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NST February A FOREST ADVENTURE
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Always pay to debts or savings first, live on what is left. - car & 0% CCs on direct debit. 'Regular' spending CC cards always paid off in full by start of month. Once kitchen/ workmen fully paid for this month we will know what (if any!) we have left and that can go to OH's 0% CC. Any extra monies will also go there - small amount of cashback claimed and added to kitchen fund at mo - as any excess is going to CC anyway
First of February until the 28th, inclusive.
Organise your budgets before the start of the month and stick to them.
* Food 95.98/450 - more little bits from Tesc0 - slight cooker issue... - grr
* Diesel (me) - 0/65
* Toiletries - 0/10
* Clothing - 0/100 (DS1 desperately in need of new jeans)
* Social - 0/50
* Half term - 0/75
* Money in - 3.40/50
Reserve a small portion of your budget (cash or goods) for the food bank or charity of your choice. - ok. Monthly DD to WWT. Should be attending a charity coffee/ cake morning mid month. Also £1 in aid of charity for non-school uniform last week (and will have another this week)
Environment Be aware of your surroundings and use all your senses. Be alert to danger but also to beauty. -
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Stock take your cupboards, fridge and freezer. Base your meal plan upon them and your shopping list on what is needed. Stick to your list. - desperately in need to top up supplies once kitchen is in! In the meantime we are using some things up but - due to 2 errors by cooker co - have had to buy more ready meal type food as no cooking facilities other than 1 small gas ring on small camping stove (we have bigger stoves and a cooker in the caravan in the garden - but OH ran out the gas and seems to think it's ok and we're coping (yeah - 'cos I'm juggling the meals and cooking... not him - and he gets to escape to a hotel with work! Argh!))
Takeaways are forbidden (unless as part of family entertainment night/ birthday choice). Coffee shops, vending machines, works canteens etc are also banned (pastoral exceptions). may have family takeaway as social if budget unspent elsewhere.
Always take your lunch to work and snacks and drinks for outings or appointments (may excuse one trip with children or allow ice creams etc if part of the experience). - have half term budget- will take lunches if applicable but something like ice creams may fall into budget here
Do something different. If nothing changes, nothing changes. We want to see small positive changes which become habits and then just part of who you are. Pick 2 or 3 things you want to change. Start with one small change and after five successful days, add another.
Valentine Who? after 30+ years together we don't really do Val now(although I may buy some of the flowers for myself afterwards if they have been reduced
Exercise 5 times a week please. It should be commensurate with your abilities and current state of health (be careful after flu/ viruses). Getting outside helps with mental health too. - 3 weeks into flu/ post flu chesty cough/ fatigue/ poor breathing. Not doing any cv exercise until much better. Feeling better each day, so should have some luck here after half term. 14k steps achieved yesterday - was very busy day and I was shattered as a result and went to bed at 9.40!
NSDs are staying at 18 this month. that is still 10 days available for necessary shopping. There would be far fewer opportunities in the forest. Exceptions for medical care, petrol (should be within budget), bus fares, ys bargains and milk for greent.1/18 - not one today. Small Tesc0 shop for more easy food - incorrect oven delivered at weekend and correct one not coming until March. Bought more easy food before the temporary solution of a loan of a small oven later this week (company's error, not ours)
Throw it away. We should all be aware that there is no such place as 'away' and recycle or donate appropriately but we all have too much stuff and even if you are ill, getting the rubbish and recycling helps slow the descent into chaos. - looking to remove 150 items this month - whether sell/ donate/ recycle/ bin - 8/150
Use what you have. Fix something (for free if possible). we need to update our house to do list this month - some jobs are being done as we have workmen in for the kitchen so are having them do some other bits whilst here (more cost efficient) My main focus is a big clean and tidy- lots of dust spread everywhere from the works Got a small job done for free by a workman as they were here doing something else - sort of counts!
Refuel properly. Feb is a month of re-charging for me
Elephants and Frogs. .Am sure I can find some frogs. An elephant I need to tackle is getting OH's co accounts for the year ready for the accountant
Today (yesterday) I am thankful for feeling SO much better, for the tile shop not being far away (2 trips there yesterday!), for a fab kitchen fitter and a friendly plumber
Will report backc tonight with today - have DS2 off school with upset stomach (last night was bad) - seems ok (if washed out) this morning, but didn't want to risk sending him on a 45 minute bus journey.......:eek::eek:I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soulRepaid mtge early (orig 11/25) 01/09 £124616 01/11 £89873 01/13 £52546 01/15 £12133 07/15 £NILNet sales 2024: £200 -
I have one off school today as well GreenT, so it will be an enforced NSD.
