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December debt destroying *blows the budgeteering bugle*

480 replies

claretandamberforever · 29/11/2013 17:53

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

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WaitingForPeterWimsey · 30/11/2013 12:46

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claretandamberforever · 30/11/2013 13:40

I only use Quidco so I'm not much good for asking how comparable they are to the other sites

Same happened to us, DH got made redundant in 2009 and his income went down from £1800 a month to £1100 when he thankfully got a new job. We'd used his redundancy money to pay off some loans which had been £300 a month but were still £400 a month down. These are financially scary times we live in. I try and look on the bright side and think positive that at least we are not in Syria etc.... but it's just hard when it's happening to you and it is your crisis.

I'm also really bad at falling off the wagon, stopping tracking finances and starting to treat myself more and spend dosh willy nilly then when we need some cash for road tax or car repairs, we have to resort to the CC whereas if I track our spending and question every purchase I can have some money left over.

Welcome aboard waiting (who is Peter Wimsey?) I started the thread a couple of days early (DERRRR) so we're still on the November thread but there will be an exodus over here tomorrow.

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WaitingForPeterWimsey · 30/11/2013 14:24

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WaitingForPeterWimsey · 30/11/2013 14:26

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busylizzie76 · 30/11/2013 16:51

Hi all - sorry been a busy week.
Well done to everyone doing so well at saving and cost cutting.

I had been doing so well up until today! For 6 weeks I have managed to spend under £25 on weekly food shopping and nothing during the week, except petrol and kids activities.

Well, I have just returned from the Sainsbobs and I managed to spend an eye watering £125+! I need to justify myself!

£38.38 on food shopping: I am not planning on going again for at least 10 days (apart from Cat food)
£12.48 on toiletries (but my fav hair dye was on offer £9 for two so had to as normally would be £12 for two) plus some ibuprofen, strepsils etc. to restock due to colds.
£20 on kids birthday party gifts - DD is going to a joint party tomorrow for 5 little girls! Bought some reduced Hello Kitty hand warmers....had wrapping and cards at home already.
£34.99 - printer ink - I have an Epson and it only likes official cartridges! Been holding off getting these for ages.
£24.77 - on all of my 2 DCs stocking fillers......2 for 3 range and had a 600 points if you spend £15 voucher.

So, although it sounds bad I did save over £20 in promotions and got over 1,000 nectar points too.

One really good thing it that I now have over £125 in nectar points and I am hoping to keep not spending these in order to buy DS an ipad mini for his Xmas......he has already saved up £120 buy selling his 3DS on ebay.....frugality in training Grin

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

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busylizzie76 · 30/11/2013 17:03

Oh further penance: We are having a frugal but lovely dinner tonight.
6 x frozen sausages - 45p
packet of batter mix - 15p
To make toad in the hole

2 baked potatoes - 70p (1/2 for each DC)
frozen mixed veg - 18p (1/4 of a packet)

So, dinner for 3 for £1.48 + electricity costs Smile

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CremeEggThief · 30/11/2013 18:15

Just marking my place for now. Thanks for starting the new thread, Claret.

Another huge fan of Lord Peter Wimsey here, actually. Smile

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Ohhelpohnoitsa · 30/11/2013 19:04

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Ohhelpohnoitsa · 30/11/2013 19:10

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WaitingForPeterWimsey · 01/12/2013 08:25

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WaitingForPeterWimsey · 01/12/2013 08:34

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Helenagrace · 01/12/2013 08:35

Hello!!!

Not too bad end to November. All Christmas spending done and we're away over Christmas so I'm not buying sweets and chocolate until we get back when it will be half price hopefully and the DCs will have eaten loads and won't want any

I overheard two assistants talking in Sainsburys and they seemed to be saying there was another 25%weekend coming up this weekend Grin

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WaitingForPeterWimsey · 01/12/2013 08:46

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WaitingForPeterWimsey · 01/12/2013 08:55

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Turnoffthelights · 01/12/2013 10:55

Thanks for get well messages on November thread. We're all feeling better but will enjoy another day snuggled up on the sofa!

