NST: May the NST force be with you

thriftylass

Good morning!

The new thread will go up today as I might not be around much over the weekend and don't want to leave it till Monday. Don't worry if I don't respond straight away. Monday latest I will start giving out numbers etc.

No SFD today. DH away now till Sunday on a stag do. Will take kids to the shops after work today and maybe have a picnic dinner in the play park. Hopefully get some garden work done and some other things of my list over the weekend.

The new thread is here

Calling14

Happy Friday folks - hopefully going to be a very cheap or SFD. My bank account looking bit dire. No plans as yet, hey ho open to offers

News is getting my ceiling fixed and soil pipe boxed in. Further work in lounge/ dining room getting as well very happy as price is so cheap. Good tradesman as well, one of my mates does the same work and said he wouldn't get out of bed for what he has quoted me. Total cost will be 400 and I get the materials so will probably come to 500 pounds mark. I now need to save up some dosh. Won't start for a few weeks yet so I can breathe for a bit.

Mothernerd - great result with the boiler man! Well done

Had fun this morning popped and saw gs sports day. First in egg and spoon that is what matters in life.

Bought some milk yday and asda curries pack seemed a good deal 2 meals and bits for 4 pounds for a lazy night in.

Going to buy myself lunch today well its Friday and can claim it back. So a Boots meal deal it is. Hopeful of a SFD unless the pub calls tonight.

apple_muncher

Probably my final sign in for the month as dd and I are off camping for a few days.

I have reached 21 NSDs with a run of 11 in a row. Eek! That's what being so poorly has achieved! But before I get too smug, I need to add that dh went and did the shopping instead of me. But there were no extra bits or visits to the charity shops.

It has been good to focus on being kind, happy and frugal - thank you ccl :T.

Fmess

Wow apple 11 in a row is brilliant!

Today was a spendy day but I'm pleased I made it past payday without spending. Today I treated myself and colleagues to some chocolate and I treated myself to some cheese to have on my pasta for tea. Don't say I don't know how to live it up!

Tonight I'm going to have a proper sit down and run through my budget for the month. I start examining tomorrow so that should keep me super busy and not spending money.

Hope you have so had some of this lovely sunshine

crazy_cat_lady

Good morning Turtles
It's the final weekend of May, and the final push into June. We've almost made it!
So sorry that I've disappeared off the face of the universe the past few days. I knew I was going to be busy through exam time with work, family and exam stuff, but obviously I didn't factor in dh with his broken ankle. That has come along with more than a few appointments and visits, extra things to do around the house and nobody to share the kids clubs with.
I'm actually fairly pleased with my theme for the month because although this has been incredibly difficult I am still managing to remain reasonably upbeat with everything. My exam marking should help make up the shortfall of dh having another 5 weeks off work, and I am off school for a week, so the past week from hell and this weekend (also from hell) should be something I can recover from.
So, not sure what I reported since I was last on. The cat that was hit by a car seems absolutely fine - thanks Bob for reminding me to trust my instincts. She's eating loads and playing as normal so I can only assume that there's a car driving around somewhere with a large, cat shaped dent in it :rotfl:
Things that have made me happy this week:
Lovely, thoughtful presents from my Year 11's that are leaving
DH not needing to have surgery on his ankle
Managing to juggle everything without having a complete meltdown
Only having to bring a small amount of work home to do during the holidays
Frugal ideas:
Keep track of your nsd's - I've lost count of mine and now feel a bit hopeless about all of that
Before buying anything online - have a look for a voucher or discount code
Kindness:
Covering a friend's lesson so she could move house
Helping my head of department with something he needed doing urgently
Hang on in there Turtles - we've almost made it.

misstara

Morning turtles
Sorry I've also not been posting much, was feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything but now feeling a bit more positive and motivated. Today is the first day of 10 days off work so I'm going to use the time to get organised, start meal planning again, sit down and have a proper chat with OH regarding finances, etc.

Was out with the girls last night which was very enjoyable, I've got an afternoon tea to attend today plus a few drinks out later with friends. Feel like I haven't been particularly sociable this month and then this weekend is full on. I've budgeted £100 for this weekend :eek: and spent £46 last night. Today hopefully won't be too expensive and any leftover money will go into the wedding expenses fund.

