November Numbercrunchers *blows the budgeteering bugle*

[claretandamberforever]

In here please.

Feel free to post a daily spending diary, to ask for advice or just for a general money moan.

Turnoff I'm glad your friends are being good. I've found some friends are pleased to have an excuse not to spend too.

Fluffy I've got the veg everyday book, have had some really good meals from it, not had a duff recipe from it yet.

NSD for me today. Payday tomorrow so just worked out my weekly budget for the next month. It's always tight but I like to put some away for a rainy day and tax, mot and insurance which I pay in oners.

Aaaaah. I think my fridge is broken!!! It's definitely not very cold but the freezer half is fine. I could weep. This is going to be hassle and money isn't it?

possibly orange I love it when my mum visits! she takes one look at the bare cupboards and immediately fills them (I can't bare too much in cupboards or fridge but i let her carry on!) my parents are coming for Christmas so will definitely treat them. I keep almost buying stuff but I know I will consume it before December 25th!

Oh dear picnmix could the dial have been knocked and accidentally turned down? Really hope it's not the end of the fridge. When ours broke we went for a fairly basic range - Beko - which has been fine but sometimes there is an argument for getting what you pay for. Our freezer is also cheap range - Cato - and it's rubbish! The dishwasher from the same range was so bad we had to sell it on ebay and replace. Therefore fluffy I think investing in a good powder is well worth it!

No it's definitely not that turnoff. I've been suspicious of it for a few days but my DS's milk was like cottage cheese tonight just a few minutes after being warmed up. I reckon I can manage to leave it till Monday to get someone out so at least I won't have to take time off work (I don't work mons or tues). Maybe it'll be fixable but im preparing myself for the worst. It's integrated too so more expensive. Oh well. Guess this is the rainy day I've been saving for.

Due to a bout of flu with vomiting, I've had 4 NSDs this week! Every cloud, and all that.

Sorry to hear about your fridge picnmix. We have a rainy day fund for things like that too...

A few NSDs. But just got letter from bank re mortgage. It's going up £100 more! Argh. I was thinking that things will be better with my dd turning 3 and getting the 15h free nursery in January and we will also stop paying for our kitchen in installments £125. And now this 'savings' will go to the mortgage. Great.

Am v stressed at the moment as I need to apply for my job again (promotion etc). Not too much of a problem but it's eating up into my time to do all the other work I need to get done anyway. I only left work an hour ago - I'm meant to be working a normal 9-5 job!

Glad the op has gone ok kinky and sorry about the fridge picnmix.

Had a couple if NSDs here this week.

Planning to get the stockings out of the garage this weekend so I can see what I need. Usually I estimate and then have masses too much. Not this year. I also need to find last year's Christmas cards as I think I may not need too many.

I usually buy a new board game for us to play on Christmas Eve but they seem so expensive this year!

Hoping for an NSD tomorrow. Going into London on Saturday so that won't be cheap though.

Kinky very glad the OP went Well.

That's a paín picnmix, hope you can Get it fixed.

Had To Get yet moré stuff Today, having DD at home has made plannng my shopping difficult as I need To dash in quickly and then forgot most of what I need. So another £12 Today. Hopefuly she'll be back in school next week and I can Get some peace be properly organised.

We are not getting the Christmas things out úntil DH is back from his tríp in Dec, he leaves this weekend. I have started the shopping though. Got a bar of Lindt dark Orange choc for DD2's stocking, DD1 will have the mint versión.

picnmix what a nightmare! It's times like that I'm glad we rent - we are too close to the bone still to have a decent rainy day fund, so we'll done for at least having it.

Fish hope you're feeling better now.

NK5 can you shop around for a new mortgage! or are you still locked in?

Off to London for the weekend with DS1, am horribly ill (just a nasty cold, but I feel like crap) but can't back out as he has been looking forward to it for ages. Have got picnic for the train up there and sister is providing packed lunches etc when we're there, so although I know we'll end up spending on some treats I'm hoping it won't be too expensive a weekend.

