NST May 2018: May the odds be ever in your favour!

Kerry_Woman

NSD: 19/19 NSD achieved today.
Motivation: To be more mindful regarding spending. This is going to be ongoing. So far doing ok.
Money: The budget for each category is done.
Me time: Just done wordsearch and mindfulness colouring.
Move: Did not do this today.
Activation: To get my spending down to a reasonable amount.
Arm yourself: Will have to stand strong in my quest against consumerism and acquiring more. Still doing this.
Donation to charity: Done for the month.
Grateful for:
For yesterday evening for I was in when gift from my brother was delivered by courier just before I left to go to social club.
For nice weather.
Having a chilled out day.
Got a few other things put aside for cs.

Puddleglum

Great work Kerry Woman!
I've got to 16/19 NSDs partly helped by being completely bogged down with marking. 25% of the contract has got to be reached tomorrow so it will be head down and at it again tonight. It's all money in the pot to help get my business off the ground later this year though :beer:

Grateful for the opportunities to make extra cash, for happy students today, nice weather and plenty to do.

mothernerd

Did not make check in last night as the laptop was having a paddy - think it would be grateful as I had just cleaned all the junk out of it. It's been slow for ages but this week I can see all the 'special effects' and the fruit dropping on my games in slow motion (some come up from the bottom when they are 'dropping' into place).


Not done much since my Thursday therapy session. Lots of sleep, very good quality sleep, very heavy and completely irrisistable. Still have some aches from painting and my right shoulder is particularly painful when I make the wrong move, so rest is best.


Yesterday was film club. Mum arrived in a taxi just as I was walking across the car park. Took library books back. Watched the Birds (mum had never seen it). Think I have only seen it in black and white (ie before we got a colour tv in my teens).


I had had the phone discusssion with the doctor about mum's meds in the morning and he had said he would fax the prescription through to the chemist. Chemist had then rung mum to say they weren't delivering because of the bank holiday. She had agreed that I would collect them after film club.


She decided to come with me, but I 'rushed' ahead and she turned off when we got to Wlill cos, where I was going to call the taxi (main shopping street is pedestrianised and some of the side streets can't be used 9am-4pm - Wilco's is the best place to get a taxi just outside the pedestrian zone). Mum had given me a new shopping list - toiletries, cleaning stuff and 'other' (garden).


While she was waiting for me to get the pills, she was looking at the bedding plants (her walker has a seat and W' s has a triangle bit sticking out to shelter from the rain. So I got sent in carrying 4 trays of bedding and one clematis. Taxi was a while (clash with shopping day and school home times) and then I made my way home.


I did go to the evening film (3 Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri - very funny for those who like their comedy black, very moving and ultimately hopeful). I managed a conversation and a couple of exchanges but mostly on practical things so don't know if they will count. Lots of people there - more than in the afternoon (that was very low), but still mostly 'groups' of people.


Fell asleep nearly as soon as I got in. Slept well in longish chunks (2-3 hours), had pills, found something to eat from my 'healthy bag' and woke properly at 11am. Quick game of find my spectacles (last book took me 3 days to get through the last 50 pages and 12 hours to get through the last 3, due to constantly falling asleep).


Still not raring to go but have been trying for 15 minutes in every hour. The washing up pile has been considerably diminished (used 3 sinkfuls of hot water until they went cold and used every inch of dish drainer/ board space) and the recycling has been done. Nearly exploded when DS3 brought in some bean juice covered plates and 'reminded' me not to miss the items in the bags.


He must have realised his error (or the guest pointed it out to him) because later when I was trying to clear the kitchen table and start on the new arrangement of the shelves, he and the guest came in and did quite a bit (including putting together the shelf that goes over and around the microwave. Pan rail is in the new place, slightly higher (but not too high for Beloved) and directly above the stove, microwave shelf is in place and the space around it is clean and visible.


Hoping to go down and do more soon - would love to get my farmhouse table in place, but happy with visible progress.


Today I am grateful for being able to move (within limits), for getting things done, for my lovely bed and for the pain in my back having gone, for lovely weather and getting clothes line-dried.

swimminginaseaofdebt

Evening everyone,

Haven't checked in for a few days and have consequently lost track of my budget although I know I haven't overspent.

Have also lost track of my exact survey earnings but I definitely achieved this as I received a payout from PA which took me over my target.

Today was NSD #12.

I finished all the reading I needed to do for my OU assignment and want to write the bulk of it tomorrow which I'm dreading as I don't have a scoobie how half the material relates to the question!

sashanut

Hi all :j

Motivation: what is your personal motivation for joining in with the turtles? My motivation is to cut down on the unnecessary spending and pay for some renovations to this property. In order to do this I think we need to be saving money by doing any jobs we can realistically (!) do ourselves. Part arrived to mend hose reel & DH fitted it on - works a treat now & no need to buy a new one...just need a bit of tape now as there's a very small leak in hose.


