NST April - SPRING INTO ACTION

SpekySquarehead

Delighted to see the May challenge up. Really loving the camaraderie in doing these challenges and having some accountability.

Well done on all who are keeping up. I'll nail my 3 frogs in the coming days.

GSRcat

Hiya, sorry Ive been MIA the last few days due to my internet bring very temperamental!
Anyway thought I would update you all that yesterday I bought myself a car! I'm so proud of myself! It's an old shape French people mover and it was the bargain price of £450 that I paid for in cash. It all happened at once really, I had been looking on gumtree and had messaged a few people re cars and thought this one had gone but the owner messaged me to say he still had it and was going to take £100 off it. So my DB took me over and we took it for a spin, it was a real find cos it's got very low mileage and has had the reccomended work done on it from its last mot.

I was able to tAke it away there an then because I had already got insurance quotes so I phoned up and got that sorted. It will make a massive difference to our lives and not having one has made me appreciate it all the more. Also I never would have been able to get it had I not been DF and hadn't saved up so I'm starting the week a happy bunny.

On another note I had a pay rise and got paid today so I have already done my accounts for the month and it's all looking good so far.
I've only managed 13 NSDs this month but I'm happy with that, I've been VERY active with work and general day to day school runs.
DH and I are going out for a curry and beer on Saturday night, our first night out together in months and months! Don't worry I've allocated money ��

thriftylass

Thanks for the new challenge crazy_cat_lady. I'll do June.

Will check in with my weekend update later

thriftylass

This weekend was ok. Still near freezing during the night up here so my plants aren't doing that great in the garden but the tatties have finally apeared after having been in the ground for 2 months.

Got DS passport pictures done (although he is like me, he would have preferred to go to the dentist, lol) and will get that sorted this week. Otherwise nothing too exciting, library, big shop, first BBQ of the year last night.

Both nights was in bed at 8 with the kids. Sat I was just totally shattered and last night I just couldn't be asked to stay up just to do the dishes, tidy, lunches and watch something on the telly just for the sake of it. So bed it was. But DH was good he did the dishes both nights. I think he gets paid tomorrow and will hopefully manage to sit him down for a chat this week about finances.

Till later

mothernerd

I misread that thrifty - thought you were in bed with 8 kids. Reminded me of when I was getting divorced. I had been sleeping on a mattress on the floor for a while and was looking at whether I could bolt two bunk beds together to make a king size bed. DS3's friend was puzzled as to why I should need such a thing just for me. I said that when everyone else got out of their beds in the middle of the night and got into mine, I wouldn't fall out. Made sense to a 9 yo.

First frog down. I have an up to date will. I have spent £9.99 on a will form (£ emporium didn't have any) but saved £50 - £100. It was much simpler than my existing one as DS2 was 6 months short of 18 and DS3 was even younger so when that was written so various provisions had to be made. Thought it made sense to make use of the witnesses present in the house - can't use beloved in case she and DS3 marry. I already have a form in the house but didn't want to waste too much time looking for it (tried the most likely places). May be able to use that for mum as she needs a new one - just need to persuade her that I am perfectly capable of drawing up a simple will.

Feel so much lighter now, frog eating rocks.

Calling14

"It always seems impossible until it's done" Nelson Mandela.

Final push turtles, even another SFD in the bag helps.

Sorry didn't post yesterday was feeling tad lazy in evening after getting all my jobs out of the way.

Yesterday/ today SFD's takes me up to 16/20 woo hoo.

Got one frog out of the way yesterday. Door strips laminate ones done, can't drill them down as gas pipe is very close to surface, come unstuck on that before. Cut and glued in place, actually better fit than the original ones.

Next frogs - sort out passport photo's Thrifty you are ahead of me.
Find someone to assist or fit fence.

Eager E - hope you are chilling out, shingles isn't nice - had it ages ago but had a rash circling me before I found out why felt so rubbish for week. Rest and try not to stress out. Put your feet up.

Welsh Kitty - have a nice hols.

CCL Thanks for the May challenge will pop over and sign up now

GSR cat - so glad you managed to get a car, I get so stressed out when I haven't got mine.

Thrifty thanks for offering to do June.I made the mistake of planting my wall basket up with plants yesterday - keeping it in sheltered warm position until it warms up -June?

Mothernerd - thanks created another frog for me - I need to do a Will.

Frugal things from yesterday
Made leek/potato soup for work
Stayed in and about house - garden done, house clean and SFD gained.
Dyed my own hair and bathroom oops!

Keep warm - heating will be for a bit tonight.

thriftylass

Just done another survey and managed to get enough point together for another Amazon vouchers in time to order DS birthday presents: a small skateboard and a dinosaur/dragon costume. Result..

DH birthday is in 4 weeks and I have no idea what so ever. It is so much easier for kids.

Bobarella

So finally today I get to nick Bon Jovis line and declare myself 'halfway there' well 50% of my 2016 total has now been repaid anyway. Fingers crossed the other 50% will soon be gone.

dizzyblnd

Cat well done for getting the may challenge up.

Apple I wish I had time to read! I have been promising myself for 2 weeks now I will find time to go to a library n get a book for me. Being a teacher is time consuming.

Pollygarter

Well done Bob...I'm still living on a prayer that I can keep the spends down and the earnings up to keep on going.

Had a result at the weekend with the sale of something on eBay which was a collect only. Been up for a few weeks as it's quite specialised... Not that many people would want it but I wasn't going to give it away. Finally got a buyer who gave me a few hundred in cash thank you very much. I stuck half in savings and half is paying for the day to day expenses so I hope not to touch the bank account for a while. Cleared a nice big space in my house. I did have my aged parents over at the weekend which was lovely but they finally moaned about the dodgy seats I've got in my sitting room. When I downsized I had to get rid of lots of my furniture as it was just too big. So I've been making do with a couple of sweet manky old wooden arm chairs with fairly rubbish loose cushions. They have remarked that their old bums need a bit more padding. So my plans to pay off all my debt when the car sells may have to be modified to buy some new squishy armchairs. Sounds lovely. I may need reminding not to look in the Heals catalogue. Have you seen those prices? !