NST: September: the Turtles go Wombling

Jonesy88

Just 2 SFDs for me so far - must try harder.

On the subject of Christmas - I'm feeling fairly prepared as i've bought approx half my presents. The in laws are coming to us for the big day and this thought fills me with dread!

WelshKitty85

Hi everyone!

Another SFD here. Been fairly productive again. Did a small business drop off and finished and hung the curtains I was making. Have been fruit picking in the orchard. Got loads of apples to make a pie and some blackberries too. Me and the little ones had a picnic and play in the park on the way. Made a huge quiche which went down really well this evening and have half left in the freezer. Also been out this evening to watch a motorbike light parade. Back to work tomorrow.

nannygladys

Had a good day, another sfd and I've worked in the garden for most if it. I'm getting a compost bin so I've made space for it but had to move a stone bench first, boy was it heavy I could only move it by dragging it very slowly but it's all done now so that felt good. I also started clearing a very overgrown border but that is going to take a lot of work as its mostly ivy, buttercups, grass and weeds!!! Not sure what I will do with it as the soil is horrible but at least it will look better.

Went a walk tonight in the evening Sun and it was lovely, practiced some mindfulness and thought about what I can do this week coming, so feeling quite chilled tonight.

4/15 sfd

Nannyg

misstara

Morning

I've made my christmas budget and it comes to £315 for presents which seems quite a lot, however, I put away £25 a month into a credit union savings account so that will be £300 plus I've got £70ish Amazon vouchers made from surveys (and hopefully will make more before christmas).

Today should be a NSD as I'm currently on my way to a double shift and have got plenty of supplies with me.

dolly84

Hi all.

Me and DD didn't go to town together yesterday after all as she was asked to go swimming with a friend, friends mum paid for her too. I went shopping on my own and got her a new lunch box using Nectar points. Had a mooch around the shops but didn't buy anything else. Did a full grocery shop at Lidl yesterday (it was super busy and the guy on the till said he hadn't seen it so busy since Christmas eve:eek:).

Went blackberry picking yesterday and got another ice cream tub full, this is my fourth tub this week from the graveyard opposite our house, I am eating them by the boat load with yoghurt. There are loads of mushrooms over there too but I am too unsure identifying them.

Me and DH went to the woods last night and collected a bag full of logs for our stove for winter, we couldn't carry loads and I was freaking out a bit over the slugs.

Today we are going to try and get our dog microchipped for free at a local dog show, DH is trimming a hedge and cutting some branches off a tree as a neighbour (on the other side of the road) says it is blocking his view, trouble is the tree is huge so I don't know how he will get up there.

Tea tonight is chinese style pork loin steaks from Lidl, with potato wedges and mini corn on the cob.

I also need to nip out and get bread for the kids lunchboxes as I am not overly impressed with Lidl's bread selection so I will call at the co-op for that later on.

Washing is on now and another load to go in which will hopefully get line dried today.

Have a lovely day all.

academiablues

Hi all! Mothernerd, thanks for the tomato tips! I made some pasta sauce by roasting some red and green ones and some onions, then blending - it was lush. Got about 2.5lbs of tomatoes left, going to try to ripen them in a bag as suggested.
Apple, I don't really have a recipe in terms of amounts, but I chopped three red onions into small pieces, then some green tomatoes (about the same amount as onions, eyeballing it) and added one large cooking apple, a few raisins (a third of a packet-ish), a tablespoon of mustard seeds, some chilli powder (to taste), a little demerara sugar and about two thirds of a bottle of malt vinegar. Just chuck it all in, it will all smush together by the end anyway, and once you've brought it to the boil, leave to bubble slowly away for about an hour and a half, stirring every 15 mins or so. That made about six jars (8oz jars). It's really simple (must be if I can do it!)
Made chilli and spag bol for this week today, using a few more tomatoes as I went! Trying to muster the energy to go brambling, Dolly and Welshkitty you're making me jealous with all the blackberries you've got hope everyone has a relaxing Sunday.

Samiszel

Hi all. Hope you are enjoying the last hours of the weekend. Beautiful day here (finally!!). Did a boot sale with my mum this morning and DH has been productive fitting our new garage door (bought off Fleabay for £2 :rotfl:).

Must plan some lunches to work for the week and will cook Thai cashew chicken this eve.

Feeling in a good mood- must be that glorious sunshine!

apple_muncher

One of the things that always bears further scrutiny is our SOA - Statement of Affairs. Each time an annual renewal comes around, we need to check we truly are getting the best deal. When a fixed-term deal ends, we do the same. Guesstimates aren't enough for us - we like to know all the details!

Here's a website that is aimed at helping people get financially savvy, but you need to see beyond the advertising - sorry! I reckon it bears a look, even if you keep saying, 'yep, already doing that!'

Here it is: http://www.earlytorise.com/30-fast-tips-for-a-more-frugal-life/?utm_ad=18456&utm_placement=1&utm_medium=1&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=etr&utm_content=30fasttipsformorefrugallife

crazy_cat_lady

Haven't managed a NSD today - needed potatoes and bread so a teeny spend...
But I have done a couple of worthwhile things. Batch cooked.
1. YS roast chicken breasts stir fried with peppers, onions, tomatoes, spinach, green beans and baby corn. Sauce made with chilli flakes, soy sauce and honey.
2. Onion, pepper, tomato and halloumi kebabs.
3. Sausage rolls made with YS sausage meat (15p)
4. Pulled pork in the slow cooker to make into sandwiches tonight and for a roast dinner tomorrow night.
I also rang BT, who are my 'everything' provider to see if there were any offers available to me as an existing customer, and I managed to save £28.50 a month. :j
Have also paid the emergency CC off, less than a month after I got it - and now am starting to replenish my real EF.

abundant1972

Evening everybody!

Apologies for my absence the last few days... Had family visit and as lovely as it was my routine is all over the shop.

03/09 - Spend Day
04/09 - Spend Day
05/09 - Spend Day
06/09 - SFD number 2

Not off to a great start but plenty of time to make ammends. The credit card pay and clear in full each month idea is taking a bit of juggling - and had a few slips - although still managed to reign myself in, and remind myself to only use them with money I have in my account this month (so I'm not spending next month's wages before I've even got them).

Got to ask myself, 'Do I need this? Can I afford this?' before splurging out on anything...

Regarding Christmas, Applemuncher - I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines as I don't celebrate it (I do solstice). In some ways it's a huge relief not to be caught up in the financial whirlpool but appreciate I also miss out on many of the magic moments that made up my childhood Christmases. Be strong - don't feel compelled to overspend and plough yourself into more debt. Good idea to start planning now!!!

Have a great evening and chat tomorrow x