NST February Challenge : A Winter Voyage

lozzy81

NSD no.3... tomorrow will be the real test as it's the weekend!!

will try my best of course not to spend until food shopping on Sunday! :beer:

shyspender

Ahoy Turtles!

*climbs into the crow's nest because I don't want to get keel-hauled, I have a nice clean ship but that's because I pay a scurvy dog to do it for me every week*

Didn't check in last night because I was getting ahead sorting my lunch for today and also putting stuff away around the ship for the scurvy dog today.

De-cluttered a nice three hour nap in my hammock when I got in from work today, it's becoming a nice Friday treat if I don't have to work the weekend.

Healthier eating is still going well, whilst at the same time running my stocks down. Singapore noodles for lunches next week to reduce some of the top shelf stock.

Got to work next weekend, but not too upset as I'm taking Tuesday off in lieu, and I already had Monday booked as a holiday to attempt to watch some of the SuperBowl on Sunday night.

Grateful today for fresh bed set on the hammock for my nap, still not having had a beer three days into Feb and a long weekend to potter about.

ilovetea

Did a long post last night and it disappeared:mad:
Spend yesterday Bread and bananas.£1.89
Today £7 on wash and blow-dry.Made me feel a bit tidier.
Nothing else to report. Cleaning bug not reached me but tomorrow I'm planning on using the iron:D.
ilovetea xx

The_Only_Girl

Quick checking in for me.

Small spend day today. I did the unthinkable and wandered into leedell. It wasn't really unplannned as I was under hubby's instruction to buy a door chime they had on offer last week/s. Our door bell or door chime has given up the ghost and with a teenager in the house (one who is either constantliy plugged on to a device, iPhone, laptop or TV or with the music on full blast), getting locked out is a common occurrence without a door bell. unfortunately they've sold out so I did not get any. I could have walked away empty handed but I decided to buy chicken, fruits, nuts and juices for our usual Friday night special meal to usher the weekend in. I only spent £11.05 and made 20p savings on the chicken so I still have £21.95 left of our week's food budget.

Called sky to review our telephone and Internet tariff which is about to end. I'm currently paying £21.40 for the line rental and evening and weekend calls as the broadband is currently free until September. To persuade me to stay, they said they could waive off the evening and weekend call fee of £4. As all of us in the household have mobile phones with decent number of minutes allowance, I decided to take the offer. It's a savings of £48 for one year. Not to be sniffed at.

Today I'm thankful for

1. The weekend ahead. Rest is definitely needed after a long week at work
2. Savings made with our sky subscription
3. Quality time with my family. DS2 referred to our meal "mum's special fried chicken." He does know how to make his mum feel loved.
4. Additional travel allowance from my employer for giving my colleague a lift.

Moll

NST "17
Im not a stowaway........... ive only just been able to come aboard
DH has been ill and ended up in hospital . Did a NSD yesterday apart from the £1 coffee I had in the hospital. but im on it now full steam ahead. Ive read the entire thread tonight to catch up ,and all the posts have inspired me. I am DF ( sort of ) as still give DD & DS a regular dig out , Nice to be able to help them if they need it , but I have 3 small goals at the moment ,Im doing slimming world , so first goal is to raise £46.50 for a 12 week count down by feb 25th, This money HAS to be raised by "Other Methods"( Legal I might add) Im up to £33. 36 so doing well ,(From money offs/ vouchers/and listed some things on a local bidding site etc ) 2nd & 3rd goal is to raise money to pay for a 20 swim swimming pass. and renew my discount rail card when its due. Bigger goal for later in the year is to gut and replace the bathroom. and stop it looking like an antique .Personal goals ........to lose a stone / 1 lb a week . I already budget everything . we are lucky as we have about every decent cheap shop in our area. Aldi/ Lidyl/ Homebargains/ B&M / Jack Fultons/ Heron etc, so that helps A LOT. plus our family shares stuff.( Dad bought eggs this week ) and hes cracked it now making home made bread that's edible ) Got a £5 love to shop voucher from RM = £15 ( need £30 worth to cover Christmas presents) any extra will be a bonus to use for groceries or treat night . Dh is self employed ( Car mechanic) so never have a firm total of earnings each week , but usually ok. ( He isn't working at the moment with being ill though)
Mothernerd so sorry to hear about the family sadness and worries , stay strong , but be kind to yourself also


