NST February frugality and frolics

apple_muncher

dolly84 wrote: »

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Re the Brexit food thing, I'm sure that companies will just be using the whole thing as an excuse to put prices up, cut jobs and any other thing they would find hard to justify otherwise.

I so agree with you on this!



And W1lko have plastic greenhouses in for not too much - think it was about £16.



And mothernerd - I shall be up your way in June. I know that's aaages away, but if you want someone 'anonymous' to come and help clear some stuff, hoover, clean, then just say. Now, I realise that having a total stranger in teh house is just weird, but you don't always follow 'protocol' then, do you?!?!

Toni'sfriend

And mothernerd - I shall be up your way in June. I know that's aaages away, but if you want someone 'anonymous' to come and help clear some stuff, hoover, clean, then just say. Now, I realise that having a total stranger in teh house is just weird, but you don't always follow 'protocol' then, do you?!?!

Now that's a really kind offer. You know, Mothernerd, I was once in a similar position. My son's girlfriend (now ex) lived with us for about two years. Room was a tip, I did all the cooking and cleaning and paid for everything as well. I was much fitter than you but I was working full time in a very demanding job. With the benefit of hindsight I realise that this really wasn't on. They should be keeping their own and the communal space clean and tidy and helping you out a bit as well. Sorry, that's me poking my nose in.

So today we walked to the Health Centre and made an appointment for Himself to see the GP. A mere four weeks waiting as it's not urgent (how do you know if it's urgent until you see a doctor?). Not a NSD as we bought some things (toilet rolls etc). Probably not for the next couple of days either as I'm intending to go to Lidl and stock up on washing liquid whilst it's on special offer.

My little porch is looking sadly neglected since I've been away so I bought a few plants from Aldi to cheer it up. Frog for next week - Do it properly and tidy the communal space. Not really a need but it makes me feel good to see flowers and plants growing.

All meals from stores again. Doing not too badly but will soon have to attack the mountain of Indian snacks that Himself bought. Oh wee. off to watch a Missommer Murder.

Kerry_Woman

NSD today - 16/20.
Went for a walk in the morning, was misty but soon lifted.
Just got home in time for my first order to be delivered. My other 2 orders were delivered about an hour later.
Dealt with a couple of frogs.
Chilled out most of day.

mothernerd

Went out to do mum's shopping - decided I could get as far as H0me B@rg@ins using the walker and they were a good bet for getting the toiletries and wash tablets she wanted. Then looked to see if they had jam and marmalade and a loaf completed it.

Toddled back home, ate then went out again to meet mum at cinema club. Took her and her shopping round to the taxi office and came home. At lunch time I had sent a message to a rubbish removal guy with a list of what I had (can't do photos) and asking for a quote. Quote is the top end of what I expected but probably same/ less than a skip and a lot less work for me. I agreed and he's coming tomorrow - no time given yet.

Spent over an hour moving stuff out into the back. DS3 asked when 'all this was discussed' but beloved backed me up and said it was about a month ago, in the front room and he was present. He got all the bed pieces out (from under and behind my bed). I kept suggesting thing Beloved could bring to the back door (she was barefoot) that I then took down the yard (used the trolley for the last few bits).

All sat down to re-hydrate then tackled the mattress, small round table and the sideboard (DS3 took it out the front and round to the back on the dolly - easier than trying to wiggle it through the kitchen). So over a dozen things leave permanently tomorrow from the wire top half of an old pet cage to the mattress and sideboard.

The house doesn't yet look significantly tidier (and DS3 is still muttering about disruption to his workplace) as so many items have been moved to one side to get at things that were going and all the bits that had fallen behind items of furniture or were in inaccessible corners need to be dealt with (several bags of rubbish and recycling were disposed of).

Half of the yard is clear (needs weeding but you can see the surface) and over the next few days things should settle a bit - not making firm plans as I suspect moving about may present some challenges tomorrow.

Beloved did make a couple of suggestions. My (proper farmhouse) chair might be able to go at the table in the kitchen (DS3 dragged it into the front room to use as extra workspace). She made DS3 move the small couch across into the space formerly occupied by the small table so that it forms an L shape with the other sofa and leaves a lot move walking space on the other side. She said that one of the games consoles could go as it no longer worked (tech wires and electronics disposal is on my agenda) and she reminded DS3 that I had bought him a lap desk for Christmas (it's a bigger version of my bed table with a sloping surface).

