NST: February: Back to Basics.

XSpender

After 2 days of heavy hail showers we have had a very light snow shower, if I hadn't been on the phone looking out of the window I wouldn't have known it had happened it was that light! It is blinking freezing up north.

Today should be a NSD although tomorrow I will have to spend on a car wash (I drive a company car and keeping it very clean at all times is part of the deal). Planning on a further 3 NSDs this week which will put me on 8. I may not get to the 16 but I am focussing on not spending as my small step to hanging on to my savings every day.

The £70 from TCB I have been waiting to come through for ages is finally payable so I have requested that and will pay is straight over to savings. I have also earned a few more £s of cashback booking some hotels for work today but won't see that for months

I have defrosted some banana cake for snacks when I am away Tuesday night/Wednesday and will be sticking to my no sweets/chocolate/shop bought cakes for lent even though I need to buy some for a meeting I am attending on Wednesday I won't be eating any (helps if I don't buy any GF ones ).

DH and I do not seem to have had a proper evening meal this weekend so will be cooking the meal deal I bought at the weekend.

stewby

Good evening.

Sitting here waiting for my chicken pie to cook (puff pastry for 15p. wooo!!) so have a wee while to come on and read/chat.


Currently off work. Had booked it as a holiday but then ended up off work unwell so not sure what it is classed as.
Had planned on painting the kitchen so we bought the paint on Saturday and my Dad and I painted the first two coats today. We were going to only do two coats but the original colour was a very strong terracotta so we haven't managed to cover it properly.
It looks amazing though.


Yesterday, I made apricot chicken and it was delicious so thought I would maybe share the recipe as it seems quite reasonable in terms of cost.
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/756/apricot-chicken.aspx?o_is=LV


So... we have had our joint account for a whole year (hooray) and we have successfully saved a bit extra (as well as a contingency). As a result, we are each getting £200 as a reward.
OH is using his so that he can pay off his credit card at the end of the month.
I am putting £100 of mine towards my emergency fund, £50 to my mum and that leaves me £50 spare.
I am going to use the leftover £50 to take OH out for a meal (possibly an all-you-can-eat buffet or a TGI Fr1day5 as those are his two favourite restaurants). It's my birthday this month so it would kill two birds with one stone.


Just been distracted by the alarm and food is ready so I will disappear for now.Hope everyone else is doing well. Hugs to you all.

crazy_cat_lady

Most upset that the vet bill was £93 today. Absolutely gutted actually. If I wasn't skint before I am completely skint now. I used the £60 I had budgeted plus mine and ds haircut money. Hair appointment is tomorrow Ah well - I've asked dh if there's any spare money anywhere and he thinks that there may be...
I went up to the carers centre this afternoon - nice to get a break. I moaned about myself and work, and home for a good couple of hours there, and it has completely wiped me out. The lady there thinks I have to make myself a priority and let go of the guilt I feel when I'm sitting doing nothing or doing something for myself. That's easier said than done - I just wish that I had more time. I'm debating referring myself back to the counselling service - just to top up on my CBT and get my head back into remembering that I'm entitled to put myself first for once. I had a doctor's appointment for tomorrow but could only get it with a doctor I don't like much so I've cancelled it. It will have to wait until the Easter holidays now...
Then went off to my training session - which has completely wiped me out. So I'm physically and mentally shattered tonight. Think I'm going to have an early night and see what tomorrow brings.
Oh, almost forgot to declare my ys haul. 8 pints of milk for 18p, and a cook in the bag chicken for 99p. I am most pleased with that. :money:

Fmess

Hugs ccl, please do go to the doctors and get back on the counselling. You do deserve time for yourself and if you choose to have that time putting your feet up, then good on you!

mothernerd

Fmess wrote: »

Hugs ccl, please do go to the doctors and get back on the counselling. You do deserve time for yourself and if you choose to have that time putting your feet up, then good on you!

Same from me.

Didn't stay at Greenham Calling but have done days down there (including one during aforesaid pregnancy - we had to dig the car out of the snow when we got back).

