NSK; The August Fairwell

dolly84

Calling - Yuk to the slugs, I have a phobia about them and would have been screaming blue murder if that had happened to me. Glad you fancied eating, you must be on the mend.

Well we spent money again yesterday, oh well why break the habit of the month, we spent £1.99 in Tesco on ice creams for the kids and crisps, then me and DH ordered our winter running and cycling gear, we both got thermal tops, thermal tights, base layers and I got a pair of full finger gloves. These were needed if we are to carry on cycling and running all winter, particularly for the bike as it is freezing going downhill and boiling uphill so you need clothes which deal with both.

My mantra for September will be 'I must not buy any more stuff.'.

apple_muncher

Calling - have you tried avoiding milk (and milk products), and processed foods, to help your poor tum? Just a suggestion, feel free to toss aside!

speakingofart

Spend free day today, although I did go out to lunch and got treated to some stationary by my lovely grandmother, because the dissertation is IN! So very chilled day here, doing absolutely nothing. I'm happy because I've managed to sell my old dsi and games that I didn't ever actually play, and a compare the meerkat toy that I got for free on Amazon. So that's upwards of £80 once I confirm dispatch on both, which will pay for my textbooks for next semester. I've also got three books up for sale from my master's, and a sparkling clean flat.... so all in all a very productive weekend!

Siouxsie32

NinjaSavingKat wrote: »

The big news in my life is that I have resigned! Completely and totally all official - I have no job and in 3 weeks I will have no home. CANNOT WAIT! Haha!

Oh I can't tell you how happy this makes me :T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T

Great things are never born in comfort zones! You were never going back to that job so now you can be FREE!!!!!! Well done Kat, I'm so proud :A

So, a quick check in from me. Despite my day 1 determination to post every day, I guess I've been a bit rubbish with the check ins! Sorry. There's so many interesting posts that I want to reply to each and every one but I'm always so tired so I think I'll do it tomorrow...then there are even more interesting posts and I kinda forget what I was going to say. I've been reading every day though

So, it's almost the end of August. Most of my budgets were fine. I managed to keep up with my exercise target...in fact, tonight's yoga class will be my 8th this week! Woo hoo for a healthy, albeit expensive hobby! I usually pay for a block of ten classes on payday and try to eek it out to last a month by attending free classes and intro offers etc. My yoga studio has a special offer though on 1 September (maybe this is a post for the September challenge, but I'm kinda happy with it so I'll post my intention here!) they are selling a 1 year unlimited package which will mean I can save a third on what I pay at the minute and be able to attend more classes. I got a 0% offer of a credit card from Nationwide yesterday so I applied and was successful. I'll pay for the annual package up front and set up a direct debit to split the bill into 12, saving almost £500 over the course of the year!! My yoga mojo better be here to stay!

One last quickie that pleased me this month...I bought a packet of figs that cost £2.00 and they scanned at the till for £2.50. It was in the supermarket that gives back double the difference if there's an error so I got £1.00 back. Then I found a money back coupon for £4.80 And the store was a bit of a shambles so I spoke with customer services and they gave me a £5 gift card Free figs plus free money! Funny what makes you happy isn't it?

Oh, and my debt is finally under £16000! Still an eye watering amount but I've had so many unplanned expenses that I'm waaaaay behind where I was meant to be with the debt busting, but getting it down to the next thousand made me happy!

Today's theme seems to be being happy

I'll no doubt check in again tonight as August officially ends...I feel like we should have cake and balloons and a going away party for our Kat! But that would be too sad, acknowledging the fact that she's leaving us Although, she has eyes in the back of her head, she may be venturing to the other side of the world, but she'll never be very far away from us!

abundant1972

Well, as we leave August behind - I'm gonna say a BIG thanks to Kat for being so amazing. These challenges have helped to provide structure, guidance and much needed motivation in enabling me to get rid of my debts. I honestly would not be where I am without you Kat! Thank you. I'm gonna miss you! x

Farewell August! I didn't quite hit my targets but every effort has been a step towards my goal. The journey continues with Mothernerd at the helm for Septemeber - and thank you for taking on the challenge and giving of your time also... It is looking great!

TiptoesDB

Yeay! well done Speakingofart! how exciting - well done you! what an achievement...

Your poor tummy Calling I hope it does get better soon. DH suffered with his for two years before he was diagnosed with crohns and got the right meds. I know from watching him how frustrating it is. He is fine now. I hope yours gets sorted nice and quick.. (and it's not anything too serious - not trying to scare you with DH's story!)

Hoodies are my trademark outfit at home too! I seem to wear one the most that someone (a man) left at the house 3 years ago after a fancy dress party and then didn't want back. It's massive and manky but sooo comfy!

