Nst; fearless february

mothernerd

Welcome turtles old and new. Apologies in advance for any spelling errors, I had my diabetic eye test this afternoon and the outside world looked very strange for a while - the drops they put in to make it easier to take photos of your eyeballs make shiny things and lights look extra bright, some cars had their dipped lights on and they looked like huge stars and a woman on the bus had a little diamante thing on her bag and it caught the sunlight. On the upside, I found a bright shiny penny in roadkill.

I knew going to the hospital would make me tired - the travel is exhiliarating, getting out and about is such an adventure but the physicality of getting to the bus stop (actually did the crutch version of a 'run for the bus' today), hauling yourself on and off and around the hospital takes it's toll.

Lots of good fixing going on, well done blubella on clutter clearing and making money (realised when I was writing up that I hadn't put anything in about making extra money this month but all the fixing will save a few).

Was cold this morning but didn't want to do much, so I coloured a desk. It was my brother's, 'black ash' cheap melamine thing he bought soon after he went to Weston-Super-Mare. So he'd had it 12 years before he died and since then it's done 4 years in DS3's room and 2 and 1/2 with DS2 plus some time on it's own in empty houses.

Currently it's facing my bed with paperwork on it in two files (needed everything at waist height or above as not allowed to bend down since the op and for another couple of weeks yet). So the battered corners, edges and little brown bits where the melamine strips have come off were bugging me. So I sat and coloured them in with a large black permanent marker. I did try to glue back a couple of bits but ended up taking them off. I will see if there is any black insulating tape at mum's (pretty sure there is) to cover the larger missing strips on the side (can't see those from the bed) until I decide whether it is worth buying the proper tape.

But it looks quite good atm. Then I covered a couple of bleach spots on the black linen skirt I am wearing (hate bleach, won't have it in the house and any occasional exposure - think there might have been some in the path cleaner stuff - I get spots on me). May do the cuff of my long sleeve Tshirt later (only noticed that at the hospital). It isn't great but I need it to get me through this winter so would help if it were a bit smarter - if the black washes off I haven't lost anything.

Also washed my spectacles and used a cotton bud and a pin to scrape off as much gunge as possible (it's where the lens meets the frame and where the nose piece fitting is).

Did well on the sight chart so may not need an upgrade - plan to hang on a few months if possible, I can have new ones when the house is sold (lenses only if I need them).

Debtdrowninglondongirl good luck with your interview.

Lilt and Calling14 the E45 is free on prescription for me, does the job most of the time (priority is to avoid having to use hydrocortisone) but it feels a bit heavy on my face so supplementing with the after sun cream. have a brand new 500g pump to go at now (ordered my repeat items last week to save another journey - diabetes meds keep me alive and was down to last two weeks supply.

Today I am grateful for seeing the world in a whole new sparkly way, for the NHS and for fix it solutions.

mothernerd

Dizzy Imp it says newbies and poorlies can start on ten minutes - you probably do more than that walking up and down stairs looking after your family. Yes to your budgets - it can help when you are starting out to write down absolutely everything you spend for a month. You can do this using your receipts after you go shopping but after a while it's better to write it down as you spend. some off us get obsessive and start thinking 'Do I really need this?' before we spend.

Another tip is to list everything you already have in the fridge, freezer and cupboards so you can plan meals around what you have and buy ingredients that go with what you have. The grocery challenge has a list of recipes and links if you need help with that but we give each other ideas as well - remember no turtle will be left behind. So if you are struggling with anything shout and people will tell you how they do things, you should find your own solution from their suggestions. The idea is not to make drastic reductions which are unsustainable but to gradually reduce the amount you spend and identify areas where you could save, picking ideas from other people when they are helpful.

Planning meals means you avoid having to pop out for one thing and coming out with a basketful of stuff you didn't need. hope this helps - I'll shut up now.

WelshKitty85

Evening everyone! Not had the best of days today...woke up still feeling tired but managed to drag myself downstairs and make a cup of coffee and crumpets for breakfast. Had prepped what I could of kids lunch boxes last night but they needed finishing off and heating in the food flasks this morning. By the time I had done that, got dressed, sorted ponytails and school uniforms, I was running late and didn't have time to make my usual travel coffee or my lunch. On the plus side, I had taken my purse out of my bag so I wouldn't be tempted to spend. On the downside, this meant I spent my day in uni with nothing to eat or drink. Needless to say this left me in an awful mood and feeling even more drained than I already was.

