NST 07/2018 - Survive July!

Puddleglum

Good morning everyone. It's been so long since I posted, I think I'd better introduce myself. I'm Puddleglum and I've just finished marking! Just a few reports to write now.

Fantastic feeling! I've only racked up 5 no spend days this month for one reason or another so need to get a grip from now on. Today is not looking good for getting a grip though.

I've managed to save up some money towards going self employed in September which is reassuring. I've contacted a supply agency to see if they can use another science/maths teacher on their books (just in case I don't make a fortune straight away!) and just about got my hand bitten off. It is looking good - just need to catch up with all the studying that has been neglected over the past few months.

Hope everyone has a good, thrifty Saturday.

f0xh0les

sashanut wrote: »

Hi all :j

Which part of Ireland are you going to Foxh0les?

One set in Co. Meath, one set in Co. Antrim.

About an hour and a half / two hours away from each other.

f0xh0les

Well, the weather although I find it horrid, is rather wonderful for line drying and a fast turnaround on bath towels! Hooray! Low bills for this quarter predicted.

Aldi yesterday as they are having their school uniform 'event' ( 2 white polo shirts for £1.75) Stocked up for next academic year.

Today I have no idea what I am doing. I have a list, and plenty of thing that need doing, but it is the first day of the school holidays and I might just pretend I am on holiday. Got lots of ys peppers and tomatoes and cukes yesterday, so it is salad all the way today.

Filled my car up with petrol as I am borrowing DHs car for the Ireland trip and it always winds me up he hands his over with 1/4 tank in it. I am better than that.

We are going away for a daycation tomorrow. One night in a YH up the road - less than an hour away, but I got 2 x rooms for £26 total in the sale. Before I knew the dates of the Ireland trip. Besides, who wants to be stuck in a car with 4 kids in this weather for more than an hour?? (remembers she is driving to Liverpool next week - might break the journey at Trentham Monkey Forest (Stoke) - anyone been??)


So we are planning on going to the forest, the reservoir, the abbey, the outdoor swimming pool and just having one night away.

Then they can come home and spend their time on their beloved computers for three days before I drag them away to the land of no wifi (eek!!)for a fortnight's
Digital Detox.

Will look in the cupboards and devise a cunning meal plan - saw Greg and Charlie on Eat Well For Less with some pillocks spending a million quid a week on takeaways - but there was a green lentil+coconut dahl recipe that I have all the ingredients for - i want to run down my pulses stash. I can always freeze some while the freezer is only being used for ice cubes and lollies and ice cream.

Have a great Saturday

Fmess

Foxholes ive not been to the monkey forest but it!!!8217;s near me and anyone I know who!!!8217;s been says it!!!8217;s lovely.

Toni'sfriend

NSD NO 8
It's a holiday weekend here and very hot again. I've been quite good again eating wise and had a bit of a walk this morning but not nearly far enough. Must start in earnest on Monday.

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
No more NSDs since my last check in. Yesterday I needed a card and birthday cake for my eldest for him and girlfriend and youngest coming for the day. We treated them all to lunch out minus desert because we had cake.
I also had to pop out to buy trousers because I got offered a job yesterday. I start Monday. It’s only part time but it’s money coming in that wasn’t. So I’m going to clear my credit card first, then put some savings away while paying some towards November’s holiday.
Don’t think I’ll bother with tea because I’m still full of cake.
Another positive is that I’ve no birthdays that require a present until September now ( just an inexpensive card) so that will help our budget.
I’m grateful for my lovely sons, a lovely sunny day and a yummy meal out.
I hope everyone is keeping well and having a good weekend.
Cuddles

Kerry_Woman

cuddlymarm - Congratulations regarding your new job. Wishing you all the best.
NSD 9/20 Was a spend day. Got the food shopping. Should last the end of the month. Only need to get top up over the next few weeks.
Set - Done the budget for the month.
Use - Will definitely be doing this. Still trying to using up things already in.
Revisit - Am going to set new goals. Made a list of goals and bucket list.
Vacation - Not going on holiday. Planning to have some days out/experiences. Done 2 days out already.
Inspire - Will try.
Value - Will look into other ways to save for days out etc. Got price guarantee voucher - £3.52. Will save for my next shop at MrA - to use by 11 August.
Every - Have done. Grateful for:
Sorting office - picked up the buddybox from the mental health support organisation. Nice items in it this month.
Having a couple of hours sleep this morning when I came back from shopping.
Watching the men's tennis semi final.
Doing self-care today.
Jump - Will definitely do walking as it will help my mental health also. Only walked around doing the food shopping.
Unless - No need today.
Lose - Done decluttering for now. Still need to take items to cs.
Yearly - Have made a list as to what needs to done or going out trips/experiences/voluntary work for rest of the year.

crazy_cat_lady

Good luck with the new job cuddlymarm Congratulations...
I can officially declare exam marking season to be over! Now I just need for the money to start rolling in, and hoping that it doesn't have to roll straight back out again. Still struggling a bit to make ends meet but now I have the time for budgeting and care with food prep etc it should get easier.
Decluttered a full charity bag of clothing this afternoon - just my own clothes. Every now and again I just get quite ruthless and bin off a load of stuff - which I've done today.
Not a nsd as I had to do a small shop - £17.90 in L1dl, but nothing other than that.
5 more school get ups, and I am so very grateful for the nice weather, my kids being able to entertain themselves and the fact that I can sleep all day tomorrow if I want to.

plumduff55

NSD 11/20 for me today - great after all the spending I did yesterday.

USE - I made individual trifles for dinner today and tomorrow. I used the sponge from cupcakes for the base. Then topped with a quarter of a block of jelly made up and chopped peaches ( BBE August 2016 but looked and tasted fine) then 1/4 pt of Birds custard and topped with a squirt of cream. I always buy cans of squirty cream when I'm on my own. Lasts for ages - I write the date on the outside of the can when I open it otherwise I might be using it for a year (only kidding :rotfl:).

USE - Slices of home made meat loaf and cauliflower cheese used from the freezer. Then just cooked roast potatoes in the air fryer.

LOSE - Gradually collecting stuff in the boot of my car to take to the charity shop.

YEARLY - Hoping to go through my present cupboard tomorrow and write a list of presents needed for Xmas.

GRATITUDE - I visited a friend today who's recently been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and her spirit and outlook are amazing. I feel ashamed that I moan about my sore knee and wonky shoulder.

That's all for now xx

Toni'sfriend

Plumduff55 - MY friend has offered to buy my son an air fryer as a house warming present. Would you recommend one?

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I hope there will be a good outcome.