NST November: battening down the hatches!

speakingofart

applemuncher - I love the idea, but sadly it's academic dress or they turn you away... not very MSE!

dotty - well done on your extra payment! I'm hoping to finish off christmas shopping when I get paid next week, will be very relieved to be done, but sounds like you're way ahead of me.

committedtochange and coffeandstitches - we have usually said that people need to join at the start of the month to get the maximum benefit, but I've given you both numbers - just do what you can for this month and we look forward to having you on board from the start of december! (I will be very impressed if you get to 15 NSDs as I'm starting to doubt I will and I've had 8 days longer! )

Unexpected spendy day yesterday, as got taken out for dinner to celebrate passing my master's and I bought a round, but vey worth it and a lovely evening. Does put me up to three outings for the month though, so I'm with Stewby on the naughty step!

£100/ £150 groceries till 15th November
£0/0 petrol till 15th november
Outings £0/£20 (takeaway with friend, trip to see Levellers play)
NSDs 3/20
3/20 exercise sessions (lunchtime walks)

Have a great weekend turtles - second weekly challenge will be up shortly!

CEW

Morning All,

Sorry I didn't manage to post yesterday.

SFD lost to The B**k People who came into work yesterday. Bought a Hairy Dieters Book for myself and OH as we like the recipes in the one we already have and also got another book for my step son to give to his Dad for Christmas (he will pay me back for this when I tell him I have got it)

As the SFD was lost I also donated some money to Macmillan - did I forget to mention that I had to purchase chocolate to make my donation - the sacrifices we make for a good cause :rotfl:

Today will be a spend day as I need dog shampoo to bath all 7 dogs before taking my Mum's 2 back home after 13 weeks with us.

Saw a lovely idea on another thread regarding donating advent calendars to food banks as the parents utilising this service are unlikely to be able to afford one for their children. I think I am going to incorporate this into my food bank donation. If I get a chance I will pop into one of the £ shops today and pick up a few. A small gesture but makes me feel good thinking about the pleasure it could bring to a child.

have a great weekend everyone.

Chez x

sazzlebgood

CEW what a lovely thought (advent calendars) think i might pinch your idea.

PheoniX

:wave: hi gang :wave:

Have been missing in action this week after doing some long shifts! Its been bed to work with very little spending to speak of so 5 SFDs achieved :T

Mothernerd well done for putting your house on the market, wishing you lots of luck that it sells quickly

Chez I love the idea of donating advent calenders to the food bank, I think I will do the same :xmassmile

I will be walking into town this afternoon for my free Waitrose latte and should buy a few miscellaneous bits such as a lock, mobile phone battery and getting a spare key cut so we'll see..

I have another boiler man coming this morning to check out the boiler because the leak and falling pressure problem is back again The previous boiler man who charged me £440 for a service and new part will not be coming back here again.

Im impressd with everyones christmas shopping progress! Im not thinking of presents until December 1st when my bank account has been fed

Have a good day turtles :wave:

speakingofart

‘Twill soon be the season when we acquire many new things, some wanted, some needed, and some plain strange. Whilst reducing Christmas consumption is important, in preparation for the decorations, glitter and other clutter that is about to invade our lives, this week is dedicated to de-cluttering! I recently had a sort out as I’ve lost some weight and many clothes didn’t fit me – I ended up taking two bags to the charity shop and finding sufficient clothes in the next size down not to have to do any shopping; I have also made around £200 over the last month selling things I didn’t use anymore and old textbooks. As an added bonus, my flat now looks more tidy and organised!

So… your turtle challenge for this week is:
- declutter at least one part of your living space. Because my flat is tiny, I did the whole thing in a weekend, but a cupboard/ room/ wardrobe will do!

- Be ruthless: if you haven’t worn it/ thought about it/ used it/ dusted it in months, it can go

- Where you can, give anything you are de-cluttering to your charity shop of choice. The idea here is not to increase landfill! :eek:

- Got any unfiled paperwork/ unopened letters lying around? Tidy, sort and shred them. You will feel immeasurably better for doing this and checking you haven’t missed anything important is always reassuring. :T

I’d love to hear everyone’s decluttering victories; the trick then is not to let Christmas re-fill the cupboards…. :A

StressedSteph

I know I am late, but can I join in please ?

