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Archive for December, 2016

Uber Frugal Month

December 30th, 2016 at 01:50 pm

I just found out about this yesterday from Debt-free-by-33, so, unlike her, I haven't really had time to prep but I'll be giving it my best shot.

I've got a couple of challenges, namely a joint kids birthday party so I'll need to get a gift, eating out (spent 99.xx this month although that does include treating my mum on Christmas Eve and eating out in Edinburgh when we were there) and I desperately need to buy a washing machine filter.

Other than that, I'm going to do my best to have an Uber Frugal Month Smile

Goals for 2017: Vague

December 29th, 2016 at 08:52 am

I need to make these more specific, but right now, I'm thinking:

1. Payoff BOTH catalogues (1303.50) - I'll be ECSTATIC!! even though they're not in my name

2. Continue to pay credit cards and get another balance transfer

3. Save up for a holiday

4.Cash only Christmas (and birthdays too)

Also, work out how to kit us all out for two weddings next year. And buy J his first bed.

Christmas Fast Approaching

December 19th, 2016 at 08:52 pm

I can't believe it's nearly the end of the year! I still have presents to wrap!

Things have been busy here. We took the kids to Edinburgh's Christmas last week. We impulsively went on the ferris wheel. Hubby wanted to since he'd never been on it before - me either, actually. I saved 20% off the ticket price thanks to showing some ID. Next year, I'm booking the rides in advance.

I spent a lot on food. In the end, the kids were exhausted so we never went to see Santa. However, I had seen him the day before we went (didn't go well - lots of tears) and he is visiting SG's nursery tomorrow.

I baked brownies to give to SG's nursery staff. I handed them in today.

My mum's dog was put to sleep last week. I wish I had seen him recently,but it has been a few months. She had to borrow money from her friend to pay for it.

In other sad news, I found out that one of my neighbours died. I'd heard that he had cancer. I seen his wife shopping herself, but I wasn't sure if anything had happened, and it's not the sort of thing you can just bring up. Anyway, it was confirmed that he died a few weeks ago. I'm going to post through a Thinking of You card. Originally, they were getting a Christmas card but I can't send *both*

I better head to bed soon. That's all for now.

Cash is King

December 9th, 2016 at 02:58 pm

It's been over a month now, I think, that I've been withdrawing cash for shopping. I think it's working out.

Speaking of cash ruling, it's my answer to everything when hubby suggests we need something. "We need to save up for it"

My phone has gone AWOL. It's been a week. I know I lost it at home but I can't find it anywhere. I'm ready to give up.

Told hubby I want to be done with one of the catalogues by this time next year - really I meant halfway through the year, ideally both will be gone by December 2017 - so I can focus on my credit card debt. Both 0% offers end next year.

December

December 4th, 2016 at 12:06 pm

Trying to get everything organised for Christmas just now:

-asked hubby what he wanted for a starter (prawn cocktail) so I bought in a bag of frozen prawns with my shopping
-want to take the kids to see Santa this year since we didn't last year, and we want to go to Edinburgh's Christmas market. We're just going to combine the trip and take them to see Santa in Edinburgh
-used the high street vouchers my mum gave me in return for me buying SG's present from her. Was 2.16 out of pocket for 52.16 worth of food
-have to start wrapping soon. I only had to buy in a few rolls of wrapping paper.
-haven't bought Christmas crackers yet - I'm wondering if we'll miss them?
-arranged an uplift to get rid of some unwanted items before Christmas. It's getting picked up on Thursday.

I think that's all.