We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
NST April 2019 - Spring Forward
Options
Comments
-
Simplicity - think about the simple pleasures in your life which you really appreciate, friendship, family, cake. Focus on those this month as much as you can (maybe not too much cake though). hmm I am greatful for my lovely friends who have supported me over the last two years.
Persevere - I know that trying to reach your goal can sometimes seem never ending but try to remember that each time you waste money/time it can take you further away from what you really want for the long term. Paid a small amount into savings.
Reduce - I wouldn't be me if I wasn't asking you to reduce. Think about what you really need and what will be left at the end, is there a better way to consume. Trying to eat what I have already.
Invest - in yourself, your family, your home - the things that really matter to you. I attend therapy once a week which is well worth the £40 a week I spend. I need to look out for some solid plastic plates.
New - new month, new beginning. Don't look back at past mistakes and failures, there is nothing that can be done about them, learn from them and move on. Trying to make money last and not stress about it.
Grab - take life by the horns. Do something which takes you outside of your comfort zone at least once this month.hmmm I am not sure about this one :rotfl:
Budget resets today yay! I am pretty current now.No Spend November 2/15 and SPC 1340 -
Morning turtles!
Another NSD yesterday and today will be 3/15
Realised half way through making my mac 'n' cheese last night that my cheese was blue - and not deliberately. A blend of CBA and not wanting to ruin my NSD meant I opted against nipping to the SM to buy a block. Edible without.
No plans to spend today either so I hope to rack up some NSD's before I head back to Glasgow for the weekend.0 -
Morning all.
Yesterday was a spend day, DS announced that his football trainers for PE were too tight, I managed to get him a BNIB pair on ebay which should be here on Saturday, much cheaper than going to a sports shop and they were from a private seller so technically pre-owned which fits with my not buying new philosophy.
Decluttering continued yesterday. I brought a cot duvet and 3 cot/pram blankets out of the loft, I will freshen them up on a quick wash and then donate them. I also got rid of a suit jacket as I don't have the matching bottoms and it doesn't go with anything else I have, a jumper, a very lovely vintage M&S blouse which I will just never wear and a flannel shirt, it is a mans shirt and is too tight across the chest when fastened.
I also took the bulk of my winter jumpers into the loft, I have donated lots but I have a thing for jumpers and am storing these until next winter and then I will have another go at getting rid. I have kept out some warm items to wear now and on colder days through to autumnn though. I would really love to have a capsule wardrobe but find it too difficult as I seem to need so many different types of outfits available - I need day to day jeans and a top type of thing, work appropriate outfits, full day out hillwalking type of thing, dressing up a bit more at the weekend, running and cycling kit.
Grocery shop is coming this morning. Need to get black bean soup on the go, walk the dog, do some research on work we need to do in the loft, put a wash on, go for a bike ride and do the school run.Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler
Fashion on the Ration 28/660 -
I am still on NSD 0
Unavoidable things, like DS1s school shoes disintegrating, £1 parking to get to the only post office in town that does passport forms (all the other post offices are for posting, not for forms). I did find out that someone in the very close vicinity is a major seller of snuff. Who even knew people bought mail order snuff? bet they paid in postal orders (in shillings). You learn stuff on a trip to the post office.
Crazy day with kids, picking up in 4 different locations at 4 different times and a parents info meeting tonight as well, so will swing past Mr T's at ys time and be home for 8pm.
Cold today, it snowed for 12 seconds in town. I have turned off the heating in the morning, and at kids coming home time, but it still comes on from 5-8pm. That will stop at the end of April as well. Then, if it is cold I will hit the 1 hour heating button, and if it is not, then I will be saving money. No point heating an empty house.
Hoping tomorrow will be NSD1 .....4/10/22One Year Mortgage Free Yay!
NSTurtle # 55 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢🐢🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 No Turtle gets left behind.[/b]
******PROUD MEMBER OF THE TOFU EATING COALITION OF CHAOS !!!******0 -
Hi all, Just checking in -
Simplicity- me & the children saw a rainbow on the way home, and I have swapped books with my friend, I am looking forward to starting it!
Persevere- I made a list last night of things I will need to pay for at the back end of the year, MOT, Car insurance, sons Bday, Xmas so I can start putting money to one side & keep on track with our aim to buy a house in January!
Reduce- I am trying to get rid of things in time for moving, I appreciate it is 8 months away but we have a lot of stuff, random bit of food in the freezer, so I am starting now and doing it bit by bit.
Invest- I have fallen off the health wagon but back on it tomorrow!
Grab- I am still thinking.
Budgets - I only have £100 left, because hub ended up being paid in vouchers for a job he did and I was expecting it in cash. oh well. 13k in savings and car almost done, this is not forever.
