NST August - AB's Amazingly Aware August Challenge

misstara

Well done welshkitty

Another NSD to report taking me to 14/20

apple_muncher

Good morning!

Am here to pick brains: does anyone have any experience of Step Change? My neighbour's bank have recommended it to her and I want to know more about it, particularly if anyone has used them or knows someone who's used them.

Thank you!

dolly84

Welshkitty - you have done amazingly well, don't be fed up, it will be gone one day.

Yesterday I managed to get two loads of washing dry despite the weather forecast being rubbish, it didn't rain until the evening then we had thunder and lightning. We went on a family bike ride in the afternoon, I rode my bike the three miles (downhill) to meet DH and the kids, they we cycled a few miles on a canal path and I rode the three miles (uphill) home.

We only spent £2 all day yesterday on Doritos and M&M's so totally unnecessary.

I spent yesterday morning sorting out my bank account, I have opened a new account (the little piggy bank type attached to your current account) as an emergency fund, this currently has £1 in it, also opened a regular saver for £50 per month, we need to have some money available to stop us putting things on the card.

Wednesday is payday and all of Septembers budgets are penciled in.

Today will be uneventful I hope, DD is going to Pony Club but other than that I only have plans to go for a run.

Have a lovely day all.

Bobarella

Morning Turtles

Just a quick post before I go and start my errands for the day. My bike is loaded up with clean washing, coffee beans, paper bags, & frozen fruit to take to the shop. Have already done about 2 hours of kitchen cleaning. Mothernerd - you will be proud of me, I have already eaten a frog, degreasing the cupboard tops in the kitchen then laying paper over them to stop it being a big deal next time. :T

I made us all pancakes for breakfast and have checked stocks to plan the rest of the days meals.

Following a PAD of £4 yesterday I hit 83% of my stretch target. As OH will get paid this Friday due to his actual payday being a bank holiday, we have just 4 days to last out now. So will be focusing on minimising spends this week and being as frugal as I can.

Did a big hit of decluttering the lounge yesterday and removed 2 carrier bags of Plastic toys that had built up since January. Mainly mcdonalds rubbish and stuff that comes home in party bags. Also removed a broken stacker box that had a sharp jagged bit hanging off.

Anyway think that's it. I won't hit the SFD target this month but the amount I've clobbered off the debt is more important (to me) this time round.

Have a great day all.

Bob

academiablues

Hello all! Welshkitty, congrats! Apple, I don't know much about Stepchange but they're meant to be pretty good, I've seen them recommended a lot on here. Bob, pancakes sound good for breakfast
Fairly quiet weekend, which is what I needed - went to Ike@ yesterday to pick up some bowls (80p each and much-needed!), and have done @sda shop today, picked up a few bits and bobs until we go away on Wednesday (just going to Wales for two days, nothing special). Hope everyone is having a good weekend so far

apple_muncher

I've also had a much needed quiet weekend, with 2 NSDs to boot.

We went blackberry picking so I made lovely neighbour a b'berry and apple crumble. Plenty more berries on the bushes for next time!

August budgets are doing okay, even though the NSDs have been a tad elusive. I hope to have a fair amount left to 'scoop over' next Monday. I've been dipping into the mindfulness too, just sitting quietly and being still, listening and relaxing. I've gone beyond my crafting target and still have time for making more.

Like others, September will be tight. Budget-wise and time-wise and space-wise. So I'll need to keep focussed on the big picture, take time out EVERY day to be still and quiet, be aware of any mood slumps that try to sneak up on me, and generally keep my pecker up.

That said, a challenge is good and I am also looking forward to September!

But August is here for a while yet, so I'll turn my eyes back to the present and make the most of it.

Calling14

Hiya turtles.

Sorry didn't check in yesterday. Had a nice day out and dinner bought for me;-)

Had to buy milk and pudding on the way home so a wee spend.

Today claiming a sfd as haven't left the house. Bedding washed and dried, garage cleaned out. Bagged dog food up to drop off at local animal sanctuary. Ate non stop all day- tomorrow things will change.
Ironing complete.Grandson popped in for an hr.

Going to soak in bath as feel so grubby, heaps cobwebs in the garage most gone now.

Welshkitty great amount you have cleared, perhaps we should have a total of all our joint debtbusting? I have done £8839 since I Started on here.

Stretch target 300/500 60% can't keep up with Bob!!

WelshKitty85

Hi everyone! Thanks for the words of encouragement. I feel better after looking at how far I have come - I had forgotten I had nearly £15,000 in debt (excluding mortgage) not so long ago. I know I will get there one day, I just really want that day to be soon!

Well done on you debt busting Calling.

Budgets are looking like:
Fuel - £89.26/£120
Groceries - £185.82/£200
Days out - £194.79/£200
Business - £44.17/£100

Bobarella

Calling - I've had some extra cash from the insurance don't forget so it hasn't all come from cash flow. I won't be able to keep up this pace. But like you, & WelshKitty, I'm pleased and proud of my progress. I also really wanted to get 100% of my remaining debt onto 0% which it now is bar £39.

Looking ahead to the coming quarter, I will realistically be doing very well if I can get my figures under £2,000 by the end of December, but I have found setting a stretch to be extremely motivating. Also doing PAD is working for me too. I love looking at the little numbers change each day or few days. Before I would not have felt I was doing well paying off £50. Now I feel good doing £5. It is all a step in the right direction .

Night all

Bob

abundant1972

Evening - and a BIG sorry for my absence! The last 4 days have been a blur - 3 social days on te run is unheard of!

Applemuncher - I was with Step Change (formerly the Consumer Credit Counselling service) throughout my debt, from when I had my lightbulb moment. They were fantastic. I set up a DMP with them and I can honestly say they were really brilliant.

You get an online account so you can see your debts going down, they have money saving tips and stuff. They go through your budget initially and recommend a plan of action... I'd say go for it.

On the home front...

Gym work outs going swimingly...
Mindfullness at the gym helps my work outs...

Only added a SFD on Thursday = 14 totally.

Am totally broke now and can't wait for payday on Thursday - hoorah!!!