NST Muddy March Marathon

Calling14

Budgets set in stone.

Food 100
Petrol 40
Going out 60
Weight eek - try and lose a 1lb a week. Holding my head in shame weighed myself at 13st this am.
Library - will pop along after for a walk - haven't been in a while.

Today will be a SFD need petrol and sugar.
Paid 85 pounds off my debts today.
Exercise will do something after work.

bizzie

I'm off the starting line let's hope I can keep up with the pace. Calling14 I'm happy to keep #13 but thank you for offering to swap.
Like ChasingSunshine I'm keeping my grocery spend the same this month (3extra days to spend it on though!) and am planning on breaking it down into categories to really understand where we can make savings.
I have library books to renew this week, which could be done online, but I will visit the bricks n mortar version instead and have a mooch around to see what else is available to borrow.

2sonmum

can I join please ?

greent

Thank you, mothernerd

NST: MUDDY MARCH MARATHON


U Use it or Lose it . - theme noted. I love our local library and used to use it a lot. However, I have pledged to considerably downsize my 'books to be read' stash - so only use the library if there's a specific book I want to read/ look at which I haven't got (ie: instead of buying any more books! ) I have about 4 shelves of books waiting to be read and have been quite successful so far this year in working my way through some and immediately passing them on. This is helped by OH working away - I read more when he isn't around. So my use it for this bit is using the stash up (ie reading my own) - I pledge min 4 books in March to be read (and passed on for someone else to read )


D Debt Free Date Do you know yours? Ours is 09/18 and will be achieved then if we make standard payments. As we are making extra payments this should move forward. Hopefully by the end of the year we will be down to just one debt and will be throwing all that we can at it


D Debt or Savings First - always. Extra money (eg: cashback, fleabay etc saved in separate account to make extra payment once a month. Standard payments are £745. Additional payment made today of £300.


Y You will set all your BUDGETS before the start of the month. You are in control of your money, the money (or spending is not in control of you). Food, travel (petrol, public transport, maintenance), any kids clubs (this can be put into a separate 'purse' or 'envelope' at the start of the month and will then not affect your NSDs. All regular outgoings including 'personal' spending money.
Food - £400. I was going to reduce it by last months £30 overspend but this month is slightly longer, DD is home from uni for a weekend (so there will be treat purchases/ baking and some food bought to send back with her) and my birthday and Mothering Sunday. Plus I think I'll be spending a bit more because of BC plan.
Toiletries/ cleaning - £20
Travel - £120 - a full tank of fuel & money saved towards tax and mot (separate acct)
School and kids activities - £50
Birthdays & other occasions with gifts etc - £50 (a heavy month)
Zumba - £26
Clothes and haircuts - £50 (1 x boy haircut and new school trousers x2 boys )
House/ DIY/ Garden - £100 (have some jobs planned)

M Monitor Your Goals. Misstara encouraged us to set goals at the beginning of the year and Captain abundant asked us to check them last month. As we enter a new month, we should do so again. - Debt reduction going well - will slow down later in year but making the most of it at the moment Lose weight/ get fitter - now I have a starting point! BC plan joined and hopefully this should make some progress on both parts

A Avoid takeaways, canteens (unless bargainaceous subsidised ones), vending machines, costalot coffee and all their ilk. Take your lunch to work (from home) every day and where possible take your own food or snacks for hospital appointments (if travelling or out at meal times), cinema visits, days out. My birthday and DD home for a weekend means there will likely be a meal out and a takeaway this month. Lunches always taken to work - unless work are providing them at no charge


R Remember those in Need. Donate to your local food bank or charity of your choice. Money, goods or time. - Monthly DD to WWT. Bought a scratchcard for RND today. Volunteer time every week. Usually have a bag (or several) to drop at CS during the month


C Cupboard audit (+ fridge and freezer), Meal Planning and Cooking from Scratch are all great aids to saving money. What do you have in, what can you make with it, what do you need to buy. [SIZE] - I know what's in my stores and have been using up random/ odd items

A Avoid temptation. Retailers want your money. You do not have to give it to them. They have all sorts of tricks to get you to spend. Be wary. Product xyz will not transform your life. Focus on what you want to achieve. What is a need and what is a 'want'? Who or what is driving that 'want'. Check your mood (applies to eating things you shouldn't as well). Are you sad, fed up, angry, bored. Think about that feeling (all feelings are valid). Will that purchase (or comestible) solve the problem? How else can you deal with it or make yourself feel better? - will try to make all purchases be 'mindful' ones this month (inc food shopping)