A day of purposeful pottering. Main aim was getting things out of the house, sackful of charity stuff and a bag with a picture to library, 3 books taken back, 4 letters posted, loads of recycling. Went through paperwork again, firstly discarding, then filing, still have lots of bits - all in one pile now, some from old notebooks and diaries, some new - need to be decanted into the newest address+ notebook.

Cleared the bed and remade with fresh sheets, pillowcases and duvet cover. Only things back on here with me are small shopper with all notebooks/accounts etc, laptop and five library books (the half I don't sleep on is acting as a bedside table:rotfl:

Put washing up to soak and did bits on several diy projects - shelves are being difficult. the 8' lengths don't want to separate. I need to get three small bolts out but need to use an allen key set in a recessed circle (1 cm deep) overshadowed by a row of batons which don't want to unscrew (DS3 tried as well and he can't get them to budge). Yesterday I spent 10 minutes on one bolt before it got to where I could use my fingers. Today in 3 attempts I made one turn twice. Risk damaging the wood if I force it without removing the bolts so will persevere.

I've also moved a lot of my sewing/ embroidery stuff to one set of shelves (was on two sets and some on the bed) hoping inspiration will strike.

Will make an early start tomorrow as much more to do this week. Also hoping to go to a 'Chinese New Year' activities drop in thing tomorrow - I think I know where it is but the notice wasn't very clear.

Today I am grateful for a clean and tidy bed, for making progress and for simple food.

misstara

ccl look after yourself.

mothernerd as usual you put me to shame with the amount you get done.

stewby hope you are feeling better.

So not a NSD yesterday after all, although nothing to do with OH (he wasn't feeling great and didn't want to leave the flat). We needed milk and toothpaste plus I bought some snacks as we just had a movie day yesterday. Today should probably be a NSD.

My work/life balance thing isn't going too well, I'm technically supposed to be off on holiday this week but I've got training today plus said I would do two other shifts to help out as we're short staffed ah well it's all extra pennies to throw at the debt I suppose.

dolly84

Hi all.

CCL - how annoying about the vet bill, imo vets no longer care about animals just about money. When my dog breathes his last there will be no more pets for us and vet bills/insurance costs (one big scam) is the main reason.

xspender - it is so ridiculous how long cashback takes to be paid, most of the time I can't be bothered with it for that reason.

It is half term here. Yesterday DD had her hair cut, she had waist length hair and was originally just having a trim so I had budgeted £10 but she ended up with a pixie cut :eek: which cost £22 as they washed and blow dried it and it was a complete re-style.

Today the kids have a dentist appointment then we are nipping to the bank in town, not sure what else we are doing, it is dry and bright but freezing.

FunBrum

mothernerd i second what misstara says. I'm exhausted just thinking about your busy days! You will sleep well when your environment is clean and clutter free! I've turned into minimalist, and the freedom that gives you is liberating! :A

FunBrum

I posted late last night but I think I lost it, as it doesn't appear to be on here! I was tired so it could be posted on one of the other threads in on!:(

Another NSD for me yesterday and today. My DD1 is visiting with the girls, so we are wrapping up and off to the park. A nice free play date!:D

I've been reading and watching a lot of YouTube videos about paying off debt and mortgage. There are lots of people posting there debt/mortgage debt free journeys. It's all very inspiring and a lot attribute their success to a guy called Dave Ramsey. I listened to his radio show on YouTube and read one of his books from start to finish yesterday. It's amazing!
If you get chance you should check him out but beware......it's addictive! :rotfl:

Calling14

CCl - hope your put yourself first for once. I do tend to agree with Dolly vets seem to be all about the money now. I would love another dog, but vets bills putting me off.

Well had a blonde moment today and managed to cancel my dd for my credit card, due next week. So paid it a week early by card.
Paid off 68.00 cc3 and 2.00 off cc2 - 70.00 in total go me.:j71% of debt gone now. woo hoo:beer:
However I have 1.37 left in my bank act until Thursday so few SFD's on the cards :rotfl:Today being one of them