December debt destroying *blows the budgeteering bugle*

[claretandamberforever]

Okay, so probably not much debt will be getting destroyed this month, but hopefully we won't add too much to it.

Here's the thread you want if you need to keep a spending diary somewhere, confess money sins, ask for help or have a general whinge at the cost of living.

Welcome to any newbies

Oh and MIL has bought us a £50 Asda voucher as our Xmas present. So I'll save that for next month's groceries as DH's road tax is due at the end of Jan so I'll need to save up for that.

Well done Jezza, that's a great saving!

DH got given a £50 sainsburys voucher as part of his Christmas bonus (which was £150 total, so not amazing compared to last year's, but better than nothing), so I'm planning on putting that towards the big Christmas shop on Thursday.

I also have £500 of cheques to pay in from working, which I haven't actually got time to get to the bank to pay in! Might have to ask the nanny to pop into town for me tomorrow. Need them to offset enormous rent and nanny salary bills which both need paying in the next few days.

Im very jealous of all these Christmas bonuses. If I get a chocolate Santa I'll be lucky.

£2 into softplay now that DS can walk. £5 on lunch there. This afternoon I posted my cards but I already had a dozen stamps. £6.05 on postage to oz, a big card and a spare half dozen stamps. Next few days should be NSDs other than milk.

I miss Christmas bonuses. Miss working too but that's another story

Used my just-over- a-fiver in Néctar points To Get olive oil and snacks. I wasn't going To spend any actual money as yesterday's supermarket tríp came To £170, included office bits for DH, gifts between DDs which they are paying back, but it still stung To sign the slip. Also used what was left on a gift card To let DDs buy bits and pieces of costume jewellery.

DDs have a friend over this pm, not being collected úntil 9-ish so will eat with us. I think we'll be doing a lot of entertaining at home this summer, just can't afford the tríps out they expect want.

Creme Is there not a store where your rellies live that delivers? I've only Spent an afternoon in Dublín so don't know the Repúblic very well, but do departamento stores deliver on líne orders like in UK? Would save you on postage. Same for Ghetto, that or a voucher for a departamento store.

Managing without much shopping this week as we're away for a week from Friday. Despite my monster Aldi shop the food budget looks really healthy.

My boss rang me yesterday to offer me some extra work. Even better she hinted that there might be further promotions for me in the future . I love my job!

Yesterday was another NSD for me.

I need inspiration please, what can I make on Christmas Eve for 7 adults/3 children that won't be expensive but will feel like a treat? I was originally planning on making fish pie, but (a) it's expensive unless I make it really mean on the fish and (b) a few of the people coming are slightly fussy eaters, and I don't want to make something expensive that gets rejected. I don't mind if they turn their noses up at budget food! I want it to feel festive though, and it needs to be filling as most of them are going out for an early lunch, so will be hungry by dinner time.

4 children, not 3. Whoops.

Possibly if I'm cooking for a crowd I usually do this www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/469498/mediterranean-vegetable-chilli It may not be festive but it's cheap, it can be prepared in advance, minimal washing up, doubles up easily, healthy before the big splurge and served with value rice and tortillia chips always disappears. I make it fairly mild and put a bottle of tabasco on the table. Sometimes I'll put cheese, sour cream, salsa, etc on the table too.

I'm trying to avoid the shops as they're too busy and will just tempt me. When I am buying though I'm using my last few nectar etc points and any vouchers in my purse.

Yeah for loving your job helena! Promotions or not it's a good feeling to not have the 'oh crap it's work' feeling everyday. In terms of frugality it feels like getting money for something you enjoy!

Good question possibly. I wanted to ask for some similar advice about puddings which we have been asked to provide this weekend. Can be made or shop bought but want something that feels festive. I agree with nugget, chilli (meat or veggi) always does well for a crowd and works out cheap. The last time we hosted Christmas we cooked shop bought, but luxury end, pies with mash veg and gravy. Let everyone choose which pie they wanted pre-Christmas which made it quite fun and avoided fussy eaters. We weren't counting pennies then though so not sure how frugal the pies would be with all your guests.

We had a big spend last night - blummin baby photo calendars for all the grandparents, great grandma and one for us - eek! The pride that comes from having a gorgeous little one is pricey! Think we spent over £50 on 6 calendars and postage !

Ouchy on the calendars remember our toddler first xmas did photo books but signed up as new customers to loads photo companies using various emails n got these free with postage around £6-9 n had sent direct to family members subsequent yrs have been pic in a frame this yr erm we haven't got around to photo type pressies!!

Rabbit been unwell still n back at vets today another op tomorrow he is 8yrs old so not sure he will lash much longer but got to give him a chance.

I did a brave thing today and opted out of my work lottery syndicate. Please don't let them win now haha! I was then given £10.80 which was my share of the winnings pot at the mo. I was chuffed as wasn't expecting that. However I later felt obliged to buy two charity raffle strips later. That was £2 and then £1 on milk.

Oh and 40p on a Sun to get my Aldi voucher.

DH has suggested butternut squash soup and homemade bread, as apparently his parents have an aversion to eating early with the DCs so we need something we can reheat easily. I'm in favour as it's cheap! Although slightly miffed we won't all eat together.

My pil are a bit odd with eating. I offered a yorkie pud with a roast once and they recoiled in horror saying it was too much to eat.

Picnmix

DH and I went To a wedding, when he was still the BF, and we Stopped for perol but he didn't want To delay so didn't buy a lottery ticket. A Lucky someone didn't have To share their £9,000,000 win that weekend, because we didn't put our numbers on.

I may, dependíng on transport being available, pick up fruit juice, cream and dog biscuits later.

Hey rule in my house is u eat at the time we eat no messing around.

Rabbit has gone downhill didn't return to vets for op as he wouldn't survive it he isn't in pain so going to let him slip away quietly - syringing liquid food into him 3 times a day but he isn't eating.

Poor rabbit. You must be so upset.

Sorry about the rabbit.

The energy saving trust says its best to only put heating on as and when you need it. It's become a well established myth that its cheaper to keep it on low all day.

Any utility companies you can threaten to leave and get a discount? Sky? Virgin media? Bt?.

Sorry to hear about your rabbit eastmidlands.

Oh my goodness adora. Im surprised he went on to become dh! Im still in for the next two weeks so fingers crossed.

NSD for me today. I've just cancelled my Sun+ subscription so hoping my Tesco voucher arrives. Did you sign up fluffy?

Work Christmas curry tomorrow but I've paid £5 deposit and have budgeted another £40. Hoping I come home with change. I just need to be strict with myself and not go on for drinks after. Don't think I'll be tempted as my sofa will be calling me.