Fairly spendy day here. £15.91 on food shop, £1 C.I.N. donation for DS' s school, £10 deposit for a Christmas Eve meal out in a naice pub, £10 D.E.C. donation and will need to spend £3 on bus fares to and from Scouts later. So, £39.91 total.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend . I think it's another free listings one on eBay, if anyone needs to sell some stuff.

The only thing I have left to sell is my body. I don't think dh would approve of that.

I hope you feel better soon orange.

Yay, my old sewing machine has already got its opening bid on eBay - only listed it last night. Ok, it's only a tenner, but every little counts, right? Plus it's one more bulky thing that is definitely leaving the house, and that always makes me happy

NK5 I really feel for you with the mortgage! it's such a changeable expense. Hopefully you can cover the extra £100 out of your kitchen money and be fixed for a while, perhaps avoiding the dreaded interest hike that could be just around the corner.

Strictly speaking I haven't had any spends today. DH filled the car up with petrol last night so that's about £65. Also I paid nursery bill - not sure if this is the type of thing others keep track of or just day to day expenses?

3 frugal things: 1) have tracked gas and elec usage from the meters all week, challenge to use less over this week! 2) cancelled old union subscription. 3) have wrapped a few presents already bought for my mum for Christmas for her birthday at the weekend, will need to re-stock but can hopefully shop around for some bargains.

Enjoy your weekends everyone!

NK5 - that is rotten about your mortgage.

Today I put £20 petrol in the car, £5 for DS's CIN contribution and £5 deposit for my work Christmas do. We're just going out for a curry so it shouldn't be too expensive.

Fridge update - I was going to have to pay £100 for someone to come and look at! However someone at work suggested that it might be something to do with the compressor and that I defrosted it recently. He suggested switching it off for a while and then see if that does the trick. Unlikely but worth a go. I've just switched it back on sp fingers crossed. I've noticed a crack on the inside back of it also so have gaffer taped that up. If that doesn't work then im going to manage without the fridge until I've eaten everything in the freezer. I figure I only really really need fresh milk so that is currently on my window ledge. However, I live in a flat so I've secured it with string so it doesn't fall and lamp someone. What a palaver!

Shit blackberry! You pity away. What's his chances of getting another job quickly?

Oh bugger. Will he get a good reference?

It's always before Christmas isn't it? I'm so sorry blackberry.

Don't apologise Blackberry. That's really crap, fingers crossed for finding another job.

NSD other than road tolls today, two lots coz I forgot DD2 is late back today so I'll be going out, again, soon to have another go at collecting her.

Omg blackberry. Good luck. Do you know if the company was justified? Does he have recourse?

Thanks for concern re my mortgage. We are going to shop around. Except I don't know how much time we have to do that...! I'm away the whole week for work. Literally like across the world, 12 hr away. Grr

Oh BlackBerry. Have some .

picnmix could you afford, and have space for, a small fridge instead of paying To repair it, and still use the freezer?

We've been waiting nearly three years for someone To look at ours, but this is Latín América. Sounds the same as our freezer is still working too, just the fridge isn't. DH isn't willing To Get rid of it úntil we sell

DH collected DD2 so I have only wasted Spent £2.40

Next week I'll start looking at Christams food. Still have food in the freezer To eat.

Oh Blackberry that's awful news, such a facer for you and DH. I 'm sure you know the drill, but make sure he applies for benefits ASAP so the lag before they start isn't too long.

Adora I am at three years to get your fridge looked at.

NK5 do your company cover hotel phone bills when you're away? Could you phone or check online for a comparison service first thing or last thing from the hotel/office or wherever you're working?

Unlikely to be a NSD here as we are sightseeing in London, but my dad has given me money to buy DS a souvenir and we will take packed lunches, so hopefully it won't be too bad apart from a coffee shop treat later and tube/bus fares. And maybe a couple of stocking fillers from museum shops if there's something amazing.

Blackberry so sorry to hear your news .