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NST: May the NST force be with you

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  • Eager_Elephant
    Eager_Elephant Posts: 4,714 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker

    NST: May Rules


    • The challenge runs from 1st to 31st May 2016
    • You will aim for 16 NSDs Should be doable although I am away for 4 days and that involves spending on each day.
    • Budget the month ahead and pay your debts off at the beginning of the month. Live off what is left. I need to do my budget for May on YNAB and get it onto an Excel spreadsheet so I make sure my savings come first, then debt, then spends.
    • Plan your social activities. As there are two bank holidays this month I suggest a maximum of 3 activities. Try not to be impulsive. I have a party next weekend which I don’t want to go to and then the girlie weekend so that’s more than enough!!
    • Take your lunch to work every single day Should be fine with this.
    • Donate time or money to the charity of your choice I do the Air Ambulance lottery every month but will try to donate to another one.
    • Try and make an extra £50 over the month, either by decluttering and selling, crafting or wombling I’m so bad at selling, I just give everything away for free!! I do surveys and YouGov is nearly at payout which will be £50!!


    Today has been a NSD, wanted to get to supermarket but relative is in hospital again so did not get a chance to go to the shops.
    • Every day post one thing that has made you happy today.
    Spending the morning on my allotment and then seeing everyone else on their plots. These are neglected plots that I have helped bring back into use so to see over half the plot holders about today made me smile.
    • Post one kind thing that you have done for someone else.
    Visited relative in hospital – he had been in since early hours of Sat morning but we were only called at 10am today!! Hospital told relative that they have tried loads of times but they couldn’t reach me – total lie as always keep phone on me and have not been anywhere without a signal. (Relative fell while trying to get up from bed as his legs gave way and he could not get up as could not feel his legs, turns out he has an infection which they nearly have under control)
    • Post one frugal/moneysaving tip; budget recipe or bargain to share with the other turtles
    Try to grow your own food, even if you only have a small garden you could grow potatoes or tomatoes in tubs, lettuce on old guttering attached to the fence. Strawberries also do well in tubs.
  • Dizzy_Imp
    Dizzy_Imp Posts: 2,782 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Ooh, two "dizzies" in a row!

    My Small made me laugh today, quoting a saying I use when someone is being particularly dim, at his little brother, Tiny, with one eyebrow raised and a hand on his hip :rotfl:

    I gave crates of beer and cider to DH's cousin and mate who both gave up a day to help him at work when things were getting overwhelming, so counting that as my kind deed for today.

    Frugal tip - go to a NT property with large grounds to wear out the kids (assuming you're a member) as parking and entry is free, plus you can take a picnic. We had a fabulous day!
  • Calling14
    Calling14 Posts: 3,498 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Scary it is May. CCL thanks for the challenge I only did weekly challenges as had a quiet period at work and you definitely don't need extra work.

    I spent today got some veg from Aldee.£5.01 spent.

    Ached all day today, a day of fence painting yesterday, followed by gig with 2 hours dancing. My arms and thighs killing me, fun night however.

    Watching Suffragette film, not sure why but I can picture Mothernerd as fighting for the cause. :)

    Happy - still laughing at dance moves did last night(only 5 of us dancing in total:o
    Kindness-Helped neighbour felt her shed roof.
    Frugal tip I use washing liquid(clothes) to clean grease off in kitchen. Works well.
    LBM 13039 1.1.13 Now £0 Finally Debt FreeMortgage free Oct 2019:)EFund/savings £25000 10/11/22
  • Fmess
    Fmess Posts: 2,920 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    edited 1 May 2016 at 10:16PM
    Evening all,

    Turned into a spendy day as I needed to buy dessert for the dinner at my parents. Since I had already spent I bought two other items I had been waiting to buy and have put off for nearly 6 months - mascara, the only makeup I ever bother with and then I probably only wear it a couple of times a week, and new knickers. I went to a talk about happiness the other day and one of the suggestions was to bin all your knickers that are misshapen, don't fit, gone an odd colour etc. The logic is that every morning you open your knicker drawer and it makes you a little sad to see all these knickers that have seen better days and that then can set the tone for your day. The idea is that if all your knickers are nice, then you'll be happy when you open your knicker drawer! I'll let you know how it goes!

    Off to bed now as worn out after a productive day and a little bit of family drama tonight!

    Thing that made me happy - putting up new pictures of my friends and family in my lounge.

    Act of kindness - driving my sister to and from my parents and giving her some wine I won't drink.

    Frugal tip - use all the extra soap based smellies you get in gift packs as shower gel. I've been washing with bubble bath since Christmas as I don't have a bath.
    LBM = 07/09/13 Debt = £13339 (100% cleared)
    New roof and car £8557/£19003 New kitchen £396/£5039 Credit card Paid Student loan Paid
  • WelshKitty85
    WelshKitty85 Posts: 1,439 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    H everyone!

