NST December 2018 – Exterminate the debt!

crazy_cat_lady

Hi everyone :hello:
Another nsd chalked up, and today I'm just going to be grateful that I survived after another almost sleepless night last night.
Woken at 1.30am by a noise, which turned out to be my drunk ex husband throwing rocks and bricks at the house. Needless to say I didn't get back to sleep after that.
So today I am grateful for:
the police, who arrived within 10 minutes of me calling
my kids, who are resilient enough to talk to me or other adults at school
my work colleagues and friends for being supportive
the lady who runs the cafe at work who made me a bacon and egg sandwich for free because she thought I 'needed it'.

Kerry_Woman

clc - Sending you hugs.
Was a spend day. Top up food shop, tv mag and postage.
Walked to and from flat/shops.
Self care done.
Not on the computer a lot, did not play computer games and did not use mobile a lot.
Grateful for:
Managing to write all my Christmas cards.
Posting all Christmas cards.
Having enough Christmas cards.
Nice people in shops/newsagent/post office.
Feeling better than I did yesterday.

greent

Was a spend day - DD's 21st birthday, so there was a trip to Wales (bridge toll) with lunch out (and car parking). Used tcb payout in vouchers (M111er and Cart3r) to lessen the damage!

Grateful for my mum doing both the the afternoon school runs for me, as we were back alter than expected - and washing up for me and sorting the pets! And for having such a lovely DD

Have made 7 jars of strawb & prosecco jam since I got back. OH has gone off towards SE for his works Xmas do (he'll be late and will have to be on soft drinks as he's missed the works busses) Tomorrow morning = work and then Xmas shopping with bestie to hopefully finish it off (only have vouchers, a dvd and a face cream to get - oh - and hopefully get ideas for her!) Very quick shopping trip[ as should be back home from work just about 11 - but have to collect DS3 at 3.15 - can't get my mum on the case again!

Going to get smalls to bed now, sort the wet washing, do some ironing to H0lby and tehn have a shower before bed - have stacks to do in morning inc getting me and the smaller 2 ready by 7.30 (and dealing with guinea pigs) so am hoping to save a bit of time this way. Tomorrow will be too much of a rush otherwise

LavenderBee

Hugs CLC :grouphug: (if nothing else I hope that ridiculous smiley cheers you briefly!)

apple_muncher

Ccl - well done for calling the police and getting it all recorded x

pinkypig

Evening Turtles :wave:

Not a nsd as we needed cold meds despite stocking up as part of last month's challenge. DD had a horrid cold and now DS has. Went to £stretcher and got cold capsules for 69p and two lots of 3in1 throat lozenges 79p for 24 and the kids have said they're really good. Also got 4 cans of chickpeas while I was in there as they're only 29p and some ys milk for the freezer. Found a 2 pack of picture frames for £3.99 to finish off my last Christmas present. So nsd 7/15

Self care has been limited as had an early start so mad rush rather than quiet reading. Did go spinning though.

Avoided all drainers despite them been out in full force :rotfl: what a difference this makes to my wellbeing:)

Stuck to the meal plan and took breakfast, lunch and coffee to work.

Today I'm grateful for my bargain need I found on FB market place which I collected today, the availability of reasonably priced medicines, a continuing spell of good sleep and my dad having a better day.

Night night turtles:)

PP xx

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a clear and crisp day, for walking, for getting more items into the foodbank box, for dh meeting me at aldi, for shedding enough of my cold to be able to do a gentle workout, for dd stating that my hm choc-covered shortbread was as good as the schar version (and df to boot!), for an enjoyable and short evening out at some friends' housewarming bash, for 'christmas house' spotting as we drove there and back, for starting to work on some frogs and one elephant.

x_raphael_xx

[FONT=&quot]Evening all.[/FONT]
Posted some xmas parcels yesterday, no spends today. Popped round to see my granma for a cuppa and a catchup.

