NST February A FOREST ADVENTURE

apple_muncher

Ate a couple of tadpoles, making myself some needed appointments.

Did a toughie of a workout and also a fair bit of walking.

Am enjoying the dark purple croci and the snowdrops.

DDs and giving all doing their stuff without needing prompting.

Today I am grateful for good memories, for the spring flowers, for my workout, for my washing machine, for a hot shower, for dd having a happy playdate, for dh having some work, for my knitting, for having plenty.

Kerry_Woman

NSD achieved today 2/18
Walked to and from the cs where I gave in a bag of things.
One thing I am looking to change is the amount of time spent of social media. Can make much more use of my time with things like reading, mindfulness colouring, spiritual development, meditation.
Made a list of food shopping for tomorrow. Only getting what is needed.
Did manage to sort out the cupboard in the hallway. Much better now.
Grateful for:
What I achieved today.
Nice weather when walking.
Having time to chill out.
Lighting a scented candle.

NinjaSavingKat

HELLLO TURTLES!!!

Oh my! What a feeling. Being amongst you little money-savers makes me feel all warm and fuzzy..(while I skip through the forest)...:T:T:T

So thank you MotherNerd for adding me onboard - what a joy to see so many people signing up to end the debt cycle...YOU CAN DO IT!!!

I'll be honest - I am not in debt. I have managed to stay out of the red since I cleared everything in 2013. I returned home from travelling for my Grandmothers birthday, and got stuck here. I work a menial job for c-rap wages, pay minimal rent (thanks Mumsy) and spend most of my days/time in the gym or at the cinema.

I have a friends wedding in Seattle in June (two weeks) and a stop off in Reykjavik on the way home (for 4 days) as you do.. so need to save save save..

Thankfully have a tax rebate sitting in the wings from my time as a stop/go bat dogsbody in Sydney. Spending time sweltering in massive boots and protective equipment kinda paid off.. .. however it's not enough.

Shame I drove Mummys car into a tree a few weeks back thanks to black ice. £370 later. I am fighting back don't worry. :rotfl:

Working out is now my goal. Moneysaving/working more meant always being tired and travelling meant having irregular eating patterns - so I'm a bit fat basically.. That June Seattle wedding and the shame of a short bridesmaid dress is my motivation.

My lovely Fitbit (a gift otherwise I'd choke on the price tag..) was replaced with an upgrade (YEAH!!!) today so I am staying away from the shops and hitting the gym. Early morning sessions and all.....#groan.

I shall cease my witterings, wish you all the very best (take notes and watch you all carefully...:o) and hopefully help to encourage you all to the finish line with the rest of the regular gang.

Thanks for letting me join in this month. My aim is another £2000 before I go...:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:... I get paid SO LITTLE. Out-goings are literally only rent to my darling mother who is kind enough to only charge £50 a week. So... I should have no issues..

£2000 / 19 paydays = £106 a week needs to be put away. If I stop buying little bits here and there on my credit card I'll be fine...:o:o:o

EDIT ; Should've said despite not being in debt, I am here because I know you (lovely) lot will hold me accountable for silly spends AND I feel obliged to be entirely honest with you all. It bears heavily on my conscience if I don't.HA!.....so as it was Mummys birthday this week the cat bought her flowers and she got £20 off me... Spending now complete for February. Including those supplements I bought yesterday on a whim from Amazon.....eeeek!

laurenh1

Today feels very much like spring is on its way. I took my DSs to the park for the first time in forever & it felt so good to get out & about

on my mission to make the most of what I already have I picked one of my many unread books & started that I also wrote a list of things to do with my kids

sorted through my document folder which was one of my frogs. just the EHIC card now.

have a great weekend all xx

apple_muncher

Hey kat - are you going to freeze that pesky credit card...? Hope kitty is well.

mothernerd

Congratulations Welsh Kitty - we love baby turtles (although I have been watching secret life of the zoo and baby elephants, peruvian bears, fuzzy rocks [hitac or something - live in rocks and sunbathe a a lot), pygmy monkeys [babies weigh 16 grammes] are all quite cute.

