NST Muddy March Marathon

crazy_cat_lady

Thank you Mothernerd for a brilliant challenge for March. It will be a strange old month for me - it's always busy in March with birthdays and celebrations (including a big birthday of my own this month) but I have set budgets and am ready to give it my best. I'm really hoping that this month I'll actually have some money left over to save rather than it evaporating away by the 3rd or something.
I don't have the time tonight for a leisurely bubble bath, but this is the first night I haven't had to go out this week. I'm already in my pj's and planning to start crochet when I've caught up on here. That will help me to relax for now.

greent

Forgot today's gratitude:
* practically perfect pancakes (I know it's a day late, but Tues nights are really busy! )
* DS2 getting into the secondary school of his choice
* cuddles with DS3

Eager_Elephant

Use it or Lose it – have 2 bags and a box waiting for charity. I have 3 days off next week so hoping to get on with the decluttering and take loads to the charity shop.

Debt Free Date – no idea unfortunately. I think the problem with me not having a date in mind means I only half- heartedly commit to debt busting and that needs to stop. Need to work things out and set myself a date.

Debt or Savings First - this month for the first time I will be paying to debt first. I always do savings and then wait until the end of the month to see what spare money I have and then pay that to debt but this also has to stop.

You will set all your BUDGETS – all budgets set un YNAB. My food budget is £350 (includes DD’s school lunches), £120 for petrol, £15 for parking and £30 for spends,

Monitor Your Goals. – this month I need to concentrate on debt repayment and sorting the animal field out.

Avoid takeaways – This might be hard as it is DH’s birthday this week and he gets to pick a meal and I think it will either be Indian or Chinese. Other than that no plans for takeaway.

Remember those in Need. – will donate goods to charity plus pay charity lottery every month.

Cupboard audit (+ fridge and freezer), Meal Planning and Cooking from Scratch - now that I am not cooking mid-week we need more easy stuff for in the week so need to stock up on beans and bread etc. Will meal plan for weekends to make sure I use up anything long forgotten!!

Avoid temptation. – fingers crossed I can manage this.

Repairs - DH is very good at DIY and can also sew. I have a pile of clothes which need mending or buttons so need to crack on with this or get DH to do it!!

Attend regularly. Daily posting is recommended.– Can’t guarantee daily but should be every 2 days at least.

Try to follow the rules. – always willing to follow the rules

Health – since weighing myself at the weekend and nearly dying with shock I am monitoring my food intake on MFP. I am also restricting chocolate and crisps to the weekend – previously I would have them every day – no wonder I have put on so much weight.

Outside. – am living the lighter mornings and early evenings. Am out twice a day for dogs/animals. Also scheduled in weekend mornings for allotment/field work.

No Spend Days. – 15 it is

Eager_Elephant

On the subject of libraries I actually think I am their best customer but it is definitely not in keeping with this challenge.

I often borrow books from my local library but always forget to renew or take them back so I end up with huge fines. I must have paid hundreds in fines over the years, I joke to the staff that they should name half the library after me!!

So it's for the best at the moment if I don't go near it until I have enough time to actually read books and have them ready to return once the maximum 6 renewals have been done!!

Today has been a NSD so 1/15.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for time with dh, for finally finding a bday present for Sat, for successfully making jam tarts and biscuits, for having warmth, food and love, for having enough money to absorb the food price hikes.

indigowarrior

Tomorrow I have slimming world. I have taken the money out that I will need for group and thats it. Instead of me buying a salad and drink I am going to take a sandwich and a can that I already have in the fridge. Aiming for 2nd no spend day.

SkintTeacher

Thanks to Abundant, I've shamelessly nicked your set-up!
Today I am grateful for:

• Mothernerd's excellent challenge!
• the children being good at school as home is a sea of gastroenteritis
• getting another step closer to my target weight

M : Mantra - "Live in the Spirit of the Season". and what a lovely start to the season... A beautiful day here and my break duty to enjoy it, too!
U : Use it or Lose it - Nothing to report here, although my lunch box is a very nifty takeaway container with little sections which make portions really easy
D : Debt free date - Very pleased to report this came last month
D : Debt/Savings first - Savings are always the first thing out of my account
Y: Your budget - £500 groceries / home stuff, £100 sports and outings, £200 everything else (if I come in under budget, money to be put in ISA
M : Monitor Goals - I weight loss goal - nearly there! At 68.8 kilos today and aiming for 67kg for my wedding
A : Avoid Takeaways - Easy! Never have them anyway as we are eating really healthily
R : Remember those in need - donated to a colleague doing a charity collection today
C : Cupboard Audit - not really relevant as OH does all shopping
H : Help - Awesome part of being on the forum
M : Mistakes - I try not to beat myself up over small oversights
A : Avoid Temptation - Loved the idea of 'sirens' _ keeps popping up when I see a deal or am email that tempts
R : Repairs - an area I need to start specific savings for
A : Attend regularly - Will try my best!
T : Try to follow the rules - I do love a good rule
H : Health - I'm aiming for well-being this month, a mix of outer and inner health and good mental health. Currently doing yoga, training, swim and run each week + eating no rubbish whatsoever
O : Outside - I walk to work each morning to get a fresh start to my day
N : NSDs - I am aiming for 15.
:j