So peace and harmony reign for the moment. Thanks for all your thoughts and your restraint in not saying too much. I did say I wanted to give them a rubbish lesson (which DS3 misinterpreted in multiple ways). I have also instigated a rule that for every thing they bring into the house, two must leave. Beloved said that DS3 had brought her into the house so I said it wasn't retrospective.

I know that this month is about survival and this could perhaps be seen as non- essential but at the moment being able to get around my house safely is a top priority. Some of the broken items had been hanging about in the yard for ages (too big for the bin - small bits have been fed in whenever there was space and things like pet cages aren't covered by the Council's bulky waste disposal policy). So it's a survival strategy of a different kind.

Could kill for a bath (can stand for longer when showering now) but am making do with chocolate because I really feel that I deserve it (goal we set is no more than twice a week). Even my aches have aches but feel that it is progress and a positive result. Also returned a broken trolley and ripped up several cardboard boxes for the recycling.

Hoping that it gives me a boost and some forward momentum.

Today I am grateful for one stop shopping, co-operation from those two and getting things done.

Think I've worn them out, house has been silent for the past hour - they are both fast asleep.

XSpender

Food Expenditure - £300 £333.59 sticking with downshifting to Aldeee

Excursions – DH got stuck at work sorting out a problem so we didn't go for a pizza. Out with parentals for a meal at weekend so will have to cover our drinks

Budgets –YNAB updated and all OK

Reduced food budget by £150 If we can stay under £342 we will have knocked £100 off the last 3 months average

Useful leftovers. COMPLETE 15 FROGS Completed 20 :j:j including the pension one that has been on the list since last year

Aim to take your lunch to work every day – DH bought 4 times so far this month

Remind yourself of what you have and be grateful I am grateful for 1) Time with DS 2) Drying washing on the line 3) call centres (bet that doesn't appear on many gratitude lists 4)it being the weekend:) - seeing my Mum and watching Rugby (not together)

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 spent on food shop today

Use it up Freezer list still needs doing

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

Outdoors. Regular exercise is important – Been out with the dog again this afternoon and messing about with DS

Indoors - Nurture and protect yourself. Lit the candle, falling asleep in front of Masterchef

Vending machines etc. – Lost count but not many

Advance planning The big frog today was to update my pension providers with my new address and request a statement from one so I can keep an eye on the balances

apple_muncher

Well done mothernerd on getting so much sorted. (And my offer for June still stands, if needed...)


Today I am grateful for a day of sunshine that burned off the morning mistiness, for a good long - and tiring - swim with dd, for getting some f+v off the market stall, for buying nowt in the ch shop, for watching some of Star Wars VIII, for the washing machine, for not running out of food for dd, for dh planning to do a 'dd food shop' tomorrow.

PurpleFairy26

#28 checking in.

Am grateful for sunshine, pegging out and it being Friday :j

Another NSD, I've lost count but all good there. 3 frogs done too

A small shopping list for tomorrow as we have friends round, cheaper than going out. Based on stuff I have in.

Lunch taken to work and more to be portioned up for next week :j can't believe it's just a week left of Feb. Just a short hop to spring

Lovelifeloveliving

Hi all

Mothernerd You had a very productive day. :T

F Food Expenditure. Decide on your food expenditure for the month - do not exceed it.
£200 per month. £155.39/£200

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.
Leftovers for dinner this evening.

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.
8/12. Working from home today so no purchase regarding lunch. :)

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 working from home, line dried clothes, catching up with an old friend this evening and delicious protein balls.

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.
13/18.

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.
Spin class at the gym. I love spin however I think I may need to invest in some padded shorts. :eek:

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.
Freezer inventory completed. City break plans finalised. :j:j


Good night. Xx

mothernerd

Embracing chaos might be the journey we take to finding peace.

Weekend is always a good idea.

I teally need a day between Saturday and Sunday.

Don't try to overhaul your life overnight. Instead focus on making one tiny change at a time. Over time, those small changes will add up to big transformation. Don't give up.

mothernerd

DS3 claims he didn't know I had a sprained ankle.