Welcome Kat, glad you arrived as I have been waiting for someone to ask why I had put you on the list (I'm a witch). As always your motivation is awesome. DS1 is getting married in Italy in September and there are so many things I need to be working on (including losing at least some of the flab) and I'm going nowhere rapidly.

Claiming a NSD even though I have spent money. It was the tail end of last week's shopping, mostly for mum but I had paid for those things and had decided to use mum's money to pay for my stuff when buying at the same shops - I can only visit so many shops before my body gives up and mum wanted stuff that was here, there and everywhere and some was not urgent. Still looking for several garden items which have been on 'the list' (probably about 7 differnt scraps in different pockets/ bags) for months but the shops are only starting to get the garden stock in now.

Another no sleep night but doing better than last week - think I have only had 1 in 3 awake all night nights this week and it was evry other one last week. As part of forming new habits I need to start monitoring my sleep pattern and keeping a food diary.

I have been to mum's but not done a lot. We have decided on our next holiday (only a weekend but includes a day out to somewhere we haven't been for many years and it's flat and has lots of seats so mum can use her walker and rest when she needs too) so must book that.

Just picked a letter up when I got in. Thought it would either be the physiotherapy referral the doctor sent off or the dates for the next round of CBT (individual counselling). It was my diabetic retinopathy appointment - passed the room yesterday on my way to x-ray and thought it was usually in January. Meanwhile I have been practising doing the washing up and other basic jobs with my left hand to give my shoulder time to heal/ hurt less - think I can expect another weekend of wincing/ yelping my way round the house. However feeling much perkier than the last few days. I can't be ill, I have things to do.

I am glad to see so many frogs and tadpoles being eaten and turtles getting the elephants diced up.

I saw the blackbird yesterday. I have heard him singing for the past few weeks but he perched on the garden wall when I was at the cooker. Also grateful for having a plan for tackling the kitchen, for worrying less about the things on my 'to do list' - it was ridiculously and unrealistically long so have written it out (3 pages) and am deciding to forget about most of it - will tackle the frogs. Very grateful for good books to read, the library and all the services it offers and for undemanding zoo and vet programmes (no dogs had to be put down today).

abundant1972

Hi all...

Lovely to see NSK back with us this month too!!! We are watching you... Every time you get that card out you'll imagine our beady eyes on you now!!!

So frustratingly... no NSDs yet. Yesterday my folks offered to buy coffee and lunch out - then didn't have enough change so I ended up coughing up £2. They are always taking me out to lunch so I opted to spend some on them this evening and had a family chippy night. Tomorrow will be my regular shop and THEN I promise I will get in some NSDs!!!

Crazy day with the parents driving me mad. It's a wonder I have any lip left to bite. Getting support in for my recently sane father and trying to support my mother who's memory is not the best is always a fun day out!!! But... I am grateful for their continued health and that we can still smile at the end of a hard day and have a laugh together. Tomorrow is another day

This weekend is ALL MINE and I plan to get back in the gym too, and also have a wedding around May time (though I won't be wearing a short bridesmaids dress being a bloke and all...) Mind you... It'd certainly upstage the Bride if I did haha :rotfl:Also have very loose holiday invite for November for Vegas. Never been but kind of appeals. Is it a good idea sending a guy with slightly compulsive tendencies to the biggest gambling mecca in the World...??? Hmmm... I may have to think on that one haha!

Have a lovely evening folks, and see you tomorrow x

sashanut

Hi all :j


Always : Will try to make sure I can make/save some money this month instead of always spending up to the max..

First : Agree

Organise : Not done budget yet but have spent today - DD's car to garage as lights had failed & as she is on nightshift did need them! Was only bulbs but local garage did them as I waited & only charged £15 (gave £20). Also had yearly subscription renewal, £30..grrr

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 : Lovely snowdrops coming out on rockery, lots of bulbs peeking above the soil today.

