NST February A FOREST ADVENTURE

sashanut

Hi all :j

Making this short as have incipient migraine, but have taken medication so will be OK..also have to be up early for work at the CS tomorrow..

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 : I had LO leek & potato soup for lunch, DH had the LO Chinese :T. Had to swerve supper as 2 CB smelt bad so used sausage in rosemary pasta bake.


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 : Snow this morning which the dogs loved but it had melted by lunchtime. Rosemary bush just beginning to flower.


Stock take : Still lunch & dinner all from stocks in fridges/freezer Need to stocktake all other food stocks (kitchen cupboards, pantry, larder, cellar ) will start tomorrow. When is this mythical tomorrow when I am going to inventory??

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: will do.


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: Surface still clear but still the only one!! Cleared another very large surface & also under sink space, yuk.. Looks far better though & now its needs to stay clear, have warned DH. Went back to changed routine for dogs, much better & also kids not on half term here yet so don't want to be making a noise late at night.


Valentine Who? : Card only for DH, already have. Got YS flowers yesterday, they look lovely & I can use them as my Valentines, no need to get any more..

Exercise 5 times a week please: Could well be gardening or clearing, cleaning etc but will aim to be active. Active most of day.


NSDs are staying at 18 this month: NSD today so now 6/18 - tomorrow will be a spend day. Am being creative with what we have in..

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, will list this weekend.There is only tomorrow left of the weekend, so tomorrow! Listed only one item on FB, no interest sadly..still no takers..

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. Maybe will need to buy more outside paint, the one I used was rubbish...Cord that open curtains has broken, have to get up ladder to try & see how to fix it. Need DH to hold ladder as ceilings so high. Took photo of pulley effort from upstairs so I can see how to bodge the downstairs one. DH fixed hoover from where I inadvertently sucked up a plastic bag. Used risotto rice & almond milk for rice pudding, surprisingly nice..although not cost effective in the long term I shouldn't think. Have used 'glutinous rice' mountain for rice pudding, seemed to work fine. That would be cost effective as have probably 2 large bags..

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 combined with pillow spray etc got me to sleep, no bother, just have to remember to make tea an hour before bed.

Elephants and Frogs: Frog printer tackled today & is now working, albeit intermittently. Elephant - sorted out some of DHs old polo shirts that will only be ragged at CS but that's fine, he won't wear them again as he found some that actually fitted him & never wears the old ones.

Frogs: Under sink space cleared out.

Thanks mothernerd for running the challenge, it is very much appreciated even though I am not a model turtle pupil yet

greent

((hugs)), laurenh1 xx

Always pay to debts or savings first - car & 0% CCs on direct debit. 'Regular' spending CCs paid off in full at 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 - should hopefully be paying for last of the kitchen (and bathroom) workmen bills within next 7-10 days and then I'll know exactly where we are :j

First of February until the 28th, inclusive.
Organise your budgets before the start of the month and stick to them.
* Food 279.59/450 - spent at A1di, Sainz, Icyland & tesc0 yesterday!!
* Diesel (me) - 63.53/65 - full up
* Toiletries - 1.44/10
* Gifts - 13.50 -small gift for my mum (ready for Mothering Sunday) and some cute babygros for baby nephew just because
* Clothing - 63.44/100 - 3 pairs of jeans bought for DS1 yesterday (H&M and used 2 x £5 vouchers from taking in old fabrics) plus pair of gloves for DS2
* Social - 0/50
* Half term - 0/75
* Money in - 33.40/50

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 morning next weekend and paid out 3.10 to school charity things. Also a small bag of toiletries to foodbank
Environment
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. - Big shopping done yesterday and supplies are looking healthier
Takeaways are forbidden (unless as part of family entertainment night/ birthday choice). Coffee shops, vending machines, works canteens etc are also banned 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- likely to go on a discounted game of bowling and burger half term offer
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. - Am finally around 95-97% better post-flu (still tiring easily) Will start 'formal' exercise after half term. However half term brings a bowling trip, lots of house sorting (lots of steps and stairs) and (weather dependent) canal-side walks to see the swans and then go to the play area
NSDs are staying at 18 this month. Exceptions for medical care, petrol (should be within budget), bus fares, ys bargains and milk for greent. 5/18
Throw it away.-recycle or donate appropriately but we all have too much stuff -looking to remove 150 items this month - whether sell/ donate/ recycle/ bin - 25/150
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 for Feb is a big clean and tidy- lots of dust spread everywhere from the works - some small jobs now ticked off. Clean up is continuing
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
I think this will be a post-half term job!

