Redsquirrel's 'Striving For Better Days' Diary

redsquirrel80

LouiseJ wrote: »

Squizz, can your OH not help with the phone bill? After all you were helping him through a tough time and I am sure he wouldnt want to know that you are suffering financially through helping him.

Umm, if I asked him he'd probably say he would but I'd never see the money - know this from experience! We're supposed to be going out tomorrow and on a day trip away later in the month, and he does tend to pay for the majority of that sort of thing so can't complain really.

boredofbeingathome

Aww poor squizz, really sorry about the phone bill..it is horrible sometimes and you were only doing it to help him out. Onwards and upwards hun.xxx

redsquirrel80

Thanks Bob x

Trying very hard not to feel sorry for myself, it's not going to help! £60 is £3 a day till next payday - shouldn't be that hard, should it? I might go and read that article about the woman who lived off £1 a day again!

Bit lost on the extra money making at the moment - not really got anything to sell on eBay, survey sites are mostly way off cashing in, nothing to matched bet with.. hmmm.. I do have a free bonus from Sky Bingo to use, and I seem to remember there was a site that buys old CDs so might give that a go. Had set myself a silly target of £379 for this month to reach my ten month challenge, but how on earth..? :rolleyes:

Just remembered I have to keep a tally of Christmas spends (presents & travel).. so far £1.20 presents, £13.50 trains = £14.70

redsquirrel80

OK, bit of virtual scribbling.. if I write on a bit of paper I'll only lose it :rolleyes:

Christmas:
Travel - train there (£13.50 - bought), train back (roughly £25, hopefully - still to buy) = approx £40 unless I can find anything cheaper!
Presents -
Parents - book each (hopefully cover with vouchers), knitting scarf for my mum (already have wool so free), something similar for dad, basket of food bits and pieces to share (spent so far £1.20, try to spend about £10) = £10
OH - book (specific one in mind which can only get second hand, about £5-10), plus something else, dunno what yet. = £20ish
Two friends to buy for - possibly one book on 3 for 2 at Waterstones with vouchers, not sure what else, have a few toiletries bits and pieces put aside. Attempt not to spend more than a fiver of real money each = £10

Blimey, I feel mean

Total £80.. slightly cheaper than last year but hoping I can rustle up some more vouchers/ freebies before then. Have just ordered free mini perfumes (well, 1p) from Half Price Perfumes site). Also travelling back up north for New Year so need to pay for that too.

Have 'sold' CDs on Music Magpie site, cashed in some Lightspeed points for cash and have a whole 45p on the way from Quidco. Trying to play bingo with free bonus but site keeps crashing, grr.

boredofbeingathome

Funny i was just doing the same thing, working out how to get Christmas presents with as little outlay as possible. Just checking up on my points total with companies then i can order the vouchers.

redsquirrel80

Just been reading about a guy who tried out the living on a pound for a week... do I want to raid M&S's bins...? :rotfl: I might go to the continental market in town tomorrow and eat all the free samples....

redsquirrel80

redsquirrel80 wrote: »

OK, bit of virtual scribbling.. if I write on a bit of paper I'll only lose it :rolleyes:

Christmas:
Travel - train there (£13.50 - bought), train back (roughly £25, hopefully - still to buy) = approx £40 unless I can find anything cheaper!
Presents -
Parents - book each (hopefully cover with vouchers), knitting scarf for my mum (already have wool so free), something similar for dad, basket of food bits and pieces to share (spent so far £1.20, try to spend about £10) = £10
OH - book (specific one in mind which can only get second hand, about £5-10), plus something else, dunno what yet. = £20ish - found book for £6.49 inc postage, can pay with Paypal so using £3 redeemed from Lightspeed earlier - £3.49 spent
Two friends to buy for - possibly one book on 3 for 2 at Waterstones with vouchers, not sure what else, have a few toiletries bits and pieces put aside. Attempt not to spend more than a fiver of real money each = £10

Blimey, I feel mean

Total £80..

Actually spent so far £18.19.

skint_spice

not a bad deal on the book then squizz, don't worry that you're not spending much - rejoice! I'm sure your family will be more interested in seeing you than any gifts anyway.

Karmacat

Get going on the surveys and stuff quick - amazon vouchers! Lightspeed - they vary, but you can withdraw tiny amounts, even £1 to paypal, I think.

redsquirrel80

I know you're right Skint - that's what I would tell anyone else! But I do feel a bit sad at not being able to buy people whatever I want.

Am on the surveys Karma, doing whatever comes in.

Was planning on going for a run first thing this morning but bed was far too comfy. Had a lie in and done a load of housework instead.

Having a load of hassle to do with another website I'm involved in, to the extent that I'm having to look into reporting abuse to ISPs etc.

Hopefully seeing OH later - really hope so, am badly in need of a hug.