NST February Challenge : A Winter Voyage

Bobarella

Hey Guys

Thrifty you have done so well with your no smoking thing. Particularly as I know you were struggling to knock the final one or two on the head. What a great start to the year!

Well for myself my signature says it all. All guns firing for that final £399. Ideally by end March BUT my own personal iceberg is Bobs Big Bill of which I have waffled too much already. But is basically £1200 by end of March. It breaks down into two separate bills of £400/£800 both due at different points before end of March.
My strategy at the moment is keeping on top of my business cash flow analysis like a hawk. I am updating daily now over the two month period concerned. Currently have a guaranteed £1800 before end of March, but that has to cover my standard monthly business outgoings (minus 1 month rent free) & keep us fed, which is one of my monthly responsibilities. I mean obviously all money goes into the same pot, but generally I find OHs money pays the vast majority of the big bill's then mine goes in when we need it, usually from around the 15th of the month onwards. I tend to pay for groceries, travel, kids spends, and the energy bill which goes out the day before OH gets paid again!

I have already paid off £200 this month which I ear marked the council tax break for. I want to pay more but as above need to be cautious of how the big picture is stacking up over the coming two months.

Today I am grateful for:
1. Being able to look after my daughter and work around her. Although I have to fight to keep the toilet roll being pulled off in a heap whilst I try to use the loo. The cats water from being dumped all over the kitchen floor. The wet wipes from being flung over a wide radius when I'm distracted. My purse being raided and bank cards dumped on the floor... I wouldn't miss a day!
2. Meeting exciting new people everyday through my work.
3. OH being kind and supportive. Tomorrow we will be celebrating 17 years as a couple. I am a very lucky person.

Bob

Toni'sfriend

Day 1 of the adventure;

Pre-Boarding Tasks:

Have checked stocks and, apart from the cabin boy's lunches and a few of his dinners, there should be enough to see us through.
Cleared the kit bag and locker last week but will have to be extended to include the ward room, cabins and galley,
Have my lucky, cute little purse in which I keep all my small change. I try to use this before anything else and it reminds me how small things are important.
Done my signature - Hope it works

Goals

Failed miserably with the weight loss. Have calculated it in pounds:eek: but if I can get back on track and loose just one pound a week I'll still reach the Island of Slimness by the end of the year.
Got washed overboard on the alcohol consumption. Got three days this month when I have outings planned. I'll allow myself to splice the mainbrace then but, otherwise, I'm refusing the rum ration.
Not much scope for walking on board but barring illness, hurricanes and waiting for workmen two miles round the deck every day.
15 NSDs which would be easier if I could avoid the YS that I don't need, This month I'm viewing the dolphins from afar. Today stocked up on essentials for the voyage. Fruit and veg to avoid scurvy, sugar and snacks.

So I've set sail. See you at roll call tomorrow.

Grateful for:
An emotional conversation with my brother in Canada
The most wonderful cousin a person could have
The posts on this thread for making me laugh out loud

Seasidegal58

Thank you so much Cap'n Abundant for your wonderful instructions and I’ve now run up the gangplank to board ship and store my sack away under my bunk!

I have my compass with me (YNAB!) and lucky charm (see below). I tried to bring the ship's parrot , but he flew away (i.e. I couldn't post his picture!) so perhaps one of the other crew will find one!

Pre-Boarding Tasks:

1) Take a quick stock-check of your cupboards/fridge/freezer. Be thinking of things you can cook up from these before you buy more. I <still> have 2 bags of buckwheat I haven't the foggiest notion what to do with hahaaaar! – I’ve had a good look through – I’ve actually got loads of stuff in the larder/freezer that can be utilitised. Will be cooking up some recipes along with the grog!

2) You can't be taking everything on-board with you. Go through your drawers and wardrobes - is there anything you never wear and can give away? Lighten your load and hit your charity goal this month all in one go! - - I actually went through all my clothes/books/dvds, etc during a major overhaul in November and donated bits to charity and sent some clothing to dress agency - so looking good on this front. There are still some things with the dress agency that hopefully will be sold – next payment date mid-Feb!

3) Look around your house and find something small that you can carry around with you... something that you think of as lucky... Where we be sailing to - a good luck charm might be just the ticket. No priceless family heirlooms mind haha. If nothing springs to mind - maybe next time you're out - find a little stone or pebble that you like the feel of... or a twig to decorate. It doesn't have to cost - be creative. – Funnily enough I have a little charm that my dear dad used to keep on his keyring – it’s in the shape of a sailor believe it or not! (he was in the merchant navy). I actually keep it in the cross-over handbag I use when on holiday for luck!I will transfer it to my usual handbag.

