NST: January 2017

SpekySquarehead

Another NSD for me yesterday

Today would appear to be the same which will give me 12 for the month.

Well done everyone else.

greent

f0xh0les wrote: »

that DS2 has not had a tantrum since Friday, in fact he has been rather lovely. It must be hard going to a school where you are constantly being referred to as someone's 'little brother'. :mad:

Only one more day before we stow our bags and sail away
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I have 3 boys - DS2 and DS3 have consistently been called by DS1's name at primary school. Less so for DS2 now - but he is in Y6, so you'd hope they'd be getting it right! I must admit, for Y5 he (DS2) had a teacher who was quite new to the school and had therefore never taught DS1, nor DD - and it was so refreshing to have a teacher not compare him to anyone else in any way - she wasn't even aware he had older siblings who'd attended the school. He was just himself - perfect
Poor DS3 is almost a carbon copy of DS1 in looks, so I fear he is doomed to be called the wrong name for some time yet.....

mothernerd

Checking in now in case I fall asleep - no sleep last night and have been waiting for mum's solicitor to phone as he is bringing me some papers to sign. He has just phoned to say he is in Stockport, a case he thought was settled was called back into court be the judge at short notice. Will try to stay awake until tea time (still trying to get this sleeping pattern right).

I made my savings target but not the extra I was hoping for, lots of NSDs but not the full 20. Didn't even get round to posting the second half of my goals and spanner or two in the works.

However I am now fully 'fit' (in a frail and infirm kind of way) and will be walking morning and evening from now on (did a turn of the car park in my nightie and wellies before 4am today - nightie is thick ribbed, thicker than dress material).

Need to get organised and have a few things I want to try. Want to list all my spending this month and work out a grand 'budget' to include things like replacing my spectacles (next year - get a voucher but still £80+). More going into the bank than out atm but must not get complacent.

Returned 2 books to the library and picked up one that will help me address my 'food issues'. For too long I have been saying that some days a m*rs bar is the best thing that is going to happen all day. I need more good things in my life and less chocolate.

Today I am grateful for my bed, especially the pillows, for silly little games on the laptop (have been using them to stay awake) and for the weather being bright and not raining.

Calling14

Last check in from me for this month.:D

Thanks Misstara for running this month's challenge:T:T:T

Not sure if I mentioned my goal is to be DF this year.
Paid 602 off this month,:T 450 last month:T so passed 1000 pound mark today.:T
Very happy turtle.:p
Would like a holiday my other goal promised myself this year.:cool:

Today is SFD 16 - room for improvement.

Grateful for
All your help and encouragement along the way team turtles:)
Gorgeous butternut squash and sweet potato soup - so glad made soup rather than lasagne.:)
Boss buying my hinges needed for my door problems:)
And no mention of the naughty step this month:rotfl:

See you onboard my hearties :wave:

greent

End of Jan for me - have enjoyed this month and have stuck it through to the end - I think posting most days has definitely helped. Thanks must go to misstara for running this month :T

Here goes my pledges for Jan:

Usual rules:
The challenge runs from January 1st to January 31st. - ok
Set a NSD target, aim for at least 15. - not a personal challenge of mine as long as budgets aren't exceeded - did a reasonable number of NSDs - but as budgets weren't bust I don't mind not doing this
Donate to a charity - regular DD to one a month and I donate my time most weeks - direct debit payment to WWT, bin liner sized bag of stuff donated to CS, lots of hours of my time volunteered.
Pay to your debt or savings first - will do. - 17% of annual target achieved (+ all the Xmas spending on CC's repaid)
Post as often as you can - will try and check in daily - think I managed 29/31, or thereabouts


