NST August: Cut the chaff

shyspender

How are we doing Turtles?

Are we hitting the mid-month slump? I haven't done a roll call but I think one or two turtles may be falling by the wayside.

If you are reading, but scared to post, please don't be. Nobody will judge you here. We are all or have been in the same boat. If you are struggling to complete all parts of the challenge, that is ok. Try as the hosts might, it is impossible to cater the challenges to everyone that signs up. Just do what you can and focus on what you are achieving.
If you need help with something, how to organise, how to meal plan, how to de-clutter or how to budget, please post and ask. Combined we turtles have a lot of experience and advice and I am sure there is someone who will be able to give you a hint or tip or just understand what you are going through.

Mothernerd, I think it was Mothernerd, apologies if not, once hosted and described us as the turtles akin to the tortoise in the hare and the tortoise race. These challenges aren't races, they are stages to reach in our own sweet time, with the support of all involved. There are no hard and fast winners because we all win, by making our own achievements and changes.

Turtle Power Turtles!!

Florence_J

Hello all.

I decided to approach my challenges differently. For the last few months or so I have been giving up something for a month. Something bad. But because I am generally eating better now to lose weight and still have a challenge ongoing, I decided rather than stop something, I was going to increase something.

So this week till the end of the month I have been eating my five a day! So far today have had apple, banana, carrots, sweetcorn and will have a plum for dessert.

I haven't managed a NSD since visiting the family. Bought my bag and shoes for my friends wedding soon. 55 quid!!!!!! Yikes.

I really have to curb my spending. Somehow.

clippy_girl

evening all,

not posted for a few days. managed nsd mon-wed so i think i am on 4 now which isn't great! eating has been a lot better since mon and even ventured to the gym yest :eek: planning to go again tomorrow :A

today i have spent £2 on a collection for colleagues wedding, £65 on a boiler service/safety cert, renewed car insurance at £280 (although not charged until 1/9) and am about to pay my road tax of £30. also researched service and mot and think it will be £185 if i go to halfords which i thought didn't seem too high (plus can get 5% cashback).

also ordered a free giffgaff sim with £4.50 cashback as my contract is nearly up. need to change network as can't get a signal at home or work on 3 which is a shame as i liked the use abroad for free

just relisted 2 cds on ebay and should hopefully sell something for £5 tomorrow. tomorrow will not be nsd as i need to get petrol

earthgirl

I have only had a few nsd's, but I am a very low spender and I'm really motivated to keep it that way! I spent 75p on a quiche today, £7 on 2 kids haircuts, bread and milk the day before that (but have airbnb guests for almost the whole month and can't run out!).

I have been doing without alcohol and feeling better for it. I managed to declutter the paperwork at the weekend too. I spent ages researching places to stay when visiting my dad next month, but I have found a campsite and have tried out sleeping in my car incase it rains! This challenge is really working for me but I can't seem to post everyday - I go to bed when the children do as I don't like them being alone when I have strangers staying bnb.

Eager_Elephant

Sorry not reporting in each day - am trying to limit screen time and instead of jumping on the computer when I get in from work I have been trying to do little jobs that need doing instead of putting them off.


Only problem is I get carried away and then we don't eat until gone 8pm!!


Sunday was a spend day as predicted - DD went into town with a friend. DH and I collected and spent on a new washing line and toilet roll holder (exciting lives we lead).


Mon, Tues and Weds have been NSD's taking me up to 6.


Today was a spend day as I had no butter for my sandwiches and nothing in the fridge or cupboards to take as lunch or that I could prepare in 5 mins before I left for work. Brought a soup instead and a chocolate bar!!


Hopefully tomorrow will be a NSD as no plans to spend - weekend will probably be spendy on both days.


Well done all Turtles!!

XSpender

I think I am up to 6 NSDs. Would have had another one but have just bought travel insurance for our week away.

We go away on Sunday and I am nowhere near ready:eek: Cases are still in loft, stuff needs washing and ironing and a couple of bits getting to keep DS amused on the plane.

I also have the 10k to run on Saturday!:eek:

We have had a PT session tonight but will only have 2 in the next 3 weeks as we are on hols and then our trainer is on hols. DH has loft half a stone in 4 weeks and I have lost nothing (I don't need to really) but have toned up a little bit.

We have avoided a takeaway for 2 nights this week so about £20 NOT spent Having done the stock up shop at the beginning of the month we had pizzas in which still felt like a treat on one of the nights.

A friend has done some work on our kitchen (paid for) as the first part of a kitchen makeover we have planned and it is looking better already. We have had another quote for a boiler and are just going to leave it until things start to go wrong.

I haven't got rid of any stuff yet but can foresee a tip run when we get back from our holidays.

Food budget is blown but freezer is well stocked and not much waste and no takeaways bought We have spent much less than last month too.

I hope everyone is well, hugs if not, I am off to catch up with the thread x

misstara

Haven't managed any more NSDs unfortunately. Bought fruit and milk on Tuesday, got a few extra bits in for tea last night as OH's friend came round and bought cleaning stuff today. I'm away to Edinburgh tomorrow for the weekend so probably won't manage any then but will aim to keep within the budget I've set.

SpekySquarehead

shyspender wrote: »

Speky From what I have read of you in the challenges and on your diary the FIFA night is a regular thing? Can you not plan for this in your weekly or monthly shopping so that it doesn't have to break a NSD?

Well noticed!

Yes, I probably can. It's became a force of habit to buy on the day so you're right, something I should start doing.

As the above implies, yesterday was a spend day but I made the most of it. I bought 2 books for my holiday, half of my holiday money, travel insurance and 2 Christmas presents.

Hopefully today will be NSD but my GF wants to go to C*stco to buy some things in bulk. We'll see.

Have a good day Turtles :money:

dolly84

Bob - those Harry Potter sweets are an insane price. My kids buy their sweets with their own spending money which reins them in a lot I find. Hope you enjoyed your day.

I did the grocery shop last night but apart from that no money was spent. We went to the library and stocked up with books then visited my mum. I gave the kids a project of picking their favourite photos from the box full and putting them into the album, they didn't get much done but had fun looking through them.

I decluttered quite a few things and put some cutlery that I was given ages ago into use but I can't find the blooming forks anywhere.

The kids have decided to get rid of their Wii console and all the games and have priced it up for trade in so that might be going tomorrow.

I also sorted out the drawer in the kitchen where every bit of rubbish goes - you know the one, full of batteries, string, screws, fuses, crayons, marbles etc and it looks so organised, I put a tub in their for all the random bits so they stay together.

Bobarella

Dolly I definately fell victim to feeling wealthier than I am in that moment. I am usually very careful with how much things cost. But I figured why not let him choose a few things. My bad. Have to say some of the flavours of bertie bots are as vile as you'd guess feom the book. Earthworm. Vomit. And rotten egg. All absolutely hideous.