NST: January 2017

crazy_cat_lady

Hi everyone :wave:
Belated happy birthday mothernerd. :bdaycake:
SFABL - sorry that you didn't get the job. Rejection is never nice in any form. You'll be back better than ever.
I've had a busy morning this morning - finally caught up with the washing and other little housework jobs. Also watched an interesting documentary whilst doing a bit of crochet. Batch cooked for the week ahead. I'm still over a week from payday so need to be exceedingly frugal this week.

abundant1972

Morning everyone!

First off - Happy BiRtHdAy!!! Mothernerd for yesterday!

Lovely sunny day out there so I am going to try and get out later...

So I had a quandary yesterday... I had totalled up my budget and paid some extra into my 365 day 1p challenge pot to get rid of loose change - leaving me a round £16.00. Then I got something through the post from Tresco... Vouchers with money off... £3 off if you spend £3 on fruit and veg... and £6 off if you spend £40... So that's a potential £9 free food!...

I know - they give you these things to get you to spend... but £9... In the end I opted to do a big shop - and glad I did. Turkey mince on offer (from £3.50 to £3.00) so got 3 packs (=£9) and froze them (= 12 servings of something for free!). Restocked tins and rice and some other bits and got fruit & veg that will last.

Now - what I am doing is... As I use things off that list, I am crossing it out on my receipt and taking it out my £16.00. E.g I had food off there last night which came to £4.40. This means I have £16.00 - £4.40 = £11.60 left this month. I am not allowing myself to go over what I have left - so when I have spent my £11.60 I can't use any of the food left on the receipt until next month.

At the start of next month - whatever is left outstanding on the receipt, I will deduct from my usual £80 food allowance. The food will still be in my cupboard so my shopping needs should be less. I guess it's like taking an advance on next month, but trying to stay within budget too whilst snapping up the chance for free food. I do make my life complicated don't I?!?!

I'll wait for the recriminations and expulsions!!! Haha

Update: Did my gym and an extra Nature Walk. Cash BONUS for my birthday up to £30.00!!!

Toni'sfriend

Walk in the cold did the trick. Feeling much brighter now. To be honest I think it's just stress catching up.
Anyway caught up with some housework and ticked a couple of things off the long list of things which should have been done ages ago so that's also made me feel better.
NSD no 10 (I think). Had a lovely smoked salmon and beetroot salad for lunch and am making roast chicken dinner at the moment. After that I'm off for a long shower and bed with a really good book that my son bought me for Christmas.
Today I'm grateful for:
Feeling better
Being introduced to the gorgeous little puppy that my little friend next door has just acquired (he's wanted a dog since he was 3 years old and at the age of 13 his parents have decided he is responsible enough to look after it (very sensible I would say). It was a huge surprise and he is so delighted.
Phone call from my friends in Yorkshire to say they are looking forward to our next holiday in Northumberland in 8 weeks.
Have a good evening everyone.

1LuckyLady

Today
No Spend days - still 12/15 as today was our weekly mr t delivery but should get the last 3/15 this week easily.

January's rules:
Post 3 things that you are grateful for
* I'm grateful that I remembered that I hadn't filled ds's prescription, good timing too as he would have been out of it in the morning.
** I'm grateful for a weekend watching films with the kids & dh
*** I am grateful for a full freezer
Work towards end of 2017 goal (weight loss)- Just walked today and had a lovely healthy lunch.
Organise some cheap (free if possible) things to do with family or friends - films with the kids

jojitsui

Hi everyone. Hope you have all been well. I have fallen off the wagon big time and really need a good kick up the bum. I am drawing a line under it and started again today!

I'm not going to have time to read through all the new posts tonight but I will tomorrow.

I'm grateful for my family, I'm grateful for the weekends off work and i'm grateful for my health

crazy_cat_lady

Today I am grateful for:
Lazy days of not leaving the house
Having a hobby that I love (knitting and crochet)
Having the motivation to batch cook for the week ahead.

x_raphael_xx

NSD no.12 achieved today.

Thanks for the mortgage luck messages. We love the house, its a perfect location, and apart from two blown windows (which the sellers are fixing before any potential sale) it needs no decorating or work done to it.
The price is on the high side, which is whats worrying me. But I came home from work today and BF told me MIL had offered to loan us a very helpful sum of money, which makes me more hopeful.
I'm trying not to get too excited incase we can't raise enough, but I can't help thinking where furniture etc will go.
If we can't raise the funds we need we will just have to look elsewhere at cheaper properties, but I have the feeling nothing will meet our needs after seeing this one.
Will just have to find out on Tuesday.

Today I am grateful for:
1) Lovely Mother-'in-law'
2) A fun game of fetch with Duncan
3) Duncan begging to go outside for a wee. Seems hes getting it!

shyspender

Hiya Turtles,

Peaking out from cheerleading lurking (I always read, just haven't felt up to joining for a long time) but Calling and Fmess Aldini or Lodl are doing a diy special this week I think and it includes a drill. My dad swears by the drills from these two stores!

shy

FurryBeastOz

Fingers crossed Raphael.

NSD today. Yay. Also a lot of work. Missed church but managed a short gym session.

Gratitude today-

1) Pinterest. Sad I know, but it threw up a great sauce for the pork tonight.
2) An empty gym on Sunday afternoon. No fighting for space in the weights area. (Or feeling awkward among hulking men lifting 8 times their own body weight)
3) DH who has just laid and lit a fire. Very nice. I'm going to watch some NCIS.

mothernerd

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. Don't apologise for being late as I don't advertise it (big one next year, as DS2 helpfully reminded me).

Using that as a kicking off point to bridge the gap between where I am and where I want to be. Don't worry if I disappear for a couple of days. Sleep pattern is now well and truly messed up, currently disorientated, forgetful and tired (? been asleep most of the day). Will be cutting screen time as part of the 'fix'.

Today I am grateful for
knowing what the problem is
having a plan for sorting it
having the determination to do it (and if I can't sleep later I will attack the kitchen/ domestic chores and then go car park walking - at least I will wake up in more salubrious surroundings). It's quite a busy week (out 4 days and have to fit more blood tests and visiting mum in somewhere) so need to be back on form.