January

Most people I know seem to get to January and decide that it is time to start their diet!
But lets face it, most of us still have Christmas goodies lying around. Be it chocolates or alcohol it's not going to help our diets. And if we try dieting before we are ready and all temptation gone we only make ourselves miserable because we pick at the goodies or just believe we have no willpower because we get tempted.

So what is January for?  Well it's for the sales. All the nice gift bags, ribbons and gift tags are usually dirt cheap in shops like WH Smiths and Marks & Spencers. Store them away in a nice box in the attic and next year you will be ready with some luxury gift wrap at half the cost.

Buy yourself a scrap book. Cut out all the recipes, decorating ideas and glue them in ready for looking at later in the year when you are deciding what to do for the next Christmas. 

Write down any good ideas you have either used at Christmas, or thought of after you had decorated and add these to your scrapbook.  A sort of do's and don'ts for the next year.

Buy yourself a Christmas saving tin. The kind that can only be opened with  can opener. (Less chance of temptation when you need a bit of change for the bus)  It's surprising how much is saved just by putting your change in it. The other thing I do is, if I am out for n evening and think I might use £30-£40 If I use any less whatever is left goes in the tin. Even if it's notes if I have had a lift home instead of getting a cab.