Fmess

Hi all,

Isn't this weather glorious

Having a productive day so far and just had my end of half term treat, a massage I used my tutoring wages from this week so it doesn't affect May or June's budgets . Washing is drying on the line and I have finished the throwing away old sad looking knickers and replaced the final three pairs the food shopping is done so I just need to sit down and complete the test to make sure I know how to mark correctly so that I can start examining on Monday.

Enjoy the sunshine turtles

Bobarella

The weather is lovely isnt it fmess we have been outside a lot today. Perfect washing drying weather!

Cat I am so pleased that your black cat is ok. And good luck with half term and looking after your OH.

Today has been a good day full of MSE things. The fridge was bare so we did a tiny restock shop at my new favourite place you really cannot argue with a kilo of cheese for £4. Total spent was £12. And that will do us for lunches and evening meals through till Tuesday.

Im making a spag bol for tonights dinner and will make a lasagne for tommorow at the same time.

We've been out on our usual big busy saturday route which involves bus to Lewisham then changing to get DS to dance. Before we went we traded in some games he no longer wanted which he got £20 for and used his proceeds to buy 2 more. Its a great way of doing things as he regularly gets new games and we hardly ever actually part with cash.
Went to the building society and took cash in for DD.

I listed a Woody the cowboy dressing up outfit on fleabay earlier. Fingers crossed.

I'm mulling on the debt situation too. I owe my signature figure as below and if I keep going at a rate of £200 a month will clear it by xmas. However as mentioned we will have more in the budget over July and August and potentially September to a certain degree.
I dont know whether to just smash the debt down as fast as I can or stick steadily to the repayment plan and maybe either save more of it or think about a holiday of some sort.

Its hard isnt it because I want to get DF as soon as possible so we can start working on our next goals but I would like to have a few fun days too over the summer. Im lucky that my OH is completely on the same page re debt but at the end of the day he isnt as obsessive as me about it. I wonder if there is a happy medium for us.

Just rambling really but opinions welcome as usual.

Well. OH has gone for a lie down as we are both very tired from DDs teething. So Im watching the children slash on the internet... not that much else to do today. Have been joining in the Flylady thread to try and get a bit more organised around the house. I like it so far.

Bye gang.

Bob

mothernerd

Forced my unwilling carcass up the ladders and spent 3 hours getting rid of the black mould on the window 'chimney'. Standing on step 5 (two more steps but nothing to hold onto if I go any higher) clinging on with one hand, using an old soft broom with half a pillowcase wrapped round it to get at the top bits (roof height). Trying not to get nasty stuff in my eyes, ears, mouth or lungs.

Down time got progressively longer (and broom wielded in one hand got heavier) as the afternoon progressed. Was going to buy the emulsion paint so I don't have to go out tomorrow but fell asleep as soon as I took my wellies off and sat down on the bed. Shops were long closed by the time I woke up.

Will continue tomorrow if I can move various body parts.

Happy - feeling tired but have worked for this tiredness. Satisfied that I have completed this bit (lots more to do) and did it when I didn't feel like it, just got up and made a start.

Not seen anyone else to be nice to.

Frugal - will be buying me paint tomorrow or the day after as there is a BH offer. My preferred paint is £16.40 per 2.5 litre. Alternative big brand is £11 per 2.5 litres and own brand is £10 per 2.5 litres with a limited range at £15 for 5 litres. I am going with the £11 offer. I have used all 3 but think this has better coverage than the own brand and is slightly less messy. I need to limit contact with paint as it can bring on my dermatitis (should be okay for now but as I need to do the whole house sometime during the year contact needs to be rationed).

Today I am grateful for hot baths, my bed and peace and quiet - display on Town Hall square yesterday involved lots of small children and some very big drums, clearly audible from my house. Thought it sounded like the bit in old films before the 'natives' attack but then realised that it most reminded me of 'If', the Lindsay Anderson film set in a public school - so a different sort of native.

Eager_Elephant

Sorry guys - have been missing for most of the month. Have just caught up on the thread and I have loved all the kind things/frugal tips etc.


I think having a mini-break in the middle of it did not help - my break was quite frugal. Cost £100 for my share - 3 nights/4 days in the best apartment in the hotel. Spent £130 on alcohol/food while we were there.
I did buy a new dress and shoes but they will be used again but my scarecrow outfit might not get another use!!


Up until Sat 21st I only had 8 NSD's (The weekend I went away I have counted all 4 days as spends even though cash withdrawn on the first day).


Need to catch up with YNAB and will then report in with my NSD's etc.


Well done everyone for getting through the month and thanks to CCL who has run the thread even when things at home are tough!!!