NST August - AB's Amazingly Aware August Challenge

The_Only_Girl

Good afternoon turtles! Are you having a nice weekend? I have just emerged from the land of zzzz's preparing for my second night shift. Last one before my week off yay! Managed to bag 2 NSD's this weekend too. NSD 8/20.

Was planning to go YS shopping this afternoon but forgot to set the alarm for it and slept all through out. Will just try and catch the YS during the day at the big store tomorrow. DH and sons are at my brother's house for BBQ, free dinner yay! Will join them a bit later. Debating whether to go back to sleep for another hour or spend an hour in the bath.

Nannygladys it's so nice to hear about your exchange system with your dd. it's so sweet. Sorry to hear you're having problems with sleeping. It's early stages of your retirement so there's bound to be some "culture shock." I hope it gets better. Are there classes you can join to break the monotony of being at home all the time? I don't know if I shared it with the turtles that I have enrolled in a sewing class which starts in September. I can't wait!

Bob you and me both re BT and First Utility. I can't wait for our contract with BT to end in December so I can switch provider again. Not very happy with their broadband. And the hassle I had with them back in May? It's written in my "little black book." We have just switched to a different energy provider (the move officially started on July 28) from FU. The new energy provider charged us the first monthly bill (£47) at the end of July and FU also charged us our monthly bill of £105. I am confused, I am pretty sure they should be refunding us money not charging us. Since both accounts are on my DH's name, I couldn't ring them about it. Every time I mention it to DH he brushes it off and says to give them time to catch up with their records and they will refund the money we are due in no time. Should I get worried? Should I insist on ringing both providers to find out what's going on? There could be money there in the pot to help with the cc payment.

Thanks for the STOPP academia!

We've taken stock of our second half of the month's budget and we are not doing very badly at all. The YS shopping had made a significant difference with the reduction of our food shopping but it's offset by the not so infrequent take aways this month. We have about £100 left to spend for the next two weeks and providing we have only one take away meal these next two weeks and stick to YS shopping, and a few top ups from @ldi, we should be fine. We might make a significant saving in the petrol budget because of mine and DH's week off this week. DH had been taking the Metro to work when we are not on the same shift instead of using his own car. He reckoned he could save at least £25 a week but when he checked his weekly metro ticket yesterday, he made an error with the date of his ticket. The ticket that he has been using since the 7th Aug (which he thought expired on the 14th) is actually valid FROM the 14th TO the 20th. It was an honest mistake and one which the ticket inspectors also failed to notice. Oh well.

We think we might be able to fully pay the cc balance of £799 at the end of this month (they've just charged us another interest of £26 :mad:). There will be a lot of purse tightening next month for us to be able to do this but it will all be worth it. I can't wait for that day when we can finally shout with gladness, joy and victory the final declaration that WE ARE DEBT FREE!!! Just rehearsing for now, but we will make sure the real one is loud and clear! Will keep our hEads down for now, "pride goes before destruction" and all that.

Well, hubby has just phoned to say they want me in the BBQ at my brother's NOW! Cancelling the bath and/or the snooze. See you tomorrow and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

abundant1972

Evening everyone!

Well - today started off in a funk. Was meant to go see a potential date but cancelled because of the distance (2 hours away or so)... Kept thinking 'am I realistically going to sustain that...? Cost? Time?'

Felt a bit low as we had been getting on then decided I had to go and work out. Really couldn't be arsed but as I'm being monitored it pushed me on. Now - I'm buzzing and so glad I did it... Feel optomistic and looking forward to a healthy dinner!!!

Today = SFD number 10.

Thanks Academiablues for STOPP - I will try and remember that one. Am also exploring mindfulness whilst at the gym and finding it helps my workouts (when I'm not distracted by hot men haha!!!).

Keep at it TheOnlyGirl - the finish line is in site - You're doing amazingly!!!

Have a great evening all xxx

Fmess

Evening all,

Finally achieved another SFD I've had a lovely weekend thanks to my family, lots of laughs and good food and just spending time together.

Back to temping job tomorrow so that should stop me spending and earn me more money

Need to get my MSE hat on this week as I might be off on holiday next weekend but it is a last minute deal that might not happen so I've got my fingers crossed but feel a bit in limbo.

Calling14

Just a quick check in, recovering from the worst hangover ever, went to a friends bollywood party last night. So wasted Sunday, had to cancel date as I felt so rough. Never drinking again?

Did bit shopping yesterday, then bought a coffee and sausage roll and sat down the beach for an hr. Naughty but nice.

Wow Theonlygirl. I would pull out all stops you are so close.

Acadamia will practice STOPP on Tuesday going to look in sainsbobs clothes sale, justplan to use my nectar points.

No spend day today besides dog walk and making food incapable of anything. So cross with myself I should know better. Nevermind learnt some Bollywood dancing ;-)

Bobarella

Sorry you've been ill AcademiaBlues thank you for the interesting technique to consider.

The Only Girl - It really is amazing your so so close now. Re First Utility I'd be doing my nut. Why is your OH not bothered about them keeping so much of your money?? As you say it could help get you DF even sooner. Keep on at him good luck with your last night shift for the week. I'm with you on the YS shopping. I cannot believe how much I save by planning my meals around what is YS and freezing as much as I can when it's on offer.

Calling - you are so rock and roll!