f0xh0les

M : Mantra - "Live in the Spirit of the Season".
Loving every crocus I see, and watching the mornings becoming brighter, earlier.
U : Use it or Lose it - I love books and buy lots that libraries sell off cheap, but rarely loan books as I have such a massive stash still to read (about 25!) and I am rubbish at taking them back on time.
D : Debt free date - No debt except mortgage
D : Debt/Savings first - Mortgage o/p went out this morning
Y: Your budget - Need to do a pantry inventory so will make an estimate of £250 for the 6 of us.
M : Monitor Goals - She shoots, she scores!
A : Avoid Takeaways - Sister in law is visiting from abroad this weekend. Has already demanded we take her to Pi33a Expr3ss this weekend. So I am aiming for this to be the only one.
R : Remember those in need - Animal Aid donation, clearing back room and taking donations to charity shops, and also buying from charity shops - our local 0xfam does M&S clearance, great for school uniforms.
C : Cupboard Audit - On the list for tomorrow
H : Help - this one needs more thought on my part
M : Mistakes - Measure twice, cut once! Avoids most of my mistakes. Besides, it is only a mistake if you don't learn from it.
A : Avoid Temptation - I am pretty strong willed unless it is food. Hello, my name is F0xh0le and I love avocados.
R : Repairs - I have a long long list, working from the top of the house down - currently doing shelves, making the most enormous difference.
A : Attend regularly - Booked a daily subscription
T : Try to follow the rules - Ok
H : Health - I am too fat. This needs to be addressed.
O : Outside - I need to tidy our outside space (it has a dead washing machine out there currently) in readiness for spring, but the rescued ransoms are flowering - there was a mudslide and they were being washed down the drain. Lovely smell of garlic in a pot.
N : NSDs - Aiming for 15, hoping for more..... it is all in the planning!

Goal Review: Lose weight, fix house, get some order in this madhouse.

dizzyblnd

Can I join again please? I've been Mia for a couple of months now. I was just going to lurk but feel I need the kick up the bottom. I filled my car with diesel today so ready for the month.

mothernerd

short_bird I have made you honorary cheerleader for the month (lycra not compulsary, pompoms welcome) so feel free to pop in and comment. Hope you cunning plan isn't a Baldrick special.

I love that so many of you share my love of libraries. Chasing Sunshine :eek: to age appropriate reading. I joined when I was 6 (reading age 11). the first 2 books I picked were probably too difficult - a Doctor Doolittle (our teacher would read from them at the end of the day) and and unexpurgatated Robinson Crusoe (think size of a family bible).

By the time I was 9, I was frustrated by only being allowed 2 books (6 if I went 3 times in the week) so picked up one of my dad's library books and would read them in addition to my own (adult relationships/ unwanted pregnancy).

At 11 I had read almost everything in the children's library (Billy Bunter, Cherry Ames, all the Doctor Doolittles - very few female characters then) and everything I coud get my hands on at home (Eagle annuals and a set of 'encyclopaedias' from grandma's (had folk stories in and 'how to' build a crystal radio or shelves inyour 'den'). Luckily I was then allowed into the adult library and could have as many books as I wanted (could carry). So ten a week from then on.

Age appropriate reading my foot.

Toni'sfriend your buying criteria is an excellent substitute for counting NSDs.Well done on the weight loss.

FurryBeastOz It's so good that you have recognised the need to focus on your marriage, wishing you every success.

abundant I love your planning. A date, that is brave. The computer keeps showing me photographs of 'men of a certain age'. One I like but not sure he is single - photo is taken in front of shelves and he has a full set of 'le crewsay' casserole dishes in teal.

indigowarrior Welcome and what an excellent plan.

Lauralozzle very organised and saving for your wedding and next Christmas.

EagerElephant glad that you are prioritising debt repayments. A takeaway for a birthday meal is allowable (far cheaper than a meal out)