NST: February: Back to Basics.

dolly84

Hi guys.

Today is grocery shopping day and I have done it online with tesco to be collected this evening. Will be back to Lidl next week though I think. I need to call into Lidl when I do the school run to pick up some things that Tesco didn't have/were vastly more expensive.

Last night I took everything off the top of our wardrobe and vacuumed it :eek: the dust, put some things into new homes and generally tidied up. I find it very good for the soul to do these type of jobs which I generally put off.

Catwoman_2015

Hello Turtles!

Have now got a day off work so can finally catch up and post my intentions for the month.
I don't actually get paid until Friday so am still currently living on last month's budget, but for the sake of the NSD part of the challenge have started from 1st Feb otherwise I will just get myself in a muddle!
Pleased to report that today is NSD 2/16 as am not planning on leaving the house! Got batch cooking and housework to catch up on after working what feels like 2 weeks non-stop (it isn't, but am feeling a little dramatic today!) :rotfl:

apple_muncher wrote: »

NST: February: Back to Basics.

• We have 29 days on this challenge together. From the 1st February all the way to the 29th. It is not really a ‘short’ month this year.
• What is important to you? That is what you will naturally focus on and that is what will take up most of your energy, so choose wisely. Keep your eyes on that goal this month. What will you fill your head with this month? Remove excuses, unsatisfying filler activities (tv, FB, PC time) and dedicate time to your chosen focus.
  My focus this month is my health, physical and mental - DH has started doing exercise and I feel like a lazy lump in comparison. We go on holiday to Vegas in April where there will be a requirement to go in the pool/wear a bikini. Am not setting a weight loss goal but would just like everything to be a little more toned and a little less wobbly!! I am also an expert worrier over things that I shouldn't really worry about, so some form of chill out/meditation time each day is going to be on the 'to do' list
• Cut back to the basics. Be austere.
• When is your Debt Free Date? How much do you need to pay each month to achieve this? Can you bring this date forward? What are the consequences of not meeting this date?
  My DFD is 1st April which is ambitious but I have a pay day that falls on 1st April and coincides with our mortgage-free month (due to getting paid 4 weekly, not monthly), so the money that would ordinarily go towards the mortgage can clear my remaining debt/provide some spending money for the holiday.

Food: If your cupboards are stuffed, then you are to hone and tone them. Be creative in your concoctions. Downshift brands. Set your budget and stick to it. Can you reduce it by 10%
Grocery budget for the month is £200, already starting to be a savvy shopper and look for deals from different shops on items we buy instead of just ordering from one supermarket online. Do need to get back into my batch cooking as lost the energy to do this whilst on early shifts/doing extra overtime in the last week.


Every penny has a purpose and a job. Allocate a role to them all. Pay to your debt/savings first. Do not give your money to coffee shops, canteens, vending machines, corner shops, takeaway outlets. Budget before the month starts and ensure you compensate for food, vehicle malfunctions, birthdays, travel, outings. And cut it back to the bone.
Budget already done in advance of payday this Friday. Now compiling a shopping list for monthly purchases and planning where to get everything as cheaply as possible.


Buy a homeless person a tea/coffee; donate to a foodbank or the trussell trust; volunteer.
I will donate to my local food bank


Recharge your batteries. The lighter days are coming. Do what you need to do to lift your mood (that involves no spending…!) Do it 5 times per week. So, clear stuff out and recycle it/give it away/donate it; sort out the paperwork that bothers you; exercise; listen to music; dance.
This ties in nicely with my "Fitness February" that I'm going for - extra exercise of any kind each day, plus only putting wholesome non-sugary foods into my body as I know it's bad for my low moods.


Use what you have before replenishing eg toiletries, cleaning products. Use up your freezer and cupboard stocks. Plan your meals. Take your lunch to work every single day you are there.
I have meal planned to use up the remaining freezer foods in the next 7 days so I can replace with new grocery shop and batch cooked meals to last me the next week until my next day off work.


Avoid the virus that puts the over-riding feeling of ‘want’ beyond what you actually ‘need’, that makes us spend, waste food, accumulate debts. Weigh up every spend and if you decide to buy it, keep a note of it in your notebook.
DH's Birthday is in the next few weeks so am getting him spa vouchers that he asked for - he wants an 'experience' instead of 'stuff' - think my recent decluttering is having an influence on him! :rotfl:



Reduce your outings. You cannot afford to go out every weekend! Arrange them before the month starts and cut by 1. Can you do it cheaper?
The girls are coming round in a week for a cocktail evening at mine instead of going out to a pub or bar. We have one gig to go to on 14th, other than that, Feb is quite a quiet month for us and we don't 'do' Valentine's Day so saving cash there too! :T


Yellow stickers are your friend. If you need to use these or can get to a supermarket at the right time, then set yourself no NSD target (but keep within your budget). For those who prefer rules, you have to get 16 NSDs (not lost if you need medication, fuel, regular activities that need paying weekly or only buy reduced items)
I will aim for 16 NSDs

Who is with me?

Calling14

Hump day check in.

Spending so far this month on
1st 40.01/40 petrol over already budget. Damn nozzle never can gauge it.
20.00 for long overdue haircut - going to go now every 6 weeks !!
2nd SFD
Today - popping our for tea to cheer up friend, whose life is in limbo with ill relative. Will try to get cheapest meal I can find. Planned night. 1/2 nights out

Been looking long and hard at my finances and if I can get through till May I can chill out then. However somehow I need to find 670 pounds for payments in March and April. Going to be bleak few months. Been looking at Frugal thread on here for some ideas, seen a few of you on there.

If your reading this Bob hope your feeling better x

thriftylass

Hello,

unexpected SFD. Was meant to go to the dentist for a scale & polish, but after waiting 25 min was sent home as they didn't have time for me anymore and I had to rebook for March. Heyho. Otherwise not much to report. Managed to read again last night, feels good.

apple_muncher

Calling - which frugal thread(s) have you been looking at?? Need to have a nosey myself now that it seems that Friday is dh's last day at work.

thrifty - if they sent you away because they didn't have time, shouldn't they offer you some compensation???

stewby - hope the day has gone ok for you.

bob - hope you are recovering well. Take it easy.

Catwoman I like your quote: This ties in nicely with my "Fitness February" that I'm going for - extra exercise of any kind each day, plus only putting wholesome non-sugary foods into my body as I know it's bad for my low moods.

thriftylass

apple_muncher wrote: »

thrifty - if they sent you away because they didn't have time, shouldn't they offer you some compensation???

Luckily I was on my lunch break and I guess things happen, i.e. a patient treatment takes longer than expected etc. If I had to take time of work it would be a different matter and I would have said sth. It was the first time it happened, otherwise they are always on time.

Bobarella

Hi All

Still in hospital so not much to report. But hopeful I can leave soon as I am missing my family so much and the whole hospital experience in a massive very busy ward is a bit meh!

Anyway off for a read of what you've been up to.

Bob

FunBrum

Nothing much to report today apart from another SFD today.:)
Last night I thought about my just watching tv for the sake of it, so I turned it off and planted some seeds up.
Have repaired my nieces pushchair. It needed sewing, so I have no fingers left as it was difficult!
Also, have glue gunned my sister's pellet, and she's provided lunch.;)

I'm off home in a little while to catch up with some chores. I think I willl do some candle making later and maybe watch a film on my find me if I can find a free one that I fancy:D

FunBrum

Hugs Bob....:grouphug:

dolly84

Bob - hope you get home soon.