Nasty cough and sore throat so he has not eaten since breakfast time yesterday, could not send him to school if he had not eaten in 24 hours. He is in a hot bath right now. Hot drinks will follow when he finally gets out.
So I will claim my NSD 5 now.
No after school clubs either, so veg stew and dumplings for tea (stuff them full of veg) and will make pasties for their lunchboxes. Might knock up a few scones as well.
It is freezing here in the (L) Shire today but bright and sunny.
Two and a half more days until Half Term.4/10/22One Year Mortgage Free Yay!
NSTurtle # 55 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢🐢🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 No Turtle gets left behind.[/b]
******PROUD MEMBER OF THE TOFU EATING COALITION OF CHAOS !!!******0 -
Hi turtles:j
Feeling a lot happier than I have over weekend, so weepy not sure why dodgy tooth didn't help. Made me feel rotten, have the best dentist looks like new now.
Tooth fixed and combined with early 6 mthly check £44 - claim already on the way to medicash so not counting it as spends for the moment. Hopefully get 100% back.
Did food shop £18.81 lidls and £3 boots needed cleanser etc, glad I swapped to their own make so much cheaper than Simple and my skin feels ace today.
Diet - well can't be good at everything.:D
Exercise - yesterday fail. Was going to walk along the prom but after just coming out of the dentist I didn't fancy my mouth getting a cold wind in it. - showing my age:o
Will try to work on exercise and diet today.
NSD - 6 including today
Food £18.81/£80
Petrol 0/40
ME upkeep(hair/make up)- 3/10
Clothing 0/20
Social - 0/50
Money gained surveys/extra income this month - £19.81
Credit card payments this mth - £66.00
New Blinds to pay for £24/£224
LBM 13039 1.1.13 Now £0 Finally Debt FreeMortgage free Oct 2019:)EFund/savings £25000 10/11/220 -
Quick update. 5NSD so far.
Yesterday was a Tesco delivery day.Spent rather a lot
Should last a while,just need bread at the weekend.
Managed to use a lot of odds and ends up out of the fridge/freezer
Still getting rid of stuff in various directions.
That's about it really.Nothing exciting to report.
Hope everyone is keeping warm and safe.
ilovetea xxMake £2024 in 2024 £1161.08
Declutter 2024 things in 2024 1522/2024.
NSD's in August 11/200 -
Today I am grateful for my alarm clock getting us awake, for catching early buses, for dd still going to school despite a rotten cold, for a good eye appointment (though I still need new specs, so will have to find about £300, ouch), for dh coming to meet me off the bus home, for shepherd's pie for tea, for a great lesson with my y11s, for chatty time with dd.NST March lion #8; NSD ; MFW9/3/23 Whoop Whoop!!!0
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NSD achieved 5/18
Walked as usual.
Used food already in.
Grateful for:
A good night's sleep.
Being accepted into the social club. Had intake interview tonight. Now means I can go to more events eg singers, tribute bands and more bingo which I like to attend. I was only allowed in 2 times a month as a visitor with my friend who works there.
Making my lunch for tomorrow.Frugal Living Challenge 2025 Mortgage free as of 1st August 20130 -
Quick check in to report 4 NSDs, exercise still going well, and water intake is better than it was before.0
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A flukey NSD. Got on the bus but the driver had no ticket roll so did not charge me - the majority of passengers have passes, either concessionary (have to wait until I am 66 for that too) or prepaid weekly/monthly or annual.
Needed the bus as I am wobbly and dizzy today. Calling I think the emotional roller coaster is a leftover from the virus/ lurgy bug. I have a day when I feel fine, get lots done and am eager to carry on the next day, only to wake up feeling as able as a newborn kitten and keep dissolving into a puddle of jelly - will just keep plodding.
A good day at crafts, making cards will one participant and setting up a 'frame' for weaving using a paper plate and some old gift bag handles. One girl got distressed so we spent half an hour talking, hugging and discussing various traumas.
