NST;September Squirrels

mothernerd

TiptoesDB wrote: »

Thanks for the kind words peeps.. I am still not feeling great - just tired and flat . a bit like you sound Fmess..
Don't know what it is, but I am going away with mum on Saturday for a week's holiday - she wanted to get away with someone this year and had no one to go with now Dad's not here... I am really anxious about it tbh, we've never spent that much time together since I left home at 18 - so that's 18 years ago! And there's been a reason for that! - I know it sounds selfish to be stressed about a holiday, but since dad died it feels like my family has been in freefall and I am worried this really won't help..

It's not selfish, however much we love them, families can be difficult and you are both still grieving. Think you need to acknowledge that you may need to spend part of each day on your own, try not to let little things escalate and we are all her when you need to vent.
N

apple_muncher wrote: »

Well, my Garmin device tells me that today's cycling used over ONE THOUSAND calories!(and I forgot to switch it on for the first 10 mins on the way home!) Now, I don't know how accurate that figure is, but it's certainly boosted my ego!

Today has therefore been a workout day, a sugar-free day, an NSD, a 10 veggies day and an over 10k steps day. Go me indeedy! :j


Today I am grateful for ...... space hoppers.

You're doing enough exercise for my share as well. I notice the space hopper is a recurring theme, be honest - are you using it too?

PheoniX wrote: »

Hullo gang :wave:

I am determined not to buy anything this month unless its absolutely neccessary as I am on an extreme turtle powered economy drive having decided to move out of accommodation I share with a number of people to a small modest pad of my own.. From a financial point of view I am a little gutted as I had started the month in a good position for a change Paying the deposit, fees and a months rent in advance will set me back a little but Im sure it'll be worth it in the end so I can have space to myself and I can cook or have a shower when I want!

The money saving cogs are turning at full steam ahead so no chance of meditating tonight!

Having a clear goal to work towards and want to achieve can really
motivate you.

liltdiddylilt

Hi all

Have had a quick skim read and it is lovely to see so many discussions on YNAB. As Caeraugirl says, it is a bit of a cult thing. once you get it, you wonder why you never did it before and I too am pretty evangelical about it. Caueraugirl the cash account works wonders. I also have 'off-budget' pots for my Change pot, my rent deposit & had one for the nursery school deposit too. Always nice to see what other money is out there

To those of you not feeling up to scratch at the minute, be it unwell and needing doctors and prescriptions, or just not being bouncy enough... lots of love, warm chicken soup and hugs coming your way

Well done everyone thus far. You're ALL doing way better than I. Not a SFD to my name, and money disappearing in a big hurry! Still, all budgeted on YNAB I suppose. One of these days I will build myself a months buffer. For now I am content to have all my 'savings' pots

Night guys - onwards and upwards

mothernerd

LoveaDove wrote: »

Morning all!

I sent the Foodbank donation Christmas gift email round to my closest friend's yesterday- those who I usually buy for each year. It was about making food donations per person/ couple instead of purchasing gifts this Christmas, but still getting a little something for their children. So far I have had positive feedback, 2 of my friend's would like to do the same back and another will be hand making small token gifts instead. I didn't request anything in return from them, just to see them at some point over the Christmas period would be present enough. I know Christmas puts financial strain on a lot of people, and with friend's becoming married and having children the list was just getting longer. Helping those most in need and spending time with friend's and family over Christmas is what it is about (from my point of view).

Love this - taking it back to the true meaning of Christmas and so good to see it being welcomed and reciprocated.

Spendy day today but quite exciting (for me - probably tame by other people's standards). Got off to a good start by earmarking 7 books for the charity shop, 3 things for the electrical waste pile (mr and mrs builder will take them for me, just collecting them together) and one recycling and 2 paper bins full before breakfast. Then my plans got stalled - couldn't access my e-mail, so no point going to the library to print off a copy of the label that failed to arrive in the post and couldn't access my 'new water bill'

Just after dinner things started working. Was worried that the 'new bill' would be them trying to charge me for installing the water meter - if you want it outside you have to pay, if they do a survey and decide there isn't room inside (there wasn't) then they pay. Anyway finally deciphered the bill and it has been switched to quarterly billing and I only have to find £91 by October 1st, not £240 something.

Then the post finally arrived and the missing label was in it, so no need to queue for the library computers. So from a late start have taken the parcel (last 10 items sold last month) to the collection point, made the food bank donation, done a mini-shop (£18.58), taken many bags to the charity bin in the library, picked three new library books (if I can find a corner to sit/ hide in next week given that dismantling my bed is one of the first things on the agenda), sat under the trees, had little picnics/ snacks along the way,got my 'new to me' phone working (£10 top-up will be tripled and I get points as well) and learned to be philosophical about being able to see the bus I want and knowing there is no chance whatsoever of me being able to catch it -so I looked at bark pattern on trees, re-visited town centre architecture (one of the pubs was built a the flagship for a small brewery - it has amazing sculpted brick work) and the lichen on the obelisk a well a some people and dog watching and encounters with small children - discussing the best way of removing things stuck in wellies.

So over spent but what can you do when a bulb of fennel, a pot of pineapple, 2 romaine lettuce, a pack of sliced peppers, fresh noodles, 2 scones with jam and cream and a triple pack of Greek dips were retailing at between 12p and 20p each. Also bought 4 shower gels for mum (for Christmas). Have been told to get anything in certain ranges, can sometime get them in the pound emporiums so when they are 94p you buy them. Everything has come off the food budget, except the £4 bus fare.