R Repairs Every little helps. . Fix something in your house or wardrobe this month and feel good about it. The days are getting longer. Make a list of small household jobs and repairs that need doing (even tidying 'that' drawer which never gets sorted). Start with the things you can do yourself for little or no cost. - we have a spreadsheet of small and large jobs which need doing around the house. Some will be attempted this month


A Attend regularly. Daily posting is recommended. . - I'm usually pretty good at this

H Health. Another important facet of the turtle gang. I promised you a marathon, we will be getting down and dirty with lots of sweaty lycra (optional) exercise. Lots of turtles have weight loss as a goal and for that we need to look at food intake and getting moving. Healthy eating I am going to be boring and say eat your veg. Very few of us are getting enough. Healthy exercise check your existing target and step it up 5 days a week. Do a bit more (extra class/ add to the length of your walk or run/ do more at home). Mental Health lots of us are suffering setbacks, low moods and stress. I will not be setting weekly mini-challenges this month but I have seen a 21 day wellness exercise which I might quote and I also have the book of mindfulness exercises. I will be continuing the daily gratitudes, you decide if you want to. - I pledge to exercise 4/5 x time a week. And to eat lots of veggies and lean protein

O Outside. Lovely place. Get out there as often as possible, soak up any available daylight (it is really sunlight, I promise, even if it doesn't feel like it). Enjoy those invigorating breezes (imagine you are on a tropical island, it's all a question of degree). Helps to boost your immune system. - I need to do some work in the garden (assuming the weather is on my side!)

That'll do for now! Have been to Sains today for first spend of the month - will update sig later when I retrieve receipt from my purse

mothernerd

2sonmum welcome to the turtle gang. If you did not set goals for the year and want to have some the post on setting goals, measuring and keeping them is post #15 (was number 2 but I got in a mess and accidently removed it.

Everyone up to here should be numbered, yell if I have missed you out.

Day One Wellbeing
This bit is entirely optional (and it isn't my list so have made 2 slight alterations). However this 21 day challenge seemed to chime with lots of things that are in our challenge so will act as gentle reminders. Whether you do some, none or all is entirely up to you and if they are appropriate for you (if pushed for time you might want to jot them down for a free weekend or holiday).
Day 1 Have a lovely scented bubble bath (so sorry Fmess, hope you get you bath soon).

Happy St David's Day (apologies to Welsh turtles for forgetting). Pinch, punch, whatever Bob says (pretty sure it should be rabbits, rabbits, rabbits for March).

Toni'sfriend

Afternoon Turtles

Another month, another challenge. Thank you Mothernerd for hosting. I’ll be trying as hard as I can to follow your wise advice.

Money has been set aside (includes regular charity donations) and budget set – same as last month.

Weigh in day today. I’ve lost 2 pounds. That’s 7 pounds in February so I’ve reached my first half stone. Still aiming for a pound a week so one stone should have gone by mid April. Think a little at a time is a realistic way to go. Continuing with the walking (got one in today) and no alcohol (that will be a challenge as I’m going on holiday last two weeks in March).

I don’t think NSDs really work for me as I don’t do a big monthly shop. We have all the major supermarkets, Aldi, Lidl, Home Bargains etc within walking distance and we don’t drive. I’m not going to set a number of NSDs but will record them and concentrate instead on buying only what we need or good special offers or YS but only if it’s something we will use. Stocked up on fruit in Aldi today before the Super Six change tomorrow.

Need to seriously address cleaning and de-cluttering. Again little at a time. This week I’m starting with our bedroom. I’ve made a list of things that need repaired in the house and divided them into three categories. Those the council are responsible for, those I know I need to get a man in to do and those I think I can tackle myself. Tackle one every day. I’m sure the list will get longer as I go along.

Our local library is well used by the community. I borrow books from time to time but I also have lots at home to read. They often do exhibitions by the local history society and I like to go in to look at those. Keep saying I’ll join the society but never quite get round to it. Must make more of an effort.

Think that’s enough for now. Good luck with the marathon everyone.

FurryBeastOz

Hello mother I'm back please. Last month inspired me in a number of areas and I want to keep up the momentum, or re-gain it (epic fail on the fat food front after such a great January.

YNAB populated, so all budgets accounted for. Money transferred to savings for this month, and I had extra left last month which has been swept in.

I'm travelling this week and then skiing for a week, so there will be a lot more spending than usual. BUT, thanks to here, the money is all squirrelled away already. I have taken out a travel credit card which I can use overseas, and it will all be paid off on the statement date:D

Reading - I devour books. I read everything and have a kindle with hundreds of books bought when I was depressed/drinking and didn't care about money. Although I 'read' lots of them I remember none of them:o so I am re-reading. Very MSE.

Health - I'm looking forward to the marathon. Although mines a 10k in April. I got off to a good start this morning with a run in Greenwich park. Not very muddy though.