Stock take : Took a stock take of just one fridge, amazing how much stuff I have in there....need to use a lot of it up before it goes off as no room in freezers either...:eek:

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: Will give this one some thought.

Valentine Who? : Was looking in my card stash - for a condolence card - and found a Valentines card from M&S that I paid 19p for - ever the romantic! Never given it as 'too sloppy' but this year it will get used. Didn't find condolence card but did find one that will do, stamp will come from stash.

Exercise 5 times a week please: Could well be gardening or clearing, cleaning etc but will aim to be active. No formal exercise but plenty of movement.

NSDs are staying at 18 this month: 0/18 so far..

Throw it away: Big push on this, much clearing needs to be done but refuse to toss useful stuff, will freecycle or CS - but preferably sell! Have some stuff sorted out but need to take photos.


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.

Refuel properly: Will do this, already am taking some steps to improve health & sleep patterns. Taking supplements now & bedtime tea, seems to be working.

Elephants and Frogs: Made frog phone call but as before no answer. Will keep trying. 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.

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

Dottydaisy

Hi, have made it to post on day 2 - just


And in no particular order (well done Mothernerd on using the first letters for each line)
I pay the minimum payment to c/c's by direct debit when they fall due. Still trying to work out a PROPER budget for the first time in my life, so will increase payments as soon as I can.
I have a monthly £8.50 payment to Guide dogs for the blind, but I will also put something in the food bank as well.
My garden ie my environment is littered with rubbish from the house as it was remodelled and decorating, will get rid of it over February and also clear an elephant.
Will continue to look through all places containing food in the kitchen, was a success in January and many more meals can be made with what's left.
I unfortunately visit coffee shops as this is where I meet my friends, I am too old to go clubbing or pubbing so this is mainly where my social life comes from. I do however belong to a club which gets cheap tickets for various venues so 1 irish quartet already seen, 3 operas and 1 jazz night to go all for £25 paid last November so Feb/March outings sorted.
I am widowed so no valentine, not that I ever received anything when I wasn't as hubby didn't believe in it!
I will avoid takeaways, eat lunch at home, aim for 10 NSD or more if possible and no formal exercise but will walk more.
Will start to declutter properly as the house needs it. Will also try and keep up to housework and make my house look like a home, not always possible with my illnesses but will make a giant effort this month to do so and remove lots of tadpoles, frogs and a couple of elephants. Ashamed to say Christmas decorations not put away properly yet.
I will start to look after myself properly by eating well, chilling out, using the number of creams and potions in the bathroom, and generally putting myself first more often.


My credit cards will go up as I committed to a holiday with friends in July this year in October last year. Have set monthly payment to cover this by December.


My mum has also paid for me a special cruise holiday in May where lots of world famous performers will be the entertainment. I have paid £96 for transport to Southampton and £79 for insurance (drat all the illnesses) and that is all I have to pay. She is 94 and really wants to go on the holiday.
She doesn't know about the debts so I really couldn't say no. Have set up s/o to pay these amounts by October.


Budgets
Fuel/parking £80 still some left from January
Pots budgeting £125 ( Christmas/birthdays, car maintenance, holiday spending,and hair cuts, acupuncture, chiropody) Never had specific pots before just used to spend what I liked and went onto o/d or credit cards.
Groceries Aiming for £300 to include dogs food, vet and wild bird food. Will include stuff such as mouse removal and household cleaners. At the moment Tsco delivery came to £55.03, but one of pack of yoghurts split at the corner and they sent the wrong coffee, so £8 knocked off bill. Am now £47.03/£300.
Looking forward to the inspirational quotes, loved the cactus one.
Hugs to all who are in need of one and will self hug to make me feel good.

mothernerd

The Bad news
There is no key to happiness

The Good news
It isn't locked