I am very tired (slept for quite a long while but only in fits and starts), hope the dizziness is only a side effect of restarting the 'missing' tablets. Need to go back to the doctor for my results and to sort out a pill drama for mum (delivery came, but one of the pills was missing and it is a fairly essential one - she only has enough left for one week). Will need to shop as there are no wash tablets left (been on the list for a couple of weeks but it's something else I can only buy in certain places).
Today I am grateful for being able to pass the temptation of several pie shops and bakeries despite the lovely smell, for being able to walk home from crafts (had to sit down twice) and for being good in a crisis (everyone needs a hug) despite limited social skills in other areas.My mission in life is not only to survive,but to thrive and to do so with some Passion, some Compassion, some Humour and some Style.NST SEP No 1 No Debt No mortgage0 -
Hi all :j
Rubbish sleep, not happy as I thought I was doing well. No reason for it that I can think of - at one point I realised I had been awake for nearly 24 hrs. Means I have no energy the next day, which I can't really afford...hopefully better tonight..
Always : Will try to make sure I can make/save some money this month instead of always spending up to the max..No spends today....
First : Agree
Organise : Still going on the fridge stuff, did get something out also from freezer. Could realistically keep going like this for some considerable time, so much so that I'm thinking not necessary to eat out at all tomorrow, just got to plan ahead. Will eat lunch before we go, & prep meal to come home to..
Reserve : Already make a charity donation each month from joint acc. Will also set up a DD for an animal one. Still to do
Environment : Thrilled that ground hard frozen so beasts not muddy at all, small mercies.
Stock take : Lunch & dinner all from fridges/freezer still haven't had to chuck anything as yet which I thought I would. Need to stocktake all other food stocks (kitchen cupboards, pantry, larder, cellar ) will start tomorrow. Keep saying this & not doing it...
Takeaways are forbidden (unless as part of family entertainment night/ birthday choice). Coffee shops, vending machines, works canteens etc are also banned (pastoral exceptions): Not planning on any takeaways, too much food here to need any.
Always take your lunch to work and snacks and drinks for outings or appointments: Doing tomorrow..
Do something different. If nothing changes, nothing changes. We want to see small positive changes which become habits and then just part of who you are. Pick 2 or 3 things you want to change. Start with one small change and after five successful days, add another: Started today with this one, cleared one surface in kitchen, so much better. Also changed feeding arrangements with dogs, first try tonight, worked well.
Valentine Who? : Card only for DH, already have. May have nicer meal but no gifts are exchanged..
Exercise 5 times a week please: Could well be gardening or clearing, cleaning etc but will aim to be active. Not much as so tired.
NSDs are staying at 18 this month: Now 2/18,
Big push on this, much clearing needs to be done but refuse to toss useful stuff, will freecycle or CS - but preferably sell! Have photos ready to list now.
Use what you have. Fix something : Have some knobs on drawers cupboard etc in bedroom that have come adrift. Need superglueing or I have already bought 4 new ones if not fixable. Not done yet. Using what we have, working on the principle we have most things, just not sure where they are..
Refuel properly: Will do this, already am taking some steps to improve health & sleep patterns. Taking supplements now & bedtime tea, seems to be working. Tea didn't do its job last night but am still sticking with it.
Elephants and Frogs: Frog printer tackled today & is now working, albeit intermittently. Elephant - sorted two bags of stuff DD brought round for me to take to CS. Some only fit for rags, some summer stuff that will get ragged if I take it in now, and some I can take on Tues. Not much on this today, but did realise that it needs to get done before the garden explodes into life...no sorting today, but will try & press gang DH into helping tomorrow. Did 2 frog phone calls, another one needed tomorrow.
Thanks mothernerd for running the challenge, it is very much appreciated even though I am not a model turtle pupil yetNew start JAN15 - NOT BUYING IT 2015 :eek:. Long haul DFW #145 : 2011 DEBTBUSTING : £5500 OD GONE, £2000 OD - GONE £93,610.30 cc & loan debt - GONE 27.6.14 FINALLY DEBT & MORTGAGE FREE :happyhear0 -
Still on 3 SFDs, I!!!8217;ve been buying chocolate each day and this needs to stop. Work is busy as ever and people are off most days, today may be the first day that everyone is not sick, but I won!!!8217;t know until 8am. Dog walking going well for exercise but achieving almost 10,000 steps a day just being at work.LBM = 07/09/13 Debt = £13339 (100% cleared)
New roof and car £8557/£19003 New kitchen £396/£5039 Credit card Paid Student loan Paid0
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