Money: know your income and outgoings. All DD bills should have gone out by now and I am going to add up our income, that won't take very long.. so far have done now two grocery shops. Grocery bill so far £57.07. No shopping today, although DH had to order a mug from Amazon - as the nutty kitten ran at it, knocking it over so it smashes, then in fright jumps on his arm, leaving a massive scratch....it was DDs favourite mug. The trouble is the kitten is already the size of a more or less full grown cat; although with the nature of a very lively kitten, which he is....


Me time: look after yourself. Get enough sleep; eat well; move; do things you enjoy. Good sleep ; ate well but not too wisely (found some salted caramel chocolates left over from Christmas), moved in the garden & cut the front grass....

Move: being active benefits your body and your mind. You know that. Now do it. Moved the lawnmower around the garden, barrowed a load of compost off the heap, earthed up some spuds, etc etc was deffo active.



Activation: what spurs you on to keep on the path? Have not done much decluttering but have identified some items to sell to a fellow collector. Just need to find out how to price, which will be tricky as rare items & not available so need to research somehow. Got reply from friend re collectables; need to send her some photos & she has a source that she can consult. Sadly also told me she is very unwell with heart trouble. Photographed stuff to send to friend & actually sent them to her, so process started although I don't expect to hear for a little while. Took more photos, will post to try & get more sales. Lady received DVDs & says that she showed one film at the weekend, which she says will increase my DVD sales. All DVD sales sent off now - by chance I found a few US format ones from the first time we made them....PayPal balance looking very healthy & intend now to try to sell some other stuff over the BH weekend. All vac bags arrived today so tomorrow will be getting them filled, it should be much easier.

Arm yourself : you have chosen to follow a path that many mock and despise - that of ridding yourself of debt and financial constrictions in order to be free; free to choose what to do with your money and time, not enslaved to repaying or to other people. Glad we are not bothered about 'keeping up with the Joneses' - have done that a long time ago but really do not care any more. It's how some people validate themselves & that's fine, but not for me. We are now free from paid work commitments but spent many years getting there, wish it had been sooner. Desperate need of decluttering & getting rid of old lifestyle. Am going to do this so will post progress on here to keep me accountable. Not much on this today, but will be on it tomorrow.

You. Are you happy in yourself? Know what brings you joy, what cheers your heart, what makes you pause and wonder. Don't just stop and smell the coffee in the morning; practise stopping and looking around throughout the day. Appreciate what you have. Be grateful. Gratitudes Very lucky to have the space we do; washing drying on the line; comfy cool bedroom with high ceilings.

NSDs 13/19

Check ins: 24/31

Finally done charity donation through euro account. Ten euro to the doggies...of West Cork

laurenh1

Good morning all


A day away from the house yesterday meant I have a lot of catching up to do today with washing etc.



My mum gave me some cash yesterday so I need to sit down & look at budgets etc for June. Feeling quietly confident that we can get to September with our house savings in one piece which is nothing short of a miracle. I wanted to save 3k last year and have 6 by the end of this year and so far I am on track to have £11500 by the end of December , & I am fairly chuffed and proud of our little selves as it isn't always easy.



Off to Aldi/ Tesco this morning as our cupboards are bear & it's getting to the point I have to go. I will get some pizzas for when we get back from Paris - to stop us reaching for the phone & getting a take away.



Better get pushed on !!



Have a good day all xx

f0xh0les

I have £48 left until Thursday,

Spent yesterday putting books on my new shelves. Everytime I look at that corner I smile. They are balanced each side of the chimney breast.
I have done a good (if slow) job.

Not sure how I have managed so few NSDs ( I think I am on 12), but at least I am still in budget. The month has dragged though. Roll on June!

Half term now.
Just going to relax a bit.
Enjoy not making lunchboxes at 6am.
Maybe have a lie in until 8.
DS1 is studying for his mocks ( he tells me) so he is my excuse to stay at home and just be.

Plus. I have bought paint this weekend to finish off three other jobs that need doing. I now have all I need to finish them. It is just the neatening up of bits to bring things to an end. Will try and get them done before June begins.

Need to write a list of what I can realistically achieve in June.

Enjoy your bank holiday weekend Turtles.

No Turtle gets left behind

greent

Motivation: have short/ medium/ long term goals. OH's 0% CC will be closed this month as the statement showing it has been repaid has come through :T Ebayer has paid and so small OP paid to my CC. Pay from invigilating work has come through and all been paid to my CC
Money: All DDs gone so all money left is ours... thankfully CB arrived, as there was diddly squat left!
Move: Been pootling around but nothing 'proper' Managing 8-9k steps and active minutes but nothing more
Activation: What spurs you on? - Not feeling it so much this month - probably a combination of DS3's bug, work and hayfever. Hoping to re-energise and re-focus over half term break ready for June
Arm yourself : bought a cheap replacement strap for fitbit (£3) as other broke. Have a replacement coming form f1tbit (free) but takes a while. Also means I now have 2 colour choices for straps. Yesterday bought DS2 a new school bag (TKMaximus) as his old one broke and wouldn't do up anymore (and was an old one of OH's anyway), 2 plates for our dinner service (to replace 2 broken ones) as they were on offer and a really cute mug from TKMaximus (not needed but very pretty and joyful)
Appreciate what you have. Be grateful.
* used a voucher yesterday for an afternoon tea and also brought cakes home for the children

Foodbank/ charity donation of £5. - monthly DD to WWT. 2 bags of items donated to shoebox appeal - new bag started Huge bag of stuff donated to CS (some new in packaging). Also donated some random foreign coins (ie: not euros or dollars) to school collection - they raise money from them. Also started a new CS bag.

