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NST September: Sunshine Challenge

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  • greent
    greent Posts: 10,782 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Small spends today - DS2 had a performance at school.this afternoon finishing gone 4.30 and then another this evening, finishing gone 9.30. No time in between to come home so I watched the matinee (£8 ticket, 2 on raffle) and then took him to McD's and then dropped him back at school.

    Listed 2 freebies on flebay and collected lots of leg0 cards from local people for the boys - albums almost finished now:j

    Thankful for - nice weather, people's gen3rosity with Lego cards, freebies
    I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul
    Repaid mtge early (orig 11/25) 01/09 £124616 01/11 £89873 01/13 £52546 01/15 £12133 07/15 £NIL
    Net sales 2024: £20
  • Today I am grateful for the day warming up, for a good meeting with my boss, for pupils with a sense of humour, for getting lots of bunny limbs sewn up and turned out, for dd enjoying drama club, for both of us liking a new school we visited, for walking the last 1+mile home and chatting, for getting an important letter posted.
    NST March lion #8; NSD ; MFW9/3/23 Whoop Whoop!!!
  • bizzie
    bizzie Posts: 296 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    Set budgets – gone way over with Groceries, caused by two off to Uni and given as part of our parental contribution as their loans don't stretch to cover everything.

    Use up – only buying when needed.

    NSDs - currently @#16/15 and the possibility of more before end of month.

    Spread some sunshine – helping others out when I can.

    Healthy eating – still need to cut down on the unhealthier snacks.

    Invest in yourself – arranging to meet up with friends for a long overdue catch-up.

    No spending on takeaways or drinks out – none so far this month.

    Exercise – have gone outside everyday.
    Groceries: Personal Spend: 0 NST NSD Goals for 2025:Self: Health: Wealth :
  • Coxy11
    Coxy11 Posts: 5,602 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Homepage Hero
    Hi all,
    Sorry for the late post. Still can't post from work. Tried to contact admin today but laptop froze three times of trying. Oh well.
    Nice day today here in London so I managed to get out at lunchtime for a walk around the block. Not fresh air, but air none the less. Work slightly busier but both bosses out tomorrow so won't have an awful lot to do AGAIN (sorry lcc86).
    S - all budgets up to date and like bizzie have overspent on groceries due to hollow-legged teens. Must try harder next month.
    U - DS2 used up sandwich filler today in his packed lunch.
    N - currently on 8/15.
    S - took neighbours son to youth club outing tonight (hence late post). Her Dad is really not well and her Mum has dementia so a lot going on in her life right now.
    H - ham and lettuce sarnie for lunch with a low fat yog. Had hm SW cottage pie for dinner with broccoli. I made it on Sunday and froze it so only had to reheat. Nice but will add Worcestershire sauce next time as a little bit bland....
    I - almost finished my book - will miss the characters. Craft group tomorrow night, so will enjoy spending time with friends there.
    N - no takeaways this month and none planned
    E - 13k steps today. Just spoke to another parent about running as we used to see each other at the parkrun. She is now up to half marathons! Need to get my running mojo back.

    Hope all are well and hugs to those with troubles or worries. Looking forward to seeing what the October challenges are :)
    Coxy
    Cross-stitch WIP: Fiver Friday challenge 2025 founding member 😊 Read 25 books in 2025 11/25 Currently reading The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings
  • mothernerd
    mothernerd Posts: 4,858 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Debt-free and Proud!
    I'm just pottering and pacing myself which atm means having to rest in between, brushing my teeth and having a wash (and doing both of those sitting down). Went to mum's yesterday (shop included a mega toilet roll pack for us both - starting the Christmas stock up). We both did jigsaw then I did more sewing, lying down on the couch.

    Today I've been to crafts but have been asleep since, curled up fully clothed. Spent some money both days (need to add to my figures). Four of us were working on the lavender bags, I mostly concentrated on pairing up fronts and backs - got in a muddle when I did anything else, so people gently directed me back to my task.



    About 30 are needed for the family Christmas boxes. Good figure - I needed to know with 50 being doable (just about) and 100 difficult to just NO. 30 is okay but need to fit them in with other things I am doing - the other main volunteer is doing some at home too. More stars have been requested so will use the remainder of the glitter felt for those (spare smaller hearts will be useful for lots of things during the year.


    Some ghosts and pumpkins cut out too - we like to be prepared. Have been given some money towards materials (bought some felt reindeer and scottie dogs last week) so will check what colours of ribbons etc I need after using what I have. Not going to run out of sequins or buttons anytime soon.


    I can do either November or December thread. Keep it fluid, then if someone can do November but will be too busy in December or vie versa.


    Today I am grateful for the shopping I did last Friday (surprising how much joy a little pot of beetroot salad or sweet chilli hummous can bring), for having a nice quiet and productive crafts session, for being on good terms with all my sons (except for DS1 picking on me on bookface).
    My mission in life is not only to survive,but to thrive and to do so with some Passion, some Compassion, some Humour and some Style.
    NST SEP No 1 No Debt No mortgage
  • lcc86
    lcc86 Posts: 2,465 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Final day of the challenge today as I get paid tomorrow so I'll start fresh. Not a NSD as I bought some trousers online. Also had the dreaded trip to the vet, he needs a dental op, no charge today but it's what I feared. Its never the best case scenario is it!

