NST July - Bobs Bucket & Spade Boogie to the beach!

misstara

So true Apple - lots of things I do seem perfectly normal but probably not to other people

Another one who practically never uses the hairdryer or straightners
Taking my phone to charge at work to save electricity
Cutting the tops of all toiletries to eke out the contents a little further
Practically never buy new clothes (which makes me very weird among some of my friends who will quite happily go away for the weekend to shop)
Will eat all sorts of odd combinations to avoid waste
Used to take any leftovers home from work to eat at a later date (can no longer do this unfortunately as most of it is not gf)
NSDs are a definite mystery to some of my friends, even OH sometimes asks why I bother

I don't think I would even attempt to give up shampoo though - it's definitely a step too far for me . My hair just looks horrible if it's not washed every day.

Anyway today has been NSD 6 however tomorrow won't be as we will definitely need milk. Just got home from a very drama filled day at work so am going to have a well deserved g&t

Fmess

Welcome traveller

I think my only world of strange ideas are cutting face wipes in half and only using half a day, breaking dishwasher tablets in half and using half per wash and using nappy as poop scoop bags.

Unexpected spend day as donated to a collection at work. Marking nearly done but have done wedding preparation stuff tonight instead. Fingers crossed I can do minimal spending at the wedding!

mothernerd

No news on the viewing. I have chopped back the undergrowth, potted bedding geraniums, cut as much of the long grass as I could with secateurs (just the long stalks), swept all the downstairs floors (mainly bits from walking through with garden waste) and cleaned various windows and mirrors (+ wardrobe doors). Came back at one o'clock because I couldn't remember whether my phone was right or not (don't alter it for summer time) but was reaching not being able to stand up point.

Collapsed on bed, ate a sandwich and read before falling asleep. Woke at 9pm but still dozy. However I worked for longish periods and only took very short breaks (less than ten minutes mostly - last time it was 15 - 30 minutes work and then at least 15 minutes sitting down).

I have bought a weekly bus ticket so planning to go back and really get on top of it. I have reused some of the soil there - was planning to buy compost but have pulled out weeds and topped up with 'spare' soil (had some small plastic pots which I was going to bring here). Also decided to use the fancy pots in the shed - they might get stolen but have been put to good use and I am probably better off buying larger plastic pots for myself (when I can afford them) as they are easier to lug about.

Other than that I don't know what to do with the house - I am starting to notice slightly shabby bits. The whole painting the house started nearly two years ago and some bits need re-doing (wooden 'step' in front of French windows and flat wooden top under the big cupboard). Need to do as much as I can this week whilst I have the ticket and then try to take stock and work out what, if anything, I can do. Cleaning still needs to go up a notch.

Today I am grateful for my stock of freezer sandwiches, for leftovers (DS3 has just given me the remains of a Chinese curry - usually he only leaves a few pieces of onion and three peas) and for my bed (always there for me). My hair washing is down to once a week or less - partly getting drier as I age but part slob (tie it back in and don't bother to look at it if I'm not going anywhere and sometimes if I ache too much to bend over the bath). Don't know what happened to the hairdryer (bought it for my wedding 28 years ago, it lived in a bottom drawer and others borrowed it more than I used it. I gave it to someone but not sure who - DS1 and 2 both bought bigger posher ones with all the attachments).

Bobarella

Probably my biggest WOTS is giving up a car. None of my family gets my decision to live without and many people do the sad face when I tell them me and my son cycle a round trip of 7 miles daily. But you do the maths.
Cost of a car in the first place, cheapest £2,000 for 10 year plus old car?
Annual car insurance £500
MOT £49 plus any faults found
Road Tax £200 a year
Petrol £160 a month (that was for just school runs & short weekend journies)
Congestion charge, toll charges, parking costs £100 a year
Any traffic fines such as parking tickets £40 to £60 a pop!

So to me having a bike
Cost £90 from Decathlon plus £20 for panniers, £3 for a bike lock etc. Is a pretty non weird choice....

The_Only_Girl

Good morning all!

Didn't manage to post last night so sneaking in late/early to declare NSD number 8 for yesterday. First day back at work after my back pain and I was so touched by the thoughtfulness of my colleagues. When I asked which area would they like me to work in, they said it's up to me, I can do what I like and make sure I don't do anything strenuous because I've only just recovered from back pain. I am so lucky to work with such lovely people! Work turned out to be very relaxed and not too hectic.

Some good news from me! After checking the money envelopes, the bank account and all the receipts, we could make another £100 payment to the credit card. (I'm a bit annoyed with cc because after I have made £450 payment two weeks ago and I thought it's gone down to £1250, the outstanding balance as of last night was £1298 because of interest.). It feels like I'm barely scratching the surface. So after we make the payment of £100 tonight, it will go down to £1200. I will try and find some more money to get it to my target of less than £1000 before the end of the month. Is it a tall order? We shall see. I refuse to use the word FAIL. We shall not be defeated! Second news, we have finished our fixed tariff with our energy provider and OH found a new supplier via the Energy Club on MSE and the new tariff is half as much. We used to pay £105 for both electrics and gas but the new tariff it will only be £47. I will get everybody's help (hungry hippos) to get our consumption down so we wouldn't have to pay more than that. The transfer process is now on its way. Has any of you had any experience with Green Star? Feedback will be much appreciated.

