Sensible September

[HowDidThisHappenDinesh]

Back to school and back to budgeting… a thread for us to keep each other accountable in sensible spending.
New posters welcome :)

Got it today @Disneyland2022 hope yours came through !
Was craving spicy thai soup today to clear my cold but spent loads on takeaway on Wednesday; I was feeling slightly more human so managed a walk down to Lidl and spent £12 for bits for a fakeaway. At least half what we would’ve spent if we had ordered and most of the ingredients will go in meals planned later in the week so the total cost was probably more like £7.50. Got some other bits too, doing my weekly shop a bit early, all the nice christmas food is so tempting but I was restrained (mostly).
The heel of my favourite boots broke off last week, I love them so much I found the exact same pair on Vinted and bought them today for £5. I have very limited personal spending money again this month, saving for another weekend away, so that will be the extent of my Vinted buys this month. Unless someone lists the corduroy dress I’ve been drooling over in my size
Low spend weekend incoming, got food in including a bottle of wine and some dessert so might even avoid spending completely, wish me luck (and a cooperative DH!)

All received- many thanks for using my referral.
Well done for avoiding another takeaway. I’m hoping for a super low spend weekend. Mustn’t open the Amazon app!!!

Hello everyone, checking in on this very windy and rainy morning. Good to hear that you're making good progress and staying on track.

I've spent quite a bit in the past two weeks on Christmas gifts, but it has all been budgeted for. This weekend I need to take stock properly and see what we have bought - if it isn't quite enough yet, it must be close. It seems like there are always extra little costs this time of year, so I'm glad of the buffer I've built up by being frugal this year.

DH is still not sure when we're going to Scotland to see his side of the family, so the hotel budget is still set aside for now.

We may go to the cinema tomorrow to see Moana 2 (the first one was ds' favourite Disney film ever, I think, with Cars a close second). And we may pick out a Christmas tree, too.

Hope everyone is staying safe and warm today.

Did you see Moana 2 @moimichme? We are seeing it next weekend but happily with free tickets from Tesco did see Wicked yesterday but I loved the musical and the book, wanted to see the film on the big screen.

Desperately trying to set aside some time for Christmas budgeting - DP was off work for a good week (he's self employed) and hung around the house generally getting under my feet - then the work started up again just when I could do with him giving me an hour or two free! It's like having another kid though, he never suggests what we could have for meals, just sits round waiting for me to suggest/ plan/ cook...

Spent just over £20 in the PO this week posting gifts and stamps for a few cards. I have three more parcels to send so that'll be just over a tenner.
Had hygienist on Monday and seeing a friend on Friday which are both accounted for.
DD is getting 2nd ear piercings as part of Christmas present at the weekend so that's £30/40 depending on earrings.
I have a couple of days cat sitting next week which can go towards socialising. I amd not going out in January!

@ElizaBalfour my DP agrees to meal plan then doesn't come up with any ideas! If I haven't said anything, he asks if I've had any thoughts on dinner!!!!

And now the TV has died.

Oh no Vino that is rubbish timing just before the holidays!

We saw Moana 2 and it was great. I feel like I've overspent for Christmas related activities but we get paid early in December so I'm not feeling it yet! Will have to be careful in January though, because there will be 6 weeks nearly between paydays.

Good frugal news is DH family has agreed to put us up so we don't need to book a hotel after all. That definitely helps!

We dropped off 5 bags to charity shop a wee while ago in preparation for Christmas and I'm feeling lighter for it. The house is looking nicer after a trip to Ikea to replace some falling apart shoe shelving.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and Christmas! 🎄

Yes, timing could have been better! We have a new one. We didn't want a huge one so thankfully, it was less costly than I thought.
@moimichme no hotel costs will save a lot, all good.
I'm hoping for quite a lot of NSDs/LSDs over the holidays. DD has an appointment for a hair cut the beginning of January and I'm seeing a friend one day.
Have a lovely Christmas all!

Sorry to hear about the TV @Vinorosso74, awful timing after Black Friday and before Boxing Day sales.

Mixed bag for me.

So the budgeting has gone well, I'm slightly short of my final savings target for my emergency fund, but I'm taking that as a win as it's more than I would have had if I wasn't budeting and being accountable.

Not so great is that my income will very significantly reduce in January and my outgoings have significantly risen. It's also going to be a year of big birthdays 16/40/60 and my DDs prom to pay for. Trying to leave the stress for after Christmas, but it's affecting my mood currently, as Dh isn't on board with helping with the costs.