Fmess - sounds a great weekend.

Abundant - tough call on dating at a distance. I think you have to be practical don't you really.

MissTara - Hope you get out for cocktails ok.

Apple - sounds another nice day.

I've had a nice day but very busy. Have done lots and lots of cleaning,decluttering,gardening and getting baby clothes and stuff washed and dried. Feel like we've broken the back on prep now though and can relax for the next few weeks at least really glad we stored everything from DS as that alone has 'saved us' £££
Should also have another £5 towards the debt tommorow as am only 6p away from the payout for COS.

Right all for now.

Bob

mothernerd

SFD # 10. Largest cupboard has been transported here on my faithful dolly truck. I did try to pick a 'quiet time' - thought all the drunks would have gone home for an afternoon nap, but no, I got my own special little drunk didn't I. He thought the cupboard would fall over, then asked was it mine (No, I regularly take bus rides with other people's cupboards), then pointed out that it needed a wipe, then asked why I had put it in a shed and questioned the wisdom of this because it had got dirty. Thankfully it was only four bus stops and I had the sympathy of all the other passengers.

I had already had an encounter with my stalker (always asks if I have a bf yet) and when I got to the other house the cord I had taken didn't leave anything for tying off. Cue trip to back yard to cut down tow rope I was using as a spare washing line (very useful when DS2 came home from uni and I had to re-wash all his clothes as he and his housemates all smoked). Had just locked back doors and put away secateurs (felt like I was in a sit-com where they rewind everything you have just done). By the time I had it done I had missed the bus so spent some more time weeding and cutting bunches of lavender.

Second trip brought back 3 sacks of weeds and a large plant pot. Tomorrow may be another rest day - will see which bits of my body I can move in the morning. Good exercise as I can feel muscles in my arms and legs, only problem has been the odd cramp in various parts of my leg but nothing serious, usually just need to change my position or stretch something. Feeling good about what I have done, just wish I could do more but feeling much more like me.

WelshKitty85

Hi everyone!

Had a bit of a mixed day today. We have booked some tickets for an event early next year as they were offering a discount for tickets purchased this week. It was £40 for all 4 of us, so that has pretty much wiped out our days out budget. Took children to a local emergency services day. DS enjoyed seeing the fire engines and police cars and the lifeboats launched and did a display. But I made the mistake of taking the children for a walk along the pier. They saw all sorts of things they wanted and I had to say no to them. It made me feel awful that I can't afford to spend a couple of pounds on some sweets or a fairground ride, but I have to keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end when my debts are completely paid off.

Since getting home, I have updated my budget spreadsheet and made a rough meal plan for the rest of the month. I am determined to stick to the budget this month. They currently look like:

Fuel - £89.26/£120
Groceries - £133.53/£200
Days out - £194.79/£200
Business - £44.17/£100

nannygladys

Hi everyone
Up to 10sfd now. I've run out of milk but found the powdered stuff I sometimes use for bread making, so been using that.

Bob, I only retired last month (about 6 weeks ago) and lots has happened, but now things are more normal, so I just have to accept life and get living it in a different way. I have worked all my life, going part time when the kids were little and then changing jobs in the last five years to a non stress one so I could get use to a bit more peace and quiet in my mind!!! But I'm 62 so I just qualified for state pension a bit earlier (or later as I should have retired at 60) then the 67/68 it is now. I am finding the adjustment harder than as I thought.

I think STOPP will apply to me but not in the shopping sense but more on a daily living sense., So I've written it down and will keep repeating it to myself when people keep on wanting to organise me with voluntary jobs (I don't want a job voluntary or otherwise at the moment, but they keep trying!)

Anyway off to bed, I seem to be sleeping a lot better, so I hope it lasts.
Nannyg

Bobarella

Mothernerd - you have a stalker?? Scary or harmless? Impressive furniture moving there too.

WelshKitty - looks like you are doing well on your food budget this month.

Nanny G - I hope you are able to settle in and enjoy your well earned new life now. You've obviously earned it.

Morning All

Just trying to come to. Did that thing where you wake up but feel it's too early to get up (6) then when you wake again (7) feel dozy and out of sorts. Goes to show your body clock gets it right normally.
I am worried about the week ahead. I need a much better daily take to keep the business out of trouble. Hoping last week was a blip. Unfortunately because we are just starting up again there isn't the luxury of any real buffer to bad days.


After the stress of finding out son isn't really enjoying his holiday childcare and putting my head together with his dad we have managed to get it down to 7 days between now and the end of school holidays that we need cover for. So that's a positive.

Onwards and upwards Turtles! Have still got the positive of having paid off over £1000 since payday last month. The goal to be debt free by the end of December is still moving in the right direction. Focus on the positives right!

Have a good week everyone.

Bob

WelshKitty85

Hi everyone!

The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day here today. Unfortunately, DS has a hospital appointment so we will be spending a large part of it inside a gloomy waiting room. Here's hoping the wait isn't too long today.

bob thank you. I have worked out a meal plan to stretch the meat i already have to last the rest of the month. So hopefully this will keep grocery spends to a minimum and I will stay within budget. Shame about your son not enjoying his childcare, but with only 7 days I'm sure they will fly by for him.

I have a business meeting tomorrow with an organisation who help new businesses, so will see what they can offer.

Planning for a SFD today.