Had a bit of a panic yesterday when I checked wages on online account. It appears that I'm only £30 better off after increasing my hours (now working 28pw rather than 22) I'm holding off full on meltdown until I've checked my payslip tomorrow. This is also the first month I've bought childcare vouchers so I'm hoping the extra £30 net pay is a result of not paying tax. My worry is that extra pay has been eaten up by ni, student loan and pension. Just hoping that admin hasn't been done and actually il get double extra pay in December! If not il have to reconsider the extra hours as I won't be able to afford childcare.

My budgets for December:
Petrol - £300
Food - £200
Childcare - £300
Misc - £100


Thanks for days out ideas wimsey these will really be of value in the new year. I'm going to try to find some Saturday play groups!

I also read someone (maybe on here) say that they still treat themselves to outings but will go for the cheaper option so rather than go out for a meal with the OH, go out for tea and cake or rather than meeting friends for dinner, meet them for brunch. We'll be trying not to go out at all in the new year but this tip has really struck a chord with me.

Good luck everyone with keeping festivities as frugal as possible!

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Helenagrace · 01/12/2013 10:59

Local museums often have free or cheap family activities. We used to set treasure challenges to make walks more interesting (who can find a red leaf, a twig that looks like the letter K, a toadstool etc). We've also taken a flask of hot water and a drained tin of cheap hot dog ssusages and added the sausages to the flask and had a hot dog picnic in the winter - better if you've got a stash of ketchup sachets!

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winkywinkola · 01/12/2013 11:05

Marking place. I'm rubbish at cutting costs and really need to.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 01/12/2013 11:25

I find topcashback quicker at paying out, my car & home ins payout only took 2 months.

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Possiblyorange · 01/12/2013 12:45

Have finally tone through and balanced the books (as far as possible when living in one's overdraft!) for November, so I am officially prepared to accept that December exists.

The budget for this month is just plain scary - car MOT is due in a couple of days and I am just praying it isn't too horrendous. Last service was cheap to am expecting it to be expensive as they seem to alternate.

The sum that needs making by end of Dec is inching downwards, but needs to be going quicker. Eek!

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eastmidlandsnightnanny · 01/12/2013 16:23

Hi all just put xmas decs up

had lovely afternoon at panto yesterday £9 lunch n £5 parking n £3.50 on a light up sword.

Realised on way home car lights not working high beams n side lights work so thinking Maybe a fuse trip to garage tomorrow

Oh n kettle is on its way out luckily found a gift card from bday i hadn't used for debenhams so that's a new kettle ordered old one best last til its delivered.

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ilovepicnmix · 01/12/2013 16:48

Hot dog and flask is a genius idea helenagrace!

Did my aldi shop and spent £35.40 as I totted up as I went round. I bought a bottle of their Irish cream for DS to give his dad for Christmas but realise I just bought the ordinary one. Does anyone know if it's ok??

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claretandamberforever · 01/12/2013 17:03

1st non-spend-day of the month Grin - although DS1 will have a £10 fine to pay as he got a yellow card at football (under 17's). He's paying it, I'm not. Christmas tree's up now and the house looks all lovely and twinkly

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busylizzie76 · 01/12/2013 17:54

Happy December 1st Grin
NSD number 1

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Fluffycloudland77 · 01/12/2013 18:08

I've good things about their Irish cream on here.

I can't have it due to allergies otherwise it would be used in place of milk in tea from November 1st until Feb 1st every year.

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eastmidlandsnightnanny · 01/12/2013 19:02

And now the microwave has broke well that's 3 things!!

Its 7yrs old n a high spec one that apparently could cook a roast in never did - next one will have a heat n defrost button!! One at work i got at same time n second hand so probably 10yrs old n is basic model still going strong

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