Spendy day yesterday - jeans shopping with DS1 (he also bought 2 pre-owned PS4 games with his own money/ gift vouchers) and a couple of other little bits. Lots of food shopping - should see us through the rest of the week, with poss exception of milk and Guinea pig fresh veggies (although did score some good YS ones for them last night )

Today should hopefully be NSD. Awaiting plumber to change some radiators throughout house. Cold, wet day, so have living room fire on ready and we will hunker down in there/ dining room (will open doors through to dining room and let heat fill both rooms)

Will try and get all 3 boys doing some homework tasks today!

apple_muncher

Sending you hugs Kerry Woman. I hope it is a day of good memories for you x

laurenh1

morning all,

I have already written a post but MSE ate it :rotfl:

off today with poorly/ tired kids. meant to be resting but probably end up catching up with everything. not a bad thing. hub & I have agreed to start doing less on a weekend or at least not going somewhere every weekend- having no time is making us both stressed & overwhelmed.

today is NSD #10. did spend yday but only on YS items- be the same again tonight - anything I don't get reduced tonight I will buy with my m&S voucher tomorrow. saturday I will need to buy hub a suit , planning to budget 100 for suit & funeral spends - & I will budget later for putting it back in savings when I get paid. the least I can spend this week & next, the better.

looking forward to spring really feel the need to get out & about but all this snow is not helping.

hopr you all have a positive day turtles xxx:T

abundant1972

Evening everybody...

Today = NSD number 5

Busy weekend at parents and the re-boot is going well. Have spent a little more on food than expected because I have refurbished my stock. Now stocked up with different herbs, oils and new kinds of rice and vegetables, to start 'actual' cooking - rather than being lazy.

Two nights running I have cooked from scratch and it actually tasted nice!!! I CAN COOK! Managed to exercise too - I now just have to be consistent and keep it up... Even if/when my mood fluctuates, which it inevitably seems to do.

Just in tomorrow then off for a few days. Will go and see the family again. Keep up the good work everyone...

greent

Nsd achieved today - we were housebound with a plumber in changing 4 radiators (back tomorrow to do more) and lousy weather. Kids are a little stir-crazy and I'm really looking forward to having no workmen here next week (this is week 3 and I want my house to myself!!)

However, I am grateful for the heating working again tonight (took a few goes to get it restarted!), easy food, cuddles with DS3
x

dizzyblnd

f0xh0les wrote: »

That;'s awful! So sorry for you. It is the major fear of anyone who has ever bought a house. I sold ours and moved into rented until I found a new one. Horrid hassle of finding a rental, and then paying twice what you would pay in a mortgage for 6 months, but getting out of that chain is priceless.

You will be able to pounce when you find your new home (which will be much nicer and bigger than the one you lost ) Good luck!

Thank you Foxholes. Did it take you 6 months to complete on a new home? We're out of the chain now but not owning your own home is so hard when u have owned a house so long.

apple_muncher

Today, I am grateful for a warm coat + woolly hat, for being on half term (fmess - I'll be jealous of you next week!), for cheapish cinema tickets to see Early Man, for mum seeming further along the road to the ideal 'contented dementia' state I read about (abundant - have you read that book yet?), for the wonderful care home staff, for a potter with dd + dh, for the winter olympics, for going home tomorrow, for dd's camera that she lost on the train up being handed in at the station.

Kerry_Woman

apple muncher - Thank you. Did find today hard. Went to Mummy's grave and put down the roses, had a chat and cried. Did go round my friend's and we had lunch, watched a movie and a chat. I also had a few brandy's.
Grateful for:
Support from friend.
NSD 9/18
Sorted out 4 frogs. Sorted out 2 pensions of whom should get my pension is anything happens - 1 sent form off and the other was able to sort out online. Had to change the names. Sent off a letter to whom I have my will to change the address of one of the executors - was informed I could just send the letter instead of amending the will, so saved me £60. Finally sent off the survey to the cemetery department to confirm that I have received the deed for my Mummy's plot.
Did some walking today.

Lauralozzle

Finally sitting down to relax. Hot bubble bath is in order tonight.

Had a very easy dinner today - 3 pancakes with orange juice and sugar. Not very healthy but it is pancake day!

Also managed a NSD today so I!!!8217;m at 7/18. Need to pop to the shops tomorrow and use some vouchers as we need a new kettle, meant to go today but didn!!!8217;t have the time.