NST: May the NST force be with you

Fmess

Happy because of the sunshine and I batch cooked bolognese.

Kind because I marked some tests over the weekend so a colleague could have the weekend off.

Frugal because I massively bulked out my bolognese with a huge pack of mushrooms, two fading onions and sone peppers from the freezer that I froze to save from going off last month.

mothernerd

Various large items of furniture have been brought downstairs and stacked neatly in the backs, ready for collection.

What made me happy - waking feeling warm and relaxed.

Kind deed - a bag of small items were shoe-horned into a spare corner of the charity bin at the library.

Frugal tip - share your knowledge. Neighbour's dog was barking when i was wrapping a mattress to keep it dry. She wanted to know what I was doing so gave her details of cost and how to do it online.

Dizzy_Imp

I'm pleased to report a good day here today.

Happy that the archaeologist didn't find any significant "remains" in my house today. Huge relief.

Kind - I bought my builders ice-creams as it was sooo hot today. Secretly enjoyed the bare-chested working...shh...

Frugal tip of the day is to research all purchases online before buying to ensure you get the best price.

The_Only_Girl

Hello fellow frugalites!

Sorry didn't get to post over the weekend. It was a mixed bag sort of weekend. Saturday was a lazy day, had a lie in, then spent almost the entire afternoon sewing. Finished a top using a fabric I brought back from my holiday 2 weeks ago (I swear it feels like ages ago already). The fabric only cost me £5. So the top was a bargain. And me-made. Can't wait to give it an outing on Wednesday. It was also NSD number 4 as nobody ventured out of the house expect hubby but he was under strict instruction not to spend.

Sunday was a busy day. Went down to Derby for my "money talk" at a women conference. It went down really well. I had good feedbacks from the audience and some are interested in inviting us over at their own churches. It is so heart warming how talks about money eg budgeting, economising, leaving below your means, and getting out of debt resonates with a lot of people. Had to pick up a bit of snack on the way home but nothing too expensive that will cost an arm and a leg. Hubby came home with a bucket of chickens from the famous chain from Kentucky with a huge grin on his face as he walked through the door. He wombled 4 large fries and a 2L pop for >15 minutes wait in the take away bay. It is rude not to accept such a generous womble.

Did a huge food shop today, spent nearly the entire week's groceries and household budget. I have about £15 for top up shop before the weekend but quietly confident we can do it.

What made me happy during the weekend
1. Me-made top in gorgeous fabric
2. Seeing my friends whom I haven't seen for a long time
3. Spending time with 2 of my best friends during the trip to Derby, had lots of eye opening conversations
4. Hubby's great womble in Kay eff cee.
5. Newly discovered recipe using bits and bobs in the fridge - saut!ed/stir fried curly kale, frozen sweet corn, petit pois and chopped courgettes. Yummy, healthy and only 2 WW points.
6. I have bought myself my early birthday presents - 4 sewing patterns that were on sale online. Paid only £15 for them. I am a self confessed sewing addict.
7. Successful workshop yesterday.
8. Great day at work, I love my job! It's something that is too easy to take for granted but not many are fortunate enough to love what they do.
9. Not going over my WW smart points daily allowance. It's not easy but hopefully it's worth it.

Acts of kindness:
1. I gave my friend a belated birthday gift, a pattern from my pattern stash which I was going to sell on eBay. She's just bought a new sewing machine and needed something to do.
2. A lady was desperate to have a £1 coin for the shopping trolley. I let her have mine in exchange for 5 x 20pences. She was over the moon and her girl was so cute. She asked me what my name is. She's called Lucy.
3. I stayed 45 minutes extra at work to fix a problem with a machine in A/E.
4. I agreed to come in 30 minutes early tomorrow so that the clinic in the Chemo Unit will not be disrupted.

Frugal tips:
1. Don't throw kitchen wastes, paper and cardboard in the normal domestic waste. They make excellent compost.

thriftylass

Hopefully another NSD today.

