NST May 2019: May merriment

crazy_cat_lady

So May brings the beginning of the busiest time of the year for me... exam season. I have a busy month ahead in terms of work, events and travel. 2 May birthdays, 2 bank holidays, 1 trip to London (with work), court appearance and half term. So it'll be a busy one and I need to keep a tight watch on my finances as well because I think (need to double check) that I also need to pay for the holiday this month...
Therefore I will definitely be keeping a spend diary this month, and claiming every penny I'm owed in expenses while I'm away, and attempting to get the ex to pay the court costs as well. I'm cutting right back on grocery spends, which are getting a bit out of control again, and working on the reduce and reuse. I have acquired some books that my mam has read and I haven't, as well as 3 free kindle books so plenty of reading if I get the time.
Let's do this!

indigowarrior

Please count me in, sorry I peeked in last month and then completely forgot! Going to be doing the budget in a minute!

Make a budget Going to do the budget in a minute, May means two PIP payments. So need to shuffle money around a bit to make sure I don't run out in June.
Enjoy the month. Do things that make you happy. Going to see Matilda at the theatre, I am also planning to still write
Read. Reading a few books at the moment. Want to finish the handmaid tale very soon. I also want to read a couple of books about trauma that are free
Increase.
Reduce, reduce and reduce some more. No new games, expansion packs or credit apart from a monthy sub of £7.99
Increase, increase and increase even more I aiming to write every day as I am hoping to write a novel one day, I am planning on meal planning and verify budgets
Move it! Pretty much do this every day
No's! I go to a cafe with a friend once a week, I am going to suggest to her that instead, we stay at mine.
Think of others: Planning to donate an item a day to the food bank, from my cupboards.


16 NSD: Have writers group once a fortnight, it varies in cost depending on how many people attend. There is also car parking for an appointment on the 13th. I am aiming for 16.

Fmess

Please count me in

apple_muncher

You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so... get on your way!




Here's to a very merry May

SpekySquarehead

Apple Muncher, thats a wonderfully worded opening post to this thread, really well done. I'm enthused for the month of May now!! Sign me up.

I'm on holiday for a week of this month, which I've been saving my spending money for, and I'd like to go without watching for my NSD's. If I want an ice cream, I'll have an ice cream, kind of thing. But, the rest of the month will be strict, so I plan on aiming for 15 NSD's. A tall ask.

the.overspending.angel

This looks like a wonderful thread - may I join in please?

Make a budget - Everything is budgeted for until the 17th when I get paid again. I’m not really sure where all my money goes to be honest so I’ve set up a detailed spending spreadsheet to analyse at the end of the money and in future be able to make more realistic budgets.

Enjoy the month - I’m feeling a bit lost at the moment and have been for a while really. I feel like I don’t really know who I am or what I want and just go along with things because it’s what I think others want me to do. For example, I work nightshift and always think Mr A will think I’m lazy if I’ve spent all day in bed (this is not the case at all in fact quite the opposite, he’s forever tucking me in and sending me back to bed if he thinks I’ve not had enough sleep). I just can’t stop thinking he’ll think bad of me even though I know he won’t. I need to start concentrating more on me and what I want and need. Sleep being the priority this month.

Read - I’ve been reading the same book since Christmas. I’m enjoying it but I don’t make the time for it. This month I hope to finish this one and start another as well as joining the local library.

Reduce, reduce and reduce some more - Ahhh I need to reduce so many things! Food waste, trips to the shop, the amount of “stuff” I have, freezer and pantry contents, time spent on social media, fizzy juice, my weight, debt (hoping to pay off one this month)

Increase, increase and increase even more - I read a lovely quote recently “So, what if, instead of thinking about solving your whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow” I think this is so wonderful. I’m always thinking of things I need to stop doing and get rid of etc. Maybe I should start adding more positives and hopefully that’ll push the negatives out. This month I’d like to work on increasing time with Mr A that doesn’t involve sitting in front of the tv. Increase activities I do alone and get out and about by myself. Increase fruit & veg intake. Increase positive self-talk and stop being so negative all the time. Increase money made from EBay and matched betting.

Move it! - This month I am going to wear my fitbit everyday and walk at least 10,000 steps each day (I’m probably around 8,000 most days although some days I only do 4,000 so this is going to be a bit of a challenge)

Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day - Love this idea!! I have so many things to be grateful for if only I would stop and appreciate them.

No! - No! To sweets and chocolate this month. I won’t cut out completely but buy a few bits with the weekly shop and not buy any more.

Think of others - This month I will do something that benefits others at least once a day.

NSD’s - Aiming for 16 - I’ve never attempted a challenge like this but I’m kinda confident I can meet this.