• A signature if you can – Already implemented!
• Set your food and spends totals – My food/household budget is £30 per week, but what I actually do is get a supermarket delivery for when I get paid for things to last the month and then whatever is left from the monthly £120 I split into three and use this for topping up – milk, fruit, veg etc. I get paid on the 25th of each month so I already did my shop for 25th January. Week 2 has started today and I have £8.08 per week till 25th February. Re other spends, I have £33.17 left over from last week and £100 for the next three weeks till payday. I do have a couple of lunches out with friends/family planned, but do hope at the end of month I can put any residual funds into my emergency fund. However, February is an expensive birthday month for me - I have already emailed an Amazon voucher yesterday to my DD's OH for his birthday and will have to top up the Birthday/Gifts budget later in the month.
• Set your NSD goal - as I managed 17 days for January’s thread (out of 16) I will try again for 17 NSDs
• Post 3 things you are grateful for – will be back this evening with this!
• Briefly re-state your goal(s) for 2017. Are you on track? – The goals I posted on the January thread were: “finish off my emergency fund then save enough for new kitchen. Also I want 2017 to be the year I finally get back to my fighting weight!” Emergency fund is currently on track to finish in April (fingers crossed!). Weightwise I joined the gym at the weekend and am going back onto the the good old 5:2 diet!

Will post later this evening with final recap for 1st February!

Seasidegal58

Bobarella wrote: »

Hey Guys

3. OH being kind and supportive. Tomorrow we will be celebrating 17 years as a couple. I am a very lucky person.

Bob

Happy anniversary to you and OH for tomorrow Bob!

thriftylass

Today was my first spend day. £15 on a grocery top up and £4 on sushi. This will be my payday treat every month from now on to give me a reward at the end of the month for good behaviour (no smoking, less drinking, going to the gym, lunch to work the rest of the time etc). Also ordered some shelving, a radiator cover and a book case for my reorganising mission (£100). As I had to do this at lunch time I didn't manage to fit in the gym and tomorrow I'm off so I'll adjust my gym target.

Calling14

Am I late ? Don't go without me just scurrying along now with my bag.
Hopefully Mothernerd got enough loo rolls for us all.

Bob Happy Anniversary for tomorrow.

Furry beast - amazing weight loss well done

Updated my signature - shrunk it to fit this challenge on as well.
Hope DFD will be October not sure manage 406 a month. Some months are better than others - I get paid weekly. February bit of a struggle but March looks better 5 weeks woo hoo.

Other goals a holiday/ break away, lose some weight and get fitter - didn't attempt any exercise Jan with chest infection. Put on weight yikes!

Lots of supplies in, Might be tomorrow by time I check it. Want to enjoy some sunshine today so stressed out in work.
Charity bag filling will begin tonight - have a bag by my bed ready.

Lucky charm - can I bring a Fraggle along? He's cute.

Today bought some salad stuff, bread and a plant oops. Total spend 3.20.
Been craving lettuce how weird am I?

Grateful for
Receiving survey vouchers 12 pounds in total, 5 pounds credit back off sky after querying my bill - so free next month.
Dry day, hope my washing has dried a bit
Getting on board with this challenge my budgeting needs a shake up. I just about manage with no reserves lately. Too focused on debts need to wake up a bit and get savings behind me.

smallholdingsister

Is it February?
My only goal is to be less overdrawn this month.
Money out (by DH £48 petrol and £5 on toothpaste and DW tablets).

shyspender

Hiya Turtles,

Glad to see so many of us, old and new, on board. Looking forward to being back in the fold again.

The Rules:

• The ship sets sail on February 01st and it’s journey finishes on February 28th
• Plan your shore leave. Got a busy weekend the last weekend in Feb, 23rd to 26th and will be an expense at least two of those days, if not three; also babysitting around VD for friends so may take my buddy out for some fun; other than that though, that's it
  
• Pay your debt repayments first YNAB'd today, £1000 paid to my recently acquired Credit Card debt, this should be done and paid for in April
  
• Plan your personal budget I've budgeted £100 for the end of Feb weekend and on top of that £80 for entertainment, I've just been on a strict Jan, pretty much no booze and no takeaways so I may indulge on a takeaway or two
  
• Aim for 15 NSDs.This shouldn't be a problem
  
• Look out for Dolphins Not something I usually do but will see what there is when I barter for supplies
  
• Beware Pirates! Already counted my LTW (lunch to work) days and put it in my signature, plus canteen food is worse than ships biscuits!
  