I am on NSD #3. hurrah!! :T0 -
indigowarrior wrote: »
Grab - take life by the horns. Do something which takes you outside of your comfort zone at least once this month.hmmm I am not sure about this one :rotfl:
Budget resets today yay! I am pretty current now.Morning all.
a very lovely vintage M&S blouse which I will just never wear and a flannel shirt, it is a mans shirt and is too tight across the chest when fastened.
Big hugs and a warm welcome back indigo, I was also thinking about you (and bob).
I've been reading through my CBT stuff from last year. I've been reading through everything. pulling out any stuff that will help me fill in mum's Attendance Allowance forms.
One of the things I had put down for my weekly goals was to 'do slightly scary things'. I have no desire whatsoever to jump out of an aeroplane (part of the reason for the CBT was to gear myself up to go to my son's wedding in Italy and I had never flown) - I don't do well on fairground rides and still remember the sick feeling I got on the big slide at the park, before I was old enough to go to school.
However I did try to think of slightly scary things to do - I know I did a lot of starting conversations with people at bus stops and on the bus. I also practised smiling all the time, because I get anxious meeting new people and I know people think I am frowning when I am trying to hear what people say when there is a lot of background noise (also been accused of scowling and sulking or just being really unfriendly).
Or try a few 'daft' things to do - like jumping in puddles (you can check that no-one is watching first). Even something like walking somewhere you go often by a different route - outside your comfort zone but just dipping a toe in the water thing, to keep your mental health in balance.
dolly your post reminds me of a quote I read the other day 'It's nearly that time off the year when all the other girls look cute in their flannels and I just look like I've left my axe somewhere.'
There are lots of clothes that I just cannot wear. Other people look good in denim shirts with grandad collars - I put one on, instant Victorian prison wardress.
I read about capsule wardrobes and wondered how these people live, do they go from their central heated homes in their cars to their jobs where the temperature is always the same, they never need extra layers or a warmer dress, linen for summer, thick jersey for winter - at odd times I've needed 5 layers in the house.
However when they talk about their 30 item wardrobe (I remember when people would talk about their whole wardrobe fitting on 10 coathangers) they might have a core wardrobe with summer and winter wardrobes, they don't include underwear, sports wear, outer wear, some don't include t-shirts - I decided if I took away everything they don't count, I wouldn't have any clothes at all.
I have finally updated my signature but left all the categories the same (reduced dramatically 2 months ago) except a possible overnight stay next week - go to the hospital 8+ miles away on Thursday afternoon (think it's 2 buses but will check later in the week) to be fitted with sleep monitoring equipment which they want returning to their department before 10 am on the Friday morning. Which is basically getting the Manchester bus in the morning rush hour, then getting off somewhere (probably Salford which is actually just short of the 12 miles to Manchester) and then getting another bus sideways (probably in the media city rush hour) to Eccles. There are trams but they don't connect to us (trains neither). Think it might be simpler to sleep near the hospital if I can find somewhere reasonable - I won't be able to have a shower and probably won't be having breakfast there.
So I'm currently tidying up the Attendance Allowance forms (supplementary sheets). They will be clearer but may not be any shorter. Then need to photocopy everything (hoping the library has got their's fixed) and sending off.
Have to book a taxi to take me to collect mum tomorrow and then go to a funeral and another couple of (much simpler) letters to do. I have eaten 2 baked potatoes and a curry (DS3 ate mine so I've taken his) and taken bacon, scones, wraps and white buns (for the bacon) out to defrost. May need to pick up some shopping somewhere and do home delivery orders when I can.
DS1 just phoned to make sure I knew about his new job. Given me a couple of things to do plus discuss getting together for a meal with mum, DS2, DS3 and Beloved. Asked if I knew his dad was back in hospital (DS2 told me) He was in then out then back - 3 minor ops in a row and might have to take his foot next. He is also going to raise the possibility of his father moving nearer, away from his horde of little old lady carers who couldn't even pick him up off the floor.
He thinks ex will refuse (DS1 cited stubborn streak throughout all branches of the family) even though no-one could get to him in under 4 hours. DS1 is not going so far as to have him under his roof, laughably suggested him moving to near one of his brother's (one would be absolutely thrilled NOT and the other is racist and homophobic so none of us speaks to him ).
I have suggested he might be better here (absolutely Not No Never in my house) but DS2 and i could be around if needed. DS2 actually has 3 bedrooms (DS1 has 4) but it's an upstairs flat. DS3 is still not speaking to his dad. But the rental house next door to me or anywhere near the town centre would be good - access to good hospitals for all his needs and a fast bus that takes you all the way to MRI.
