NST Challenge - Spring is here!

Bobarella

The Only Girl - thanks for a great laugh! the thought of me driving round on a tuck tuck is just awesome. Maybe that could be my new side hustle, picking up fares as I run my errands & I am sorry to make you jealous about the roadkill. I have to leave money quite often for the reasons you describe, or safety. Sometimes I cycle past money too and think, I would probably catapult myself into space trying to stop in time.

Fmess - ah the allure of the bubbles a nice motivation for getting debt free too.

mothernerd

Sorry for no check in yesterday - our internet (and phone) went down again. Spent money (will add later) but much less than planned. Guests seem to be happy with cake and noodles atm, so didn't go back for the second load and was too tired to go to the SM.

Went to the other house, brought back another small bag of soil (large plant pot size) in the small rucksack but again couldn't find the energy to do a second run. I have six small bags lined up inside the vestibule plus half a set of plastic shelves.

Yesterday I turned on the fridge freezer again as I needed fridge space to store eggs, yoghurts, cooked meat, cheese etc. Plan was to freegle this one then clean out and put on the under counter fridge - but the ff is still there and there is no where to put the other one atm.

Now turtles I do not recommend this and it is probably most un Marie Kondo but I have filled the empty freezer space with clean washing. It worked for me. I didn't want to waste energy freezing empty space. My legs were still hurting from carrying the pillows upstairs (2 runs) and cleaning the day before. The clean washing was filling two chairs to chest height standing up and falling on the floor. I knew the washing would come to no harm in the freezer (it's a solution for killing off bedbugs I think, putting quilts in the deep freeze). If I had carried all the washing up in batches I would have had to lie down for the rest of the day (and it would just be piled in a heap upstairs, probably on my bed).

So I have a freezer drawer full of tea towels (used them serially for the last cleaning assault) and flannels, one with DS3's pjs (gf is here, rarely wears them anyway), sheets in one (most used but will now go to the bottom of the pile for a rest and the ones the guest have used will go on top after they have been washed) and everything else in the other. Instantly made the kitchen look so much better, saved my legs for other tasks, saved time and energy.

Sorry, only meant to tell you about the internet. Now must do all the errands I couldn't do because something I needed was on the internet.

Yesterday's gratefuls are unorthodox but practical solutions, the internet and people who bring cakes (SM run would have been for salad/ veg bargains for me but also two types of cake for DS3 + his favourite cheap white chocolate - little Arseda are re-arranging their shelves and there are gaps and some very strange pricing structures (value ranges missing and their own brand products higher than premium brands).

apple_muncher

mothernerd - I had to giggle at you freezing ds' pyjamas! I think it is an inspired use of the freezer space.

Dd and I found a £5 note on the street today - a most rare occurence! And when I asked her what to do with it, she told me to put it in the roadkill pot for treats at Christmas. That child has such self-control! I would probably have spent it!

The rain has stopped and at least it is warm. We are out later to hunt down some school shoes for dd. She wears through the heels at an equal rate, whether the shoes be cheapo ones or mega bucks ones from clerks. So today we are trekking off to m&s to give their ones an opportunity to last. Boy shoes are SO much better made, but hardly what a 7yo girl will wear...!

Have had a look at mothernerd's helpful list from the other month and May is speakingofart. Soa - are youstill ok to do it? I can always move forward a month if you're not.

Fmess

Today is definitely an April showers day - sun, then rain, then sun, then rain... It's been a very spendy day too; hairdressers, car wash, food shopping, animal food shopping and lunch from the golden arches I swear money burns a whole in my pocket when I have it! Not much happening here except errands but the inlaws are treating us to a meal out later so that'll be lovely

Hope you've all had better weather!

DrCarrie

Oh wow, I have been thinking about money all day one way or another...felt properly queezy when I tallied up all my debt. 1 overdraft, 2 credit cards, 1 loan and student loan = £21,380.:eek:

So 1% is rounded up to £215; overdraft is the first to go, it costs a lot, then the credit cards, both 0% thankfully.

Very much looking forward to being part of the turtle gang for real next month.

I have just stopped working full-time, and will only be working 3 days a week. But hopefully at the end of June I will have a piece of paper that will let me do something that I had an intervirew for on Monday - it went well, and am going to be working for them 3 days a week, so that will be 6 days a week until the debt is GONE! Frugal, fruga, frugall until then.

Calling14

Weather here is worse, sleet, just returned home with a wet white dog! Usually black.

It was dry here until about 12 so popped out few house cleaning things. My new best friend is soda crystals, thanks Lilt and Fmess, clean oven extractor hood, cleaned gas hob plates brilliantly with little effort. Tested small area patio not amazing probably needs hot water.

Did my ironing as it was raining. Can't believe get back in the house and it stops.

Sorted out my wardrobe yes I was that bored. Salad for tea but with wine, it is Saturday.

Applemuncher hope the shoes aren't too expensive.

Calling14

Drcarrie well done that's the scarey bit over, adding it all up. We will keep you off the naughty step with our challenges hopefully.

apple_muncher

Calling - the shoes were £22, which is one third cheaper than the cheapest ones in clerks. Dd likes them and they fit so we are both happy!

today I am grateful for having a car, for dd's lovely dance teachers, for dh cleaning the whole downstairs floor ( including moving the sofas out and doing behind and under them), for tinned fish, for striking tulip colours.

liltdiddylilt

Hi guys

Not been checking in as had a book delivered from a little ninja fairy and have been engrossed.

I have another 2 SFD's to add but honestly I have no idea what I am up to. I think it is 14-16 :rotfl: but will try hard to make some more before the end of the month.

I got my payslip complete with payrise and bonus. The money goes in on Tuesday. LOTS more than usual so am excitedly reading my payslip repeatedly. I know it is only one month but I should clear over a mini hurdle I haven't hit since I was full time wages each month so that will be satisfying

Anyway my diet has taken up an extra £100 of money I didn't have budgeted this month :wall: but I am feeling great and the headaches and migraine have receded. 6 weeks of this and I can start introducing a slightly wider variation.

Lots of love to everyone. Well done Bob for paying yourself, yes fmess a great idea to put some things back. A haircut is more necessity than treat though hun. It counts as keeping yourself healthy... mothernerd I am not honestly sure what to say about the freezer... surely you could leave it off with the washing in?!? :rotfl:

Night guys xx

Caeraugirl

apple_muncher wrote: »

Boy shoes are SO much better made

Applemuncher, you'd think so, but DS2 can annihilate a pair of ANY brand within a term - usually as plays football and all sorts in them at school. Last pair were binned two days before the end of the term as they had a large hole in the sole that let in water when it rained...