• Beware Sirens! High Street retailers that tempt you in to buy buy buy!!! Before any purchase – ask yourself... ‘is this going to bring me nearer my goal or push me further from it?’… Is it a ‘need’ or a ‘want’…? Can I afford it or will it leave me broke?
• Mid Voyage we will be stopping off at the Isle of Aphrodite – think this will be a takeaway day when England are playing, if I don't need to work it
  
• Remember those lost as sea – will do a food donation next time I barter for supplies
  
• Never be afraid to ask for help or advice. It occurred to me that I take things like budgeting for-granted… but when I was a newbie – I didn’t know where to start. It was only through joining forums like this one that I learned.
• It’s ok to make mistakes – as long as we learn from them and do not keep repeating them. If we do – we need to look at why we do – what is our gain from keeping ourselves in debt or perpetuating bad habits.

I am currently working on running my cupboards and freezer down. Coming up with some interesting concoctions especially as I am healthy eating at the moment too.


Been on a bit of a mission with de-cluttering over the last couple of months. Had last week off and decorated the Spare/Guest cabin so had to do a lot of decluttering to get in there.


Still working on the lucky charm, not really my thing to be honest but I'll see what crops up.


Grateful for YNAB, my friend who always pops up in my life to make me smile and being made to help with DIY when I was younger.

crazy_cat_lady

#10 reporting in for duty Captain.
I have just completed a massive batch cook of butternut squash soup and am searching recipes to use up 3 bags of kidney beans I have.
Clothing recently sorted, others to do when I have time.
This month's grocery budget is £250 - I need to cut down on the food shopping a bit.
Declaring my first nsd of the month. All DD's have gone out as planned, but I haven't spent any additional money.
Today I am grateful for:
The new Head Teacher
Working in a fab team
Sitting in my pj's before 7pm

greent

Deckhand greent coming aboard, Captain! Apologies for the humungous post!

abundant1972 wrote: »

The Rules:

• The ship sets sail on February 01st and it’s journey finishes on February 28th
  - noted
• Plan your shore leave. If you want to meet with friends – log the dates now and don’t deviate once we have set sail.
  - Shore leave requested for cinema this weekend (cheap tickets obtained!) for Trainspotting T2, cinema in half term (Batman with smallest greent), Meal out with friends 18th Feb and also a Nearly New Sale 25th Feb - possible bargainous clothes for small greents to be found there
• Pay your debt repayments first - direct debits set up but money also set aside for extra payment to one on day of DD (messes it up if I do it now) Min£845 to be paid[COLOR=black], and budget separately for birthdays, car expenses, travel, bills, school fees etc. Set money aside for these - they do not count towards a spend day – as long as you have budgeted for them! Be prepared and plan ahead. Get your house in order before you depart![/COLOR]
  - most bills on DD. £24 budgeted for Zumba, £50 for fuel (mine only - OH's covered by expenses), school trips etc £25 (will pay this off summer school trip for DS2 if not used for anything else), Scouts/ Beavers/ CAdets - £15, Toiletries/ medicine/ cleaning stuff £20, Kids items at NNS £25, Haircuts £45 (4 x male), Food £400, Personal spends £150 (may join BodyCoach)
  
• Plan your personal budget with what money you have left. Set aside an amount for essential rations and an amount for personal spending. What you use your personal spends for is up to you – essentially ‘non-essential’ things. It could be a trip to the cinema, a chocolate bar, a new t-shirt or a book. Try not to feel guilty for spending a little on yourself – but budget it in. I am allowing £80.00 for rations and £80.00 for spends.
  - see above
• Aim for 15 NSDs. I am giving you each 12 flares. Use them wisely. Fire one off and you can get supplies (have a spend day). That’s 3 flares per week – use them wisely.
• Look out for Dolphins (a.k.a Yellow Sticker produce). These DO NOT count as a spend day. If you see them break the waves – give thanks, and grab a bargain (as long as you’ll use it!).
• Beware Pirates! They come in many guises and want to steal your booty! Make your lunches for work, and take in your own coffees – avoid shop/canteen bought convenience food which tends to be overpriced.
  - generally safe from Pirates - if I am in for both an am and pm stint at work I usually get a long enough gap to come home and eat. One day next week I won't, so have already planned for that - can get free tea in the staff room that day but there's also always chilled water from the water stations
  