Bob :T on the run of good trades you've been having. Happy for you. As to the WOTS, as Applemuncher said, to the outside world, everything we are doing now - budgeting, economising, NSD's, getting rid of debt, are STRANGE! Some have even said we are depriving our children, or what they said "making our kids' life unbalanced." The society has fully (or rather foolishly and blindly) embraced capitalism and "debts is normal and necessary" mentality that going back to basics, living simply and looking after the pennies is strange and abnormal and unbalanced. As Dave Ramsey says, let the friends and family laugh, insult and scorn or think we're strange. Who will have the last laugh when in the end we will end up with a healthier bank balance and they are still broke? He said "Don't even consider keeping up with the Joneses - THEY ARE BROKE!"

Still with WOTS fmess I remember back in the days when DS1 was a newborn, I also used to cut the baby wipes in half. I used them for wiping his face, hands and feet when we were out and about. I used to keep them in a special leak-proof Tupperware in his nappy bag. You don't need a full wipes for tiny hands and feet! Obviously the same rule doesn't apply for cleaning his bottom. I just realised I had my MSE ways back then.

Get well soonwestie983. I do hope the doctors will find out what's causing your discomfort and more importantly, find out the cure so you would feel better soon.

Abundant, what you said is an eye opener. It's nice to hear the perspective of somebody who's just completed their journey and how something that used to consume your every waking hours, when it's gone can leave such a void. OH and I have decided on the next step after DFD - initial emergency fund of at least £1000 then slowly build it up to the equivalent of 3 months living expenses for when SHTF and work towards being mortgage free. It's an exciting prospect. But first we must get rid of this irritating eye-sore on my signature - HALIFAX CC?

dolly84

Hi guys.

It is the school fair today so more spending. I am giving the kids £2 each plus £1 for raffle tickets and that's it. They are selling cookbooks at £8 each and DVD's at £7 each, until my kids started school I had absolutely no idea all this went on, it is never ending. If I'm honest I prefer to spend on this type of thing with the groups the kids attend as that is all run purely on fundraising.

timetrade

I've lost track of NSDs, so I'll just assume that I've not had any more at this point - 2/20.

I have made my £5 donation to MSF, and now just need to send off my Gift Aid confirmation.

Also have made my £800 payment towards my loan, which I'm really happy about.

Bobarella

And so towards the weekend! Again! I'm sure it comes around quicker every time.:D

Had a quick check on our main account today and there are now just 2 DDs of small amounts to go out this month. Think £29 water bill and possibly Netflix £6. Will reconcile properly tonight.

After yesterday's epic trade today was a lot slower but not terrible. I had a very bad nights rest so I am not too unhappy about that either. Feel like I owe the bank of TLC self care a few deposits as my energy levels are quite low for me. I will try and think up a few relaxing things this weekend not very good at stopping.

Hope you are all being weird Turtles, thinking up ways to stand out from the consumerist crowd, & keeping a tight reign on your purses!

Bob

apple_muncher

Maintained an NSD today - not often does this happen on a Friday! So am wearing my smug face.

Talking of weird: planned to cycle to work for a lunch but chain was off (how???), so put it back on. Then noticed front tyre was low so pumped it up. Got ready to go, took bike out front and the tyre was low again. So, no cycling. Walking and buses it was to be. 5 mins down the road I realised I had left my purse at home so went back to get it. Then I was about 2 mins down the road and realised I had no water - and the journey can take up to 2 hours on a really bad day - so went back again. I almost gave up, but set off again and was in plenty of time for the food! I then had to scoff and scram, in order to get back in time for dd finishing school. Ooph!

Plenty of walking done but nowhere near enough to class it as an outdoor day. Will do that tomorrow and see if I can get another NSD ...

Bobarella

Well done Apple! That sounds like an epic effort was made today, blimey, lesser humans would definately have given up!

I thought of some other World of the Strange things I do

- I use vinegar in the dishwasher & washing machine when I've run out & dont want to lose a NSD. This works fine, except you need to make sure the cups are washed out well, they dont seem to clean well using this method
- Keep 90% of envelopes that come through the door and cut them up for note paper.
- Share 1 coffee with OH if we go to a chain place, not all the time but often. The sizes are big enough to do this. Saves £££s
- My husband cuts all of our hair. I havent had a salon cut in 2 or more years. Estimate he has saved us around £200 a year per year at least by doing this.

Will think of more as I go

Bob