Apple muncher's number crunching

smallholdingsister

Well done, Apple.

Pearla*Merle

Glad to hear you got through the day ok xx

apple_muncher

It was really lovely to wake up and not have to go to work today. Dd has been duly delivered to school and I went on a walk for over an hour. It is still very dry underfoot here, which makes for good walking. I've also been to the woods with dh, and will be toing and froing with brownies tonight.

I signed up for the November challenge, so I'd best lay out my intentions before we get too far into the month. I've pasted in most of the original post:

"Welcome to the 2016 edition of NOvember: Batten down the hatches.

(The original thread under the command of drill sergeant NinjaSavingKat can be found here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4255939)

This challenge will take us back to the beginning of the NinjaSavingTurtle movement that was started by NinjaSavingKat in 2012.

As my OH and I need a serious wakeup call we’ll be having two levels of this challenge. Military and Civilian. To make it more flexible they’ll run weekly. So depending on your circumstances you can do either in any given week. Most other rules/guidelines are a bit stricter than usual too but mostly apply to both camps with noted variations.

Military NSDs: 22 (allowing 2 spend days a week, non transferable)

Civilian NSDs: 13 (allowing 4 spend days a week, non transferable)

• This will commence at 00:01 on the 01/11/2016 and complete at 23:59 on the 30/11/2016
• All monetary outgoings are to be accounted for prior to the start of the month. This includes anything from direct debits and standing orders to a basic amount for dinner dates that have already been planned.

• If no-one comes to you with a suggestion of something to do / meet up etc before the commencement of NOvember giving you adequate planning time you are to politely decline. Make your pitch for a date with them now if needs be! Civilian option: If in doubt budget a small emergency entertainment spend for unforeseen eventualities that cannot be avoided without offending like tea with MIL or auntie.

• Any food left in cupboards / freezers etc has to be eaten before ANY more food is purchased (get down to marmite and porridge and then go shopping). Allowances to the above are for “base” materials - milk or vegetables. Otherwise “bulk” shopping is NOT allowed until cupboards are empty, get creative and use up weird combinations and finally get to use that mysterious item in the back of the freezer (the military camp has to adhere to this, civilians especially with special requirements or kids are exempt from this, but free to try)
• Food bill decided upon for NOvember has to be cut by 5% (Civilian) or 10% (Military). Mine stands at £300 for the month for a family of 4 – 10% is £270.
• Batch cooking is encouraged- meals that require individual or specialised ingredients are not.
• No foods are to be purchased at work canteens / cafes etc. If you are having a family day out packed lunches are the only lunches allowed.
• Try and go for supermarket own brands only. Get it delivered to prevent impulse buys… the delivery charge will outweigh impulse buys and any green eyed monster issues you make incur. If you haven’t done so yet, try Aldi and Lidl.

• Set a petrol/travel allowance and stick to it. Drive carefully - acceleration and braking harshly wastes petrol.
• Public transport only where necessary are permitted. But where you can WALK instead, do that. Get your winter coat on and leave earlier.

• Ladies - No non-essential beauty items are to be purchased. Use up everything you have in the house before ANY purchases.
• Gentlemen (ladies?) - Cut out your alcohol consumption completely. Tell your friends you are doing it for your health or something - let no-one buy you a soft drink as you will have to re-pay their kind offer with a more expensive beer purchase. Better still - stay at home!

• Exercise aim for 3-5 sessions a week. Anything from going out for a walk to a spin class depending on your abilities.

• THE C WORD: Well Xmas will be upon us sooner than you think, we started last month, so where have you gotten to? Is the list written, the stash checked, vouchers counted, extra earning possibilities considered. Both camps: Try not buy Christmas presents yet, this month is about saving money, tweaking that list and getting crafting. Keep an eye out for deals coming up. Finish of those HM cards etc. Check pinterest for some amazing cheap ideas, love those https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/743656957189138003/

• And finally be honest about everything. If something has to be bought, make up for it over the next few days. I know the food will trip me up as I love eating.. but I shall prevail."

I haven't kept track of NSDs for a couple of months, due to circumstances, so am back to that. 22 seems rather too many but 13 seems 'easy' so I may just plump for 18.

I don't drink alcohol, so cannot give that up, and will go for 20 days of no sugar instead. And 20 days of Headspace, 20 days of doing my shoulder exercises, 13 long walks, 4 bags to charity.

No beauty products will be bought.

I shall (hopefully) get back to doing all my hours at work (minus the infants), and have 2 trips to mum's (need to inter dad's ashes soon, and just keep on with clearing dad's house)

There will be a separate budget for dd's foods that I discover when out and about (£40) and also for food when at mum's (£40)

Food at home is rather random, as is travel at the mo, so shall simply keep a record of spends, but keep returning to the cupboards, to use items up.

Tomorrow I have the dentist - a replacement filling. Hardly an outing...

Outings? Fireworks at dd's sch this Friday (already paid); bonfire and fireworks on Sat (free - but want to take marshmallows, so need to buy some). A craft afternoon at church where I shall have a table to sell my stuff comes at the end of the month - no spend for the table (result!).

In short, not a 'normal month' - if that even exists...

Hmmm, Christmas. Usually I have acquired a bundle of goodies for dd by now. Not this year. Will need to ponder...


Snough wittering on. Dd will need collecting soon.

apple_muncher

NSD 1
Headspace 1
Shoulder exercises 1
Long walk 1 (23.5k steps)
Sugar free 1

Today I am grateful for the crunchiness of dry leaves, that dd enjoyed school and brownies, that big sis and mum have made a decison about the radiotherapy, for getting on with some knitting, for mobile phones.

apple_muncher

The dentist refilled my tooth today and it cost less than I had expected. Spent enough in sainz to get my extra points. Made some bunting for a newborn and cut out bits for 5 bags (even got the iron out and used it!!). After yesterday's 23+k steps, I am happy with my 10 today.

Big sis has had a breakthough with social services. Yay to no more numpties. We know the next 'move' for mum, vaguely, which may help to give us a goal/focus once we discuss it more.

I have remained sugar free and feel trimmer already!

Today I am grateful for dd having another good day at school, for my tooth being cheaper than expected, for crisp leaves and sunshine, for big sis' breakthrough, for dd's interest in crafting and her enjoyment at helping me design things.

apple_muncher

Today's plan involves a long walk, possibly ending with meeting dh in sbux for a £1 drink.

Dss has announced his engagement to his gf - yay! And dsd1 is now 13 weeks pregnant so I shall be a step-grandma next year - yay and eek!! Dd is over the moon at all of it!

apple_muncher

Mum has changed her mind about treatment.

Today I am grateful for a walk in crisp leaves before the rain arrived, for the weather turning proper cold, for a great firework display, for dh earning a little extra, for getting an unexpected small refund.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for good friends, for a bonfire + marshmallows, for time with dd and dh, for my knitting, for a warm coat.

apple_muncher

Survived the morning. One class were rather tricky. Humph. And they phoned and are arriving tomorrow for 3 days. I have spent the evening putting tomorrow's lessons in the right format for them. I'll also have to write detailed cover lessons for thurs rather than scribble it on a piece of paper. So, if no one 'pops in' to see me tomorrow morning, I'll escape. Fingers crossed, as I'll hardly be at my scintillating best. Matching socks is about my current limit...


And I need to talk to dd's teacher about that girl again. Sigh. Dd is struggling. Sigh.

earthgirl

Oh No, just what you need.

Matching socks is ace though! My old boss (the one I quite liked) used to say lesson planning = applying lipgloss. Nothing else is needed but a shiny smile!

Thinking of you, and DD too.