Mentally I need to invest some energy in my marriage this month. Words were had before I came away, and I need to shift some of my focus now DH has finished his exams (temporarily) and wants some us time. I've spent the past 4 months very much my own master and the cracks are showing.

abundant1972

Happy 01st March!!!

What a brilliant challenge and start to the month. I was so glad it fell on a day off, as it means I've been able to really give it my all. Been a productive day - done my main food shop after itemising stocks, and set budgets, and generally got my MSE/NST house in order!

Today I am grateful for:

• Mothernerd's excellent challenge!
• My Nature Walk - flowers, birds & views
• For trying something new

M : Mantra - "Live in the Spirit of the Season".I love it!
U : Use it or Lose it - Today I rehomed a bag of clothes, joined my local library and have loaned a novel, a book on overcoming depression, and have 'Contented Dementia' on order. I rock haha!
D : Debt free date - Planned for 30/09/17 (however... see below!)
D : Debt/Savings first - All of mine are allocated on 01st/Month
Y: Your budget - £100 Food, £100 Spends, £50 Fuel, £30 Social Fund, Haircut/Prescription budgeted for.
M : Monitor Goals - I will do a goals review today
A : Avoid Takeaways - Not allowed from my food budget. If I want one it is out of my spends
R : Remember those in need - Donate to WWF/Heart charity. Bag of clothes donated
C : Cupboard Audit - Stocktake done
H : Help - Awesome part of being on the forum
M : Mistakes - I make plenty - but hopefully learn from them
A : Avoid Temptation - I like the want/need philosophy. If I 'want' something as a treat - it is out of my spends budget. When it's gone - it's gone!
R : Repairs - I am lucky as I rent so Landlord generally covers these costs.
A : Attend regularly - Will aim for a daily check-in.
T : Try to follow the rules - Will do!
H : Health - This is a big feature of my goals. More there.
O : Outside - I aim for 1 Nature walk/week. With an increase in recommended exercise - this may increase.
N : NSDs - I am aiming for 15.

Goal Review:

I have tried to make them Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time related
1) Becoming Debt Free. £1800 remaining on 0% interest cards. Aim to clear by the end of September = £225/month to be paid as a minimum. However - I have joined a 100 day challenge - where I will aim to clear it ALL by 31st May!!! This is going to be TOUGH - and I'll need to throw every spare bit of cash at it. I love a good challenge!!!

2) Exercise/Be healthy. I will aim for 1 x Nature Walk/week, 2 x gym sessions/week PLUS an additional 2 sessions [extra gym or walk, or home-based step up activity]. I was already paying myself £3 per activity - I now have 5 opportunities to earn money towards my CASH BONUS in November for my birthday! It means I will reach my target sooner, make up for lost sessions last month, and maybe even boost my BONUS!!! Will start wearing my HR monitor to aim for my step count. I will drink 1 pint of water on waking and eat 1 piece of fruit per day to start with.

3) Mindfulness. I will do 10 minutes of Mindfulness every day. Alongside this (and tying in with this Month's challenge) I will read at least 1 book on health/well-being

4) Mortgage. I will keep saving £200/month in my Help To Buy ISA. I am also saving up a 3 month EF [Target £4500.00] at £250/month.

5) Overcoming anxiety. I am allowed £30/Month which I MUST spend on a social outing with other people, or I lose it. I am going to add to this month... go on 1 date!


21 Day Challenge : Scented Bath - Was heaven!

Lets do this folks!!!

indigowarrior

M= Love march, always feel happier and brighter.
U- I am currently sorting through all of my childrens clothes and plan to donate everything.
D- My debt free date is Feb 2019
D- Debt first I think Any money I have left I will use to clear a few debts
Y- All budgets have been written and set.

M- I have my budget written out and can see it everytime I come on the game.
A- Its going difficult to avoid takesaways and eating out this month as I have holiday that starts on 8-13th
R- I will be donating clothes and books to make space.
H- I sometimes struggle to remmeber what is budget.

M-
A- I will be staying away from the cash sinks and doing an online shop.
R- Not a repair but a decluttering.
A- I will pop on everyday.
T-
H- I am on slimming world and cutting out kebabs, curries and junk will help.
O- Go for walk everyday
N= aiming for 20!

Lauralozzle

Thank you, mothernerd

NST: MUDDY MARCH MARATHON


U Use it or Lose it . - I like this theme. I don't use our local library (it isn't that local) but in the spirit of reading/books I have a kindle that has been neglected for too long. I have masses of books on there that I just haven't read but have paid for so it's time to charge it up and get reading again.