The Only Girl wow you did good yesterday avoiding all those icebergs
Fmess Im also doing SW . maybe we can keep each other motivated
Laura Lozzle good luck with the wedding fund ,My DD is a wedding planner ,have a look for her on facebook
Luna Marine Wedding Boutique might give you some new ideas
Welsh Kitty 85 Hope your DH can find work. What job does he want ,? maybe someone on here is from your area and knows of something . Just a thought
Foxholes £60 a month is a challenge ,hope you can do it x

I don't know where everyone is from but im off to search for cheap or free things for everyone to do when they go ashore

Moll

MSE but im sure some wont know about this , Ive had many a free night at the cinema with this , Seen the hidden figures film on our firestick , its a really good film


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/54477907#Comment_54477907

Moll

And for the over 55's a film . cup of tea/ coffee and a biscuit for £3


http://www.odeon.co.uk/silvercinema/?ast=LXSRga

abundant1972

Attention!!! Captain on deck!!!

Well me hearties – let’s see what ye have all been up to these first few days of our voyage… As I said yesterday – we are in for some bad weather – and that means holding true to yer posts and staying strong.
Our stores are looking good. Start o’ the month so the rats haven’t found them yet! We got plenty of travel sickness remedies on board for all ye land lubbers – don’t ye be messing up me new planks! I just had them laid!!!

I see NannyGladys has set up her sun lounger already and got her suncream ready for the arctic winds we are due at some point! It seems we may be having a new mascot me hearties! A snowman (lady!) to grace the bow! You are doing us proud with your housekeeping – a tidy house is a tidy mind, right? Ye be off to an excellent start!

FurryBeastOZ – points for being quick off the mark and organised. Ye be a fine example to the rest o’the crew. I need to know what your unprepared/fat budget is haha – it made me smirk! Great progress so far. Enjoy your shore leave! I had one yesterday too!

Bobarella – pinch punch huh? No touch back huh? <loads Bobarella inside cannon> How about touch paper? <goes to light cannon… … …> Haharrrr! Only messing me hearty!!! <Must remember I am not a pirate!> Ahem… HAHARRRRRRRRR!!!! I just realised too – I missed ye name off the Roster! Unforgiveable!!! I’ve put ye at number1 and I’ve taken a tumble to the bottom! Sorry shipmate!!! <hugs> I am impressed by your sound business sense. Ye be well placed up in the Crow’s Nest where ye can keep an eye on all your plans <and tell me if you see any slackers down on deck!> Also – Happy (belated) Annivesary!!! That’s awesome!!! Congrats on the windfall too!!! Luck be with you!

ThriftyCutlass (your new name for this month – I love it!) – well done on the smoking front! Ye be making great progress! Why not have a jar and every time you get a craving and resist put in the cost of 1 cigarette. At the end of the month ye can tot up how much you saved and would’ve smoked! Ye ship refit sounds great. Who be ‘powder monkey’? I have visions of a little wee girl plastered in her Mother’s make-up haha! Tis good to know we have a Toys’r’us on board should we get bored haha

XSpender- your year is off to a fine start and well done on meeting targets. Like you my food spends are always the thing I slide on – so let’s both try and keep the spending under control. Awesome job on your commitment on the fitness front too! Food prepping is a skill for sure – but once you get on top of it – life just seems to flow!!! I do a batch cook at weekend and mid-week. You’re inspiring me to keep up my attendance at the gym for sure! Keep it up!

SpekySquarehead – Ahoy shipmate! So – ye’ve taken a big cut in your expendables – so you’ll need to not so much batten down the hatches, as nail them shut! Have ye any goals set for the year? Anything ye want to work towards. If so – let us know… No ball games on deck! Off to the basement… erm… hull with ye! <ball smacks me on the head>

Toni’s Friend– Brilliant job on the signature! Now ye do know that if ye see a Dolphin (yellow sticker buy) you can still claim an NSD as long as you avoid spending anything in the other 20 aisles haha! You sound like you are getting organised though! Don’t get down on your weight loss ‘fail’ – focus on consistency – on regular exercise and your meal plans – the rest should happen over time. Every bit you do is something… Keep yer sights on what you are achieving ok! Impressed with your start to the month, despite blown bulb! I’m wondering if you try and build a small Emergency Fund – you can then spend from that in an emergency and still claim a NSD, as this money is budgeted already.

