NST February A FOREST ADVENTURE

greent

Always pay to debts or savings first - car & 0% CCs on direct debit. 'Regular' spending CCs paid off in full at start of month. Plumber has now finished here, so I should be getting his bill by the end of the week. Kitchen people should be finishing tomorrow, so I will have the last of that to pay next week. That leaves the flooring, which I will need to pay next week, too. Once they are all paid I will start with extra payments to OH's 0% CC (I believe it 'runs out' in July, so would rather clear it before then than BT it)

First of February until the 28th, inclusive.
Organise your budgets before the start of the month and stick to them.
* Food 279.59/450
* Diesel (me) - 63.53/65
* Toiletries - 1.44/10
* Gifts - 13.50/ 25 -
* Clothing - 63.44/100
* 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 - it's very wet & windy!
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. -
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. - Hmmm - about 99% certain I've broken a toe today (and badly bruised another) - strapped to one another and have some hefty painkillers for bed. walking hurts atm - hopefully will ease over next few days
NSDs are staying at 18 this month. Exceptions for medical care, petrol (should be within budget), bus fares, ys bargains and milk for greent. 7/18 - another today
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 - 26/150
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!

Another wet and windy day here! Plumbing work throughout house all complete and some more kitchen stuff done today. Worktops are arriving tomorrow, which will make a huge difference!:j
NSD - what with weather and workmen, we haven't been anywhere.

Today's gratitudes:
* workmen all leaving by 3.30pm - a bit of peace!
* work nearly being complete
* a warm house
* a good kerbside recycling scheme provided by our Local authority
* Galaxy golden eggs :EasterBun

apple_muncher

How on earth have you damaged your toes greent?

abundant1972

Hey all...

Was it cold today or what! Also grateful for warm clothes, hat and gloves. Sending love to all those that are without a home or warm clothes at this time of year.

Today = NSD number 6

Exercised today and cooked again. I'm quite enjoying experimenting and discovering new flavours... and some things I don't especially like (chipotle paste ). Glad of a few days off - going to gym, cook, and got the doctors tomorrow so they can tell me I can't eat all this nice food I am cooking haha!!!

No Valentine's cards but someone put a little red velvet cupcake on my desk today which was very sweet. They are all women and know I'm gay - but know I'm single with got a lot on and no time/energy to date. It was very thoughtful

x

apple_muncher

Sounds lke you have some good work colleagues abundant!

laurenh1

abundant single & still getting Valentine's cake- sounds like you're onto a winner to me haha!
greent hope your toes are ok, bless you. I too am waiting for reduced valentines flowers- ever the romantic ha.

have just got back from YS shopping got a whole load of leeks and potatoes & onions which I have made soup from & stuck in the freezer for lunches next week. got a little bit of bread & some on the turn bananas (for banans muffins) ,some quorn pies- I have vegetarian friends that I can cook these for next time they come to tea.however I do now only have £12 in my budget :rotfl::eek: & I have a trip to the cinema to pay for (2.50 ) only a week to go though now- woohoo!

did my M&S shop! armed with vouchers. I have 3.82 left on my card as well as £7 in boots points that I can use for stuff too:p definitely need to get inventive

greatful today for- the biscuits brought into work- I only had 1 (ive been good all day :A:A) but it was yummy, my best friend - arranging cheap cinema trips with smuggled in crisps :shhh: & for having enough

dizzyblnd

f0xh0les wrote: »

12 weeks from offer, we had the keys. The house was a probate sale so nobody to move out. Absolutely no reason for it to have even taken that long.

Have a look at past sales(6 months) on the house-stalking websites - you will see houses that would have suited you, that somehow you never saw advertised - as the estate agents have a list of people they ring first before it even goes on their website but after they take the photos - They rang me at 7pm to tell me about the house, I had already seen photos and thought I would have loved that house but the sale fell through twice:T to investors. I saw it at 9am the next day, and we were the 4th set of people through the door (all investors). Sale agreed before 10.

Make nice with the Estate agents, even if they are slimy - it is the month's task to deal with toads, and ALWAYS answer your phone to the estate agent. Tell them your situation and tell them it is urgent - they get annoyed at people mucking about and not in a position to buy, so line everything up, and go looking.

And organise a few weekends away if you can so that relatives can have a bit of respite. It happens surprisingly often, I have had spare rooms full of friends' stuff while they were moving and ended up with a week where they were sofa surfing with all their stuff as they did not want to break the chain.