I will try for 15 NSD's as it has been a spendy start to November already and I need some self control back

I doubt I will get much time for official exercise but i do need to dig over the polytunnel and sort the rest of the veg plot so sure that suffice as my exercise.

My personal challenge is definitely DE-Cluttering.

I annoy myself sometimes. I yearn for an organised OCD home but i'm too bloomin lazy to actually achieve it.

Sometimes think I get overwhelmed by the amount that needs doing, so I am starting with one room at a time.

Today i want to sort the office area of the lounge. Its under the stairs and is a disaster zone.

A mix of my craft stuff, hubbys self employment paperwork, household bills and general clutter. Its an area that desperately needs organisation.

xx

Samiszel

NSD for yesterday, bringing me up to 5 so far :j

Helped out a friend pack up her flat ready to move out straight after work, then went home exhausted so no time to spend!

Woke up this morning in a productive mood. Have listed a few small items on Fleabay, threw out some cheap jewellery I haven't worn in years, and sold a couple of textbooks via F*t Brain (£26 each!). Going up to the attic in a min to search for more items to declutter

Should be going to Central London this eve for Lord Mayor's fireworks show followed by a couple of cocktails, but DH still a but unwell, so will see whether he feels up to it later.

Pleased with my progress so far this month, hope everyone else is doing well too!

moohound

Fmess wrote: »

moohound[/COLOR][/B] – am I right in thinking you are debt free? Would you be able to buy a new one without going into debt? Does your niece need one? I think if the answer to all these 3 are yes, then yes as it benefits you and your niece and causes no damage to your debtfreeness. Part of the reason I can’t wait to be debt free is to be able to make more decisions because of want and not because of need.

I am debt free, but i am trying to save, my Niece managed to get a washing machine and a bookcase for £40 today, so well done to her.

I hadn't mentioned about mine, which she could have had for free, if I bought a new one. It won't make any difference to my debt free-ness but would make a dent in my savings, so I'm going to save specifically for it now, as there is no rush to get one any more.

I gave her a big box of glass ware and crockery which she was pleased with.

Every time my Mum comes round it is the same, she points out my washing machine only takes 5kg and I should get a new one, then she said my toaster looks tatty and I should get a new one then she started saying I needed new double glazing, I will have to learn to tune her out a bit. It is OK for her being mortgage free, and having £150000 in the bank, she just buys whatever she wants when she wants it. She makes me feel like everything I have is rubbish

vintagebrighton

Afternoon all

Updated my sig to add 1lb weight loss (probably lighter pj's but hey ho) and NSD number 3. Not a NSD today, went out for a long walk (just over an hour) and stopped off at the shop on the way home.

OH is in London all weekend and I've finally got my new giffgaff sim for my iphone :):):) I'm very excited!!!! Finally in the 21st century.... it's a 4s I bought second hand and I'm saving money on my top ups. I think it could take me all weekend to get used to it properly. Don't worry, was bought before the challenge :rotfl:

Lovely idea about the advent calendars, think I'll look into that. Maybe toys are needed somewhere too? Or just other types of christmas food.

I'm up for the decluttering challenge...... not sure OH will be happy about it though!

Have a lovely Saturday whatever you're doing

VB x

LoveaDove

Lilt- Definitely a spend free day if the postage was paid by the customer!

mothernerd - glad things are moving along!

moohound - It is amazing how at any age our parents can still make us feel like children. Do not take to heart what she is saying, as you said just tune her out, she has a completely different mindset and budget to yourself. I am sure she means well, just may be a little thoughtless with it at times. Have you ever explained to her about the way she makes you feel in regards to such comments?

Helloooooo to all new Turtles!

So yesterday was a spendy day. I have crossed off a couple of the kiddies names from the Christmas list after picking up a couple of gifts yesterday from the Christmas budget! I also purchased a glass repair kit to mend a chip on my windscreen. Speaking of cars, have had a frustrating day today fitting wiper blades I ordered for my car, as it turns out they have sent me the completely wrong sizes! Such a blooming hassle to sort out!

I am on my way to a SFD today So I am now at 4SFDs :T
Having a really relaxing weekend in, pottering around the house, spending time with OH and then over to a friend's tomorrow eve for movie and a bring your own pizza eve!

Hope you are all keeping wrapped up and warm! Happy Weekend!

It's time for a brew! x

:coffee: