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A Very MSE Advent 2025
Comments
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I have a terrible habit of saving my Christmas gifts 'to look forward to' and not enjoying them at the time while they're fresh and exciting, so one of my Christmas gift books has already been read, my new gentle hairbrush is out of the wrapping and ready to use instead of waiting for my old one to wear out in about a decade, the new perfume is opened and being worn, and the nice wines are being enjoyed with our twixtmas dinners. Now onto the next gift book!https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6466032/an-in-between-phase/p1
'self-blame can be as egotistical as self-praise... any work worth doing is greater than we are... we must not overrate our importance to it, either for good or ill' Margaret Kennedy Lucy Carmichael8 -
Used up a HM leek and potato soup dating from November 2022 for lunch today! 😳😂 It still tasted good and just needed a bit of whipping to smooth down the texture.I really ought to un-bag my lovely, new, bright pink garden kneeler, shouldn’t I …? 🤔 I’m just a bit reluctant to get it muddy! 😉
KKAs at 15.01.26:
- When bought house £315,995 mortgage debt and end date at start = October 2039 - now £222,084
- OPs to mortgage = £12,881 Estd. interest saved = £6,203 to date
c. 16 months reduction in term
Fixed rate 3.85% ends October 2030
Read 5 books of target 52 in 2026 as @ 13th January
Produce tracker: £21 of £400 in 2026
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.Watch your actions, they become your reality.7 -
That's what large carrier bags are for.KajiKita said:Used up a HM leek and potato soup dating from November 2022 for lunch today! 😳😂 It still tasted good and just needed a bit of whipping to smooth down the texture.I really ought to un-bag my lovely, new, bright pink garden kneeler, shouldn’t I …? 🤔 I’m just a bit reluctant to get it muddy! 😉
KK
I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)
Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/223 -
I'm going to have all the cheeses that I couldn't manage on Christmas Day for my tea tonight. I think it's only right to open a bottle of red to go with it.
I'm trying to decide whether to Olio half of my presents now, or see whether any of my friends want them first. In the spirit of my constant attempts to declutter I don't want them sitting around for weeks while I decide what to do for the best.
I'm doing very well at decluttering the ferrero rocher!Debts 04/01/25 02/01/26
Natwest2 £6,509.97 £5,500
NatWest CC £7,612.74 £6,605
Lloyds CC £6,112.60 £4,450
1st Direct CC £176.03 £39.26
CC total £20,411.34 £16,594.26
TSB OD £500 £0
1st Direct OD £600 £0
Car loan £4,000 £4,000
1st Direct Loan £10,684.44 £7.880
Total £36,195.78 £28,474.26
EF £701.52
HF £3.045 -
Stick them on vinted @Rhyddid2026?https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6466032/an-in-between-phase/p1
'self-blame can be as egotistical as self-praise... any work worth doing is greater than we are... we must not overrate our importance to it, either for good or ill' Margaret Kennedy Lucy Carmichael3 -
When you have knees that have done as much service as mine have, I assure you a large carrier bag does not even get close @Cherryfudge! A Japanese canvas covered foam pad here is my go-to - even in the kitchen on the brick floor, to rummage under cupboards for dropped stuff!Cherryfudge said:
That's what large carrier bags are for.KajiKita said:Used up a HM leek and potato soup dating from November 2022 for lunch today! 😳😂 It still tasted good and just needed a bit of whipping to smooth down the texture.I really ought to un-bag my lovely, new, bright pink garden kneeler, shouldn’t I …? 🤔 I’m just a bit reluctant to get it muddy! 😉
KK
I'm with you all on no longer saving things for best or future use. Get them used! My four crates of unopened toiletries is down to one and my 2026 aim is to get shot of that too!Save £12k in 2025 #2 I saved £14,660.97 of £6000 or 244.35% of my target. The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2025 I finished the year at £2880.99/£3000 or 96.03% of my annual spend so I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here4 -
I assumed @Cherryfudge meant to wrap your pretty new kneeler in the carrier bag to keep the mud off! 😂
My new Christmas rose & rhubarb soap is already on the bathroom sink, making me smile every time I wash my hands 😊 and our festive candles are in daily use too, and we have of course started on the edible things and opened some of the booze (quite a lot of booze though - it might last us a while!)
Candlelit yoga in front of the tree, in my fluffy Christmas socks 😂 I've done a full 4 weeks now, and I've realised that Strava gives me a little yoga mat icon each day I log so they look very cheerful all in a square 😊😊
A day of hanging out with Mr C is in store today, and some plotting and scheming.5 -
Ooh, I know what else festive happened! We went to see my family yesterday, and driving home through a village noticed a lot of people standing outside a pub - so many we assumed there had been a fire alarm 😮 but more people were standing outside houses too, and on verges. Turns out there was a festive tractor parade coming our way! We were driving in the opposite direction, so the entire thing came past us, it went on forever! Had to stop at some traffic lights as they were turning out of a side road so we got an excellent view of all the fairy lights. Most unexpected and cheerful 😊6
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@Cheery_Daff - I misread your post and thought you had festive rose & rhubarb soup in your bathroom sink. I thought it was a bit odd but decided each to their own at Christmas 😸5
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I’m waiting for my class to start as I’m early as usual. The city centre looks very depressing as it is almost empty.🤣 I’m in a room with a lovely Christmas tree, at least.3
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