NST August: Cut the chaff

crazy_cat_lady

I'm in please apple. Really need to get on the wagon. I'm still catching up from my couple of days away but will be back soon with a proper sign in to the thread...

Fmess

Me please apple, but the 1 hour of tv whilst the olympics are on!!!

apple_muncher

Fmess wrote: »

Me please apple, but the 1 hour of tv whilst the olympics are on!!!

Yikes! I hadn't realised....

crazy_cat_lady

Apple - it is like you're reading my mind. I'm a terribly relaxed spender in August when I'm off work - I think of how hard I've worked all year and things I 'deserve' because I've been good all year etc etc. Obviously I have worked hard to get extra £ for the month with the exam marking but I can't enjoy it as much this year because of dh's time off work, and the vet bill so I need to be careful. It was this time last year I joined up because I felt as though I was starting to lose control...

This August -
Eating only when I'm hungry and not because it's that time of day etc.
Reducing my spendy 'treats' on food, days out etc.
Exercise - maintain my pt sessions and 4x a week workout. Plus loads of free pokemon hunting with the kids.
Maintain my physio for my poorly knee
Continue mins game with the kids to help with decluttering.
I also need to pay off this pesky vet bill that's hanging over my head on the dreaded cc. And me and the kids have 2 days in London coming up as well... mostly paid for but we are staying in a hotel so will need to think about food.

speakingofart

Please can I join applemuncher? I haven't done one of these challenges for ages but would really like to re-focus my spendings - saving up is going really well but I seem to fritter money in a way I didn't when I used to aim for NSD when I was paying off my overdraft. I've had a close, sudden bereavement recently and am still trying to pick myself up and try to get back on track, and would like to focus on being a bit more mindful in general.

So goals for this month are below:

Cut the chaff
… on food: not by deprivation but by replacing one ‘baddie’ with a ‘goodie’.

For me, this has to be chocolate - it's my biggest vice and probably, if I'm honest, my biggest food expense. So my aim for August is to cut it out/ down as much as possible, especially when it's just mindless eating or boredom.

Chocolate free days: 0/20

… on wants v needs: each time you don’t buy a ‘want’ keep a tally of money not spent and add it all up at the end.

Including buying bits at lunchtime just because I work somewhere nice and can! Take breakfast and lunch to work every day: 0/23

… on exercise: make a plan and carry it out. Focus and make it count.

Since I won't be spending lunchtime buying food, use my lunch hour to take a walk by the river every day.

0/23

… in relationships: reduce time you have to spend with toxic people, those that drain you; nourish the good relationships and put time and effort in to them.

Socialise at least 3 times, avoid my toxic uncle.

… on spending: this links to wants v needs. 15 NSD please. 0/15
… in health: we all have niggles (the older we are, the more we have!) Be proactive about them.

Rebook dentist appointment I put off in May and start treatment that I need to have.

... in possessions: we usually have far too much stuff that clutters up our physical asurrounding and our mental state. Look at this objectively: if you do not love the item and find joy in it, then let it go!

Can honestly say that I don't - huge fan of the regular sort out.

Great challenge applemuncher, thank you :T

apple_muncher

Hellooo again speakingofart - good to have you back. Sending you lots of hugs - take care. (And I'd recommend the 85% chocolate from aldee, especially if you can eat it slowly...)

misstara

… on food: not by deprivation but by replacing one ‘baddie’ with a ‘goodie’. I definitely eat far too much chocolate so will cut down and eat healthier snacks instead. That will also help me reach my 5 a day which I very rarely do
… on wants v needs: each time you don’t buy a ‘want’ keep a tally of money not spent and add it all up at the end. Will do. I've budgeted £100 this month to buy new clothes, however, this is a definite need not want as most of my clothes are now two sizes too big for me
… on exercise: make a plan and carry it out. Focus and make it count. I didn't manage to go to the gym much last month with all the moving so will aim to go 3 times a week. I will also investigate some exercise classes as I used to love going to classes and haven't been for months
… on screen time: just 1 hour per day for leisure. This will be hard as I tend to spend a lot of time on the internet/watching box sets, however, with the move I found lots of books that I forgot I had so will get back into reading
… in relationships: reduce time you have to spend with toxic people, those that drain you; nourish the good relationships and put time and effort in to them. I'm lucky as I don't really have any toxic people in my life other than certain people at work that I can't avoid but will put more effort into my relationship with OH, family and friends
… on spending: this links to wants v needs. 15 NSD please. I fell short of 15 in July but will aim for 15 this month
… in health: we all have niggles (the older we are, the more we have!) Be proactive about them. I've had a bit of a sore leg recently which seems to come and go, have been meaning to go to the doctors so will aim to do this. I also need to remember to take my iron tablets as keep forgetting
... in possessions: we usually have far too much stuff that clutters up our physical asurrounding and our mental state. Look at this objectively: if you do not love the item and find joy in it, then let it go!
Thankfully with the move I have got rid of a lot of stuff that I no longer used/wanted
Make each day count towards the goals that are important to you. Do something every day that takes you one step closer to one of them, and tell us about it. Will aim to post every day, really failed at this during July
Budget for every day’s activities. Look ahead. Plan what is going on. Set realistic limits. Budget is all set for the month, now just to stick to it