Seasidegal58 – I like yer style – a proper Sailor’s Charm!!! I feel ye Dad will be with you helping us all on our Voyage! I’m also really liking how you do your food shopping. I’m terrible for going in with a list and getting side tracked buying offers (3 for the price of 5, of something I’m not even going to use haha!). You’re online bulk shop sounds like a perfect solution to my impulse buying! I have a friend who swears by the 5:2 diet – you find it good/easy to keep to?

1LuckyLady – Good good! You are showing great organisation. I like your charity bag idea – hung up and ready to fill as the month goes on. I have adopted this in my galley too! Also – great lucky charm idea! Not having kids I’m not sure a photo of our cat looking grumpy would provide the same motivation <don’t buy that – feed me now and give me attention> lol.

Calling14 – Oh my. Mothernerd did bring the loo rolls right??? That’s it – turn the ship around!!! Stop off at the nearest Lidl (there’s bound to be one even in the middle of the ocean!). What did people used to use in days gone by??? Straw? A bit of old sack cloth? Oh. My OCD brain just kicked in! Loving all the charms – you have a FRAGGLE!!! Awwwwwwww – I want a photo haha!!! Cute!! Don't worry about shaky start and lack of NSDs - I am there too. We are consigned to deck swabbing for the weekend (but don't worry - NannyG has cleaned the entire ship from top to bottom!).

Smallholdingsister – Welcome aboard. So i was reading your goal to reduce your overspend... Could you work out how much your overspend was… Divide by say 6-12 (months) depending on how big an amount you overspent, and aim to save that on one side so you can clear it all in one fell swoop at the end of the term? And be sure not to go over what you did last month. That way you don’t have to clear it all in one go. Keep saving that amount thereafter – as an emergency fund/buffer. Just a thought… (Confused? I am lol).

ShySpender – Great job at running down your old food stocks. Any cheap, easy recipes you have – share them please! Great to see you are making lunches to – great clear signature.

Crazy_cat_lady– Mmmm – butternut squash soup! I wish ye were handing out rations to us all. You have 3 bags of kidney beans haha? You’re like me and my buckwheat!!! I love them in chilli or bean salads. Could you make a pate maybe? I like your smilie signature too.

Greent – Shore leave booked and approved – and excellent budget planning for this time - well done! You’re making fine progress on your debts and on managing your food stores! Great performance and will power! And that’s without your lucky charm!!! What be yer secret?!?! Bottle and sell it haharrrrrr!!! Sounds like you and XSpender could team up and push each other on…! Might check it out myself! Good job on the mobile recycling!!!

LauraLozlle – Ahh – yer have your sights set for November and what an excellent goal and charm to have! Stay strong with yer spending this month - £8.00 can go a fair way – if ye have a week in and roll it over… save and have friends over for coffee instead of going out. Yer doing great. I said it earlier to another shipmate – focus on consistent exercise and good diet habits and the weight will take care of itself.

AppleMuncher – Great team work on the shopping and for diligently sticking to your food list. Please send me some of your will power or alternatively package up your DH to help me do mine haha! Good good… exercising too! 18K steps!!! That sounds like a lot! This ship be bigger on the inside than the out!!!

X_Raphael_XX– You are doing an awesome job at staying focussed at a time that potentially could be quite stressful with the house buy. That’s what we need – a level head – even when the deck beneath us be pitching in all directions. Ye sound like you have your feet planted firmly and ye know what your priorities be – and still managed to lose weight to boot! You’re a fine example and a hardy shipmate!!! It seems there are a few on deck trying to lose weight – give em your secrets to success! I’ll clear a room on deck for ye to run a class and keep em on track! I love your idea for our island trip – a well-deserved day of rest – a retreat from the world.

Lozzie81 – Welcome aboard and that is a great tip for getting in NSDs at work. If ye get 20 NSD’s I’ll salute ye! Did ye have any goals for this year ye wanted to work towards? Share em with us if ye do and set em in motion this month!

