NST December 2018 – Exterminate the debt!

apple_muncher

Kerry Woman - what is your course? You get up to so many interesting things!

bizzie

mothernerd would a heated clothes rack work for you?
I have had one for years, as like you, aware of the environmental impact of a tumble dryer wanted an alternative.
I use for everything from towels, bedding, jeans, down to socks.
It's not as quick as using a dryer but it's useful for taking the chill off a room and a place for the cats to go ( I now deliberately layer the bottom rail and cover the clothes to protect them - the cats that is - as they would not stop climbing onto it.)

greent

((hugs)) ccl - that does not sound at all nice


Stop the wheel - I want to get off! This month has just too much going on! - combination of Xmas, work for 8 days (not full days), Xmas productions/ activities/ services/ dressing up/ evening carol services etc at 2 x schools + cubs, DD's 21st, 2 students coming back from uni, OH working away a little bit more (his contract finishes next week so he is getting ready to hand it all over), lots of (extended) family squabbles/ wedding plans/ break ups/ illnesses (trying not to get involved), Xmas prep (shopping/ wrapping/ food), DS2's bday 1st week in Jan, GPs appt, blood and dentist appts for students, breaking appliances (wm & dw - dw will hopefully be ret'd repaired next week - unsure of cost as yet...), broken heating in the BTL (and the letting agent being fairly useless - grr)….. the usual sort of stuff that we're all generally dealing with - I'm just tired! (I was asleep by 10.20, som it's not as though I'm having late nights!)

Anyway, lunch out with bestie today (6.49, so not a fortune) so no NSD (and haven't seen her in a few months - just too much going on with either us and/ or them!)


Grateful for - finishing off DS1's present today. Seeing bestie.

crazy_cat_lady

Hello :hello:
I did manage a much better sleep last night, but the issues rumble on and on with ex. I'm currently waiting for a visit from the police officers dealing with my case so that we can discuss next steps. He has been back to the house twice more whilst I've been at work and my neighbours have moved him on. I admit to being quite unnerved by the whole thing - I've never known him to behave like this - ever.
Anyway, other than that, full and busy day at work, chalked up another nsd and am desperately trying to think of ways to relax...
Sorry for being a bit selfish at the moment - my brain is stuck in my own worries.

x_raphael_xx

[FONT=&quot]Evening all.[/FONT]
Work then straight to boxing today, looking forward to day off tomorrow.

[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, had to resort to asking step-mum. Donating to my friend[/FONT][FONT=&quot] on friday.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ount up to [STRIKE]15. Fifteen[/STRIKE] 20 No Spend Days. 7/20 - Nothing bought today.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]T[/FONT][FONT=&quot]reat yourself well. Munched a couple of pieces of shortbread gifted to the office from a customer.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]O[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ne thousand days. Still thinking![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]efrain from browsing your phone Failed today. Seems I've swapped one app for another [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]W[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hat kind of month do you want for yourself? Going to wrap my remaining presents tomorrow, then I can rest.[/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]No cleaning today again, straight to boxing from work, I will catch up tomorrow.[/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. I was the only one to turn up for boxing, so I essentially had a private PT session for the usual £6 Worked very hard. Working out is very calming on the mind.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]N[/FONT][FONT=&quot]o entry to any sales. Shops avoided.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]I[/FONT][FONT=&quot] am and always will be the optimist.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot] When I saw people bailing out from boxing I was tempted to also call it off. But I knew I'd get an intense one-to-one.[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]andles & no tech. Advent candle lit, xmas smelly candle lit. Usual bedtime read planned.[/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] Managed to find the Tiger episode of Dynasties on the net. Tigers are my favourite animals, so beautiful.[/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. Boxing [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]W[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hat’s the point of being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes. Lots of friendly silly banter in work 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' is still away.[/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, so I will have to do a bit on tomorrow before my friday lesson. At least some xmas songs to get back in the grove.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]R[/FONT][FONT=&quot]emember that you are blessed. Grateful for cups of tea and warm showers.[/FONT]

Karmacat

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

Sorry for being a bit selfish at the moment - my brain is stuck in my own worries.

Of course you're stuck in your own worries - that's not selfish, it's realistic. Glad to hear the neighbours are helping you, as well as the police. Your safety matters more than anything, truly.

apple_muncher

Ccl - glad to hear that you have such good neighbours who not only deal with him, but also keep you -and therefore the police too - informed. Thank you for taking the time to come on here and tell us how you/things are.

misstara

[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. £3.52 paid 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 .

[FONT=&quot]C[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ount up to 15. Fifteen No Spend Days.[/FONT] Currently on 7/15. Got a few groceries plus pretty much all the rest of my Christmas shopping today.

[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 OH putting up the tree and watching films.

[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. Put up tree and wrapped gifts until I ran out of wrapping paper.

[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. Christmas tree looking pretty, lots of walking, sausage sarnies for tea and spending time with OH .

[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. Gingerbread one burning again tonight.

[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 6/16 . 15,000 steps achieved :T. Lots of walking about town today.

[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 day off today.

[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 12 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. Set up the direct debit today to start next month.

1000 days - money related, debt free date is Aug 2021 so just before the 1000 days. By this point though I'd also like to have £1000 saved in a car fund and £1000 in an emergency fund. Would also like to create a list of new things to do/places to visit/etc. I feel like sometimes I do very little outside work and it would be good to do something different. 1000 things might be a bit ambitious :rotfl: but 100 in 1000 days seems achievable.

Saving_Glut

Avoid Vending Machine at work. 8/31. Self-sabotaged with this. Must make sure I go back to not bringing cash into work!

Exterminate DailyMale for 10 Days: 12/10. At least I smashed this one! I hope not reading this newspaper, this is a new found habit!

1000 Days from Now: I need time to think about my financial goals in time, but I did take the leap this week and booked an item on my bucket list.:j

Extra Income for December: £37.

4 Gratitudes: Long chat with oldest friend. Attended lovely friend’s birthday party last night. Getting my contract extension confirmed today. Handmade “Thank you” card from nephew.

pinkypig

Evening Turtles :wave:

CCL - I hope you've had a better day. It's a terrible thing to go through and it feels never ending but it does eventually and it's so worth all the angst when you regain control and are able to set yourself on the path that's right for you and the children. Hang on in there :A

Today has been a nsd :j. 8/15

Self help included a quiet 20mins reading before work, a short run as time was limited but did the job, drank enough water and I'm now in bed with a hot chocolate - lovely:)

Still dodging the drainers!

Only small, healthy snacks

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

Posted eBay parcels

Today I'm grateful for supportive colleagues helping to resolve a potentially tricky situation, my DD seeking my advice and using it to turn a negative into a positive, my warm, cosy home (it's blowing a hooley outside), a relaxed and content dad after a short but volatile episode.

Happy hump day to you all:)

PP xx