overpayment pot. Outwith my regular £550 payments, I will need to find £360 to clear debt this year. We are off the starter blocks £11/£360.
Have a wonderful new years day
BD x

BigDreams

Quick update
A nsd but a bit boring as trapped in by the weather and the need to build some flat packed furniture. We pretty much ate leftovers or cheese and crackers all day. First direct debits to pay down debt and build up emergency funds went out today.
550 of 6960 debt paid.
450 of 7000 emergency fund.
Toying with the idea of writing an approved shopping list. I am too good at thinking oh we need such and such and just buying it on credit card. Was thinking of taking to to really second guess what big things we might need over the next year and if something that isn't a true emergency and is on the list, it doesn't get bought. We'll see
X

BigDreams

That should read, things only get bought if they're on the list or an absolute emergency!

BigDreams

So yesterday was a no spend day and the first picnic of the decade! Took kids to a nts property and walked them for miles
Today very spend. Weekly food shop £42.32, fuel £50, £44.50 on January planned spending e.g. Birthday gifts (3 of them).
Hopefully no more spending this week
Bd x

Honeysucklelou2

Well done, that is hardy, a picnic in January. It's a good reminder that NT properties are open for walking around the grounds etc. Must do that this month!

BigDreams

Thanks Honeysucklelou2, it was one of those bright cold days you can wrap up warm against and a flask of hot tea helps too!
Lovely New Year family dinner with the other side of the family. A no spend day today. Back to work tomorrow. It is going to be tough getting up early!
BD x

BigDreams

Morning,
It's cold and wet here and as much as it was great to see everyone at work again, it was rubbish having to actually work!:rotfl:
I think yesterday was a no spend day. I am not sure if other people class direct debits as spends or not but I feel because I knew about and set money aside for these direct debits at the start of the month, that they shouldn't count.
Bd x

BigDreams

Bit of a disaster of a day, youngest ended up off school with a urine infection and we ended up trailing round pharmacies to find one with the antibiotics she needs, whilst making frequent toilet stops! But she got her medicine and seems to be doing well.
Was going to make macaroni for tea but didn't have enough milk so ended up making slow cooker loaded potatoes.
Never made this before but will be doing it again! Potatoes, cheese, bacon, spring onions and paprika slow cooked until it is the biggest bowl of comfort food ever.
Yummy.
Unfortunately despite my best efforts, I ended up spending 77p on a library fine when I stopped in to pick up a couple of books to get me through the miserable dark evenings. Completely forgot about the fine from last time but I guess it's still cheaper than buying books!
Night
Bd

BigDreams

So the 8th nsd, 9th ended up doing the weekly shop after work £55.14. 10th nsd, today £15.66 on vitamins and kids tights and £15 on cinema tickets for tomorrow afternoon. Work have been offering extra hours since before Christmas. Contacted my boss and asked if I could do them. They are for a project so a bit ad hoc up until the end of march and they'll let me work within school hours so I don't need to source extra childcare so really flexible and fantastic. Only problem is, I really don't want to work extra! But I'll do it as I really don't want the debt either and it's only for a few months. It could potentially bring in as much as £1200 extra. We'll see. Happy weekend everyone.
Bd x