January's rules:
Look at your usual food budget and aim to spend 10% less. Do a stock take of everything in your freezer/fridge/cupboards - I am setting a budget of £400 for the 5 of us and 3 guinea pigs
- spent £394.91/ 400 - pleased with this - included treat-y things when DD home and also some of OH's food spends when working away (not all of them are covered) - and freezer inventory shows I STILL have 6 whole chickens in there (and lots of breasts....)
3 things that you are grateful for each time you post - I like this idea - did this and enjoyed doing it - glad to see we still have it for Feb
Post something that you would like to have achieved by the end of 2017 - think about how you will achieve this, break your goal down into small achievable steps.- By the end of the year I want to have halved the (non mtge) debt we have and have lost 20lbs - and also get fitter along the way - 17% of my annual debt reduction target achieved. Didn't weigh myself - so no idea where I started from! Will weigh tomorrow. Went to Zumba 5/ 7 x (1 missed because of work, 1 was too lazy )
Organise some cheap (free if possible) things to do with family or friends. January is a long and usually boring month, it's nice to have things to look forward to - We had a voucher for a cream tea at a local hotel as a Xmas present which we must use in Jan, so this is one definite thing! Also have access to some discounted cinema tickets so we may see if there's something on which we'd like to see (ideally with DS2 as it's his bday in Jan) - OH and I went to cinema by ourselves (£12 for the 2 of us and took own snacks) Used the afternoon tea voucher up Played lots of games with the kids at weekends - they really enjoy a 'family game' session. Smallest two had an after-school play date with their besties


Things I am grateful for today:
* Sainsbob's shopping vouchers - 2 x£10 off £50 and 2 x £7.50 off £50 received for use in Feb - combined with our discounted gift vouchers (we can buy @ 5% discount - so £100 giftcard costs us £95) means much of my FEb shopping will be from Sains. I also have c £80 of Nect0r points I could use.
* My mum taking the small 2 to school (again )
* The month end - OH's expenses are due today - topping up our current account again

f0xh0les

Payday for us today! Well, DH has payday, I have housekeeping money day.

Only managed 12 NSDs,. but I can see a pattern so I think I can beat that easily with a little tweaking in February.

Very grateful for this January thread making me more aware of what exactly I am spending on.

Today is a spendy day as I am filling the pantry in readiness for the boat trip. See you all onboard!

Toni'sfriend

Managed 2 more NSDs whilst we were away so made my 15 by the skin of my teeth.
Still on budget. £20.00 left although it would be more if I could resist the YS bargains that I don't really need.
Walked a bit but not as much as I'd like although better than December.
Failed miserably on the weight loss and alcohol front. I think I'm an emotional eater. First sign of stress, worry or bad news and I reach for the biscuit tin or wine bottle. Usually both at the same time if I'm honest, More will power and determination required.
Just like to say thanks to Misstara for this month's challenge and to you all for your help and support.
I'm off now to see what Abundant has in store for February. Well done everyone.

Lauralozzle

Not posted for a while

I must admit, this month has been a bit of a disaster!

Savings/debts were paid on time. No worries there. However, emergency float didn't go out as expected as we overspent (massively) on food/dog items/household items. As I include these all together I'm thinking maybe I wasn't being realistic about our budget as it has felt like a long month!!

Shopping went over by £52.33 this month. But January started with bare cupboards and we have a lot more food in now so I'm hoping February will be much better.

I only managed 14 NSD so I never hit that target either but I was close so I'm happy enough with that.

I'll see you all in February thread!

crazy_cat_lady

Thanks so much misstara - for running January. And thanks turtles, for helping me stay on the right path financially. I could have done better, but it could have been so much worse...
Hit nsd 17 today - even though it's payday!
I am grateful for:
Surviving the day at work
Being in my pj's
Watching Netflix with ds

FurryBeastOz

Thanks misstara for this month. It's been great. Really focused my mind. Final day - NSD 16. Yay. Target achieved. Haven't got my 'goals' to hand, but weight lost going well.

All budgets other than petrol kept to, and my unprepared/fat expense. Zero - just the lost £10 note. Brilliant:j.

So, gratitude today:

1) This thread. It's really helped both spending and dieting.

2) it's 31st January. It's over.

3) I am now off until Monday.