Lots to think about but first, the paperwork. Today I am grateful for all my sons, even if it's difficult to get them all in one place, that everyone talks to me if not to each other, for being the capable reliable one even if I occasionally wish I could stop and have someone look after me for a change.My mission in life is not only to survive,but to thrive and to do so with some Passion, some Compassion, some Humour and some Style.NST SEP No 1 No Debt No mortgage0 -
Another spend day as I really fancied chocolate at work, so I went to the shop and consumed far too much this afternoon. Diet out the window today. I will pop to the shops later on tonight, after dinner, to get some milk, bread and sandwich things. I'm hoping that will mean I can avoid food shopping this weekend (I must to a list, to avoid missing anything!) and will ensure I have a NSD tomorrow (and hopefully all weekend too).
Simplicity - I had a decent day at work today, it felt productive, and simple things like that make me realise it's not so bad.
Reduce - getting through bits in the freezer, portion of lasagne for lunch and pork fillet which we're having for dinner tonight.
Invest - I've put some 'spare change' into savings accounts by rounding down my bank balance. 60p isn't much, but it all adds up, in the end.
I'm grateful to the OH for making dinner tonight, I feel like I have been doing everything lately, so it's nice not to have to worry about that.February Grocery Budget: £190.75/£350.00
NST no. NSD 4/150 -
One more school get up!!!
I feel as tired as I have done all week but I've almost made itThen I can rest and relax and get back on track with moneysaving and sorting my life out. Not a nsd today as I bought some chocolates for my form class for tomorrow.
I am on budget though for the rest of the month as long as I am careful and don't go mad during my time off.
Mothernerd, have you explained to the hospital how difficult it is for you to get to the hospital pre 9am? I'm sure that there must be some other way round it that's more straightforward.Not giving up
Working hard to pay off my debt
Time to take back control
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6290156/crazy-cat-lady-chapter-5-trying-to-recover-from-the-pandemic/p1?new=10 -
NSD 3 (almost unheard of for me! :rotfl:)
Simplicity - swimming lesson with DS3 tonight. Early night for all 3 of us, I think - looking forward to the school hols.
Perseverance - paid the rental money off BTL mtge today :T Counted calories - overtiredness and strange start time at work means it could have been better, but I did pull it back a bit this evening
Reduce - ate leftover school cookery stuff for dinner tonight. Started a new CS bag with a 'proper' pyr3x measuring jug which is to unwieldy for me (have a lightweight plastic one that size which is better for my wrist/ grip)
Invest - counted calories. Currently on 9.4K steps, so should hit 10k by bedtimeToo tired to do anything 'house-y' tonight after work, so will look to have a quick runaround tomorrow ready for the weekend
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soulRepaid mtge early (orig 11/25) 01/09 £124616 01/11 £89873 01/13 £52546 01/15 £12133 07/15 £NILNet sales 2024: £200 -
Now my stocktaking is finished (just the joys of tax returns to look forward to now) I thought I ought to do a proper post, so here goes
Simplicity - think about the simple pleasures in your life which you really appreciate, friendship, family, cake. Focus on those this month as much as you can (maybe not too much cake though).
My favourite simple pleasure is gardening... I didn't do any today as the weather is atrocious and I had to babysit this afternoon when it cleared up a bit. But I have made a cake
Persevere - I know that trying to reach your goal can sometimes seem never ending but try to remember that each time you waste money/time it can take you further away from what you really want for the long term.
I don't have any debt these days, but need to shift some weight, so that is my goal, I guess. Not doing too well today (see above re cake)
Reduce - I wouldn't be me if I wasn't asking you to reduce. Think about what you really need and what will be left at the end, is there a better way to consume.
I am pretty good on food waste, and tend to do a round up of fridge odds and ends every week and incorporate them into a soup, mince dish, casserole or frittata, or alternatively if I don't see myself using them in the immediate term, I chop and freeze for later. Which reminds me, I have a bag of gifted parsnips to deal with! I am trying to reduce other forms of waste also.
Invest - in yourself, your family, your home - the things that really matter to you. Will have to think on this one!
New - new month, new beginning. Don't look back at past mistakes and failures, there is nothing that can be done about them, learn from them and move on. I depend on my lists, but don't beat myself up if not everything on the day's list gets done - there is always another day. It helps that I am retired and my children are grown (though I often have grandchildren to look after, and I do run a small business). The downside is that I don't have the energy and strength that I used to have when younger.
Grab - take life by the horns. Do something which takes you outside of your comfort zone at least once this month. Have to give this some thought...Have a project in mind that will be challenging. When I was working full time I spent most of my time outside my comfort zone, so I am happy to stay in it most of the time now tbh
NSDs: 3/15
Pay to your debt/savings first and move forward from there.
No debt now, and I still manage to save a bit, even on a vastly reduced income. It goes out of my current account by direct debit at the start of every month, along with the bills
Have a budget and stick to it. Not too bad at this, lowish income, so has to be done.
NO spending in coffee shops, work canteens, vending machines. If you do it needs to be planned in advance and budgeted for. Very rarely do this to be honest. Nothing planned for this month.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 351K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 244K Work, Benefits & Business
- 599K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.4K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards