NST December 2018 – Exterminate the debt!

Kerry_Woman

NSD today - 3/15.
Did not go out for my usual walk, but was moving things for the decorator.
Not much else done today. Self care done though.
Grateful for:
Good night's sleep.
The amount of work that the decorator done.
Decorator saying that he should be finished tomorrow.
Temporary sorted out issues with laptop, battery not charging.

dolly84

Welcome back Speky.


DH was on a course this morning but got finished for lunchtime so we nipped out this afternoon to run some errands. Returned an item to Next for a refund, returned a faulty toothbrush to Argos for a replacement, bought DD a new duvet cover set as she only has one, also bought one for mine and DH's bed as our spare is one of those silky ones and all the seams are coming away so we got one of those lovely brushed cotton ones, also got 7 - yes 7 - glade scented candles, all the Christmas scents are £1.75 in Wilko and I find they burn well.


Also managed after much tooing and froing to get a small chest freezer, we collected it and have plugged it in ready to fill. We have it in the garage and have to have one suitable for outbuildings.


Did a lot of cleaning this morning and walked the dog in the pouring rain.

mothernerd

Hello turtles. Laptop is being stupid and not loading. Currently using one of DS3's old ones. Will give the old one 2 days to behave (think I had a one pixel line of green at the top today - shades of Sir Percy) and then buy a new (smaller, lighter) one and send mine for repair. Increasingly thinking it would be good to have one at mum's, have taken mmine but it's too heavy to lug back and forth on a regular basis.

So no sleep Monday night and early start yesterday to meet mum at the imfirmary before 8.40am. Took the Christmas cards to the post box and was going to do some shopping from the new list but decided to just do the walk. Could have done with ankle su[pport bandages and an inhaler (cold and foggy) but made it.

After making an appointment for next time I went to the friends cafe (tiny room, no seating, barely any standing room, more than 3 customers and we all end up apologising every time we move) for toast - I had eaten 2 cheese spread wraps at about 4am.

Earlier I had counted my money, laughing like a little miser. I had started to put money aside in a drawer for the next lot of renovations, I have a purse and a wallet and a tin of coins, some loose change in the bottom of my bag and found another couple of bits. It all added up well, very happy (not calling the builder just yet, but well on the way).

Taxi to mum's and went to have lie down on her bed mid morning - could not find a position to make my arm ache less on the couch. Slet for a while. Had a lovely lunch of smoked haddock, chips and broccoli (mum's choice). Watched a lovely film in the afternoon about a woman with end stage cancer. Andy Garcia played her grumpy husband (had to get up and check the paper as I thought it was Andy but it didn' t look like him. Followed by one about a disobedient dog who was shared by two people and their children until they fell in love (lots of fun villains to stop it being too sickly).

Taxi wasn't available when I called so spent over 12 hours with mum in total. One phone call from a member of the extended family. The previous day mum's cousin had phoned to tell us DS2 had taken her a card and present for her birthday and to update us on her husband's health (bit better but fairly bad).

Did lots of reading and let myself sleep as long as I wanted. Not great today - flu like ache everywhere with persistent pain from my shoulder and all down my left arm. Probably is flu but mitigated by the flu jjab. I did have a bath and put clothes on but it's going to be a very slow day (and possibly week).

Have been out to take a card for Australia to the post office (top of the street) and then to the library when I thought the rain had stopped. Had 2 wraps about 6am (with morning pills) and just had a tin of soup since.

I will look after myself, I will read a lot, I will think of short cuts and fixes to help my life. Definitely going down to 16 hours work next year, reaching a bowl of soup out of mum's wall-mounted microwave yesterday hurt, did a tiny amount of embroidery before having to stop and think just writing the Christmas cards was responsible for my arm pain (although the onset of whatever current illness is would not have hurt). Still rethinking kitchen design. 16 hours work and 35 hours caring is enough - need more fun joy, reindeer and puppies (DS1 and wife will be getting their's soon - may wait until January when all the post-Christmas ones come in).

I have found another appeal to donate to - one of the charity shops is collecting women's underwear in good condition for women in Africa. I have some nearly new bras I purchased when I had lost weight (and now it's found me again) and some large knickers (many of you know what a trial my knickers have been) which I though were required but they were much too big - I put them in the rag bag but have been using DS3's old t-shirts so they were still at the bottom (pardon the pun).

I am grateful for seeing a spider's web with raindrops on it, for giant purple spiders (was icicle Christmas lights), for all the restrained, tasteful, house decorations, for the more than life sized Santa Claus (I do father Christmas but the inflatables are definitely Santa) and for the decorations that look like they have been thrown on by a gigantic toddler having a paddy (I'm enjoying tutting and disapproving, something I rarely do), for peace and quiet (DS3 is working quietly downstairs but they've both mostly been in the bed (the new to them that they didn't want), for having time to lie here and rest (and plot what else can be eliminated - may do some on-line food shopping, but then I may not. For finding lots of good library books and for DS3 lending me this laptop - mistakes are because it's slightly different to mine. See you tomorrow turtles.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for time outside, for a good day at work, for nice drivers on the roads, for tuna mayo salad, for time with dd, for a colleague having an android charger so when my phone played silly b****rs I could charge it a little, for our fairy lights, for a good book - still on The Saint, for another nsd (grand total of....2 so far, sigh).

crazy_cat_lady

Evening
Pleased that your wm is fixed greent - sorry it was a bit £.
Chocolatelover - sorry to read your news. Hope you're doing as ok as you can be.
Mothernerd, take care and I hope you're feeling better soon.
Another nsd for me today as I had parents evening until 6 so I've only really had time to get home, shower and relax. It's been a busy day again and I'm still not 100% so more than ready for bed now.
Today I'm grateful for:
Finding my hat in my coat pocket when I was outside on duty in the rain at break time.
My parents evening appointments running on time.
The roads being quiet for my journey home.
Ex's family staying in touch with me and the kids for Christmas.
Also very grateful that I can get into bed soon.

Shrewbie

Hello everyone

NSD 2/15 today for me... tomorrow is a bank holiday here and I just found out I don't have to work on Friday either so will actually have some time to plan and maybe get a little bit ahead of myself for the last 2 weeks before Christmas hols!! so very happy.

Hope everyone is OK and enjoying the count down to xmas

The_Only_Girl

NSD #3 and packed lunch # 3.

The £10K insurance money has come in today, much sooner than expected, and we now need to work out how to best manage it. Having been saved from the pit of debt, it feels daunting having to make decisions about money we don’t want to fritter away or just keep in the bank. Watch this space.

I think I caught my colleagues’ cold virus and I’m so full of it. I think I’m just going to bed, uni work can wait,

