NST July - Own your choices

doingitanyway

NSD 6/16. I’m especially proud of today’s NSD, as all the triggers for spending were there for me today. For example a 2 hour journey home delay and desperate to stop off somewhere for a snack

A busy stressful day. On a training course and difficult subject matter

I’m glad I had food in the fridge so I could make a big egg salad less than 10 minutes after I got in.

I need to chill this evening so not attempting any goals

I hope fellow turtles had a good day

crazy_cat_lady

Evening all :hello:
CCL reporting in for a very late start to the July challenge. I'm barely functioning at the moment after 6 weeks solid of 16+ hour days, but it's over and just about done with. I can see the finish line so I think I can start taking back some things that I do for myself finally. Work has been hard, my mood is low and my finances are utterly hopeless at the moment. But I'll do what I always do which is pick myself up and start again.
Quick word to mothernerd - my PT is the least judgemental person ever. She's lovely (been on telly - was in The Apprentice a couple of years ago). I would recommend PT to anyone if you can afford it. None of the humiliation of being in the gym or trying to keep up with classes. No judgement, just encouragement and exercise completely tailored to you and your goals. She's become a really good friend over the years and I find her really motivating.
I know that we are a third of the way through the month but if I use that as an excuse then there are 20 more days that I could be out of control. So I'm starting now.

1. This month I want you to have a good think about what your biggest financial failing is.
Mine is being so time poor that I'm poorly planned. Then find myself going for quick and easy food and spending a fortune on groceries or eating out - or 'treating myself' because I'm tired and a bit low.

2. This month I want you to set your own NSD target, but would hope for most to say 5 or higher.
As there are 20 days left, and holidays rapidly approaching I will go for 7

3. We are 6 months till the end of the year now. What decisions did you make back in January and how have you done with them so far?
I've lost the plot a bit this month. Up until June I was going great guns, but I have just taken too much on and everything has gone a bit awry. So I'm reclaiming some of my time and planning on towards Christmas.

4. Most of us have an idea of what perfection looks like. Dont be scared to visualise what that is for you. Tell your fellow turtles what you want from the future and how amazing it will be!
Too deep for me at the moment. I always think that my life would be brilliant if I were a bit richer, or a bit thinner, or if I had a cook and a cleaner. Truth is that I don't really know what will make my life amazing. I need to get back to appreciating what I have to be honest.

5. Choose to get active. Can you leave the car at home completely and cycle or walk to work?
Got my fitbit on and trying to do my daily steps. Work is 15 miles so no intention of walking or cycling that I'm afraid...

6. Consider doing more for yourself. Do you need to pay £10 an hour for a cleaner when taking up a Flylady routine will mean your house is clean and you get a free work out. Or why not consider cutting your partner or kids hair with clippers & putting the saving to debt?
This is where I am really struggling at the moment. I need more hours in the day than I have and I don't know how much more I can do. I suspect I'll burn myself out if I take on much more...

7. Report in daily with your updates and tips for others. Cat hit gold with her frugal daily frugal tips idea so do keep those coming if you have them.
I was in London recently for a meeting. The train tickets were paid for by the exam board, but my return train was 34 minutes late. This morning I received a cheque for £39.50 - so it's always worth asking.

8. Choose kindness. There are many people out there who need our kindness. Find ways throughout the month to make those around you happier some how.
Think I may have to choose kindness to myself a little bit first. My head hasn't been in a good place for a while. It's all down to stress and tiredness but the end is in sight!

TrushTush

Bobarella wrote: »

Trush No beating yourself up. No point. Now whats this about potatoes going off? Dont you like potatoes either of you ? In which case what makes you buy them may I ask? If it were me I would simply chop and blanche them then freeze them now. Save any waste.

We like them but always end up either not buying enough (then buying too much when we top up) or buying far too many, i currently have 3 huge bags of potatoes. I have good intentions of freezing but by the time I remember they've gone soft and are sprouting. It's a lack of organisation really. I am trying to stay positive but I am really disappointed. And DH is looking at anew phone that he wants and has bought a charging thing when we already have one... He pays lip service to being careful with money but if I mention it he gets annoyed that we earn so much yet he can't buy anything... I've asked for 2 months before he goes away to try and sort the bank accounts and overdrafts! That's all

Sorry, feeling down today. Hopefully tomorrow will be better

xx

Bobarella

Lillian thats a brilliant purchase. Great work.

Thrifty well done on your decluttering at the weekend

Misstara nice to hear from you. Well done on ypur NDSs

Caling well done on your curtain savings.

Florence hope the mindfulness course went well.

Doingitanyway well done for not giving in to your spending triggers. Thats when its hardest. A*

CCL welcome back, you can still do loads of good in the time we have left. Glad you are through the worst of it.

Trush sorry to hear you are feeling down. Its always harder when one of you is more into the whole money saving thing than the other. Hang in there.

Fmess

Hugs trushtush

Late check in again from me. SFD here today Not much else to report, just work, eat, sleep, repeat lol

Bobarella

Hi All

Super long day. Started at 3.30am due to burgalar alarm going off at the shop. Thankfully it was nothing but we were awake for a long time.

Have registered with 6 location companies today & met with one potential client for a supper club evening paying £120 for hire of space.

Did 90 minutes walking today.

Found 20p roadkill.

My day has been made by a private sale being agreed on 50 comics at £120!! So I have to get them ready to fly the nest as soon as my funds appear. Total for selling in July now at £140.

Night all
Bob

XSpender

Nothing to report yesterday apart from another spend day. DH bought lunch at work and then a takeaway as I was working until gone 8.30pm in the home office.

I am away with work until very late Wednesday so will aim for 2 NSDs. Feeling stressed about my meeting tomorrow as our new client is very demanding and we are not far from a decision from them about renewing our contract for the next couple of years.

My YNAB is about £130 lower than my current account so I need to go through it at the end of the week. At least its not the other way around!

Hope you are all doing well and hugs to anyone who needs one x

Fmess

bob great news for you yesterday, well done

Munchin

Morning

Only getting started with challenge now so I'm going to change my target to 10 NSDs please.

lilian1977

That's great Bob, love it when you get a big win like that! I've managed to sell a Boden tshirt and Tootsa MacGinty sweatshirt that I found in the charity shop a few weeks ago - bought for 99p each, sold for £13 (had to post one but have stamps from Royal Mail surveys).

NSD yesterday aside from getting my mum and dads anniversary present, but bought it from the present fund so not counting it as a spend. So I'm on 5 now, will add to my signature later as keep losing count!

Have good days all x