[STRIKE][FONT="]D[/FONT][FONT="]ebt-free date.[/FONT][/STRIKE][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]rganise your outgoings. Still need ideas for dad. And to donate to my friend[/FONT][FONT=&quot].
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ount up to [STRIKE]15. Fifteen[/STRIKE] 20 No Spend Days. 6/20 - Nothing bought today.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]T[/FONT][FONT=&quot]reat yourself well. Played a nice hour of Red Dead Redemption. Got eaten by mountain lions & accidentally shot a horse dead. Good fun[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ne thousand days. Still thinking about this, I'm trying to think outside the box & pick something more interesting that lose weight or save £x.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]efrain from browsing your phone Successful today. Although I did hop onto reddit in the huge queue in the chemists.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]W[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hat kind of month do you want for yourself? Bf has found me my stuffed dates!! They weren't in Aldi after all! but in morries. So one xmas treat ticked off the list! [/FONT]
[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]Sadly no cleaning today, straight to granmas from work, then home just in time for dinner & gaming.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]utings. No outings planned.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]S[/FONT][FONT=&quot]low living this month. Only present left to get is for dad. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]mm. Take care of your mental health. Nice catch up with granma, and easyish day in work as my new prodige was doing alot of my usual tasks. Shes being trained up in the event of me being off sick or on leave, as I'm currently the only one who knows what I do![/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]N[/FONT][FONT=&quot]o entry to any sales. Shops avoided. (Popped into the chemist for a prescription, which doesn't count. Left empty handed anyway as they were on 30 mins wait:eek:. Bf tasked with collecting tomorrow)[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]I[/FONT][FONT=&quot] am and always will be the optimist.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot] Good day today. [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]andles & no tech. Advent candle lit, xmas smelly candle lit. Read some outdoor swimming mags last night, back to War & Peace tonight.[/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=&quot][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hase down more awe and joy.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot] I love game glitches, just hitching my horse to my hut & was trampled by a rogue cow that had gotten lost & wondered into the homesteads. Made me giggle.[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ead fiction before bed. Still plodding thru War & Peace. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]E[/FONT][FONT=&quot]xercise. Just a stroll to granmas today. Yesterday I was at the gym, trainer demanded loads of press-ups, so I can't raise my arms much today :rotfl:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]W[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hat’s the point of being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes. New pokemon added to the Dex today [/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]D[/FONT][FONT=&quot]on’t give up. Here I am![/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]efuse to get sucked into guilt spending. Not gone overboard yet.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I[/FONT][FONT=&quot]dentify activities and people who drain you. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]All good today. My 'drainer' has been on leave for her birthday, so I've had a peaceful few days. Will have another listen to my podcast before I have to see her next![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]V[/FONT][FONT=&quot]isit your local area. Stuck inside work today, this is more of a 'weekend' task for me sadly.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]E[/FONT][FONT=&quot]xterminate No time for Sax practice today, straight to boxing from work tomorrow, so I will have to do a bit on thursday before my friday lesson.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]emember that you are blessed. Stuffed dates, cups of tea, chats with loved ones [/FONT]

mothernerd

Hugs ccl.

I've had an exhausting but satisfying day. Found the alarm clock last night and set it for 7am. Woke, managed not to fall asleep again and wasround to the taxi office at 8am. 10 minute wait for a taxi, fine still had half an hour spare. Noticed two women taking children to school? Checked phone - it was 8.32am - forgot to check alarm clock against anything else.


Phoned mum but we had allowed extra time so no problem. Despite dire traffic warnings and having to circle 3 car parks to find a space (entertained the driver's young son as we saw lots of nee-naws (ambulance variety).


Lots of people in the hospital but only a short queue and we saw the lovely consultant quite quickly. Declined special medication (checked how many we had last week and we're fine till next time). It's only available at the hospital site but their pharmacy takes twice as long as the rest of the visit. Did ask consultant if that medication was likely to be affected by shortages if Brexit happens. He thought it wouldn't be a problem (meds with a short shelf life will be most affected).


Back to the car - left mum on a bench and picked her up once we had collected the car. gave the driver's son a jigsaw I bought for 99p from the cs. Large floor jigsaw of nee-naws (police variety) - police constables on foot, in a car, on a motorbike, on a horse, with a dog and best of all a helicopter (his other major obsession).


Next stop the cemetery. Drove round (allowed when it's quiet) and I hopped in and out of the car distributing 2- 5 tributes at first 4 graves and then tried to find one I found last time. I went on my own last time and failed to find my great-grandparents grave (only been to that one once before).



If for any reason, I can't get to one of the graves I'm visiting, I find someone who is in need of flowers. I found the memorial for one of our local pit disasters but because it was the centenary, it was covered in flowers. I was also searching for a family grave a couple of generations back which I have found once before. In the end I gave the leftover flowers to a young Canadian Airman who had been injured and then died.


Mum was obviously taken with this story and wanted me to find the same grave. Cue me wandering up and down in the older part of the cemetery whilst everyone else sat in the car. I found the pit disaster memorial, could see the wall at that end of the cemetery and the pile of broken gravestones part way along but not my airman. I did find another airman (2 brothers actually) and left it with them.


Another bit nearer home and the plan was to call at a local chippy with a good reputation. Driver suggested we get out and go inside as they've recently taken over a 3rd shop and turned it into a restaurant. Very good food and generous portions. Then back to mum's. Mum asked the driver to help me put turn the cupboard that needed fixing (I wanted it flat on it's back) so we did that.


Mum had a little nap in the afternoon (hospital appointments take it out of her). I took in her pill delivery, mended the cupboard (glue and longer screws from my toolbox), stood it up, put away all the stuff that was going back, covered mum's chair with one of the new throws, put two of the cushions into the pair of cushion covers delivered, took in the food delivery and put it away, delivered cards to a few of mum's neighbours, put the bin out and fed mum with some bits from the freezer defrost.


I have tomorrow and Thursday to sort out things at home (#1 get the mattress out of my kitchen #2 wash and dry clothes so I have some to take away at weekend) so next week is fuss free and relaxing.


