21 days of pain!!

Thanks parsniphead - it certainly makes you realise how much you've accumulated in cupboards and freezer!! Go for it - I'm sure you'll be suprised at how many meals you can make.

More ideas for next years challenge:
*I'll continue to do survey clicks - all earnings to go to DMP
*Try to use the heating sparingly - use extra layers of clothing, blankets and hot-water bottles before turning it on and then utilising it to finish off drying any laundry
*other than that will be pegging out the laundry where possible - I've considered selling my TD but to be honest it's so old I'd be lucky to get anything for it so might as well keep it for emergencies
*I'll continue collecting 5p's in my bottle - I've been doing this for a few years already now and it's just under halfway full I'd say! 5p is the only size coin that will fit in the neck and they're a pain to have in my purse so I don't miss them (would like to continue this until it's full but if it makes the difference between staying on track or not one month next year then I'd consider using it)
*Whilst trying to keep within this 21 day challenge I bought some tinned new potatoes to try. OH has decided he quite likes them so that's the only type we are having until new year 2020!
*Limiting myself to one big social occasion a month. I'm not sure how this one will go - there's a lot of big birthdays next year plus the wedding I am MOH at. Will have to monitor this one closely but it would be a great one to cut down spending on.
*Appliances/electric - need to cut down usage of these in the hope to bring the utilities DD down. DW should not be used every day and WM needs to be limited to once a day and only one spin per wash (I have a tendency to keep spinning it until it's almost dry so could massively reduce this)
*I'll be stock piling non-perishables for the rest of this year in the hope to reduce the shopping bill next year. Things like teabags, toilet roll, catfood etc, where I can check out the cheapest deals and then store in the spare room.

Thanks ZG&B

My payday is actually the 20th day so apart from my DDs which come out that day I'll still be sticking to plan. 22nd I'll pay out what I need to for the month (lottery, cards etc) and then start again on 23rd but with only £9 a day this time and see how I get on.

Haha yes - I don't plan on eating sausage rolls every weekend once everything is used up!!

That's the thing which grates me about my DMP - I didn't get into debt, my dear ex-husband kindly racked it up in my name!

Thanks Pauline - yes one thing I've learned is that I'm definitely more in control when I have cash. Next month will be more difficult logistically as it was handy drawing a round £10 out of the cash point. Maybe I'll draw out £10 and as soon as I can, set £1 aside towards every tenth day - don't think I'm quite disciplined enough yet to draw out £90 for ten days

Dishwasher tabs I will definitely look into - even if I step down a brand. Washing tablets unfortunately I can't change as the ones I use are the only ones that don't make OH's skin flare up (and we have tried them ALL). I can however make sure I buy in bulk when on offer.

Right - I've decided to put £16.30 by towards the balance of the Christmas meal (just how it worked out change-wise) leaving me with £17.70 in my purse until midnight Friday night.

Day 15/21

Breakfast - last YS crumpet from the freezer! (Was getting a bit bored of these so will give them a break - even if I see them on YS!)
Lunch - last of the s/c beef stew leftovers
Dinner - paprika chicken, rice & frozen veg

I'm finally starting to see space in the freezer! Hopefully the weekend and the last few days of this challenge will see me making huge dents in it! Store cupboards (tins, pasta, rice etc) are starting to look a little bare too but we won't starve - just might have some random combos!

5p from my purse going into my 5p bottle leaving me with £9.30 until midnight Friday.