Nst october

mothernerd

mothernerd's Month (and 90 day plan)

BUDGET £100 Food (including stuff for DS3 and his Beloved), £25 Travel (want to come in under but need some flexibility), DIY £25 I have found the paint I need to redo the old garden chairs and that costs £14. There was something else but I can't remember what it was. Unknown - going to take the laptop to the repair shop tomorrow, definitely needs a new charger and will see if anything can be done with the casing.


AUDIT Have already done the freezer as it needs to be defrosted (someone keeps leaving the door open and parts of it are frozen solid) so will use that list as the basis for the coming week's meals. Have already made bacon and leek soup (5 portions + 1 eaten) and chilli (3 portions + 2 eaten).



Lots of eggs and frozen fish, a packet of sausages to be cooked over the weekend and will base a lot of meals around my tinned pulse collection and try to be a bit more adventurous. A few items which need using up.


***Tip
If you ever have an emergency and have to empty the freezer in a hurry but can't afford to restock, fill the space with large bottles refilled with tap water, YS 10p bread, old newspapers. I've even put sheets and towels in there. These can all be taken out as you restock (with HM ready meals)


Plan for the MONTH
Use dry days for outdoor stuff - I have an old tin of wood stain to use up and a lot of digging and moving stuff which will have to be done bit by bit.
2 appointments next week, mum is at physio on Monday and I am meeting the weight management team on Tuesday. I will order repeat medication and book flu jab appointments when we are there (all in same large building)
Away for 4 days in the Lake District (southern bit) from the 21st to the 24th. Holiday is paid for and mum will contribute to food (lunches). Taking Beloved with me as mum now has an appointment that week and doesn't want to postpone..
Will be home for next month's film club and hope to do a day out (scaled back from buying a weekly bus or train ticket). New exhibition at the library starts midweek and want to visit mum's old boyfriend (he's lonely - has been phoning mum daily to check how they both are). They split up when they were 17 yo.


Need to do WINTER PREP.


90 Day Plan
FOCUS will be on rebuilding savings and losing weight (failed to do so all year and still battling cravings).



Nearly everything in the kitchen needs a good clean and it needs to be made to work (even if I have to go round putting post it type notes on everything). DS3 said he didn't know where things should go (he's taken charge of emptying the dishwasher) so maybe labelling the shelves would be useful.


Want to continue redicing the number of things in the house (old computer needs to go out) both here and at mum's.


Start SAVINGS POTS for purchase of a new cooker and roof repairs (DS2 borrowed all the money in the drawer - all the roof repair money and some of the 365 Penny challenge money. Got £90 back today so that is going in the drawer).


WALKing Programme - started a couple of weeks ago. As I've only stopped using a walking stick a week ago I'm doing round the car park, round the far side of the library (slightly bigger circuit) and round the far side of little Arseda (bigger again). This week I want to start on my old half hour walk - to the top end of the shopping area and back (in the evenings when it's quiet). Want to be moving by the holiday (3 weeks 2 days).


Join local 'food waste' group.


Complete 2 large embroidery projects especially the one needing good daylight (want these 2 done by end of October if possible) and making lavender bags to use up odds and ends of material and trimmings and the remaining home grown lavender.


Want to make progress with my 5 year plan for the garden. I need things to be where I can easily work on them. This was put on hold in case the roofer neede to put up scaffolding but I'm rapidly approaching the point where I can't do what needs doing.


At mum's I need to finish the yard work, sort the shed, put up the new curtain pole, curtains and linings and do a furniture shuffle. May need to think about more overnight stays.


SAVINGS First £90 put back in.


RAISING income would be difficult. Currently do 16 hours self-employed (for very little return) and 35+ hours lookig after mum (receive Carer's Allowance). Never had much luck with surveys (don't have a car, only replace white goods when they give up the ghost, no tv etc)


REDUCNG Outgoings
Cook from scratch (can do some batch cooking or at least chopping veg at mum's).
HM gifts (samplers and lavender bags)
Avoid buying clothes (haven't needed to wear my nightie and wellies whilst waiting for my clothes to dry recently)
SWITCH the heating off again every time I notice they have put it on.
LIST everything I spend - this helped me identify 3 bad habits that had crept up on me (now stopped)


90 Day Plan
Hooray for Hibernation. Stay in, keep warm (mum has her heating on).


SCREEN TIME will reduce because the new laptop is playing dead for now and the old one won't load most of the games properly or wants me to go through a complicated rigmarole to access them.


Lots of READING. Set up CANDLES and TWINKLY Lights. Quiet time with NATURE and TREES.



KEEP GOING Will be plodding or crawling along, doing what I can.


MORE Walking, More Water, More Veg



90 Day Plan
DONATE to Food Bank
Try to Be More TOLERANT of idiots.
More GOOD Deeds.
MONITOR Mood and Mental Health
WRITE a List of no cost treats and have pampering days pampering



HEALTHY HABITS

Eat only when hungry

Cut out the RUBBISH


PLan for the Month
SIMPLIFY
Get STUFF Out of the House
Write FROG LIST
Reduce STRESS - will have to work on this one
DONATE unwanted goods and loose change.
Daily GRATITUDES


90 Day PLan
Best Possible life

Things that make me happy
ADD more good things to my life one at a time (not physical stuff)


AS usual there will be daily inspiration, things to ponder, things to make you smile (probably lots of it- looked at the file of saved items and there are 211 of them).

f0xh0les

GAME OF TURTLES!! Autumnal Edition

The best time to start something is right now.

WINTER IS COMING

Planning and Preparation
I have refound the electric heater thing (just in case), the throws and fluffy blankets are on the ends of sofas, the radiators have been bled and one taken off, hosed out, and replaced. I tested the heating last week - it is awful to turn it on and find your pump has seized. Test your heating before you need it! Frosts are forecast for next week.