    Off work tomorrow as have to sort out criminal record check for the new job and then going to meet a friend for lunch. As I'm near a primarni I'm going to look for a long sleeved top I can wear underneath my blouses in winter. Don't want anything fancy and really don't want to spend a fortune so hope they have something. Sewed a few holes up in some clothes (mainly cardigans) and washed them ready for winter wear.

    I'll watch the rest of the challenge from the sidelines and will join in with October's once it's up and running.
  • Set your budgets now. Have done this.
    NSDs – 18/20 Was an NSD today.
    Spread some sunshine – Talked to mother with 2 young children in the park and walked a friend to the station from the event I attended this evening. Was late when we left.
    Healthy eating – Need to be more mindful with what I am eating. Had a few treats at the event this evening.
    Invest in yourself. Did wordsearch, mindfulness colouring, read some of a book. 2nd day of not playing computer games.
    No spending on takeaways, drinks out, etc unless prearranged and budgeted for. Try to find free activities to do. Went to a free local event this evening. Met a couple of people that I knew there. Signed up for the Park Run which is in a local park and is free. Will be walking it which is fine. Also there is another free local event on Sunday.
    Exercise - Walked one lap of my usual route in the park.
    Frugal Living Challenge 2025 Mortgage free as of 1st August 2013
  • sashanut
    sashanut Posts: 3,252 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Mortgage-free Glee!
    Hi all:j

    Apologies F0xholes - not *just* a tin of shortbread, of course not. Slightly disappointed you see as I was hoping for my own body weight in fondant fancies...


    Yet another non NSD as DD wanted to go out - shopping - natch - and I went with her to a couple of places. By the time we got back it was lunchtime, then friend comes round for a cuppa & a chat, by the time she goes it's time to make supper...another day gone 'sigh'. Still she needed cheering up & won't be coming next week, so it was good to see her.


    Set your budgets now. Pay to your debts/savings first and live off the rest. Make sure you're on the best deals for utilities, phones, broadband, etc. Are there any areas in your budget that you could cut down on? Will go through budget again & see where savings could be made. Forgot again, will try to remember tomorrow - or ask DH to do it.


    Use up. Have a look through your cupboards and identify any food that's been lurking there for a while and incorporate it into a meal plan. Likewise toiletries, any half opened bottles - use before opening/buying more. DD was lobbying for a takeaway but refused. Used some sausages I got out of the freezer the other day, & made meatballs/spaghetti with salad & Gbread. DD was scornful - pasta & sausages - ugh! Both her her & DH had seconds.

    NSDs - there are 30 days in September so a minimum of 15 or 20 for a harder challenge. Usual exemptions for ys items, petrol and medical expenses. Still 11/15

    Spread some sunshine - be kind to others, help out friends, neighbours, colleagues and strangers. Share your tales of any random acts of kindness. Hoped I helped friend by listening to her, instead of just me moaning on! However, she has her adult son back at home for the last 10 days even though he has his own flat with his GF. I have my adult DD here most of the time, although she has her own house...this we have in common....:rotfl:
    Healthy eating - up your fruit and veg intake, quit snacking between meals or choose healthier options. Not great as no proper food shopping this week, run out of decent fruit ( still have indecent fruit). Did have some salad for lunch though.


    Invest in yourself. Make sure you take the time to do things that you enjoy. Try something new that you've always wanted to do. No time to do things I enjoy as always doing housework or being dragged to the shops...will have to refuse to go..

    No spending on takeaways, drinks out, etc unless prearranged and budgeted for. No takeaways today.

    Try to find free activities to do. Will do.

    Exercise - it won't be long before the darker nights start drawing in so make the most of it while you can. Get outdoors for walk/run/cycle even if only for 10 minutes. No time outside today other than hanging washing out.

    Go Turtles!!
    New start JAN15 - NOT BUYING IT 2015 :eek:. Long haul DFW #145 : 2011 DEBTBUSTING : £5500 OD GONE, £2000 OD - GONE £93,610.30 cc & loan debt - GONE 27.6.14 FINALLY DEBT & MORTGAGE FREE :happyhear
  • DEBT 02/25: total £6100 Debt free date 12/25
  • greent
    greent Posts: 10,782 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Counting today as NSD, as spends in smkt were covered by a voucher I received from tcb and refunds from shopping apps :)

    Using up - used lentils (bought a couple of years ago), YS onions from freezer and (originally YS) roasted carrots left from dinner a few weeks ago and frozen to make soup, along with the 'tails' from 2 rashers of back bacon. Used falling apart/ freezer burned rolls to make croutons :)

    Thankful for: beautiful weather - such an amazing blue sky, my mum bringing more HG peppers/ chillis/ toms around :), YS items in the smkt, 2 flebay sales
    I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul
    Repaid mtge early (orig 11/25) 01/09 £124616 01/11 £89873 01/13 £52546 01/15 £12133 07/15 £NIL
    Net sales 2024: £20
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