NST September: Sunshine Challenge

thriftylass

Quote for my day:

You have just as much time as everyone else:

We each get 24 hours in a day. If you are breathing this morning, you have been given the same allotment of time as the most successful CEO, the busiest policy-maker, the children going to school in your neighborhood.

Need to take this advice today. I'm getting wound up by the fact that I can't get enough done in the time I have, may it be work, kids, chores, or gardening. So either I need to change my priorities and drop things as there is really too much to be done or need to find a more efficient way of using my time (which seems impossible atm).

Today will definitely be a SFD. Will just make the kids a quick dinner and us a biriyani later. But will prep the rabbits tonight so we can all eat together again tomorrow.

Got my healthy lunch and snacks packed and WILL go to the gym at lunch time (sanity essential). Managing to read or crochet every night which is good, just need to learn to tweak my to do list and not get thrown by unexpected items or things that take longer than planned. Acknowledge the things I have done, don't focus on the things that haven't been achieved

f0xh0les

Dropped kids at school and came home.
Made a Lasagne /a Chili / a Tomato and red pepper soup / 8 Baked apples and 6 scones as the oven was on anyway.

I will not have to do more than boil rice / make custard / or reheat things until Thursday.

This means that I should have lots of time to do other things. In theory.
Plus the soup will do my lunches too - it is a big pot(!)

Now to get on with stuff..... after a cup of coffee.

s1n25

Finally got round to updating! Weekend spent planning for the week ahead.

Set your budgets now. Yesterday was spent updating my spreadsheet, budget and paying debts! I prefer to have this all done at the start of the month so I know exactly where I am for the rest of the month.
Use up. Love this idea! I’ve already done the food shop for the week and planned by meals, dinner’s I’ll be using up what we have left in the freezer.
NSDs – Going for 20 days this month. I didn’t hit my target last month, I’m determined to this month!
Spread some sunshine Fantastic idea! Will think of somethings I can do.
Healthy eating I am in need of this! (as well as the Exercise) I was doing so well up until my holiday in July since then I have not really cared about what I was eating and I have felt rubbish!! I plan to eat a lot healthier this month. My meals have all been planned this week so I have no temptations!! Today’s meal, homemade roasted pepper and Tomato soup for lunch and pesto cod, carrots & potatoes for tea!
Invest in yourself. I wasn’t in the best frame of mind towards the end of August, hit a bit of a low point and was feeling very stressed! September I’m going to focus on my wellbeing. Turning my work phone when I leave the office, 8+ hrs sleep, reading more.
No spending on takeaways, drinks out, etc unless prearranged and budgeted for. Do I need this one!! I found from my diary last month I was spending a lot on unexpected nights out (£70 on one night!! I was so disappointed in myself the next day) or when I couldn’t be bothered cooking spending £20+ on takeaways. Prep is key!!
Exercise – I’d cancelled my gym membership in July to save money but I’ve really missed the exercise, don’t get me wrong I HATE exercising at the time but love the feeling of having more energy. I won’t be signing up to a full membership this month (£40) as I can’t’ afford it but I have budgeted £4 a week for a spin class every Tuesday. I also plan on going for my weekly walks on Thursday with my friend. It’s a good way to catch up and have a gossip whilst getting fit!

Feeling very positive about this month! The challenges and forums really do help it’s a great communicate that I’m thankful I’m a part of!

Have a lovely week Turtles

Toni'sfriend

Afternoon All

Two very nice young men arrived to check the boiler. As I suspected there is nothing wrong with it. Apparently the gas safety man was being overcautious. We would have had time to go for a walk but by that time Himself had started to clear out some paperwork. An extremely rare occurrence so I left him to it and got on with the cooking and washing.

So today was NSD 2/20.

Tonight's dinner is spicy chicken made with chicken thighs and a sauce that I made a few weeks ago. Both from freezer. More fruit for breakfast and a tuna sandwich for lunch so pretty healthy, Confession had a small gin and large tonic whilst watching an ancient film on TV this afternoon, Well I suppose it's better than a large glass or three of wine.

I'm looking into learning a little bit of German before our trip in January. Would really like to just learn a little and surprise Himself as I usually leave all the talking to him. I really admire people who can speak languages and that is something I've always wanted to be able to do. I have a friend who is learning Spanish online. I'm seeing him at the end of this month so will seek advice then. If anyone can recommend anything I would be grateful.

Right. Off to put on dinner and strain the stock made from the chicken carcass. Soup making tomorrow.

Have a good evening.

apple_muncher

toni's friend - you could try the duolingo app for starters.

mothernerd - hope al your travelling and meeting new rellies and the wedding all go smoothly and are enjoyable .

