NST July - Own your choices

apple_muncher

August is live:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71070349#Comment_71070349

Florence_J

apple_muncher wrote: »

August is live:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71070349#Comment_71070349

YAY! You've made my day

Bobarella

Thank you Clippy your paint declutter sounds very cool.

Bobarella

apple_muncher wrote: »

August is live:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71070349#Comment_71070349

Horray:T:T

mothernerd

Lost my post.

DS3 out at a convention all day. Opted for a long walk to the sorting office to collect a parcel but got there after 12 and they were closed. Meandered back via Lidl, several shops not on my usual route. Was out for nearly 2 and a 1/2 hours with 2 x 5 minute sit downs, mostly plodding but with a large rucksack in tow.

Spendy day, big issue seller was smiling at me from 100 yards away so I must have become a regular again, busker was singing one of my favourite songs and doing it well, bought carrots and fresh garlic in Lidl and frozen pastry and mini pork pies at the freezer shop (intending to make vol-au-vents so only taken one step off the process + pasties, quiches in batches).

Ate at home then went out to mum's - wasn't looking forward to it but thought if I got it over with (such a dreadful way to think but that's how it is atm) I would have a whole week ahead 'free'. Walked, so more exercise.

Three members of mum's partner's family there but not the obnoxious ones but still can't get a word in edgways/ no need to make conversation. There was talk of Chinese takeaway for tea bt then decided 'we' were going to the pub restaurant. Hovered as it was not clear whether I was included or not (could have gone either way and could have caused offence by either wrong assumption). However I was included so more walking (only a vague idea where as these were all fields last time I walked across).

Slight mis-timing as we arrived after the mass exodus from the rugby had started (We aren't going to Wembley, Warrington might be, the losers might have been Blackburn). Made me think how much the season has now been extended as I am sure that RL cup final used to be last week in May with the (much less important) football final the following Saturday.

Good meal, though not diet friendly and too much surrounding noise for much conversation. Dessert was had and I might have helped finish someone else's meal so as not to upset the staff. Mum/ partner paid but there was a 2 for1 offer so I was 'free'.

Walked back to bungalow, unlocked gate and door, put things down. Son and his wife were anxious to get back for the dog. Sister asked for a lift. Mum asked if I was going with them. Said I would wait as the driver was moaning about the petrol involved in taking his sister but they told me to ignore him so had a lift most of way home.

Had a nap. DS3 was already in his bed, complaining about his aching feet.

Things that made me happy/ smile today include the lovely big issue seller, a wonderful sweep of nepeta (cat mint, looks a bit like lavender but more upright and spiky), a decorated car - base colour was a dark olive, barely visible beneath clusters of what at first looked like white daisies but turned out to be space invaders, a small girl and her grand-father enjoying ice creams.

Some people had set up an old couch in the middle of the (pedestrianised) high street with a rug in front and a small table by the side and a supply of bottles of water - they weren't selling anything, they were there to talk to anyone who might be feeling a bit lonely (think they have some other social thigns set up to, aimed at old people on their own). I have also noticed (don't know if it was the same people) someone sitting talking properly to one of the homeless people both this afternoon and again this evening. Glad to know there are lots of kind people out there although sad that there are so many people in need.

The Big Issue is highlighting amongst other things the number of people who cannot afford school uniform for their children even as the SM are offering £4 bundles - I remember shoes being the biggest expense. I always tried to give mine their own shoes and always have them properly measured but I remember one year DS1 outgrew his 3 times and I remember watching a St George's day parade when one of the scouts was wearing black shoes which must have been passed down from an elder sister. A facebook group I follow on feeding yourself for £1 a day has also talked about food banks extending theire services to provide extra help for families whose children get free school meals in term-time.

Thank you for this month's thread Bob. Exercise is going well (but haven't weighed myself yet). Think on financial failings I need to spend at least a month writing down everything I spend, before I buy it - if I have to write it down it might not be worth the effort of buying. Think I have been a bit careless this month, not a catastrophe but could do better and it must stop. Going to have fewer things on my to do list and make more effort with them.

Really looking forward to next month.

Eager_Elephant

Yesterday was a spend day but unfortunately I did not manage to do all my food shopping.
We popped to Lidl for drinks for BBQ and also got the tinned items from the shopping list - it came to £49 so used one of my vouchers.
Plan was to go to BBQ for 2 hours and then go back to Lidl for the rest of the shopping inc fresh and frozen but time ran away with us and before we knew it we had been there for 4 hours and the shop was shut!!


So today will be a spend day as I have 2 more vouchers to use by the end of today so I will finish the month on 14 NSD's.


Today will involve work on the field/allotment followed by family visit followed by Lidl and then Tesco (for items that Lidl don't have) shopping followed by tea followed by bed!!


Just checked back on my targets for the month and I failed at YNAB, I had not logged on since 24/6 but yesterday I brought it all up to date and did my budget for August and have also moved all the money to the correct places (bills/savings/etc)


The food shopping was a failure again this month although I have been too busy to plan too much so going forward August will be much better.


The housework rota also failed as I have just been too tired to make sure everyone has done their jobs but August will be different!!


Thanks Bob for running the thread and thanks to all Turtles for joining in and sharing their lives - It's like a friendship group online and I love it!!

crazy_cat_lady

I've just had a quick catch up of everything I've missed while I've been away.
Thanks for the mortgage advice X-spender, and Bob - best of luck with the new business.
See you all over on the August thread where I promise/threaten to be more involved than I have been this month.

apple_muncher

I am finishing the month on NSD #16, so have reached my target - yay!

Thank you bob for a great July!

Fmess

Today should be a SFD as I have no intentions of spending so that takes me up to 13


Yesterday was extremely expensive as I visited a friend in London which involved eating, drinking and socialising whilst out and about. It wasn't horrendous but definitely more than I was planning on spending and am used to spending. This week should be fairly cheap except for petrol as I am travelling all over the place and have already spent £25 on driving to London and back.


Looking forward to the new challenge but thank you for such a great challenge in July bob

mothernerd

I've had a lovely day. Ankles and knees were aching from yesterday's walking and super dizzy (either vit d deficiency or too much sugar yesterday) so very gentle day, not left the house, not spent any money.

Easy food, lots of reading, cloud watching, people watching, pigeon and seagull watching. Really living in the moment and feel like I am on a cloud (no illegal substances involved). Just really peaceful and at one with myself and the world. Kept thinking it all might disappear tomorrow as week's tasks click in but will hold onto it for as long as possible.

Have halved a pile of paper, gathered up pillowcases and bathmat and a few bits and washed them, half written a to do list (currently too many items so will have to prioritise) and done a full food inventory - no meal plan but highlighted the meat and veg that most need using so will work round them.

Budgets are set. May be spending more money but it fits in the budget (5 weekly pay days and paid double Council tax last time) without reducing my savings goal. Nearly fully committed to having a skip. I have found the relevant page in phone directory. I have been giving some of this stuff a home for 20 years and most has been here more than 12. It's time it moved on (and 1 skip in 12 years isn't bad, can still feel that I am not abusing the earth).

Thanks again for this month's thread Bob.

Today I am grateful for YS bargains (a 35p purchase has fed me for the best part of 3 days), for perfect weather - bright and sunny with a gentle breeze and for the antics of people, birds and clouds, a million stories through my window.