Well, no spends here. And a 8k run, 34k bike and another 5k run done! So that's pretty much nearly the distances I will be doing on the BIG DAY in three week's time and it was ok... not too terrible at all. I feel boosted by that.

I hit my exercise targets for this month but not the sfd's. I think switching the shopping to Lidl this month, as good as it's been, means I end up doing another 'top up' shop at Morries in the week for stuff I couldn't get, so this doubles the days that are lost to shopping. Not that it's an excuse - I should be able to hit 12 SFDs! Shame. Sorry Kat! I did give blood, and PIO by giving someone a solero randomly when DH and I wanted one each and bought a three pack as it was cheaper.. she was very pleased!

Looking forward to September's challenge now... and waving goodbye to August, and an era *wipes tear from my eye*

x

SFD: 11/12
EXERCISE: 25/25

Calling14

Like the idea of leaving party for Kat Siouxie just hold the cake for me at the moment.

Thanks for the motivation Kat, even though I spend most of my time with these challenges on the naughty step your determination must have rubbed off on me halved my debt and so frugal with shopping now. Stay safe on your travels and look forward to hearing your tales.

Today Sfd basically stayed in and around the house, lovely weather small dog walk, but tummy so bad cut short.
Apple muncher tried the other day to do without diary and milk but had few cups of tea with milk.
Tiptoes your poor husband 2yrs I can't put up with this any longer, so frustrating.

Thanks Kat and Bon Voyage x

luckystarr

I just wanted to say a big thank you to Ninja Saving Kat for all of these challenges.
You have been and still are an inspiration to me and many others. I have not been the best at challenges but I have found them motivating and thought provoking.
I wish you well on your travels NSK and look forward to reading your blog .

THANK YOU xxx

Caeraugirl

Sorry haven't posted for a few days, have been checking in on other peoples' news though.

Lilt, will miss you next month but glad you'll still be cheerleading! Hugs to all those who need them, and well done to SOA on finishing dissertation, to Kat on resigning, Fmess on being over a third debt free and to Mothernerd for great new thread -sorry if I've left anyone out.

Final figures for month:
Exercise 11/18
SFD 10/12
Food 219.62/100
Petrol 90.66/80
Planned spends 239.55/170
Declutter 21/20 - fifth item currently listed on auction site, 4 sold

EPIC fail overall, but I prefer to look at it as a learning curve, as it was my first challenge and perhaps the school holidays with a visit from my mum thrown in for good measure wasn't such a good time to start :rotfl:

Still, next month can only be better, can't it? See you all in September xx

liltdiddylilt

Evening all.

My final check in for August encompasses Saturday and Sunday. I was SO ill following my post Friday night. The niggling headache that had been trailing since dinner suddenly became a full blown migraine complete with sickness and such sensitivity to light I couldn't even cope with my phone on the lowest brightness. I only really started to recover this morning. All better now albeit a bit washed out.

Jellytot (whom I have had on my own since Friday night - that was fun) has been as good as gold but not herself. This afternoon in the space of an hour (I was eyeballing her mouth constantly) she cut two teeth. So she ended up having calpol and bonjela, and a 'hot chocolate' (soya with a sprinkle of chocolate powder) in bed which mercifully put her to sleep for 2 hours. Crikey just call me the bracket queen. Then I had to take her out to rid her of the energy this gave her before bedtime! She has gone down well which is how I know she isn't right. Normally after a 2 hour nap she would be awake in her room til 9pm playing with whatever she could get her hands on!

Yesterday was not a SFD. Him took pity and dropped in before work with bananas and soya milk and bread. He paid but I owe him! Only £3.20 all told. Still under £150 for the month which is unheard of. I have done an online shop for £80 :eek: for next week. The money doesn't come out til the day of the shop as certain items are subject to change due to weight.

I needed to stock up on household stuff, tins of tomatoes and beans etc. Thinking about it I forgot bananas (We get through 10-15 a week) and noodles. Boo. I will coincide a trek for these with the day of the shop. I could go and change the shop but that would lose me the £5.50 cashback I got.

So...

SFD: 20/12 :j
Exercise: 22:18 :j
eBay: 30/30 (£58 in cold hard cash) :j
Groceries: £142.97/£130 :mad:
PIO: Mixed feelings on whether I did or not. I did plenty of good deeds. I got a lot back which wasn't the intention.

To Kat: You already know the impact you have had on me in the last 2 years. Thank you for everything you have put in. You deserve absolutely everything amazing that is to come. xx

To everyone thank you for your help and support during a difficult month. I love reading your posts. Each of you spur me on. I look forward to cheerleading you all next month!