Hope everyone has a marvellous May!

dolly84

My month runs from 26th to 25th so all my budgets and money shuffling was done at the weekend. I need to pay for my trip with DD later this month and for our passports but have the money for that already, also DD and myself are having haircuts but again we have the money.


Small spend yesterday by DH on hayfever tablets. Sold a large furniture item which was collected yesterday, not a lot of money but it has gone in my moneybox, also sold an item on ebay to post today and the money from that is going in my house renovation fund.

misstara

Make a budget and stick to it. I use YNAB for my budgeting so have updated it with May's budget.

Enjoy the month. Plans for this month are getting out in the garden, going home to see my dad, running, seeing friends, spending time with OH.

Read. I love reading but hardly ever do. There isn't a library nearby anymore but I'm in town tomorrow for a training course so will go to the library then.

Reduce, reduce and reduce some more. Me and OH have been trying really hard to reduce food waste and also trying to chose food options with less packaging. With the nicer weather coming in, I'll line dry clothes as much as possible to reduce electricity usage and the heating won't be on.

Increase, increase and increase even more. Increasing time outside is my target. Our flat is 5 mins walk from the beach and a park but we very rarely go for a wslk.

Move it! I'm doing the GNR with a friend and really really must start training properly.

Post 3 gratitudes every day. Will do.

No! Generally avoid coffee shops, cafes, etc unless meeting a friend and budgeted for already.

Think of others. Charity donation has gone out by direct debit this morning and I'll add a few items to the food bank collection each time I'm at the supermarket.

16 NSD. Should be doable

Pay to your debt/savings FIRST and live off the rest. Have made my main payments to the debt for the month. I usually try to pay something to the debt every day even if just £1, keeps me motivated

Plan the month. Will do.

Check in every day. I'll try.

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Hi everyone, Could I join please and I will plan my budget & look at all the other things tonight? I would love a focused month having got back into MSE ways this year. I have 4 jobs and my main job is very stressful at the moment so finding 3 things to be grateful for each day would be good. I have started reading again. I joined the gym last year but haven't been for nearly 2 months!!
Today I am very grateful for a day off work and am off to visit DD2 who is at uni.
Thanks Deni x

Shrewbie

Hey everyone these are my goals and budgets - all my figures are in euros

Make a budget and stick to it
I currently 4k in savings
2k emergency fund
1.5K holiday fund
500 misc savings

outgoings

600 per month not including rent
1000 per month including rent and bills

I am determined not to pay rent in the month of July but will need savings for Aug (I’m a freelance teacher so I don’t work or get paid July- Sept) need to look for some volunteer projects as well as the 10 day free meditation course I’m doing and the camino de santiago which will be fairly cheap.

one off outgoings
200 spanish exam
40 moon cup
100 second hand clothing for summer

I am aiming to have 9K of savings by July but I will be spending 2-2.5K of this over the summer.

Weekly budget (new strict) 20 food, 40 on fun. (travel is taken care of in monthly budget)

Enjoy the month - planning on doing things that make me happy and cost next to nothing, should be easy now the weather is good

Read - I love reading and need to do more of it. I am studying for a spanish exam and have to say that reading is the key for me to learning. Need to remember to read in English too

Reduce - I am hoping to make some positive changes here to reduce waste. My organic food waste is next to nothing but packaging is still a struggle and I feel like Spain where I live is even more backwards.

- The supermarkets, despite now providing paper bags STILL provide single use plastic bags and GLOVES to handle vegetables which I think is crazy. I never use them and stick the weight stickers directly on the veg. Doing my best not to buy any packaged veg like this and get from markets instad.

- Investigate buying my grains and pulses from a place where I can take my own bag.

- I plan to buy a moon cup instead of using tampons and have budgeted for this.

- I haven’t bought any new clothes since Jan this year and I am only buying second hand apart from underwear.

- I want to investigate making my own toiletries - maybe just moisturiser to begin with. Does anyone here have any tips to share?

- spending now and over summer will be at a minimum.

Move it - I need to do some light training for the camino! have 5 days off now as it's a long 'bridge" bank holiday here and planning to walk everywhere

Every day gratitudes - will try to post these as I think the attitude it creates is invaluable

Plan the month - my life until November is completely focused on improving my spanish at EVERY opportunity I get. My summer is geared towards this end.

No! - Need to be very careful not to spend money eating out. a good idea would be to take picnics down to the river where I live.

Think of others - will try to put my students first and do some community based tasks this month, need to investigate.

I’m excited to start the month!! definitely going to note down all my expenses and keep focused.

have a great day everyone and sorry for the essay!