Today I am grateful for the NHS, for unconventional 'families', for fun with small boys and scampering round graveyards, for being able to do diy stuff some of the time (brought my drill home but not sure I can hold it, let alone use it), for feeling more sorted and that some of the month's major tasks have been done.

misstara

Hugs ccl

[FONT=&quot]D[/FONT]ebt-free date / Mortgage-free date / Savings target date. What’s yours? Currently August 2021 but hope to bring this forward quite a bit. Nothing paid yesterday or today.

[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]rganise your outgoings. Budget for the month. For e v e r y t h i n g. Write it down. And stick to it. Plan your meals – avoid waste.[/FONT] YNAB updated with budget for the month. Meal plan completed for this week. Stuck to meal plan again . Out for tea tonight but planned.

[FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ount up to 15. Fifteen No Spend Days.[/FONT] Currently on 7/15. Spent money on stamps and registration fees yesterday. Money from the social budget spent today on food and drinks out with friends.

[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT]efrain from browsing your phone when nothing else is going on for the duration of the challenge. Be present in the moment. Be okay with “boredom.” Shall do my best. No aimless browsing today.

[FONT=&quot]W[/FONT]hat kind of month do you want for yourself? Take a moment and really ask. What activities do I want to enjoy? What seasonal foods do I want to take advantage of? What do I want to have the energy to take on? Where can I build more leisure into my week? How can I be outside as much as possible? I'd like to enjoy December and not feel exhausted by the time we get to the end of the year. Catch up with friends and family, spend time with OH Spent a lovely evening with friends.

[FONT=&quot]H[/FONT]ere’s a space to make up your own rule for the month. Please share it! Home - make the most of the time I spend at home instead of just slumping on the sofa. Hoovered flat yesterday, nothing today.

[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT]utings. Drop one. Decide which one, inform those who need to know and enjoy the time and money you have just given yourself. Decided to drop my work's Christmas do and feel very relieved for doing so .

[FONT=&quot]S[/FONT]low living this month. In a month of manicness, make a clear intention to keep your schedule and pace in check. Because, really, does anyone want a hectic December? This definitely fits in well with the kind of month I want.

[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT]mm. Take care of your mental health. Do something every day this month that makes you feel good: gym, reading, time with family, favourite tv programme, meditation, building a snowman. NOT spending, of course!! Write down 4 gratitudes each day. Yesterday - a good day at work catching up with a colleague I hadn't seen for ages, gf mince pies, a lie in, sunshine. Today - seeing friends, gin, cosy flat, hot water bottle .

[FONT=&quot]N[/FONT]o entry to any sales. Unless you have a planned budget and have been saving for a specific item PLEASE do not go to the Boxing Day Sales. Or any sales. Anywhere. It’s temptation you can’t handle to buy tat you really don’t need. STAY AT HOME! Likewise, no takeaways, canteen meals (unless free), coffee shop or corner shop visits. Ok.

[FONT=&quot]C[/FONT]andles - Switch to candles and firelight after dark (or the high-tech adjustable hue bulb equivalents). Love this rule and have a huge supply of candles to use up.

[FONT=&quot]C[/FONT]hase down more awe and joy. Go after it with a purpose. Go and enjoy the sparkly lights. Take a tour of your neighbourhood to look at other people’s outdoor decorations – and be smug about how you are not wasting your money like that. Go and seek Santa’s sleigh in the sky on Christmas Eve. Will do.

[FONT=&quot]E[/FONT]xercise. Get 10,000 steps a day (or set your own target). Move a little more. Embrace the outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. Aiming for 16 days exercise this month, currently on 5/16 . 10,000 steps achieved :T. Walked into town to see friends and home again. Not so great yesterday.

[FONT=&quot]“D[/FONT]on’t give up. Not ever. Not for one single day. Be safe if you can be. But always be amazing.” Pop on here every day and tell us what you’re up to. Not just the good stuff, but also the bad and the ugly too. Will do my best. I'm here

[FONT=&quot]I[/FONT]dentify activities and people who drain you. Give yourself permission to take a break from them for 21 days (or as many days as possible) if you can. Just maybe this is a gift you should’ve given yourself a long time ago…? Unfortunately I can't quit my job just to get a break from people who drain me :rotfl: but will continue to avoid as much as possible. A good 2 days.

[FONT=&quot]V[/FONT]isit your local area. Find new footpaths, see where a road or path takes you. Explore new horizons. Boldly go where no one has gone before. Oops, mixing my sci-fi….! Will do.

[FONT=&quot]E[/FONT]xterminate (see, we can learn from the DALEKS…) one bad habit from your life for the first 10 days. This is NOT about food. I shall be renouncing a particular game I play on my tablet that just sucks me in and takes hours of my time. And I have recently moved up a level, so it’s even harder to put down…! I shall not play a particular game on my tablet, not played for 11 days.

[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT]emember that you are blessed. Count your blessings daily. Be grateful for what you have. And remember those that have less – donate money, food, non-perishables, blankets to a charity that you want to support. Relish life, one day at a time. Had a conversation with my dad over the weekend about various charities and have one in mind that I want to look into donating to. Have looked into it but still need to actually donate.