NST;September Squirrels

Caeraugirl

Thanks Crazy_Lady for link to free courses. I've seen the OU's free site, https://www.futurelearn.com, but never realised there were so many others! I've started the OU's presentation course but still am only half way through week one and it's just finished (!) so perhaps putting that as my target will give me the kick up the backside I need to finish it, especially as I have an opportunity to try it out when I have to present a report at the end of the month. Is that the one you're doing, or can you recommend another?

So, to targets for September. I'd already done a mega-shop at our local butcher when I got paid near the end of August, which will last us a good couple of months and save SM spends as well. I've included that in September food budget so it seems a little high for 2 adults and 2 growing boys, but can't be helped, hopefully it'll be lower to reflect lack of meat purchases in October. Also blows the thought of leaning more towards veggie meals, but OH committed carnivore so not sure how well that will go down anyway......

Enough rambling, here's the plan:
DFD=MFW date = June 2016
Food 230.58/460 (not all meat, there is a SM shop in there too)
Petrol 57.11/80 (filled up on payday)
Kids' school / clubs 70/240 (September always expensive, new term....)
Other planned spends, inc birthdays 0/130
SFD 0/15
Exercise 0/22
Food bank 0/3
New skill - to be decided........ Better get a move on though as will run out of month before I get started!

Looking forward to wardrobe review, Mothernerd - great idea!

liltdiddylilt

Hello everyone.

Just popping on to lurk and cheerlead!! I really don't have the legs for cheerleading... Or the back. But I will give it a go.

On the subject of backs Calling pilates is supposed to be much better than yoga for your back. Go gently!! The doctor warned me off Yoga but it turned out I couldn't do Pilates either.. or even basic physio.

SpeakingofArt as requested I am your personal cheerleader for this month of becoming debt free!!! Before you close that old bank account... Think about switching a couple of standard direct debits to it, things that are a set amount each month and then using a switching service to earn yourself an extra £100 or so with one of the incentives the banks are offering... I did that last year with an account I no longer used and netted myself £50 with nationwide and £50 for the friend who referred me. I got £125 from FD, and £100 plus £5 per month from The Hal For the sake of switching my water account DD's

That is it from me! Go team!! xx

homemademama

Can I join please?

I have joined previous challenges but for various reasons have never stuck to it.

At the end of last month the benefit cap decreased my income by a whopping £63 a week. I have had to cease all debt repayments and will need to rearrange a new, smaller budget.

This is the month for me to change my life for the better in a sustainable way. Plus the diet starts tomorrow! And I am looking forward to the meditation.

Good luck everyone.

My targets are:
* DFD: 29th August 2018
* Pay £500 towards debts this month
* 15 SFD's
* £0 transport, £0 outings, £50 birthday
* Save £50 in cash
* Food: £250 (was £320 last month!)
* Food bank: 5 items
* Exercise: 15 days
* Reflection: 15 days

Calling14

Well checking in - sounds like a Hotel, rubbish room service turtles. My man in a kilt ordered has not arrived:rotfl:

Thanks for the heads up Lilt will bear it in mind.

Today 1st of many SFD I hope woo hoo. Tummy seems better so far today YES normal pig out will resume shortly lol.:T

PheoniX

Hi gang :wave:

Hello September! Had a good 10 hours sleep last night then started the month with a brisk walk into town in the rain and rewarded myself with a Waitrose free latte I then went to the temple for a few moments reflection/ meditation in peace and gained some valuable insights into some decisions I need to make..

Im claiming SFD no 1 today :j Early on in the day I knows but therell be no pending spending as Im orf to bed for a nap and then I'll be working through the night!

Laters gang :wave:

MagicCat

Helloooooooo September Squirrels!:j

Hope you are all well. Thanks so much Mothernerd :Afor this challenge - looking forward to it and feeling good about September.

We still don't know a definite price for the electrics, so will adjust the signature when it comes, but at the moment I have made the payments and we're sub 20k! (Or at least till we have to add the electrics again...:mad:) Still, it feels good and motivates me to get back here as soon as possible.

Budgets for the month are below - did an aldee shop with the voucher over the weekend, so have really stocked up so should just be top-up shops. Had to get petrol today, but hoping to do better on SFDs than last month so being careful from now on!

Godson and SIL's birthdays are budgeted for, car tax is due but coming from car savings account, which then needs to be started for this year. Planning to go over my clothes and clear out what I don't wear (and realistically won't fit into any time soon...if I haven't fitted into it since 2007 it's probably time to let it go:o). Determined to do some daily mindfulness meditation, and want to learn to do a fishtail plait (said I would last month and didn't) plus practice some knitting (Tiptoes - I'm hoping you will nag/inspire me!). I'm already veggie, so that bit should be easy - will try to use less cheese though, as it's so easy to rely on this and it's not good for my budget OR waistline!

Traveller - hope you're feeling a bit better and been able to take it a bit easy.

Speakingofart - that is a fab total for sales! I've really given up on ebay...maybe I should try amazon.

Thanks for the mooc list crazylady, looks really interesting - and I didn't know the OU did free courses careaugirl, so thanks for the info - must not sign up for anything til house is done though!

Lilt - lovely to 'see' you, hope you're OK.

Calling14 - glad you're feeling a bit better.

Phoenix - that sounds such a lovely day so far - hope it continues!

SFD – 0/15
Groceries 61.74/£180
Petrol/parking 20.02/£90
Personal (prescription/toiletries etc) /£15
House 10.78/£25
Birthdays 0/£50
Car Tax 0/140
Social 0/£40
Exercise 1/25 Steps 0/186000

Pinkylds

Hi - Could I be included in this? will work out my budget and stuff soon but I want to take charge of my money instead of blowing it all everytime my depression worsens. I will not spend money to improve my mood x

moohound

apple_muncher wrote: »

Looking forward to a new signature tomorrow!

I'll be dealing ONLY in hard cash for food shopping.

I'll be buying myself NOWT from the charity shops.

I'll be exercising HARD and FREQUENTLY.

I'll be doing regular TILLY TIDIES.

I'll use the car LESS and the bike MORE.

I'll get 10 VEGGIES most days.

I'll BAKE once a week and thus make a start on using up a backlog of baking ingredients.

I'll CULL my wardrobe.

I'll SAVE the extra pennies - not so good at making, but am better at not spending them.

I'll get out there and dance, appreciating what I've got, enjoying quiet reflective times.

Sorry for being dense but what is a Tilly tidy?

moohound

Had lovely salad for lunch.
NSD
Had water instead of coffee at lunchtime, then nearly fell asleep in the afternoon, might have to re-think that one.
Walked the dog after work.


Reflective thought for the day, Your self worth does not depend on the goods and services you buy.

XSpender

Hi All


My September budgets started when DH got paid on the 29th so I have spent against some of them so far.


Food £200/£49.55
Toiletries/cleaning/laundry/ £15/£8.44
Dog/Fish £15/£9.44
Social/yoga/misc. £100/£21.75
LTW 1/22 (DH only as I am not working at the mo)
F&F 5 day 1/30
Exercise 0/20
Foodbank 0/3
Mindfullness/reflection 0/30
NSD 1/15


Other goals:

• I am going to learn to cook some tasty vegetarian meals that we will have all the time - aiming for 3 keepers
• Find a part time job
• Start using the gym again (been ill for the last 6 weeks:()
• Use up everything in the freezer (to help hit food budget)
• DO NOT take anything out of the savings

Achieved a NSD today and hoping for another tomorrow.:)