• Beware Sirens! High Street retailers that tempt you in to buy buy buy!!! Before any purchase – ask yourself... ‘is this going to bring me nearer my goal or push me further from it?’… Is it a ‘need’ or a ‘want’…? Can I afford it or will it leave me broke?
• Mid Voyage we will be stopping off at the Isle of Aphrodite – an enchanted place, and a welcome rest from our travels. This is a free day. Put aside £10.00 if you can afford it and a bit of time for yourself. More details to follow.
• Remember those lost as sea – try and give or do something charitable. It could be a cash or food donation, or giving of your time if you don’t have a lot of spare money.
  - monthly DD to WWT. Regularly drop bags of to local CS - will aim to find some items for there this month too. Nearly new sale is on behalf of a charity I volunteer for, so five my time anyway but that week I will be giving about 20 hours of my time Also anything I sell there or buy there benefits the charity
  
  What I’d like to see posted from you:

1. If you haven’t already – try and do a signature. It’s a great way to personalise your goals and targets – and provides a visual aid to your progress. If you need help setting one up just yell!
2. List your food and spends budgets. Try doing them separately for this month and tell me if it works – or not. I find giving myself permission to have a little bit of a life (spends) really hard… but life is about living. If it helps, each week draw out your spend allowance – when it’s gone, it’s gone.
3. A running NSD total.
4. Post 3 things – daily if you can – that you are grateful for. It helps us focus on what we have in our lives and gives us a feeling of wealth and abundance that goes beyond just money.
5. Re-visit your goal(s) set last month (or do a new one if you’ve just joined). How is your progress? Are you on track or floundering? Be honest. Remember the ship quote above – unless you give direction and purpose to your goals – you will likely run aground. Break it into smaller steps that are manageable for you. If you’re not sure how – put it to the crew. Tell everyone at least one thing you will commit to doing this month to help achieve your goal. - Two goals. 1 -to lose min 20lbs and get fitter. Didn't weigh myself! :rotfl: Did go to Zumba 6/7 in Jan. Feb - I think I'm available for all 8 sessions unless I get offered additional hours or illness/ injury strike. Considering BodyCoach plan. 2nd goal - halve non mtge debt. Set 10k target, which is 46% of £21711 balance. Paid 17% of the 10k in Jan. Feb will bring this to 25.6% min. Extra money made in Feb from eboy sales, items sold at NNS, cashback etc all to go to debt (to be paid in Mar)
   

abundant1972 wrote: »

1) Take a quick stock-check of your cupboards/fridge/freezer. Be thinking of things you can cook up from these before you buy more. I <still> have 2 bags of buckwheat I haven't the foggiest notion what to do with hahaaaar! - inventory done. Gaps noted. Have made considerable efforts in past 2 months to use strange things up, so stocks considerably reduced now Although I still need to make lots of apple and pear based puddings to use up the vast frozen supply......:o

2) You can't be taking everything on-board with you. Go through your drawers and wardrobes - is there anything you never wear and can give away? Lighten your load and hit your charity goal this month all in one go! - wardrobe recently done - am a KonMari fan

3) Look around your house and find something small that you can carry around with you... something that you think of as lucky... Where we be sailing to - a good luck charm might be just the ticket. No priceless family heirlooms mind haha. If nothing springs to mind - maybe next time you're out - find a little stone or pebble that you like the feel of... or a twig to decorate. It doesn't have to cost - be creative. - still need to find something

abundant1972 wrote: »

So today we set sail, and with a fair wind and following sea, we’ll make good headway. Are you prepared for our voyage? Here are a few fun ways to help get your trip off to a good start.

[*]Stock Take. If you haven’t already – See what you have in and what meals you can make out of your existing supplies. - avoided the McDonalds Pirates tonight (close call! - overtired and hungry - bad combo) by using home made ready meals from freezer. Followed by a quickly knocked up self saucing lemon and golden syrup steamed sponge pudding - gorgeous, if I say so myself. Cake/ cake style pudding was needed tonight! :rotfl: SOns also thankful for it and there's even a bit leftover for tomorrow :T

[*]Your map tells you how and when you'll get there. This is your Action Plan. This could be a written budget, a debt management plan, an exercise routine or a food diary. Whatever your goal – break it down. Need help? Ask away! - Action plan for goals. 8 Zumba sessions pledged. Min debt repayment figure set. Unwnated items listed on eboy and priced up for NNS - monies received to go to debt (unless they are non-clothes items belonging to the children - they get the funds from their books and toys)

Today I am thankful for:
* successfully avoiding the McDonalds pirates:p - thereby maintaining NSD 1
* having the ingredients to make a quick & yummy pudding
* OH getting £100 of vouchers from work (to be received in a month) for referring a new employee :T
* Fleabay offer of half price FVF - meaning I get to keep more money of any of my listed items which sell :T

I'll just stow my bag under my cabin and get to work.....