I'm aiming for my first NSD tomorrow, I've just made up my packed lunch and snacks to take to work and tea will be egg fried rice using up the last of the chicken from roast chicken on Saturday so shouldn't need to buy anything.

evkizzy

Hello. I'd like to join please Apple Muncher

On food: not by deprivation but by replacing one ‘baddie’ with a ‘goodie’.…
I'm vegan so I get about 10 of my 5 a day and don't really have a sweet tooth. I think I should try to have breakfast every day as I'm terrible for leaving it until lunchtime.

on wants v needs: each time you don’t buy a ‘want’ keep a tally of money!not!spent and add it all up at the end...
this is a good idea though it's hard to know what I would have bought as I can be quite impulsive when I'm hypermanic but I'll give it a go

on exercise: make a plan and carry it out. Focus and make it count.…
I'm doing a LOT of walking atm to try and get my fitness up. I need to start pilates again as I'm hyper mobile and this helps prevent muscle pulling and dislocations. Aiming for 2x this month if budget allows.

on screen time: just 1 hour per day for leisure.
my work and leisure are intertwined with my being an illustrator but I think I can challenge myself to no more than an hour of FB

… in relationships: reduce time you have to spend with toxic people, those that drain you; nourish the good relationships and put time and effort in to them.… trying to spend more time with my meet up group. Will try to create free/cheeper meet up plans this month

...spending: this links to wants v needs. 15 NSD please.… Did 13 NSDs in July. Would like to hit 16 in August.

in health: we all have niggles (the older we are, the more we have!) Be proactive about them....
see above for pilates. Also I need to check my mental health with my GP and psychiatrist to see if my Bipolar meds are adjusted correctly.
in possessions: we usually have far too much stuff that clutters up our physical asurrounding and our mental state. Look at this objectively: if you do not love the item and find joy in it, then let it go!
I aim to sell sell sell what I can ans charity shop the rest

It's exciting starting a new challenge, isn't it?

apple_muncher

Welcome everybody to August . May it be a challenging and rewarding month for us all.

apple_muncher

Thank you to all who have shared their goals.

apple_muncher wrote: »

Cut the chaff
… on food: not by deprivation but by replacing one ‘baddie’ with a ‘goodie’. I simply eat too much and have gotten too overweight to be comfortable. I have a challenge going with a friend to see who can lose the biggest body % by September 5th and am currently losing. I don't like losing! I shall also be putting £1 in a virtual pot for each time I make a bad food choice (things like a snickers bar, crisps, sweets) but am allowing myself 85% chocolate.
… on wants v needs: each time you don’t buy a ‘want’ keep a tally of money not spent and add it all up at the end. I am not often an impulsive buyer but August is a very very tight month and every pound I don't spend on unnecessary items will be good.
… on exercise: make a plan and carry it out. Focus and make it count. Linked in with the first point! Back in march I exercised every day. Then i fell ill and it took me 3 months to recover. Now I am off school for the hols, it makes sense to use the time well. So, swimming with dd, taking her for a bike ride, trying to run again, home workouts (I love my Zuzka Light ones!)
… on screen time: just 1 hour per day for leisure. Yikes! Better type faster...
… in relationships: reduce time you have to spend with toxic people, those that drain you; nourish the good relationships and put time and effort in to them. Being off work, I won't see the draining ones, so my focus is to invest time in my family and good friends.
… on spending: this links to wants v needs. 15 NSD please. I can do this when at work, so this really is a challenge for me!
… in health: we all have niggles (the older we are, the more we have!) Be proactive about them. I am putting off getting physio on my shoulder as it costs about £40 per session and I probably need about 5 sessions. But I am doing my morning stretches while the coffee brews and all exercise will be surrounded by a warm up and cool down.
... in possessions: we usually have far too much stuff that clutters up our physical asurrounding and our mental state. Look at this objectively: if you do not love the item and find joy in it, then let it go! I tidied my stash of fabric yesterday and have a bag to go out with the recyc. Still a house full of stuff, so this need working on.

Make each day count towards the goals that are important to you. Do something every day that takes you one step closer to one of them, and tell us about it. I have about 12 small/personal goals for the month so I hope to get closer to at least one of them every day!

Budget for every day’s activities. Look ahead. Plan what is going on. Set realistic limits. Done

The turtles are a friendly bunch who help each other keep on the straight and narrow. Check in every day for maximum benefit, and let us know how you are getting on, your victories (however big or small they may seem to you, we celebrate them all), your pitfalls.

For newbies: NSD = No Spend Day. However, medical supplies, fuel, direct debits, shopping that comprises only reduced items does not lose you an NSD. If yo uhave weekly/regular activities that require cash, put the cash aside for them at the start of the month.