NST: October: Letting go of the love of stuff.

mothernerd

I've had a happy day. All Stepchange paperwork done and sent off (including setting up a new bank account yesterday). Workers have replanted all the flower beds around the library - only one or two primroses emerging but lots of sweet little purple violas. Stopped to watch a squirrel playing in the churchyard - they don't often come as far as the town centre. he was hunting for a nut and I thought the children had had all the chestnuts but he found one and took it back to 'his' tree.

Broke my budget but bought 2 x 8 wholemeal tortilla wraps for 17p per pack and 3 packs of 'bake at home' baguettes for the same price. 3 x mixed pickles for 45p a jar (I know they were nearly £2 as I wanted some for my sore throat the other week and settled for the 30p value pickled onions) for 45p plus a jar each of Bearnaise sauce and red onion chutney (could have had more but aware of the sugar content). Should cheer up the cheapo value cooked meats and a little to put aside for shushmas. Bonus as the freezer is a little low so brings it back up to economical running level (will wrap bread items singly) and can replace as I buy YS treats and make dishes.

Some days all you achieve is small victories, but sometimes that's enough.

It's mid month, the weather's gone nasty (had two brilliant sunshiney days), bugs abound, we are all feeling flat. Cut yourselves some slack turtles (turtle haka anyone?), put a funny (or weepy) film on (sometimes a good cry helps), have a hot bath, light a scented candle, curl up in a blanket (those of us still not putting the heat on - new babies are exempt of course) with a good book. Put some music on and dance as if no-one is watching.

You have all made some progress even if it isn't as much as you would like or had hoped. We will all get there. Every small step, every sacrifice is a contribution.

andrar

stewby - I hear ya! One thing to remember is don't feel guilty! We don't want you feeling bad, we're all meant to be doing this for a positive purpose, not to end up feeling conflicted and awful about it.

One thing I've done to stop feeling as if I was always missing out was to treat myself to really meaningful things that served a few purposes eg cake club once a month, about a tenner after making cake and buying a tea wherever we end up meeting but worth it because it's social, I meet new people and get to eat heaps of cake. Also I've not scrimped on ensuring I have something to look forward to so i put away enough money each month to go towards a big holiday every two years. I don't really do Xmas as I haven't any family and I'm getting a bit old to keep gate crashing other people's days so I save up to travel somewhere amazing over Xmas and new year that I'll remember forever. Amazing memories, something to reward myself with after months of saving and putting extra pennies towards debt, and meeting new people! Not strictly the money saving way but I tried that and it made me really unhappy. I've made peace with the fact it's going to take me a little bit longer to pay off my debts, but it's worth it and I feel like I'm still living my life.

Anyhoos, a spend day yesterday and today, but should have two in the bag over Thursday and Friday.

Bobarella

Mothernerd -fab motivational post thank you. I am so glad to hear you sounding so bright too.

I am feeling really grotty with some kind of heavy cold/hoping not flu. I suppose it's from being a bit run down but I almost never get I'll so it's making me miserable. Have a very sore throat and cough/sniffles. Can't wait for the weekend again to have OH around and a bit more help. He was ill earlier in the week but has shaken it off.

Last bill of the month goes out Friday which I am anxiously watching the bank balance for as it's been a tight month. But hoping funds should also hit the account Friday too from the rental. Then can make a few more debt payments.

Hope everyone has a good Thursday.


Bob

thriftylass

Fmess wrote: »

thrifty - sorry to hear you and OH have been disagreeing and OH has not been helping out. I'm afraid that this is a story echoed by many of my female colleagues.

Well, writing my husband an email and spelling things out, as silly as it sounds, seems to have had some effect. His last response was still without admission of wrong doing or the need for improvement and he was grumpy (and tired) most of the evening, although he started to snap out of it after football training. This morning I was up with DD at half past 5. DH wanders in at half past 6, saying DS woke hime but is still sleeping. And he stayed up!!! He started playing with DD and was all cheery then at 7:15 got DS and it was just a very pleasant morning. Shows you, not a great talker but his actions speak volumes, must have said sth right

mothernerd wrote: »

Some days all you achieve is small victories, but sometimes that's enough.

mothernerd your positivity is infectious


Today will be a SFD. Will pop in later again

misstara

Morning turtles

Like everyone else, I seem to be struggling a bit this month, still aiming for NSDs and making small overpayments to the debt but don't really feel particularly motivated. Now up to 12 NSDs, today should be another one.

Hugs to everyone who needs one. Some positives for me today - I start work at 11 so had a wee lie in, it's a beautiful day so I get to walk to work in the sunshine and I'm popping round to see a friend after work. Just got to keep focusing on positive things and stop stressing about everything else (easier said than done I know)

dolly84

mothernerd - your YS bargains sound good.

Thrifty - sorry to hear your DH is being a pain. My DH is a truly amazing man, he can honestly say that in his entire life he has NEVER ONCE BEEN WRONG or had to apologise ever:mad:.

Bob - Dr Dolly orders honey in hot water for you and feet up.

Stewby - when I read your post I wasn't sure what you were getting at, you are so close to being debt free now that the hard work and sacrifices are almost done. From my point of view I think 'well I got myself in this mess so I have to get myself out of it' and if that means missing out on things then so be it.

Everyone is doing fantastically well this month and if our debt totals comes down by even the tiniest amount then it is a success and not a failure, sometimes life's little trials get in the way of our targets and we should all be prepared for that mentally and not start to feel down.

I have been for a run this morning and it was horrible, I don't enjoy running in the morning. I will walk the dog later then cleaning and work. I have DS's parents evening but it is 3pm so we can go straight off to get DD from school. Tonight me and DD are delivering our Avon orders so will have some cash from that.

Lunch today is left over soup from yesterday and a bread roll, tea is southern fried chicken goujons, wraps and salad.

The washing is out on the line, it keeps threatening rain then coming sunny again but it is quite windy so may dry. The machine is on again with about 1000 towels in it:eek:, who are all the people who shower in my house?

Enjoy your day guys, keep plugging away, chins up, we are all heading in the right direction.

thriftylass

dolly84 wrote: »

Thrifty - sorry to hear your DH is being a pain. My DH is a truly amazing man, he can honestly say that in his entire life he has NEVER ONCE BEEN WRONG or had to apologise ever:mad:.

In our office we say it must be some evolutionary fault that lingers. Evolution works by only desirable males procreating and males with faults dying out. However, females usually only discover these male characteristics after they have kids with them and it is too late and men remain the same for the next few generations

Bobarella

Thank you Dr Dolly I used to find running in the morning ok but my most preferred time was about 6.30pm. Found I could go for much longer then.

Thrifty -sorry to hear your OH has not been pulling his weight. Glad your email seems to have done the trick.

MissTara - Glad you got a lie in

crazy_cat_lady

Thrifty - your dh sounds a lot like mine. When it all gets too much for me then I write him a letter or email - and it doesn't usually get discussed but he makes the effort for a while. Hope it lasts for you.
Checking in with my 15th nsd of the month - totally skint but happy enough today. My emotional state has been a real roller coaster this month, but I'm at the doctors tomorrow - hopefully she'll sort me out.

apple_muncher

Good luck at the doctor's ccl. Hugs.