NST February frugality and frolics

Toni'sfriend

Himself and I have had a quiet day chatting so NSD No 9,

We're kind of stuck in moving things forward housewise until that Boy moves some more of his "stuff". We need some room and there is no point decorating and carpeting the hall until that's done otherwise it's likely to get damaged moving desks, beds, etc. Hopefully we can move a bit at the weekend although he is mega busy at work just now. Anyway, it's given a chance to talk about what we want to do when we go Paris in April. Lots of lovely plans.

Really glad I made an inventory of the freezer. Using things up and beginning to see gaps appearing already, Long way to go but getting there. Saving so much money by using up though.

Today we received two notifications of dates for weddings that we are being invited to. Can you believe it? I haven't been to a wedding in years and we can't go to one because we are on holiday and the other is on New Year's Eve too far away for us to go to. Still, it's nice to know that people are thinking of you.

Finally persuaded Himself to walk up to the Health Centre tomorrow and make an appointment.

Toni'sfriend

Meant to say "Well done. Glenda"

XSpender

Back from a few days away with work and absolutely shattered/feel drained, good job DS and I had planned a lazy day.

DH has been paid a bonus and in other news we have a mice:eek:

Food Expenditure - £300 £293.46. Downshifting to Aldee has really helped this month and so has not taking DH shopping. I have run out of budget but this is £150 less than we usually spend.

Excursions – Breakfast out with DS this morning as I'm on holiday for the next couple of days. Potential happy hour pizza too with DS and DH this week.

Budgets –YNAB all up to date and green, money still in the pots that should have money in and have rolled with the punches where required

Reduced food budget by £150 I won't hit £150 reduction but should hit £100 reduction. Average of previous 3 months was £442.67 excluding Christmas food which has a separate budget

Useful leftovers. COMPLETE 15 FROGS Completed 14 and a half!!!!

Aim to take your lunch to work every day –

Remind yourself of what you have and be grateful I am grateful for 1) Flights landing on time 2) library books 3) Decaff Earl Grey tea

You should pay to your debt or savings first and live on what is left. 2 payments still to come out

Spend Free Days (SFDs). 7/18 I didn't spend a thing when away with the work for 3 days but DH spent on 2 days

Use it up I must make a new freezer list this weekend as even thought we have reduced our food budget this month there still is a lot in there

Regular check ins are recommended, daily if possible. – I'm back after a few days in NI

Outdoors. Regular exercise is important – Been out with the dog this afternoon

Indoors - Nurture and protect yourself. Not been at home

Vending machines etc. – 18/28??

Advance planning In March we have several social activities, a birthday, Mothers Day and other costs like dentist so I have made a list and budgeted accordingly. Also meal planned for caravan week away in April and made packing list and list of places to visit. The things you get done stuck in a hotel room!

crazy_cat_lady

Hello :hello:
You lot have been busy while I've been away, and it is SO good to be back on here and get caught up.
Nice to see you back Fmess - hang on in there. I class being on here as good for my mental health as it keeps me on the straight and narrow.
And congratulations to Glenda on getting rid of that CC - amazing feeling
Hope that you're doing ok mothernerd - I was talking to a lady in Mr S today who I imagined would be just like you for some reason. She was lovely, out doing the shopping for her mother, and was struggling a bit to get her shopping packed so I helped her out (I was behind her in the queue at the checkout) while she paid...
So. We are back from our first ever abroad holiday, and it has been absolutely amazing. Although I know the weather here has been nice, it's been quite warm in the Canaries but not so warm that I couldn't bear being outdoors. I have what I would call a 'healthy glow' apart from 2 dreadfully burnt patches where I clearly missed with my factor 50. Thankfully, Aloe Vera is a big thing in Fuerteventura as well so I have been using that to try and soothe the agony of sunburn. Also great was the fact that the kids loved being on the aeroplane apart from getting a bit bored during the flight. I am still pretty scared though if I'm being honest.
Spends were fairly minimal - bought a few bits and bobs but we were all inclusive so we made the very most of that. I had to buy extra sun cream and after sun, and an emergency cover up for me for the last couple of days otherwise I couldn't have been in the sun. We also had one big trip out to the zoo while we were there, and I managed to get a BOGOF on the tickets which saved me 35 Euros as well. I managed to bring 85 Euros home as well, which I'll take back to the travel agents for £ and pay straight towards the debt. Kids are very keen to go away again in the future - I've said they will need to help me save if they want to go overseas again.
We got back quite late last night, just enough time for me to get the first load of washing on and cuddle with the cats and get into bed.
This morning I've sat down and gone through the books - thank goodness it's only a week until payday, but at least I know where I am financially. Had to go to Mr S and shop as there was nothing fresh in the house, and I have been more desperate than you can imagine for a cup of tea :rotfl: Other than that I am catching up with here, tv, cuddling the cats and trying not to fall asleep (woke up at 4am and couldn't get back over).
I have completely lost track of nsd's - however I'm determined to push on for the last week of the month.

