NST - Amazing Aperire

Jo_Blogs

Good morning everyone

Today will be NSD No.26 - May have a spend day tomorrow

Thanks for the new thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5641369

Wishing you all a brilliant EEDay and NSDay!

Eager_Elephant

Managed 2 more NSD's and will declare today a NSD as well even though it has not ended - I will not be spending any money today.

DH has gone to get his hair cut but that is from his own account.

Tomorrow will be a spend day as taking DS back to Uni and that will involve McD's for lunch and also a food shop for him.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Eager_Elephant

I may not get on tomorrow due to driving DS to Uni but wanted to thank you all now for taking part in the April challenge and all being so fab in your own ways.

Toni'sfriend

Yesterday walked into town and had a lovely meal using a Groupon voucher.Little family run Italian restaurant which has been there for as long as I can remember and that's a very long time. It's very simple and homely but the food is wonderful.
Hope you all have a good bank holiday weekend,

Lauralozzle

Today has been a spend day but the decorating has now finished. I got a radiator cover for the hallway - not only does it hide the ugly radiator it also serves as a useful counter top. Also got some bamboo sticks for the garden.

Tom has been out sorting out the driveway today. All the weeds have gone, windows have been cleaned and it is looking much more respectable! Will probably be out in back garden tomorrow.

End of month update

Aim – for at least 16 NSD’s

I will not manage this but I'm at 13/16 and I'm hoping tomorrow will be a NSD. I'll happily finish on 14/16.

Plan – it’s a new financial year, everyone needs to write a new budget taking into account increases in bills.

This was sorted - I set a budget at the beginning of each pay-day although this month we had extra spends (£200 on decorating) and an unexpected spend at the vets for Charlie (£90). But, that's what an emergency budget is for so I'm okay with that. Shopping was under budget but 'entertainment' was well over (birthdays and drinks). It didn't even itself out but food is something I'm going to get under control in May. I think a food store/freezer/cupboard personal challenge will be in order.

All debts are paid and savings tucked away for the wedding the moment we get paid so all sorted.

Rest – make some time for yourself this month to just rest and recuperate.

I've had two weeks off (albeit to decorate) but not being at work is rest enough!

Invite – I would like everyone to arrange to meet up with family/friends this month.

Lots of meet-ups this month, my dads wedding, meet up with my best friend to get wedding bits and a lovely lunch out, friends over for Tom's birthday. Partly why the entertainment budget got out of hand!!

Love – I want everyone to love their garden this month.

Garden furniture is out, new plants in bed. Front driveway is now de-weeded and looks respectable. Will be out in the garden tomorrow as the lawn needs mowing.

abundant1972

Afternoon All !

Today I am grateful for:

• A beautiful walk and lots of sunshine
• My sight, hearing and other senses - feeling blessed
• Supportive forum-friends

Thursday & Friday = NSDs number 14/15
Today = spend day as had to pay for an MOT... Failed :mad:

So - I can either rant on about my car MOT epic fail and put myself in a bad mood haha - or I can try and see positives in that situation... Here goes...

Although my car failed it's MOT...

• My flat mate gave me some advice and my knowledge of cars has grown and I've seen him in a new light
• I went to look around a couple of car show rooms and met lovely people I might never have met otherwise
• I'm having fun online designing my own car, even though I probably won't buy new
• I learned of a local repair man who may get my old one on the road for much, much cheaper (best option so far)
• I sat down and realised this is exactly what an 'Emergency Fund' is for - and I feel proud of myself for having built one up. I can be independent and not have to fall back on my Mum and Dad.
• Thank you old faithful car that has done me so well for so many years

Moving on... Toni's Friend - thank you!!! Depression is really misunderstood - you're not wrong... but it has made me a more determined and stronger willed person I think. Give your son a hug and tell him well done too. There may be days he feels low - and not to panic and think he's heading back down... that's what I always used to think... Get him to try and become aware of his mood state - and take a step back from it, write it down even... and distract himself... Go for a walk, play a game, chat to friends etc. Often a black mood is just a passing cloud... You just have to learn skills and self-awareness to spot them and blow them away I have some really great books (self-help) I guess if ever he wanted an extra hand to keep himself well... (ps - apologies if you/he already knew all that stuff!)

Calling14 - Thank you too!!! That's kind. Dating... It's still going... The car kinda scuppered me for now as he lives an hour away by car and the train station is 10 mins drive away. I'll hopefully get to see him in a week or two though. Any gossip or news?

Almost the end of the month. Going to make tomorrow an NSD and hit the big 16!!!

Have a lovely Saturday evening x

ilovetea

Good evening.
Yet again,I haven'y posted for a long time.
Lots of "I'll do it later" but I never do.
Keep putting lots of things off.Not sure wether to give myself a good shake or a kick up the b*m.
Managed to do 20NSD and keep within budgets with some left over.
Have had plenty of rest time,perhaps too much!!!
Don't have a garden to love but my yucca plant is thriving.

Thank you Eager Elephant for running the thread.
ilovetea xx

FurryBeastOz

Sorry I haven't been around much. April has been both relaxing and a nightmare. We had a lovely week away down south but I came back to work chaos and it has really affected my mood and my spending.

So I was way over on my 'monthly' allowed budget, but I had been well under from the beginning of the year, so I'm actually almost bang on 1/4 of my grocery budget at the end of the month.

Minimal NSD's but hit my savings target.

DH and I have had a couple of serious conversations and have decided to sell our rental property. I certainly don't need the headache at the moment, and if we are going to be moving it gives us some flexibility and ready cash to pay for renting so we don't have to stress about my income.

However it will mean a reduction in my income of about 1/3 from August so I need to really do some belt tightening. Basically I will be providing the liquid capital for us to move if necessary, but the money will be mine eventually!

Rest - fat chance

Meeting people - seen some family.

Garden - the bare root roses I ordered at Christmas are still heeled in in the true. Nuff said.

Sorry I'm on a bit of a downer. I will hopefully manage a brain reset before Monday. My 10k was a bust, but I went to my first Glasgow Park Run this morning and managed a reasonable attempt.

crazy_cat_lady

My R&R seems like a distant memory to me at the moment but I know I got plenty in the first part of the month. I won't make my nsd target but am pleased with how the past week has gone.
Thanks EE for running the April challenge, and reminding us to take care of ourselves as always. Thanks everyone here for keeping me on the straight and narrow.
Fmess - I completely empathise with vets bills and manic work. Fingers crossed for payment from insurance.

mothernerd

Thanks for a wonderful monthly challenge EE. Any shortcomings are my own. I have excelled at resting but not much else. Lots of 3 hours sleep followed by either dozing all day or occasionally powering on through a second day (then days when I can do nothing but sleep. May ask about increasing my medication. Did try stopping the allergy tablets as I thought they might be causing the drowsiness in combination with other meds.

Just need to get myself organised (again).