Hugs to all poorlies and under the weathers. Be kind to yourself and it's nearly weekend.

XSpender

Feeling much better today, thanks for your kind wishes:). I even managed a bit of walking as exercise.:)

A little tidying, washing and sorting out done this morning ready for DS first half day in reception this afternoon. He couldn't wait to get there, loved every minute and I managed to hold it together:rotfl: he has another half day tomorrow and then full time from Monday.

We went out for tea as a treat to celebrate and it was close to the shop where DH had to go to get the money back off an item that was confirmed to be faulty after a manufacturers inspection. He will need to replace this item but as he knows we are tight this month he got a refund and will replace it later. :kisses3:

Other spends included a paper and haircuts for DH and DS.

F&V intake was low unless you count the onion, pepper and tomato on my pizza;)

Fmess

Glad you are felling better Xspender and sorry you are feeling so flat tiptoes.

Yesterday my grumpy mood and general feeling down turned into a cold and suspected chest infection. I managed the day at work but have had to take today off as really need some r&r if I'm to get better.

Spend day yesterday on tissues, ibuprofen and ice cream! All medicinal obviously. Today should be a SFD as I doubt my aching body will want to get dressed or leave the comfort of the duvet.

Hope you all have lovely days and thank goodness it's the weekend tomorrow!

dolly84

Stewby - thanks for the link to the tortillas, I will give them a go next time.

Luckystarr - I don't bake much now due to having to eat it, Mary Berry's coffee cake was the final straw, it was a divine, 4 layer thing and I wanted to eat the whole lot.

Fmess - get well soon.

Did a grocery shop yesterday and we are well stocked but it soon goes in this house, the budget is being squeezed now so I will need to be inventive with meals after this week.

MagicCat

Hello everyone, yay for Friday!

I did Asdal click and collect again for a top up on veg, bread etc (only because I did the price comparison last time and had £2.43 voucher I had to use on an online shop) and again it was rubbish - I had ordered pitta bread, they tried to give me part baked rolls as a substitution, then when I went in there was a practically whole aisle of pitta! And i had ordered sweet potato, but was inexplicably substituted grapes. So no time saved, but did use the vouchers I suppose. Also got petrol, so I will try for a SF weekend now as nothing else we need.

Stewby - so impressed by baked alaska, you are very clever to do that, it looked v complicated on the bake off, your pics look delicious!

Tiptoes - it's not selfish to be stressed about the holiday, nothing wrong with feeling whatever you feel, and it must be such a hard time for you all since losing your dad. Really hope it turns out OK.

moohound - hope you're feeling better.

applemuncher - fab news on the cycling and steps, go healthy you!

Lilt - thanks for the encouragement - there is no way I personally am doing better than you, your organising with all your saving pots is fab.

Fmess - take care of yourself, it's good to have a day off to rest and get over it.

I am so glad it is the weekend. Working a late today, so counting the hours til 7pm... Take care all and have a good day.

SFD – 2/15
Groceries £91.98/£180
Petrol/parking £30.03/£90
Personal (prescription/toiletries etc) £7.44/£15
House £15.78/£25
Birthdays £11.75/£150
Car Tax £0/140
Social £0/£40
Exercise 5/25 Steps 26795/186000
Mindfulness 4/30
Foodbank 0/3

PheoniX

Morning gang :wave:

Tiptoes hope you are feeling better today and the holiday with your mum goes ok.. hugs

Calling and Fmess hope you enjoyed your medicinal ice creams yesterday and they helped aid your recoveries

Stewby Youll have to try baking another alaskan cake it looked scrummy in the photo

Thanks MagicCat, I am starting to feel excited about the move :j

Mothernerd never a truer word said, once this lil introverted squirrel finally realised that a quiet place for hibernation was needed and I got over the idea of having to pay more for my own place (in relation to sharing) things got a lot clearer and easier.

I lost a SFD yesterday through shopping at Wilkos! 20p for paracetamol and 48p for a can opener so didnt break the bank

I dont need to buy anything today so aiming for another SFD. I have decided that I will sign up for the MSE Sky broadband deal offering £192 Marks n Sparks vouchers in the next few days :T

Hope you all have a good day!

Laters gang :wave:

Calling14

Thanks Phoenix ice cream was yummy.

Phoenix usually rent a room out, to be honest I love having my house to myself, starting cooking again, nice not having to extra work involved with a lodger, washing, cleaning let alone extra electric, gas. I think have been more frugal without one, actually love staying in now. Tempted not to have one at the moment even though my have to change my DFD but life is all about enjoying yourself. Well when I am up to it so much more relaxed with just me and my dog,

Food shop yesterday at Lidl and in case you didn't know was chatting to the staff there, from last Monday they have started taking credit cards useful to know. Not one to be encouraging to spend on them lol

Fed up to hell, just found out my neighbours kid off school today bad tummy, may try just drinking bottled water, as water board been digging a lot lately nearby. Willing to try anything now getting exhausted.

Have a wicked weekend folks.

Finally got a price for painting my house so cheap will go for it, know the painter well, render that is flaking off would improve appearance so may have to find that money next week.

tori.k

Afternoon.

Just popping head round door as I would like to join you all for the October challenge,that give's me a chance to actually sort our outgoings and read the old threads, I can't seem to get on-top of our finances at the moment (keep robbing peter to pay paul) and it starting to feel like i've headed to sea in a colander,Im ashamed but admit I need something to keep me focused before messy becomes unmanageable. Think I should be called Dori (those with kids will understand) instead of Tori