Tried to re-root a spring onion and it worked, it's in a pot now and we'll see what happens. Thanks for that tip.

Also made my own "tofu" last night. Burmese tofu made from chickpea flour. Tastes so much nicer than soy based tofu and I'm having it in a salad with spring onion, chilli, soy sauce, fish sauce and coriander today. But apparently it doesn't fry well. Might try it in a thai noodle soup though.

A week ago we had the heating on, now it's hard to get to sleep as the attic bedrooms get so hot. But love the sunshine.

EDIT:

Gosh that was the worst bank switch yet (to N@t1onw1de). Started the process on April the 12th. They then forgot about it and I had to chase it up. The actual "7" day switch started on the 27 of April (I guess bank holiday and weekends make it seem so much longer) and now I can't access my money. The switch completed yesterday, my old account is closed but I don't have a PIN for a new one. Phone on number and she suggested to wait a few days, really? Then phoned another number and she at least initiated a PIN reminder letter that'll take 3-5 working days!! Well see the positive and I can't spend any money . We better really get our £100 referral bonus next month

SpekySquarehead

Hi everyone,

Sorry I didn’t manage on through the weekend the stag do in Newcastle got the better of me. I was defeated. Getting too old for this carry on.

What has made me happy?
The glorious sunshine and barbeque we had yesterday. Wonderful.

One thing I done for someone else?
I’ve bought a little present for my friends kid who will be 2 tomorrow.

Frugal tip?
Make your own marinade! Certain supermarkets were selling pre-marinated meats for an extra couple of £’s. With your own spices you can make your own delicious, spicy meat (paprika, cumin and a dash of chilli flakes).

The_Only_Girl

Thrifty please can you share the recipe/procedure for making chick pea tofu?

Bobarella

Hey all

I don't usually shop at Icyland no reason just not near by. But today I went to a different area that has one and i noticed they had a great offer on beef mince. 3 x 500g for only £5. That's amazing value. Mr S where I normally shop do a 500g value mince at £1.90 so anyway I am going to go tommorow and take advantage. That's a lot of meals for £5 once you have batch cooked them all up.

I was very pleased today to get my energy bill and find it was only £54 instead of £114 as last month. That's the result of having the heating off by April 1st and not using the tumble drier at all. So that's a good bit of news. Will put the money towards the card when the bill would normally go out.

Oh and found 10p roadkill.

Off for a read now

Bob

The_Only_Girl

Hello turtles!

I noticed it's a bit quiet around here today. Is everybody having so much fun in the sun? I can't blame you, it's glorious outside. It's a shame I was at work all day, although I did get to walk outside for a bit, fresh air and lots of sunshine, bliss!

NSD number 5 nearly lost but managed to bag today. Woke up a little bit drowsy, stayed in bed as long and late as I could. Didn't have time to make any packed lunch. Was already thinking of going to subway for lunch but remembered at the last minute that we have some WW ready meals in the freezer. Whew crisis averted. Dinner already cooked, just waiting for hubby to come home from work. Beef stew using left over beef from the other day's dinner (5 smart points) and a bit of vegetable stir fry a la chop seuy Filipino version. The chop seuy is 1 smart points per serving.

Things that made me happy today
Another good day at work, working with lovely colleagues
Not exceeding my WW daily points
Wearing one of my me-made tops

Good deed
I gave another colleague another pack of dried mango which she immediately devoured and enjoyed

Frugal tip for today
Leave the house much earlier than normal and drive at a relaxed pace to save petrol.

apple_muncher

Tog- no fun in the sun here - more like drowned rats!

Some more NSDs acquired, which is good for morale.

Happy today because my A2 kiddies did crackingly good French orals.

Kind today listening to a colleague who needed to rant; and tomorrow's kindness prepared already by making gf scones for my last y11 lesson. Nowt like planning ahead for spontaneous kindness!

Frugal tip: enjoy life's simple things.