Phoned up about a grant for a new boiler today. When I phoned last year they told me I had to wait til I had been in the property for 6 months. Today, they told me I have to have more than 6 months left on my tenancy, which because I have waited for the first six months to pass, I have just under 6 months now!!! I'm sure they make up these rules as they go along!! This house is freezing and it's costing me a fortune to heat!

I did manage to stick to this evenings meal plan. Made pasta with left over sausages, with onion, mushroom and grated carrot for added veg. It was actually really good (although that might just be because I was so hungry).

It has been my 2nd SFD of the month.

Think I need to dedicate my 15 minutes each evening to better preparation for the following morning, including making my own lunch and not just everybody else's!

Am gonna read back now on what you have all been upto today.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for dd's doll arriving, for lovely colleagues, for my meal planning making 12 veg both possible and easy, for squeezing in another workout, for planning our summer hols.

LoveaDove

2SFDs
1/ LTW
Need to have a think about what to fixer upper.
Will commence with 15 minutes of planning for next move

Positives Today
*Successful new sessions at work
*Chatting with my Ma and also with my lovely ex-manager
*Getting straight into my lovely pjs when I got in from work

Fmess

Evening all

Spend day as OH needed milk and bread and I treated myself to salad and chicken tikka for tomorrow's lunch (I'm fasting today and tomorrow and finding this week tough - it's my third week on this diet).

Did exercise and tidied for 15 minutes . Tomorrow should be SFD number 1 :j

liltdiddylilt

Hi guys

Have had a spendy day, hit my budgets a bit but got a lot of stuff out of the way and planned a lot for the month!

Groceries £35.19/£150 (squidged a bit of last months into this month so this is artificially high. Spent about £25 today)
15 minutes - much enjoyed.
Fix things: Have a beautiful wooden photo frame in 2 pieces thanks to Jellytot, so will put it back together as I now have superglue. Also got some clothes that need a tidy up.
Misc:£24.77/£50 - £14.77 on books for Jellytot, but £3 cashback off that & it should have cost £60!! :eek:/ £10 on a rucksack for me for work.

Positives for today: Nursery is a week cheaper this month, so £12 in the pot Nephews birthday present is under budget by £5 eating a lovely roast chicken dinner with barely any work

Dizzy_Imp

mothernerd wrote: »

Dizzy Imp it says newbies and poorlies can start on ten minutes - you probably do more than that walking up and down stairs looking after your family.

Thank you - the thought of doing any more exercise fills me with dread. Does my 15 minutes of gardening count?

mothernerd wrote: »

Another tip is to list everything you already have in the fridge, freezer and cupboards so you can plan meals around what you have and buy ingredients that go with what you have.

I already try to do this but my best laid plans are often derailed by other people's desires, changes of heart or last minute notifications, but I'll continue to try.

mothernerd wrote: »

- remember no turtle will be left behind

I've got my water wings on ready and paddling furiously

[Deleted User]

Just snuck back in to claim my second NSD - found a decent size travel toothpaste in my washbag - we are good for a few more days!! Will be a SD tomorrow due to haircuts so I'll try to do the toothpaste and a bday present for DD's friend 2mrw as well! Take care all turtles

Also, have 4 watchers on ebay item...happy!

And...fix it...did a just do it with a job been putting off for ages, responding to a info request for a course I'm starting soon. No idea why it felt such a burden (it was after all, all about me!). Will open up access to some valuable training though. Am relieved! Was smiling at thought of Mothernerd colouring a desk..I did that with a front door once!!!

Tomorrow start a free running course at work.

speakingofart

loveadove, the trial is exactly the same as the paid for version - I honestly cannot emphasise enough how much YNAB changed the way I thought about money and made me able to prioritise what was important - I credit it and Kat's threads with changing my life, to be honest. If you have any questions, PM me - it takes a while to get your head around, but it's absolutely worth it

First SFD yesterday, hoping for another one today - would like my bank account to be left severely alone until payday!

Groceries to 15th Feb: 6.14/ £20
Groceries 15th Feb - 15th March £0/£100
Fuel 15th feb - 15th March £0/£60
Spending money for whole month £0/£30
Lunch to work 1/20
Lunchtime exercise 1/20
SFDs 1/15