Misstara – Hail Captain. Ye did a fine job last month at keeping us afloat – and I intend to do the same. I see you too have a challenging month financially – let’s tighten our belts together. If we can get through the rest of the winter on as little as possible, and steer clear of temptation – come Spring we will feel better for it. Your biggest debt has almost melted away – once that drops away, you’ll gain so much momentum. Keep up the good work!

Dia Pita– Excellent example on how to eat for health! That is a fantastic goal – sugar and processed food free! How are you doing? Is it hard or easy? Are you feeling the benefits yet? Do you allow yourself dairy? It’s an exciting challenge and I’d love to hear more. I strive to do that but find it hard (bread fiend and milk-dependent!). Would you post a little something about your diet – maybe links to any good articles online. Healthy eating is something a lot of us are on-board with – I think it could be really valuable.

ChasingSunshine – Welcome aboard and congratulations on getting your head around being on MSE. It’s great to read about your goals. Budgets are looking good, and I understand about the work social. As long as you budget for it and it’s not an everyday occurrence it’s fine – balance in all things. Your goals are great – and actually – twanged at my heartstrings too. I have a brother and sister and we have drifted somewhat. Thank you for inspiring me to take some action there too. There is another forum on MSE – the 3-6month emergency fund challenge (I’m in there too) – why not sign up to that one as well?

Short_Bird– I love it: batten down the hatches and see where the leaks are!... This really stood out for me. I think if we can track our spends (I did this last month) – writing down what you spend money on – it is amazing to see where we haemorrhage money without even realising. This is a really important way to improve our money management skills. If we can learn (patch up the leaks) – next month, that money can be channelled into something productive!

WelshKitty85 – You seem to be in a similar place to me financially. Am also paying off the last of my credit cards and want to be in a position to maybe buy a place by the end of the year. It’s great we have this in common – we can spur each other on! I went for a mortgage meeting – and if you haven’t – it’s a great thing to do – just to see what you ‘could get’ and what you need to save. My bank lady was amazingly helpful – and advised I do exactly what you are doing. Clear my cards first, don’t have too much spare credit (having too high a credit limit means you could in theory get into debt) and if you have a lot of cards – reduce the number. Don’t do lots of credit applications between now and then too. If this is your first buy – think about a ‘HelptoBuy’ ISA – you could start that now. Look up more on the main MSE forum.

F0xh0les – Excellent! Great signature – they can be tricky but it’s come out awesome! Now… This is what I love – making use of YS buys, and looking for ways to keep costs down. I think your post sums up how to make a budget go farther. For anyone else with kids – touch base on ideas for fun days that don’t cost the earth. Great idea for charity books – you are doing some good donating, and getting entertainment for a bargain price. You win the frugal pioneer award haha! I am also LOVING your whiteboard meal idea. How creative is that!!! I don’t have kids – but I need to do that. Takes the thinking out of it – and the temptation to eat rubbish.

TheOnlyGirl – That warmed my heart. That is a fantastic way to get kids involved in money management. I love my parents dearly but money was a taboo subject to a degree. When as a student I had money and loans and credit cards thrown at me, and moved away – budgeting was non-existent, and so began my spiral into debt. Those meetings I’m sure will be invaluable! I see you have developed a way to avoid the Siren song. Take heed me hearties – this be sound advice!!! However – there be one Siren – she beguiles and charms her way into your heart with her shimmering cloths and silks… She is your NEMESIS! You must resist the call of the Silk Queen Siren – she wants your money!!! Fantastic quote too. Thank you. A HUGE congratulations for yesterday on your demonstration of willpower - and for using up old supplies. Fantastic.

