NST September: Sunshine Challenge

candyflosscloud

Morning again everyone, thank you for the answer regarding NSD im going to go for 10 as ive never done it before and see how I get on. Actually gives me a good reasom to take packed lunches normally I get food at work.

Paid rent and budgetted a week ago actually.
Going food shopping today hoping to only spend £100 got to print out farmfood vouchers. Going to lidl/aldi as well though. Looked through our cupboards and planned meals around this as well as getting bits for my sons lunches now hes starting all day at pre-school.

Regarding exercise might go for a walk later on. I really wanna get a bike only problem being no where to store it!

Should have an NSD day tomorrow

f0xh0les

Toni'sfriend wrote: »

F0xh0les - I have lots of jars of chutney as well and I mean lots. This is due to Himself's former obsession with buying jars. I've weaned him off it now but if you have any suggestions for using it up they will be most gratefully received.

Any tomato based ones get a tablespoon put in chili, stews, etc,
A jar gets put on the table with any vaguely indian meal
I have started to buy very cheap cream crackers. My kids would eat pretty much anything off a cracker.

Anything that looks vaguely Xmasy - like a plum one, or an autumn fruits one, gets packaged up with a packet of s/market poshish crackers and given as gifts to teachers / sports coaches / anyone that freecycles/ swaps anything with me / random men in white vans / the milkman etc.:rotfl:

I have not resorted to donating them to the food bank as they are all home made so they would probably not take them.

First world problems -

Dear Deirdre;

My pantry is heaving with chutney
I don't know what to do
It was given in passive agression
by a mother-in-law who's a shrew

I should write for Hallmark

lcc86

Evening all,

Just a quick update. Bagged my first NSD today. Managed a very short, sedate ride too. Went better than I thought although my foot was out at a terrible angle, certainly won't be winning any prizes for sitting correctly! :rotfl: going to start using up some frozen veg tonight with dinner.

crazy_cat_lady

2nd September - second spendy day of the month. However, it was grocery shopping and petrol so not completely frivolous. I'm hoping that will take me nicely into not spending for most of the rest of the week. Fingers crossed - I know I keep saying it, but this is a very tight month.
Another busy day, finishing preparation for going back to work tomorrow. Basic house jobs done and washing all up to date (probably only until tomorrow), school bag packed and alarm set, fridge and freezer inventory done. I think I'm going to need to replace the freezer seal as it's been frosting loads lately - good news is that I googled and it looks straightforward. I haven't looked to see how much it will cost yet but I'll have a go myself at replacing it.
All that remains is for me to have a shower, relax and wind down and hopefully be in bed straight after The Bodyguard tonight. I will check in tomorrow after work (probably exhausted).

DawnW

Didn't get to post much last month but I did keep the faith and read every single post
How is it September already :eek:
Well, here goes:


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? I do this anyway, no debts now, and savings are direct debited, so treated like a bill. I am however SURE that there are areas in my budget which could be cut down on!
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. Again, I am pretty good at this and it is rare for anything to get wasted here. I grow as much of our food as I can (in our small garden, not talking farm scale here!) and my freezers are bursting. I would like to get one defrosted and cleaned, but this is a bit unrealistic atm given I am putting beans, raspberries etc into it most days :eek:
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. I don't worry overmuch about NSDs as I prefer to shop little and often. However, in the spirit of the challenge I will aim for 10, which I managed last month Not managed any so far, but it is only the 2nd On the plus side, I personally don't count a NSD unless I spend NOTHING that day except for direct debit bills going out from the bank
Spread some sunshine - be kind to others, help out friends, neighbours, colleagues and strangers. Share your tales of any random acts of kindness I try to do this. I start every month with a donation of around £5 worth of whatever the food bank are most urgently asking for. This is done for September, as I bought just over £5 worth with my weekly shop in Mr S yesterday
Healthy eating - up your fruit and veg intake, quit snacking between meals or choose healthier options. Crisps are my major downfall so I'm going to try and stop snacking on them this month. My weight is creeping up due to snacking and over large portions Must nip this in the bud! DD2 has recently lost two and a half stones (post baby weight) with slimming world, and I am debating whether to join.
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. I will think about this.
No spending on takeaways, drinks out, etc unless prearranged and budgeted for. Try to find free activities to do. We don't often do this, even if we go away in our camper van for a few days (planning a few days this month, before the weather gets too cold) I usually take most of our food etc from home. We took a load of leftovers from the fridge last time, and foraged for mushrooms in one of the site owner / farmer's fields :rotfl:
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. Will do - plenty to do in the garden at this time of the year!

Try to post every day if you can. The support from fellow turtles on this thread is invaluable and will spur you on to meet your goals
I will try, but am not great at remembering to do so

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for bagging my first NSD, for time in the park, for getting the front lawn mowed, for making a yummy tea, for dd playing out with a friend for a few hours, for doing a smidgen of prep for work tomorrow, for my kettlebell, for dh who does 90% of the washing up, for making inroads (albeit teeny tiny ones that no-one else would notice...) into sorting out the stuff we brought back from mum's house.

Coxy11

Hello all,

Thank you for the job congrats - I have a week to organise myself and get a few more items of workwear (previous job had no dress code). DDs friend is okay but her mum gave me an ear bashing (won't go into it here but wasn't very pleasant).

NSD 1/15. Tomorrow will need to do a food shop. Also plan to sort out my phone. Can do it online and shouldn't involve any up front costs.

Had a healthy breakfast of yoghurt and fruit. Late lunch of sarnies and cake at in-laws for MIL birthday. Feeling quite full but managed to 'use up' the last cookie. DD used up the last of the french fries in the freezer. DH and DSs aren't hungry apparently.

Managed my 10k steps yesterday - Fitbit buzzed as I was walking upstairs to bed. Not so active today - currently on 6.5k. Must try harder tomorrow.

Have a good evening all,
Coxy

Kerry_Woman

Set your budgets now. Have done this.
Use up. Done this today.
NSDs – Achieved today. 1/20
Spread some sunshine – Said hello to people who I met at the park. Kicked a football back which came my way for the people playing footie.
Healthy eating – Need to be more mindful with what I am eating. Am trying to finish the treats I got yesterday.
Invest in yourself. Did mindfulness colouring and wordsearch. Chilled out today.
No spending on takeaways, drinks out, etc unless prearranged and budgeted for. Try to find free activities to do. Will be trying my best at this.
Exercise – Will be planning to do this each day. Walked my usual route around the park twice this morning.

swimminginaseaofdebt

Evening everyone :hello:

Today’s progress:

• Use up - will do - used up a kindle book
• NSDs - will go for 15 - NSD #1
• Spread some sunshine - will try - bagged up some of the little ones clothes to donate to charity and gave my sister a £10 off voucher for Schuh
• Invest in yourself - will do - read a book
• Exercise - will do weather permitting - walked to my mums

Justforme

Evening all, I just re-opened my MSE account and wondered if you were all still at it, am I too late to join in for September? I just checked my subscription lists and they were all pay this and that by 2016 how does time go by so quickly eh.. x