NST: September: the Turtles go Wombling

dolly84

Hi all.

The meeting at school last night ended up being 2 hours instead of 1, it was interesting but a bit annoying as I was expecting to be home by 8.15pm.

I baked Oatmeal and Raisin cookies for today's school bake sale and gave DD some money to buy something at break time today.

I have cycled this morning up several hills, I still need to walk the dog so a bit more exercise there, I have work to do, washing to peg out and a bathroom which needs cleaning.

I am planning to do my grocery shop either tonight or tomorrow morning at Lidl, this will be the last full shop from this month's budget and we should be quite a bit under budget.

Synonymous

Hi turtles, just caught up on over 4 pages of posts! Hugs to all who need them, and happy anniversaries!

Fmess sorry to hear about your neighbour and glad you didn't have to do the ID in the end.
Good work stewby on the wild camping - I always love it in a tent, even if there are no toilet facilities (good thing about the camper ).
Well done to TOG on the new job - hope the red tape is short and you can start your new adventure soon!
Keep your chins up those with the mid-month blues - it's a happy problem when you've already chucked so much at the debt early on that you are actually missing the debt-busting later on
Well done mothernerd for walking so far and enjoying your time, it must be hard to enjoy nature sometimes when walking is a slog - definitely a sign of improvement when you can have a stroll for its own sake.
Lots of people seem to be having a good look at their total debt which is hard but helpful - like apple said we are brave turtles not ostriches, and tackle our challenges head-on, so well done!
Bob - glad you had a well-earned rest after your busy day - you're like a whirling dervish so much of the time so glad you had some down time. Hope business is the right kind of busy today.
And apple you definitely get some leeway for your budgeting mishaps - having two hungry adults descend on your house is tricky to absorb, and xmas presents are better bought ahead of time at the best price than at the last minute where you don't have time to shop around.

I've been a bit non-stop this week - working by day and busy every evening. I'm doing a course in another city one day a week for the next 9 weeks, which might eventually lead to a career change or a legit side hustle to boost my FIRE pot. Found a deal through MSE to get my train tickets half price, and I'm going to cycle to and from the station from next week to save the bus fare too.

I've got a new lodger too which is a big help as I don't have a wage this month. Going to raid all the cashback/s.market apps too to boost my savings % this month. Need to tot up spends - spent some more from the bedroom decorating budget on pillows and curtains, but think everything is ok. Will report back with SFDs.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Synonymous

misstara wrote: »

H0bbycraft sent me an email earlier about christmas stuff so spent a good while looking at their website. I'm planning on making christmas cards again this year so have picked out some bits that I want to get. Will work that into the budget for next week's pay.

Forgot to say, do you have a Range nearby? I used to make cards and their stock is much cheaper than Hobbycraft and has all the big card-making brands. Much more bang for your buck

Calling14

:jIt's Friday folks:j

Not sure why I am excited but looking forward to pjs and a night in tonight, watching most tv missed this week.

Today paid off another 8.00 go me:T

Got 2.00 m/s vouchers for surveys all adding up. Nearly to to 10.00 now.

Talk talk increasing my tariffs, will delve into that next week as my contract runs out Nov. Boo Hiss.

Will catch up with all your news later on, this work thing getting in the way now:rotfl:

Lovely catch up last night with old school chums, great food and spent just ten pounds, thanks to nice barman who didn't charge me for one drink, as I had to wait and I got free onion rings. Interesting how peoples lives turn out different that you imagine in school.

misstara

Synonymous wrote: »

Forgot to say, do you have a Range nearby? I used to make cards and their stock is much cheaper than Hobbycraft and has all the big card-making brands. Much more bang for your buck

Thanks for the tip Synonymous, there's one fairly close to the Aldee I normally use so will go and have a look.

Payday so have paid £10.23 to cc2 and £5 to the.emergency fund Today will be a NSD, 10/20.

abundant1972

Hi all...

Apologies for my absence again. The last week and a half just flew by and I've been in a bit of a downward spiral emotionally and had a lot going on. I have times like this and just need to recharge.

Spending wise I'm doing ok and within budget although lost track of my SFDs (though haven't spent much in the last week).

I've got so far behind on posts now I think I'm going to take some time out for a little while. I was meant to be doing the threat next month I think, but not sure I am up to it given I'm struggling to get on at the moment...

So - October needs a new leader! Sorry...

I'm going to watch from the sidelines and cheerlead for a couple of months if that is ok... I'll stick to my budget and revamp my goals on my Birthday in November...

Lots of love and hugs all round - be amazing and keep on target xxx

crazy_cat_lady

Hi Abundant
Sorry you're not feeling so good at the moment - I hope you're better soon. Remember to be kind to yourself
Another NSD for me today - even though the shopping is coming tonight it was bought yesterday so included in yesterday's spends. I am exhausted after a busy week at work, and think I fancy a sneaky drink. I have a bottle of vodka so a teeny one from there won't make much difference...

stewby

Good evening.

Sorry about the delay but worked my nights then flipped on to day shift to work extra today (all extra pennies).

We have been managing very well this month... currently have 13 spend-free days. Apart from our shopping Tuesdays (three so far), our allotment day, the only other spendy day has been last saturday where we went and bought pies as a treat whilst wild-camping.
So still on track for 22 spend-free days.


I have bought the majority of our xmas presents but haven't classed it as a spend day as we used a mixture of 4m4z0n vouchers, the free £10 one and our xmas pot.
So all saved for in advance.


Despite being very very good with our shopping lists and meal planning, we have still used up all our food budget.
A question... do people think £120 a month is too little for two adults??
We used to manage on this amount but we are now struggling. I can't decide if it is maybe that our "morries" have increased their prices cause we haven't changed what we buy that much.
:undecided

Current plan is to pay off the credit card and then start paying £250 each month off the mortgage. Also going to put £125 into a wedding fund and £100 into an emergency fund.
Obviously we will also be carrying on with our xmas pot... 2016 is starting to look very positive.
:j

Hope everyone is doing okay. Hugs to you all.

apple_muncher

abundant - sorry it's been tough recently. You are wise to take time out and recharge your batteries. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

stewby - did you carry on with the gluten-free eating? Did that use up extra money?

syn - glad you have a new lodger - sounds like it is really useful for you.

ccl - sorry you have had a rough week - be kind to yourself this weekend.

Have spent the evening watching the rugby. It is currently at 66 mins and could go either way...

Got another NSD - went with dd's class up to Lunnon and we got drenched several times, so all felt a bit miserable and sorry for ourselves!

apple_muncher

Any volunteers for October???