apple_muncher

XSpender - yay to the bonus! But ya boo and hiss to the mice!

Kerry_Woman

ccl- Glad you all had a nice holiday.
NSD today - 15/20.
Went for a walk in the park and had a nice chat with a lady who had twins with her.
Dealt with a few frogs, one was to look at the next few months spends - made a note of what I have planned already.
Chilled out for most of the day.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a grand day out: for dd being the star volunteer in a magic show on the Southbank, for lunch in the sunshine on the steps in Trafalgar Square, for actually going to Ham1ey's, for lovely weather for all the walking, for good tube/train journeys, for the girls having a wonderful day out together, for getting home and dd announcing 'going to London is nice, but nothing beats playing out with friends', for my railcard meaning that travel for all 3 of us was cheaper than if I'd gone on my own, for a quieter day to look forward to tomorrow.

mothernerd

Well we are either entering a second phase of the bug or we managed to acquire a new one as the old one was subsiding - the joys of two people with no/ compromised immune systems, catch every bug going and take ages to get rid of it. Definitely life in the low lane atm.

Went to mum's mid-afternoon (cleaner does Fridays when her grandchildren are on holiday but it's cinema tomorrow so mum said for me to do a half day today). Took a savoy cabbage, red cabbage, 2 leeks, a head of celery and some carrots. Chopped/ sawed them all up, mixed together and now have six salad bags (ate one bowlful) and a separate bag which is coleslaw. Treated myself to some prawns at the end of last month as I did not have any at Christmas - going to make prawn coleslaw. Much chunkier and peppy than shop bought version.

Have plans (investigated licensed rubbish removers and the cleaning firm the physio had found). Think i am basically a thorough spring clean (that covers all the little jobs like windows and sills, doors, light switches, inside and outside of all kitchen cupboards and kitchen appliances (not the oven but did that before Christmas).

Need to add extra for two very messy people but not quite an extreme clean - yes the small sofa has once again disappeared under a pile of clean clothes, bedding and various other bits but the toilet does not have disgusting stains (mainly because I squirt stuff down it when I can't manage anything else).

Have written a list of things that could be taken away now but not asked for quotes. They do say they do all the work but I am presuming they need everything in one place (eg back yard) rather than under beds and in corners. Decided to be ruthless and get rid of stuff I Don't Need. I have a small round side table which they are using to dump cans, plates and cups on.

It was someone else's cast off, I failed to give it away to charity two years ago because it has a glass insert top, I am not a fan of side/ coffee/ nests of tables and I don't want it in my house. So am now thinking about what I need and will get rid of the rest (despite their howls of complaint - 'twill be gone before they realise).

Seriously p*$$ed off with them both and lack of co-operation. Tried to say something 2 days ago and apparently the whole house is dangerous not because of the bags, rubbish and everything else they drop or leave on the floor but because I left some (unidentified) meat in the fridge which has attracted flies into the kitchen. This alleged crime happened some time between Christmas and New Year and I'm not the one who burned peppermint oil and got rid of all the spiders.