Coxy11

Hi all,

Despite the sunshine, today hasn't been great. Drove to A!di for food shop and managed to get a flat tyre - flatter than a pancake. Think it was the pile of fly-tipped fencing I drove past down one of the lanes as we pulled a huge eye hook out of the tyre. Poor DH has to come and rescue me and DS2 in his suit, lying on the floor of the supermarket car park. Garage won't get the tyre in until tomorrow lunchtime, so tomorrow will be another spendy day.

Set your budgets now. Had a quick look at phones on my current supplier and Ts this morning. Not much in it tbh. Not sure how much the tyre will cost but just need to suck it up.
Use up. Nothing today.
NSDs - still on 1/15.
Spread some sunshine - remembered (late last night) that it was my neighbours birthday. Luckily I had a spare card so popped that in this morning.
Healthy eating - started off well today. Fat free cooked breakfast plus an apple. Unfortunately stress-ate a bag of crisps after the tyre debacle.
Invest in yourself. Need to book a haircut this week and also get my eyebrows shaped.
No spending on takeaways, drinks out - unfortunately had to buy DH a sandwich and bottle of drink as he had no lunch hour today bless him.
Exercise - currently on 8.6k steps. Should hit 10k by bedtime.

Have a good evening all,
Coxy

greent

Count me in, please - late joining as we got back from Vienna Thurs night/ very early hours Fri morning and I've been catching up with 'stuff' since then and my laptop is also in for repair. I hate posting on my phone, so have nabbed OH's laptop at the mo to post (although he will be taking it away with him tomorrow )

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? - CCs paid. Savings and ISA topped up. OP made to mtge. Budgets are a little in flux this month until some possible plans are known (should know by this time next week) Without those coming off, budgets are: (posted for accountability):
Food: £450
Back to uni: £90 (re DD)
Fuel (just me): £65
Clothing: £150 (includes a new pair of school shorts @ over £20 )
Toiletries: £10
Cleaning stuff: £10
DIY/ House; £100 (not including painting which is booked and cash set aside for)
SOcial: £150
Car: £650 - 2 x MOT + 2 x Winter service
Utilities ok, phones ok, need to pluck up courage to negotiate with V1rg1n re broadband/tv)
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. - on a mission to use up foodstuffs in particular. Toiletries running down. Using soap bars now to use them up instead of showr gel
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. - will monitor
Spread some sunshine - be kind to others, help out friends, neighbours, colleagues and strangers. Share your tales of any random acts of kindness - left carparking ticket with an hour left on on machine on Sat.
Healthy eating - up your fruit and veg intake, quit snacking between meals or choose healthier options. - Need to stop snacking/ choose better options
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. - Back to school may make this a little easier...
No spending on takeaways, drinks out, etc unless prearranged and budgeted for. Try to find free activities to do. - Have a social budget
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. - have been in garden every day for varying lengths of time, chopping down branches, harvesting fruit, collecting windfalls etc

Will update my budgets with spends so far when I tot up receipts. It is a {planned} spendy month, though.

Need to catch up with what everyone's been up to....

cybertortoise

Just a quick check in.
I'm on NSD 3, it has helped that I have no money though!

A couple of direct debits have bounced, luckily my bank doesn't charge as my account is so basic.
Might have some good news in that part of the £400 I'm losing may be replaced by some housing benefit! Fingers crossed, because I have no idea how I'm going to pay everything on my reduced money.
I'm doing my budget tonight as best I can without knowing if anything else is coming in.

Kerry_Woman

Set your budgets now. Have done this. Also have opened another savings account due to been given money.
Use up. Done this today.
NSDs – Achieved today. 2/20
Spread some sunshine –
Healthy eating – Need to be more mindful with what I am eating. Finished eating the biscuits I brought at the weekend.
Invest in yourself. Did mindfulness colouring, wordsearch, reading. Done some housework - this is positive thing for me to do and makes me feel good after I have done it. Dishes are washed and put away, so no stress for me in the morning. Put lavender oil in a burner this afternoon/evening.
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. Have found 2 free activities in London - they are guided walks. Will only have to pay for my fare to get there. Will bring my own refreshments.
Exercise – Will be planning to do this each day. Walked my usual route around the park twice again this morning. Had my music to keep me motivated.

Toni'sfriend

Apple - That's what my friend is using to learn Spanish so I hope he'll talk me through it. I really am totally hopeless with technology. Himself speaks a bit of German. I know nothing, It would be funny if I could arrive at the hotel and say a few words.

Greent - Vienna. One of my most favourite places. Going back in January. Hope you loved it as much as I do. I, too, was terrified to phone Virgin but I did a couple of weeks ago and got £25.00 a month off my package and a new TIVO box. Tell them it's too expensive (politely of course but I know you'll do that anyway) compared to other providers and ask what they can offer you. I bet you get something.