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

[jonbonjovismissus]

Fab news claret, £17 postage for previously mentioned ebay stuff, have got most of it in the payments so only a little under, still getting the hang of ebay..........but between that and topcashback should have enough for extra Xmas food

[NK5BM3]

Fab news claret! Good luck with the vetting. I've just applied for my own job... At a higher grade. That's apparently a good thing except that it was also advertised to externals.

But someone in the know has just told me that the competition wasn't great and they can't beat me. That's good to hear but it depends on what happens I suppose at the interview!

My first nsd today in many weeks....!

[Fluffycloudland77]

NK, whenever I've been in when they are showing prospective candidates through for interview it's usually internal candidates who get it unless someone way more experienced and qualified turns up.

You get people just trying their luck, I've seen people apply for posts they have the wrong degree for.

[NK5BM3]

Hi fluffy thanks for the reassurance. Figures crossed then..

[Turnoffthelights]

Well done claret! Cheering to hear good news! Good luck for yours NK.

£2.54 tescos, £1.50 bus.

3frugalthings: valiantly getting through the tube of horrible tasting toothpaste - can't let it go to waste! Raided my 3 week old sealed savings jar for spends today as didn't want to take cash out (sorry sealed savers - my spare change is just so needed!). Got super organised tonight, me cooking macaroni DH cooking cottage pie, so we could put them into the same hot oven and only have to zap in microwave later in the week!

[Fluffycloudland77]

www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/fun/competitions/promotions/5286355/free-ten-pound-tesco-voucher.html

£10 tesco voucher if you take a £1 trial with the sun. Just remember to cancel.

My morrisons £10 voucher never arrived but I did get 3 CK lip glosses.

[AdoraBell]

I can't remember How much I Spent in the supermarket. Must have been around £15 -£20. Was distracted so I just checked that what I signed for was correct and then filed it under Done in my head.

Annoying about that Morrison's voucher Fluffy but the CK lipglosses are not To be sniffed at.

Tomorrow coffee with a friend.

[Possiblyorange]

Yay Claret, well done!

Had two NSDs, but only because I got DH to do my posting and pick up extra food from the supermarket, so I'm not sure it really counts! Will have another one today and hopefully will earn some money too.

Feeling relieved that I have budgeted so carefully as although I am terrified about the sums I need to make, it is nice putting my spends into YNAB and seeing that at least I'm not over-spending on anything, if that makes sense.

[Possiblyorange]

BTW, YNAB = budgeting software.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Ouch.

When you re-new next time watch out for insurers who ask if you've been on that course. Apparently some do now.

[eastmidlandsnightnanny]

Just had a much needed haircut not done since beg may had a half price voucher n v worth it. Got given voucher to go nxt wk for free wash n blow dry n a treatment did check completly free n yep but obviously so shocked as left my vouchers behind must ring them up n see if they will post them.

[CremeEggThief]

£5.72, on a hook to hang up my (as yet unpurchased) wreath and Blu-tac. My lovely friend treated me to a coffee and fried egg bap .

Yesterday, it was £8.49 on posting off eBay stuff, but that was already paid for £7.30 on travel, £6.30 on lunch and coffee out and £5.12 at Clinton Cards. So, £18.72 total.

[ThePearShapedToad]

Had a friend coming over for dinner and to stay the night, hadn't seen her in about a year, so had budgeted for a blow out meal- cooked three courses, red wine is currently breathing, been up since 6am getting the panna cottas to set (yes I know, it's a money forum not a whining forum but still ) and she's just canx and wants to raincheck

£90-odd I spent on everything for tonight. I can eat it all myself for the next week few nights, but I certainly can't justify another £90 in a few weeks time when / if she decides she can come then

(Sad) what a waste

[Possiblyorange]

Oh toad what a shame! I have had similar happen in the past and it's crap, especially having set aside time and money for it. Is there anything you can freeze?

Earned about £75 today, which was nice, lopping a bit more off the scary sum!

[ArtemisatBrauron]

Oh, pear crack into the wine and goodies and watch something on TV. I'd be furious!

[ThePearShapedToad]

Sadly not, it's all been prepped / chopped / baked etc

Just sitting down to a whole baked Camembert with roasted garlic on the sofa with fluffy socks on and an entire bottle glass of fancy schmancy red wine

[Turnoffthelights]

Hope you enjoyed every last drop of the Camembert toad. You sound like a lovely friend for organising all of this; good menu choice too - love cheese and pan a cotta! What's for main?!

I agree with artemis, enjoy the dinner yourself! feet up! something good on the box xx

NSD, 3/31.

[ilovepicnmix]

Oh no toad! I could pop round and help you out I'm sure!

I filled up my tank today to the tune of £49.30. Bought the star to get the £5 off an aldi shop voucher. Sorry I didn't post about it but I didn't find out till this evening.

Im hoping the wind calms down as we're off to see my family in Scotland this weekend. Just called my mum and she was driving though a snow storm.

[AdoraBell]

Hope all is well in Scotland picnmix and you get to visit at the weekend.

toad I've frozen baked goods before, most things will freeze. Hope you enjoyed the cheese and wine. I would also be a bit miffed, hope she had a valid reason.

Spent 3 quid on coffee and cake with friend, we shared a slice of cake.
Then 20 on undies to go in Christmas stockings for DDs.
Went into and back out of town so 6 quid on the roads in total going back and forth. Think I have to go back tomorrow as DH left the gas guzzler at the dealership, complicated situation as we need both cars but obvs need to have it there for people to see and buy it.

[Fluffycloudland77]

£5 on really thick pipe insulation. Airing cupboard is now much cooler & I'm only halfway done.

[ThePearShapedToad]

< sorry am in a cheese induced coma on the sofa >

Main course was Moroccan tagine with saffron couscous. It has been frozen. I've moved onto eating the panna cotta. For austerity reasons obviously

[ThePearShapedToad]

fluffy I got far too excited the day I wrapped my boiler in an insulating jacket

Tbf, it does keep the water hotter for longer so it was worth the extra spend on it

and it looks like a fat Father Christmas in the airing cupboard