I love spiders and have co-existed with them for many years. I remember being seriously ill once, couldn't get out of bed or move away from my bucket. Mum came to help and I lay there thinking don't touch my dyson and listening to small boys cries of "No grandma, not the spiders, spiders are good" (never had a fly problem).

This morning I decided things have gone so far that I need to talk to them about starting to save money with a view to getting their own place (even if I'm not sure I can afford to live by myself). Then later Beloved showed me that she had cleared off a section of worktop (my bit but it had the wash tablets, a huge bottle of oil Beloved bought and assorted takeaway bags and containers on) and sprayed it and would clean it later - then they could set up the microwave.

Going to stop or I will get myself into a bad mood again. I can't go on as things are, I just want them to deal with their own mess (not just bag it unsorted and leave it in the kitchen) and do a little bit to help me.

Today I am grateful for having access to professional help (finding hourly rates isn't easy), for having a plan (hurt too much to start shifting stuff) and for a peaceful time at mum's.

Lovelifeloveliving

Hi all

Sashanut You made me giggle regarding the birding.... You never know :rotfl::rotfl:
Glenda Well done. Amazing :j:j
CCL Glad you and your little darlings had a lovely holiday.
Mothernerd Hugs. If I lived near you I'd roll my sleeves up and help you sort things.

F Food Expenditure. Decide on your food expenditure for the month - do not exceed it.
£200 per month. £155.39/£200 I done a big shop and bought a few extras for my stockpile. With the media coverage of Brexit, discussion about the backstop and a possible hard border I'm getting a little twitchy. I live in Northern Ireland.

E Excursions and entertainment should be planned before the month starts.
BF 50th birthday party 23/02/19
Concert - 2 night City break 24/02/19. Paid previously. Frugal efforts in February will provide spending money for the trip.

B Budgets should be set before the start of the month.
Spreadsheet updated with recent expenditure.

R Reduce your planned food expenditure in accordance with the table below. Will be tough, but will attempt it to keep as close to it as possible.
Reduced my food budget by £50 this month and will evulate at the end of February.

U Useful leftovers. If there is anything from last month or a previous challenge which you found useful, keep on doing it (tackling those frogs, ditching bad habits and replacing them with good ones). Small changes that last are preferable to dramatic ones that peter out.
No frogs dealt with today.

A Aim to take your lunch to work every day (unless you have a free
or heavily subsidised canteen. Similarly prepare for hospital appointments or days out by taking your own food and drink when possible.
7/12. Lunch brought to work today.

R Remind yourself of what you have and be grateful. This is a tough challenge but I am not asking anyone to live on a bowl of rice a day. You can choose to add your gratitudes on here or to record them privately.
I am grateful for an enjoyable day at work, the mild weather that makes driving a distance to work much more pleasurable, my yellow stickers and DD cuddles.

Y You should pay to your debt or savings first and live on what is left. Ideally pay it on the first of the month/ payday. I appreciate that some of you have money coming in at different times and may need to accommodate existing standing orders/ direct debits.
Credit card payment made.

S Spend Free Days (SFDs).
Aiming for 18 SFDs.
12/18.

R Regular check ins are recommended, daily if possible.
I'm here.

I Indoors/outdoors. Regular exercise is important. Will try and go out for a walk each day.
Indoors - I mentioned being a hermit. I would like you to see this as a positive step. Spring may be around the corner but winter often has a sting in its tail. Nurture and protect yourself. Huddle by the fire, go to bed early, read, have hot drinks and comforting home made soup. Recharge your batteries. Rest and conserve your energy. Guard your mental health. Write down 10 things that help improve your mood and practice them regularly.
HITT session at the gym.