Good night turtles,

x_raphael_xx

Hi all!
Better late than never, I am in this month[FONT=&quot]![/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]D[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ebt-free date. Friday!!! :D We all got our xmas bonus in work yesterday, £150! I popped into the post office on the way home and stuck it all into mums pot. When my wages hit on Friday I will have the final £100 to pay her off! [/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]rganise your outgoings. Budgets are set. I have to get a present for my dad and granma, but everyone else is sorted buying-wise (a few craftys to make) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ount up to [STRIKE]15. Fifteen[/STRIKE] 20 No Spend Days. 4/20 - As usual I'm going to aim for 20. I bought presents on 1st, but so far the rest have been NSDs[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]T[/FONT][FONT=&quot]reat yourself well. After my gym challenge ended I have slacked a little on the exercise and nibbled the odd treat. But my results are still going well. I had my Phase 2 meeting yesterday and weight & body fat % had dropped slightly (apparently I was the only one who hadn't gained weight after finishing the challenge) I don't want to undo my hard work. I'm expecting to relax a little over Dec, but I want to keep up with the gym and healthy eating as much as possible.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ne thousand days. Intriguing [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]efrain from browsing your phoneI find I spend a lot of time on a meme app, just swiping, swiping, swiping. I think I will delete the app (I can always re-download it another time if I want).[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We cancelled netflix (don't have tv) as we found we would just sit and stare at a screen all evening, not even watching anything, just playing it cos it was there.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]W[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hat kind of month do you want for yourself? I definately want to knuckle down with my Marathon training plan. I want to finish present buying/wrapping/posting so I can relax the rest of the month. I want a couple of packets of stuffed dates from Aldi.I want to commit to the gym.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]H[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ere’s a space for your own rule. [/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Cleaning! [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]I want to keep on top of the housework and do a little something each day. I am day off from work tomorrow, so going to clean the whole house and start from there.[/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]utings. I have no outings planned. Only thing I have booked is xmas day at MILs, and I can't drop that :rotfl:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]S[/FONT][FONT=&quot]low living this month. I plan on wrapping and posting all presents (apart from dad & granmas) tomorrow. Then I will only have a couple of craftys to do[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. Then I can relax.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]mm. Take care of your mental health. [/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]I'm trying to get a handle on my sleeping lately. I'm tired, but just not dropping off. I'm trying some meditation & healthy mind podcasts. Failing that I'm playing rain sounds to lull me to sleep. [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]N[/FONT][FONT=&quot]o entry to any sales. Hate shopping. I have no will to be jammed in a hot sweaty shop with hundreds of other people all grasping for the same thing cos its £1.50 cheaper.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I[/FONT][FONT=&quot] am and always will be the optimist.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]I generally feel I'm an optimist. I never used to be, but now I've learnt some battles just can't be won and to pick the ones worth fighting. [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]andles & tech. I have an advent candle I'm lighting each day. And War & Peace I wanted to re-read, so I shall attempt to switch off the laptop & chill with my book before bed. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]"S[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ome people live more in 20 years than others do in 80. It’s not the time that matters. It’s the person.” “We’re all stories in the end. Just make it a good one.”[/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Enjoyed a fun boxing session today, everyone was in a merry mood.[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hase down more awe and joy.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot] Not Christmassy, but joyful. I saw the Bohemian Rhapsody film on Sunday (free tickets) and it ignited my love for Queen & Freddie again. I'm currently watching my 'Live at Wembley' DVD [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ead fiction before bed. I have just started to re-read War & Peace. I also have my new Michael Crichton book. I have promised myself I will not abandon War & Peace for a shiny new treat. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]E[/FONT][FONT=&quot]xercise. Boxing class today.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]W[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hat’s the point of being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes. [/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Duncan has a dog advent calender (dog biscuits rather than choc) and its fun each day to 'help' him find the right door and open it. [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]D[/FONT][FONT=&quot]on’t give up.Here I am, finally![/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]efuse to get sucked into guilt spending.I have kept my xmas budgets low this year, and I think next year (I will inform people at the beginning of next year) I won't be doing presents for anyone. I want nothing, I don't see the point in asking people what they want (might as well just hand over cash).[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]So I will be requesting people don't get me anything and I will instead donate to charity.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I[/FONT][FONT=&quot]dentify activities and people who drain you.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Sadly, the only person in my life who is draining, is a work collegue, and I can't chose to avoid her. I have instead (after listening to a Tony Robbins podcast) decided that it's ME that's letting her drain me. So I am making a concious decision that I will let it go.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Today was the first day on shift with her, it will take time to put into practice, but I felt a little more relaxed.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In the podcast Tony was interviewing an author of some book, and they were talking about how millions & billions of years have lead up to your present moment, and do you really want to waste it letting someone get you angry or upset you. He said it a little more profound than I've just written down. But it really helped today.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]V[/FONT][FONT=&quot]isit your local area. I have signed up to a couple of facebook groups, Devon Wild Swimmers (sadly I can't join them in Dec as I'm working each Saturday they meet) and a Tor Running[/FONT][FONT=&quot] group. I'm going running on Dartmoor on the 15th, discovering some new Tors.
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[FONT=&quot]E[/FONT][FONT=&quot]xterminate My bad habit is not practicing my saxophone. There always seems to be something else that needs doing when I have the time. I MUST practice at least 30 mins each day.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]emember that you are blessed. A friend is doing a charity New Years Day Dip. Getting in the sea on NYD! I'm definately going to donate for that! [/FONT]

LavenderBee

Wow tog, what a lovely letter to receive! foxholes I love your penguin tin

NSD 4/15 and exterminate 5/15. No progress on anything else as DD is poorly. I've spent all day doing three loads of washing and drying as a result of how poorly she was last night just been trying to keep her comfortable today. Whilst she was content I did finish writing my Christmas cards (bar one that needs composing, pictures inserting, and posting to the other side of the world. You'd think I'd start with that one wouldn't you...) and made progress on our handmade gifts and wrapping.

Gratitudes
- Saline spray for babies!
- Washing machine
- Tumble dryer
- Having a tin of soup in the cupboard for quick sustenance

Would love more than 2 hours kip tonight and a shower tomorrow. Paws crossed!

x_raphael_xx

SpekySquarehead wrote: »

Count up to 15.
- What about my football? I play 2-3 times per week, costing a few £ each time. Does that count as a Spend day?

I have a saxophone lesson once a week, and I go to boxing on a Wed, I count these as 'Bills' as they are regular spends.
To me a 'Spend' is something you could have done without but bought it anyway. I don't count groceries as I budget those, unless I buy a treat like a bottle of wine etc.
Essentially you make up your own rules If your football is essential spending, like my music lesson, I wouldn't count it as a spend