    Count me in for May please. Can't believe it's May already!

    Aiming for 16 NSDs.

    Have updated my budget as my income is increasing (see below!).

    Too tired after our holiday to think of any activities but definitely won't be any more than 3 this month.

    Already planned some healthy meals to take for work lunches.

    Payment has gone out to air ambulance.

    Have additional income coming this month - £62 from 2 small business sales, and just over £100 for election duties. Will keep trying for more.

    Back from holiday late last night. Had a fab time. Barely spent anything in the first part of the hol as we had taken most food with us to cook in our apartment, so treated us all to a slap up meal in Cardiff and still came in under budget. DS was thrilled (and so was I tbh!) that we bumped into some of the Wales rugby team in the shopping centre and his favourite player stopped and shook his hand, so that made his holiday.

    Started the month with a spend day as had to do a big shop after defrosting the freezer. Wonder if we were in Ald! at the same time calling?

    Today I am grateful for getting home from holiday to a letter confirming my contract has been extended by nearly a year and my hours have increased.

    My good deed - I took DH a cup of tea in bed this morning.

    Frugal tip - I bought a really cheap shampoo and conditioner from Ald! for hols as I thought it wouldn't matter if we left it there, but it was so good I've brought the remainder home to use. So, don't be afraid to try cheaper brands.
  • Mothershipa
    Mothershipa Posts: 27 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary
    Hi everyone here goes

    NSD 1/16.
    Budget done for month and iv managed to save.
    I don't have any social plans but I'm decorating DD2 bedroom.
    I made £23.75 selling DVDs today.
    I'm happy to have had the day to myself it gives me a chance to recharge.
    My frugal tip would be to layer up before putting the heating on.

    Thanks to crazy cat lady for running the challenge & I'm looking forward to be comming a fully fledge NST :)
    Proud to be dealing with my debt. :)
    Debt Free Date [STRIKE]December 2018, September 2017[/STRIKE] July 2017 ( hopefully )
    May £10 A Day #21 £33.75/£310, NST May #18, May NSD 2/16,
  • misstara
    misstara Posts: 3,997 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    NSD 1/16 yesterday. My happy thing was a lovely roast dinner. Don't know if I should use this as my act of kindness since it's my job but yesterday I did a shift for 2nd job which involved visiting old people in their homes, for some of them seeing a carer is the only time they will see/speak to anyone all day so really enjoyed chatting to various people I saw yesterday.

    Best go and get ready for work, have a massive to-do list to work my way through today, at least it's double time for the bank holiday :)
    Mortgage 26.4.25 - £108,500  1.8.25 - £106,362.86
    Mortgage overpayment savings - £3.33/£50
    Mortgage overpayments so far - £675.98
  • Bobarella
    Bobarella Posts: 10,824 Forumite
    Savvy Shopper! I've been Money Tipped!
    Morning All

    Just a quick hello. I am loving all the frugal tips this month what a great idea Cat.

    Have a great bank holiday everyone.

    Bob
    " Your vibe attracts your tribe":D

    Debt neutral :) 27/03/17 from £40k:eek: in the hole 2012.
    Roadkill 17 £56.58 2016-£62.28 2015- £84.20)
    RYSAW17 £1900 2016 £2,535.16 2015 £1027.20
  • SpekySquarehead
    SpekySquarehead Posts: 3,019 Forumite
    Photogenic Debt-free and Proud!
    Morning everyone,

    What has made me happy?
    My GF’s dad has finally made contact with her after a big fall out which split the family. A big step in the right direction.

    One thing I done for someone else?
    Made a cup of coffee/tea for everyone in the office.

    Frugal tip?
    I charge my phone in the office, thus saving on electricity.

    Today will be another NSD however tomorrow I'll have to pay for parking which looks to be £8 for 2 hours!!!!! I'll see if I can find some free parking near by instead which will be difficult as there is a concert nearby.

    Have a great Monday!
  • thriftylass
    thriftylass Posts: 4,033 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 2 May 2016 at 9:35AM
    Good morning,

    finally the weather is warming up here and my veg patch has survived the wintery weather better than I thought. But a few replacements need to be planted. My finances also need a complete overhaul. It's just not working. My bank account switch goes through tomorrow and when I have my new account and little pots open I start afresh. Got all my money in one pot now but will wipe my excel sheets clean and start from scratch. It will postpone my debt free date but will improve other things. More on that tomorrow.

    Last night I made lentil and veg soup for the kids (having friend's daughter as every Mo night) and my lunch.

    That's for now
    DEBT 02/25: total £6100 Debt free date 12/25
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