D Debt Free Date Do you know yours? credit card was paid off last month. Sofa will be paid off in June. I don't include the cars/mortgage as regular payments on these are eating away at it nicely and they are much longer term debts.

D Debt or Savings First - Done. £850 each into joint account to cover bills. £150 each into wedding fund - we've upped the amount this month. I've also squirreled away £28 to Christmas fund. I've budgeted for food/personal outgoings/direct debits and have worked out I have £100 spending money this month - so, £20 a week.

Y You will set all your BUDGETS before the start of the month. You are in control of your money, the money (or spending is not in control of you). Food, travel (petrol, public transport, maintenance), any kids clubs (this can be put into a separate 'purse' or 'envelope' at the start of the month and will then not affect your NSDs. All regular outgoings including 'personal' spending money. - Done.
Shopping - £300. This is for two adults and a very fussy dog. Includes dog food/toiletries/food/takeaways - basically everything! I went over by £50 in Jan and hit target in February. I want to make sure I keep hitting the target before I put it down. Plus, we think more money to spend on nicer cuts of meat etc will mean less takeaways and 'nice food' urges so cheaper in the long run!
Travel - £40 - my petrol to last 2 weeks. We pay petrol from our personal budgets as his car drinks more than mine! And costs more to fill. So I drive for 2 weeks then he drives if we're both going into work together.

No birthdays this month (thank goodness)

M Monitor Your Goals. Savings are going well so really need to focus on weight loss this month.

A Avoid takeaways Challenge accepted!! I am partial to posh coffee and if I completely eliminate it I will think eff it at the end of the month and splurge so I have a new plan. Out of my £100 spending money I will buy a cafe Nero gift card (closest coffee place to work) and put £20 on it. That's my 'allowance' for the month. That way I don't need to feel bad, but I will budget accordingly for this little luxury. I always take lunch with me to work so will continue doing this!


R Remember those in Need. Donate to your local food bank or charity of your choice. Money, goods or time. - will donate to local food bank.

C Cupboard audit (+ fridge and freezer), Meal Planning and Cooking from Scratch are all great aids to saving money. What do you have in, what can you make with it, what do you need to buy. - Will make a point of meal prepping this month and sticking to it! Batch cooking on the weekends helps me in the week so will make sure I do this every weekend.

A Avoid temptation. Retailers want your money. You do not have to give it to them. They have all sorts of tricks to get you to spend. Be wary. Product xyz will not transform your life. Focus on what you want to achieve. What is a need and what is a 'want'? Who or what is driving that 'want'. Check your mood (applies to eating things you shouldn't as well). Are you sad, fed up, angry, bored. Think about that feeling (all feelings are valid). Will that purchase (or comestible) solve the problem? How else can you deal with it or make yourself feel better? - This is going to be tough - but I'll try and stay away from the sirens!

R Repairs Every little helps. . Fix something in your house or wardrobe this month and feel good about it. The days are getting longer. Make a list of small household jobs and repairs that need doing (even tidying 'that' drawer which never gets sorted). Start with the things you can do yourself for little or no cost. - Will compile a list for this!

A Attend regularly. Daily posting is recommended. . - Will try to post daily. If I get up early I can have relaxing breakfast and post at the same time. I guess it's all in the organisation!

H Health. Another important facet of the turtle gang. I promised you a marathon, we will be getting down and dirty with lots of sweaty lycra (optional) exercise. Lots of turtles have weight loss as a goal and for that we need to look at food intake and getting moving. Healthy eating I am going to be boring and say eat your veg. Very few of us are getting enough. Healthy exercise check your existing target and step it up 5 days a week. Do a bit more (extra class/ add to the length of your walk or run/ do more at home). Mental Health lots of us are suffering setbacks, low moods and stress. I will not be setting weekly mini-challenges this month but I have seen a 21 day wellness exercise which I might quote and I also have the book of mindfulness exercises. I will be continuing the daily gratitudes, you decide if you want to. - Finally registered with local GP - have nurse appointment/check later this month. Will eat my 5 a day and exercise regularly. Try to not eat so much chocolate!!!

O Outside. Lovely place. Get out there as often as possible, soak up any available daylight (it is really sunlight, I promise, even if it doesn't feel like it). Enjoy those invigorating breezes (imagine you are on a tropical island, it's all a question of degree). Helps to boost your immune system. - Garden needs sorting and will try and get out and go hiking in Derbyshire some time this month.

Non Spend Days Aiming for 15!
Edit: Today has been a NSD so I'm at 1/15 - pretty good start!!!
There we go!

I also plan on having a lovely hot bubble bath with Epsom salts this evening to relax. I've felt awful past few days (think it was something I ate) so haven't been in work since I went home on Monday. Will go back tomorrow and want to feel 100% about going back.