Pay to your debt/savings FIRST and live off the rest. - done Few small extra payments made since. Also took remaining balance from OH's switching c/ac (unused for several months) and paid to CC (just over £65) plus OP to mtge of £220.

Plan the month: every single day: what you are doing, what you are eating, - sort of - have written in work days, day when collecting DD from uni, DS3's, my mum's, my sister's, my aunt's and bestie's husband's bdays... Am not going to plan food, though).

Check in every day. oops -am checking in sporadically....

NSDs - 8/19

Part of our guttering crashed onto the patio earlier in the heavy rain.:eek: Too wet for OH to get ladders out and attempt a repair but it looks from down below as though we'll need fascias/ soffits replacing (wooden, 20+ years old and not treated since new) so OH has sent a couple of emails out to tradesmen

Kerry_Woman

NSD: 20/19 NSD achieved today.
Motivation: To be more mindful regarding spending. This is going to be ongoing. So far doing ok.
Money: The budget for each category is done.
Me time: Wordsearch and mindfulness colouring. Watched a couple of episodes of Sherlock Holmes boxset starring Jeremy Brett.
Move: Did not do this today.
Activation: To get my spending down to a reasonable amount.
Arm yourself: Will have to stand strong in my quest against consumerism and acquiring more. Still not giving in to offers of discounts through email to buy things. Only used one code for the deodorant which is what I needed to get.
Donation to charity: Done for the month. Somethings put aside again for cs.
Grateful for:
Having a nice chat with my sister on the phone.
Taken it easy today.
Windows opened due to the lovely weather.

sashanut

Hi all :j

Motivation: what is your personal motivation for joining in with the turtles? My motivation is to cut down on the unnecessary spending and pay for some renovations to this property. In order to do this I think we need to be saving money by doing any jobs we can realistically (!) do ourselves. DH fought his way to the 'fallow' area at the back to see how his clearing was going....needs a bit of work tbh! Still he is on with it.

Money: know your income and outgoings. All DD bills should have gone out by now and I am going to add up our income, that won't take very long.. so far have done now two grocery shops. Grocery bill so far £57.07. No shopping today, all food from stores.

Me time: look after yourself. Get enough sleep; eat well; move; do things you enjoy. Good sleep; ate well,out early in the garden & greenhouse. Also did a little bit of FH as I have treated myself to a membership - which had lapsed - but used money from DVD sales & also cashback site..


Move: being active benefits your body and your mind. You know that. Now do it. A bit of movement around the garden although some was in the green house before it got too hot. Helped DD time her running, but that only involved me holding up her phone whilst she ran timed bursts...

Activation: what spurs you on to keep on the path? Have not done much decluttering but have identified some items to sell to a fellow collector. Just need to find out how to price, which will be tricky as rare items & not available so need to research somehow. Got reply from friend re collectables; need to send her some photos & she has a source that she can consult. Sadly also told me she is very unwell with heart trouble. Photographed stuff to send to friend & actually sent them to her, so process started although I don't expect to hear for a little while. Took more photos, will post to try & get more sales. Lady received DVDs & says that she showed one film at the weekend, which she says will increase my DVD sales. All DVD sales sent off now - by chance I found a few US format ones from the first time we made them....PayPal balance looking very healthy & intend now to try to sell some other stuff over the BH weekend. Filled some vac bags, surprised at how much can be got in them. Hope to get a lot more done tomorrow as we were supposed to be taking DD to Liverpool for some face thing she was having done...DH selflessly said he will take her & I have no need to come...rather than do the car journey, then kill time in some shopping centre (ugh) then drive back. He will sit in a caf! with a book/wifi etc & be quite happy.


Arm yourself : you have chosen to follow a path that many mock and despise - that of ridding yourself of debt and financial constrictions in order to be free; free to choose what to do with your money and time, not enslaved to repaying or to other people. Glad we are not bothered about 'keeping up with the Joneses' - have done that a long time ago but really do not care any more. It's how some people validate themselves & that's fine, but not for me. We are now free from paid work commitments but spent many years getting there, wish it had been sooner. Desperate need of decluttering & getting rid of old lifestyle. Am going to do this so will post progress on here to keep me accountable. Packed up some more stuff & vac packed what we want to keep.

You. Are you happy in yourself? Know what brings you joy, what cheers your heart, what makes you pause and wonder. Don't just stop and smell the coffee in the morning; practise stopping and looking around throughout the day. Appreciate what you have. Be grateful. Gratitudes Having the luxury of going out in the early morning in the garden; seeing the robin in the garden; progress in the garden & lovely flowers; tasty meals with not much prep required.

NSDs 14/19

Check ins: 25/31

Finally done charity donation through euro account. Ten euro to the doggies...of West Cork