Mothernerd – I feel your pain. What a poke in the eye!!! I almost cried when my post (which as you see, is a little lengthy) was lost at sea. Oh how I wept!!! She be a cruel Mistress for sure – I reckon many a post has been lost like this!!! Damn ye for timing out on us ye blasted forum!!! Now I write big posts on to a word document first – then copy, paste and tweak on MSE. Beautiful post and I’m loving the goals. How does it feel structuring it all? For me it’s great and reading through yours it feels like you have a definite sense of purpose about you. Fantastic. Thank GOD you bought a big bag of loo roles (they were for the ship right???). Also – permission to do something really lovely for yourself and extra shore leave amid family upheavals – hugs! You are right though – sometimes illness can bring a sense of peace, in knowing they wouldn’t have suffered. In times of stress - it’s brilliant you are walking more and reaching the bridge was a real achievement. You’ll be shimmying up the mast in no time at all and helping Bobarella out in the Crow’s Nest hahaaarrrrr!!!

ILoveTea – I see you too fell victim to the Bermuda Triangle of post disappearances!!! The main thing is you got on-board and posted. Now – I scoured January’s post for your goals… (I be a hard task master)… ‘to de-clutter /to sell on e-b*y /do as many surveys as possible/ to raise £2,000 / Lose 50lbs’ – how goes the progress? It’s really good to revisit – even if you haven’t started or made any headway yet – it gets you thinking again… and sparks up that old fire inside to succeed. We are all with you.

Fmess – Good to have you back on board. Looking at your signature it looks like you are making great progress toward your goals. Are you on track for the end of the year? How is the weight loss going? Any tips for people trying to lose? Keep up the good work!!!

SkintTeacher – Ahoy! So shipmate – what are your goals for this year? Can we help you get a signature to help you achieve them? You’ve got off to a good start and bagged an NSD – so well done.

Moll –It’s good to have you on deck. I’m sorry your hubby has been unwell – and I’m pleased you’re with us. Permission for extended shore leave and time away if needed ok! Excellent goals too! It sounds like you are on track! Great money saving trips out too. <shouts to 2 burly, mean looking crewmembers – Hook and Crook – she not be a Stowaway – ye can put the plank away for now!!!> Haharrrr!

Abundant1972– Well. This is awkward <looks in mirror in cabin> A fine example you be setting for the crew. Washed overboard and absent from deck for a day. Only 1 NSD claimed to date. Day 2 of the challenge and the first Siren to whistle a ditty tempts you to giving up a few quid for a hot beverage at work. What a shambles!!! And stand up straight when I’m talking to you… uhm me. This just won’t do I tell you. Ok – so you meditated and exercised – so it’s not all bad – and taken packed lunches… good. But from now on – leave your wallet at home when at work. Those ladies in the League of Fiends erm Friends shop will have NO POWER over ye then. They may be old but their song be deadly!!! Check in every day. As Captain you be responsible for whipping them into shape and making sure there are no laggers! Right – any more nonsense and it’s the plank for you – me – ahem.

I think I have reviewed everyone that has posted – and I’ve sent out search parties to the shipmates that have yet to post since signing the roster. I f I have missed anyone YELL at me and I’ll get one done. I will try and do a mid-month review after I get back off my shore leave – and I’d like you all to do one towards the end of the voyage of your own progress this month.
I am both humbled and inspired by each and every one of you. If we can keep this momentum going – February will be a great success. Keep your charms to hand if you are using them, and feel free to give any feedback on whether something is working for you or not. Keep up the hard work me hearties!!!

misstara

Fantastic post abundant 1972

I've just got home after a night out with the girls - may be feeling a little sea sick tomorrow .

Fmess

Morning all

SFD number 2 yesterday

Moll yes we can definitely motivate each other Have you tried the SW onion bhajis? Great for a snack or with a salad at lunchtime

Abundant weight loss is going well, 11lbs in 5 weeks I don't expect it to continue at this rate but I'm pleased with my start. My best tip is to have a few evening meals a week without carbs. I thought I'd miss them but I don't and apparently it really helps flatten your stomach as well as help with weight loss. I have dinners like fajita chicken and veg with salad and no wrap, chilli with mixed veg, roasted chicken breast with roast veg etc. I have a full plate but no carbs and it seems to help.

I am on track for my goals but the start of the year will be slow as I have just bought a doggy pushchair for the poorly dog, I've had four dental appointments in 6 weeks and I'm saving for an Easter holiday and the associated pet care. After April I have taken on exam marking so all those funds will be used for the bathroom and then reducing the roof loan.

Hope you all have a good day, I wish I had the cleaning bug, my house needs a proper clean but it'll have to wait until half term.