January has lasted for about 5 months so far...has it not ended yet?! It's Countdown to Christmas 2020, Thread 2!

[NoWordForFluffy]

Oops.

I failed to notice we had completed thread 1!

So, better late than never, thread 2!

No need for temp insurance, Wreck. Just go on your phone and buy the policy before leaving the garage.

I can't fluffy because I need a letter from our fleet office stating that I haven't claimed in the 2.2 years I've had the lease car in order to use my NCD.

You can normally provide proof afterwards. Are they being difficult?

No I just wasn't going to start the insurance until we needed to. There's just so much to sort out 🙄 plus I haven't got spare money to pay insurance whilst I'm still paying for the lease car

What a pain Wreck

I hope you're not getting rained on at the allotment Fluffy - it's grey and non stop drizzle here.

I'm having a bad day. I took my glasses off to put moisturiser on this morning and accidentally put on a new one I hadn't tested yet. I have sensitive skin and eczema on my face and hands so I'm always so careful.
Don't know WTF I was thinking but I've had an allergic reaction. My face is red, hot, itchy and the skin feels tight. I think it looks a bit puffy / swollen but DH said it isn't.
If anyone has any suggestions I will take them! I've obviously washed it off, taken an antihistamine, put cold masks on etc. I'm so uncomfortable and miserable right now 😷

Oh rubbish crazy! I would recommend a steroid cream but you won't find a pharmacy that'll sell you one if they find out it's for your face. 🤫

That's a pain, Wreck, because you'll have to tax it to drive it away, so it's not like you can SORN it without having taxed it first either.

When are you giving yours up? Wouldn't you be better waiting? Don't rush into this one if it's not urgent. Something else will come up. And don't buy privately; get your statutory consumer protection from a dealer.

Crazy, no, it was grey but not wet, thankfully.

Have you got E45 or anything like that? It may help.

I've been out for lunch with DH. We're now in the pub.

Afternoon!
We are out today to celebrate FIL’s birthday. I will catch up with everyone later❤️

I don't have time fluffy. Well I have four weeks max which isn't long when I'm working and busy weekends. Plus I've been looking at cars for ages so know what's about. I don't mind taxing it but insurance will be pricey and it'll be cheaper to just insure it for a day, tax it straight away and then wait a week or so to insure it properly (well maybe not cheaper but it won't cost more money). I'm not buying privately, this one is from a garage. It'll be easier if I can sort it all before half term so that I can get all my documents uploaded to the expenses website before I move offices, so really I have three weeks and in that time I also need to get my car back to head office which is miles away. Plus DH needs to do his best with the t cut

Oh also, whilst I’m on it. Have any of you used park? I’ve not looked into it, only seen it advertised, but not sure if it’s any good?

It's a pain with timings, isn't it, Wreck?

I've just added £20 to our Sainsbury's gift card for Christmas, so that's £40 saved. We will either use it for food or toys nearer the time. We're also at almost £50 in Nectar points too, so not bad going!

Oh, and it's Rudolph Day number 1 this year. Woooo!

That's a good idea fluffy.

I haven't used park. I like fluffy's idea of adding to a gift card though.

I got my new boots. It they're really big round my calves so not sure if I'll keep them. I need to try them on with some different jeans.

I have the calf problem, Wreck. I solved it by getting French boots via Rubbersole; they fit way better than any I've bought in the U.K.

I decided I could cope with £20 a month. And with the new way you can earn Nectar points we are raking them in this year!

Ooh. Just had a bit of a win. I had an offer from Uber Eats for £10 off if I spent £5, so I ordered child meals for the two kids and 8 nuggets for us to share, costing £3.34 after the discount. When it arrived, we were sent one child meal and DS' sausage meal was just a sausage, no chips or drink.

Luckily a) DS only drinks water, we'd have just kept the drink for DD another day and b) there were enough chips in DD's meal for both of them.

I complained to Uber Eats and was refunded the £3.95 meal charge, so have effectively been paid 61p to have dinner. Awesome stuff! 😂

Woo hoo free dinner! We had jacket potatoes. Well I had salad but everyone else had jackets and ate them all too

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Evening everyone
I have been frantically busy today so l haven't had much chance to go online. Went to Newport , Tesco, Boots, then we went to have another look at the DD2's house in Cardiff, then l went to M & S in Culverhouse Cross, they have some beautiful new clothes in .
Went to look for a car for DD1 as well so we are really tired.
Will have to catch up in the morning hope all ok
Better shift to bed DH is on warpath
Night everyone

That is a good idea fluffy, we ended up being a bit skint this year so I want to prepare in advance for next Christmas

Morning!

Have you worked out how to apply for the house now, Mrs? And is she going to?!

What car is DD1 after?

I can't claim credit for the gift card idea; I stole it from @TheWoollybacksWife!

I've had 8.5 hours' sleep. 3 hours of digging plus daytime drinking = 😴

I'm achey today though. The extent of which will be tested when I stand up!

@flouncyfanny, I'm struggling not to buy more cross stitches what with all the offers from Love Crafts. I'm not even making progress on my church right now. Too tempting though.

I've had similar sleep fluffy! Watching ds play football this morning. They don't want to come and look at the car so are going to my aunts this afternoon. Give DH and I some quality time

Mrs I thought you must have been busy as we hadn't heard from you. I really like the children's clothes in m&s at the moment. They've really upped their game and they're so reasonably priced.

I would do the gift card idea but not sure which store I would do it for.

We like Sainsbury's, hence choosing there. It was that or Tesco, but Sainsbury's won!

We're getting a big Sainsbury's built here soon, which we're impatiently waiting for. (They closed Homebase in December 2017 to make room for it, and there's no sign of work yet.)

You could just load a pre-paid MasterCard, Wreck. You could use it anywhere then.

I was thinking that too (about the MasterCard)
Less likely to spend it if it's there than if it's easily accessible sitting in one of my accounts.

That's my thinking. It takes it out of reach! I keep the card in a cupboard at home and only take it out to top up.

I might use my points for presents at double up time and the money for food. I'll see how I fare!

Freezing at football! Playing at home today ds is doing well.

Morning all.

I've been putting £20 into a Revolut card every month.
I should hopefully have £40/50 off tesco as well by December. I chose their Christmas saver.

Thanks for the name check Fluffy. I do the saver stamps with Morrison's - usually £10 a month until I have £100. Last year my Christmas food shop cost me an extra £15 and included wine, a free range turkey crown, a large piece of gammon, snacks and puddings. I try to remember and buy the stamps on or around 25th if the month - any time after payday really. I'm starting on Monday and I too keep it in a cupboard. I'm quite tempted to get a £10 gift card for other retailers each month too. The M&S festive Buck's Fizz was a huge hit and with two adult DDs I wouldn't struggle to spend New Look/Next/Boots vouchers either.