And now you can be cheeky and make a slightly lower offer. No chain is valuable.

Plus your bank balance looks AMAZING - enjoy every day of it.

This is such amazing advice foxholes. Thank u so much. I really needed to hear this. U get into a mindset of thinking ur the only person in the world to b in this situation and everyone must think we're mad. I phoned a few estate agents today and will phone some more tomorrow. I just sat and looked thru the sold search and it's amazing how many I think I would have offered on. Just waiting for the right one to come up.

sashanut

Hi all :j

Sorry I did not get on yesterday, have been under the weather for a couple of days but hopefully on the mend now. Does mean I don't have much to report though, as I haven't done very much!

Always : Will try to make sure I can make/save some money this month instead of always spending up to the max..Spent yesterday, but an NSD today.


First : Agree

Organise : Lunch was cheese on toast for DH & I had a wrap. Supper was YS pork with veg & mash. Made American pancakes as couldn't yesterday, so were Valentines pancakes.:D


Reserve : Already make a charity donation each month from joint acc. Will also set up a DD for an animal one. May have to rethink this one as DH now unconvinced we are helping the charity as this months letter refers to a boy - we sponsor a girl..


Environment : Yet another rainy day but started off white with frost. YS tulips still going strong.

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?? not done today either, spirit willing but flesh weak..

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. Surface was clear but used for cooking/pancake making, but at least it was there to be used for a change. Will make sure clear tomorrow.

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..gave sickly Valentine card to DH who thought it was OK, given he said what was on offer in the shops..he asked me if I wanted to go out for a meal, but I politely refused.

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


NSDs are staying at 18 this month: NSD today so now 7/18

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, will list this weekend. Took a few books to CS but brought some back..


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..Tried to fix curtain track as DH held ladder but too tricky & high up to manage without moving furniture...and taking down massive curtains. Will do.

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. Food OK, though not losing any weight. Sleep better.

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. other frogs on hold.

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

Hope all goes well tomorrow Kerrywoman..

mothernerd

Advice from a Sand Dune
Soak up the sunshine
Stay loose
Keep moving
Embrace the Winds of Change
Make positive ripples
Don't get carried away
Show your true grit

Advice from the Sun
Keep it light
Rise to the Occasion
Look on the bright side
Set your sights high
Renew your energy
Keep a sunny disposition
Be brilliant

Advice from a Redwood
Stand tall and proud
Sink your roots in the earth
Be content with your natural beauty
Go out on a limb
Drink plenty of water
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view

greent

Hope today goes as well as it can, Kerry Woman x

apple_muncher wrote: »

How on earth have you damaged your toes greent?

I tripped over the back door ledge in bare feet yesterday morning and caught 2 toes which I've broken before (25+ years ago) The pain was pretty bad (1 had healed slightly wonky anyway) and I thought there was the possibility of both breaking again. By tea time I was taking the bins down the (sloping) driveway and took a bad step and actually screamed out loud (causing some neighbours in the street to turn and look!:o). Having since examined the toes, the one is just bruised and only a tiny bit sore (as you'd expect from a bruise) The other is slightly twisted (was already the wonky one), very swollen and purple and incredibly painful to move or touch in any way. Fairly sure it's broken again, so followed NHS advice and padded it and strapped it and took painkillers. Walking up and downstairs like a toddler (1 step for both legs) and using heel of that foot only as toe too sore (is the one next to big toe) and not very flexible. I slept with socks on (and padding/ strapping under) to stop toes getting caught in bedding but it still woke me up several times. Bit of a bu**er, as I wanted to restart Zumba next week. Will see how it goes

f0xh0les

dizzyblnd wrote: »

. I just sat and looked thru the sold search and it's amazing how many I think I would have offered on. Just waiting for the right one to come up.

Let them know if you are happy to do work on a house (honestly, some people are so fussy) if size and bedrooms and garden are more important than condition to you (honestly, some people really are so fussy) . A lot of people can't see past the decor, and don't go on the photos the EA takes. Some of them are dire, and some of them are not even of the right house, and some sellers don't do themselves any favours.

I think at this point you go and see nearly everything. If nothing else you might see a board outside a house you did not see online - round by us, a lot of people offer their houses on the local community facebook page before paying out for a EA - so never come up on a R1ghtmove or Z00pla search .

Ask everyone you come across if they know anyone selling in the area you want. Jungle drums work wonders - not sure if our forest has grapevines, but if it does use it. Imagine not having to pay our for EA finding fees.

Good luck