V Vending machines, coffee shops, takeaways (everything from an Indian banquet to a pastie or a bag of chips) are forbidden (except for those who have them as part of a budgeted family evening).
None

A Advance planning.
Meal planning and making meals from scratch (no food waste) are your friends.
Still need to make a freezer inventory. I need to plan my city break, Sunday to Tuesday with my two BFs.


Good night. Xx

sashanut

Hi all :j


Congratulations Glenda! Well done, it's a great feeling to be finally free of the CC :j


Busy & spendy day today starting with dentist visit & DH going to bank, then back home feeling a bit the worse for wear. Got better later though - & no visits to dentist till July & then only for a checkup. Then DD wanted to go shopping (surprise!) and so visited 2 shops in the next village. Home & more garden cutting down, gah.

F Food Expenditure Aiming for £225 for the month, down from about £275.. already done a bit of spending so no NSDs as yet. Shopping already spent £139.56/225 . Made some purchases today/yesterday so need to add those on. Still to do. Several spendy days & tomorrow (dentist) and Friday (hair) will also be spendy...Dentist done & hairdresser to come tomorrow.

E Excursions and entertainment should be planned. ...B&B & ferry booked & paid for - did use TCB so that helped a bit. Trips to dentist & hairdressers don't count as excursions - right?


B Budgets None set as yet - other than food - & all DDs already out.

U Useful leftovers Will also carry on with frogs. Need to make a list for DH also, there are plenty of things he can be doing. Dealt with small frogs today, now have to make list of jobs to do before we go away..not done yet either.

A Aim to take your lunch
Don't work outside the home other than volunteer at a CS but will aim to take snacks/lunch/etc when we go out. Didn't eat whilst out but waited till we got home, sandwich then. Will do.

R Remind yourself Dental work & excellent dentist, fine day, DD being herself.

Y You should pay your debt or savings first Have no debt other than a cc paid off in full each month. However, savings needed for dental work & also for house renovations, so will take care of that. Paid back joint account for dental work again. Will make another payment after this post. Large payment due tomorrow for dental work though this 'should' be it now.

S Spend Free Days SFDs still10/18

U Use it up Keep using up what we have, have done some shopping already but should only need fresh F&V & bread, plus animals food/litter. Disappointed today as caved into pressure & had lunchtime meal from takeaway, determined to have healthy supper, made ramen bowl for first time from recipe & it was rank, what a waste of ingredients. DH to the rescue with toasted crumpets. Made HM burgers from YS turkey mince, plus ancient brioche buns well OOD. Also used up some YS SP fries, was voted v tasty - and cheap.

R Regular check ins Mostly here

V Cards only .. in the nut household. Well it should have been but a plant mysteriously appeared with the card!

I Indoors/outdoors My only regular exercise is gardening, which I try to do most days. Walked a lot when away need to have slightly better weather to do much around here. Outside for a short while with DH for him to make notes of what more to chop down in garden. DH determined to go out & get more stuff chopped down so dragged myself out to help. Luckily he didn't do too much today. Still fell asleep on sofa after supper.

Indoors - being a hermit. Some more of the complex knitting stuff done, just realised I made an error in the pattern (colour). Will just knit the other side to match (design feature). Did a bit of reading of recipe books, sat in new car trying to make sense of all the dials etc. Then did some knitting. Bit of TV, bit of a nap.

V Vending machines etc Rarely use but do have the occasional takeaway as part of family meal. Maybe once a month, but no plans so far. Had family meal out yesterday, no plans for a takeaway AFAIK. None planned .
A Advance planning This is a problem for me, I don't plan in advance but decide what to have on an almost daily basis. Some planning needs to happen tomorrow, hopefully with better results. Have an idea of what needs using up, DD though has left a load of stuff in fridge.

Garden prep has been ongoing but have to think ahead & prioritise some things. Hope I can get some seeds in before hols, but they won't get watered whilst we're away so have to remember that. Will soak some seeds & plant this weekend, weather should be fine. Allegedly

Go Turtles!!!