BUDGET - £100 per week for 6 people - total for month £400
Fuel - £80 for the month.

Planned events - dh birthday (gifts done) ds1 birthday (not a clue), half term, kids eye tests, Brexit? (who knows), Hallowe'en, Locksmith to get my car key out of the barrel (yeah, I know!). Next term's after school clubs will need paying for.
Ninety Days FOCUS
What do you want to happen? Weight loss, engage tradesmen, sort out a good amount of my house.
What needs to change? Fear of doing it wrong (I blame Nick Knowles)
Small changes I can make NOW.
Photograph and list the pile of stuff messing up the back room. It is earmarked to leave the house. Help it out the door by offering it to others. If it does not go, then c/s it, or take to the tip and recycle it in the skips - over 80% ends up being repurposed, whether as rags or woodchip or whatever. The tip needs to be rebranded as the recycling centre. One day there will be skips for plastic with the triangle number on them and we will all recycle properly.

I have embraced rechargeable batteries. All kids devices now run on them, whenever the old ones run out, they are replaced with rechargeable ones, the HP potion jar fairy lights now run on them, I am getting there.

INCREASE your income - I am nearing Y0uG0v £50 cashout, pr0lific academic is a good quick way to make extra, and you can cash out from £5 -if you have another language French/German/Klingon/ Dothraki (had to google that one) you can earn even quicker, sometimes £5 in a day. Obv not every day, but well worth doing. Valued0pini0n is handy for Xmas vouchers but no payout til £15 - try and find out if there is a referal/joining code for these things. Might as well give someone some free points. Cashback sites don't really work for me as I don't buy anything new.
REDUCE - reducing portion sizes (this is my main problem) pretty much all food from scratch, embrace the soups! Going to thin out the dvd shelf and some of my books. All to c/s.

MEND, MAKE or MAKE DO instead of Buying
Going to make a door curtain for the front door - it is 1990s style pvc glazed, hideously !!!!!!, I have the material, the pole and some cup hooks to keep it up. I need to get on with it. Cushion covers need making too. Cost should be £0. Will go scrumping again.

Free activities or events in your area
100 women exhibition at local museum/art gallery starts this week. Half term holiday booked. 3 days in Hope Valley (6 people) and 3 days at seaside in Norfolk (4 people), less than £100 and will self cater - budget for going down a cave, and the odd coffee, but will bake cakes and biscuits to take with us, and bf and dinner will be cooked by us. Lots of walking. Being at one with nature. Eating from hedges (sloe face).

Everyday there are frogs splatted off my list. Every day has a list. It works for me. I will continue to volunteer my time to the foodbank.

I will aim for 15 No Spend Days - but keeping within budget is more important to me.

craftingmad

Please can I join in. I need to do all of these things and have just finished an inventory of my freezer

PheoniX

Me too please mothernerd

thriftylass

Good morning. Payday today, paid debt, savings and finalised my budget. Got the meal plan ready till Friday. We'll be away from Sat to Tue near Pitlochry. The accommodation is already paid for just need money for a meal out and groceries (got a wee self-catering lodge thing).

Switched energy suppliers from EDF to bulb and should get the credit reimbursed this month which will be a nice bonus.

Also started the last 90 days and Stoptober in ernest today. Told hubby about it, he might join me, at the least he has been told not to tempt me.

Will go for a run in the autumnal lunchtime sunshine today and dinner will be leftover gammon pasta.

greent

Time to pause and think about where you want to be now, in the next few months and going forward into 2020. The best time to start something is right now. - :T:T - Definitely!



House Stark's words are

WINTER IS COMING

You are the guardian of your family and we will consider how to protect your house and family as Winter approaches. This needs Planning and Preparation

Before the Start of the Month You MUST
Set Your BUDGET for the Month - yes
AUDIT your Cupboards, Fridge and Freezer - new inventory being done today
Plan for the MONTH - what is happening, what commitments, appointments, celebrations, once a year bills are coming up. - OH's 50th bday (presents/ cake/ meal out), my nephew's 2nd bday (present), 1 x lunch out with sister, 1 x lunch out with Nan, Mum, 2 x aunts, 1 x cousin, 1 x uncle. Half term - may have a couple of nights away with smalls to visit big siblings - have a £50 goodwill gesture from A1rbnb to use. Do need 2 x new tyres for my car (advisory on MOT and would like done before bad weather)

For the Next Ninety Days
SET some goals. Break them down into Monthly and Weekly targets. - need to make a start on Chr***mas prep. (and Dec & Jan bdays) Also make a list of small jobs I'd like achieved before Xmas and timetable some in.


House Lannister's words are

HEAR ME ROAR

The Lannisters are also famous for always paying their debts. With a lion's ferocity you avoid spending money.

Plan for the Month
You must PAY to YOUR DEBTS or SAVINGS FIRST - done - Stos/ DDRs go out 1st monthly to savings. CCs paid off in full.
INCREASE your income if possible - I have a small amount of work (5-6 hours) in Oct. I am semi-looking for more regular income. Will look to list remaining items on flebay/ fb00k to gain some money and also go back to Pr0lif1c surveys
REDUCE your outgoings - on a mission to use some things up (foods/ toiletries/ cleaning products)
Can you MEND, MAKE or MAKE DO instead of Buying? - will be making do/ substituting where some ingredients (and cleaning stuff) are concerned. Have run out of shower gel so am using up bar soaps until Xmas (when I always get some 'nice' stuff which I wouldn't buy myself ) Will aim to get small DIY jobs done using things we already have wherever possible.

For the Next 90 Days
CUT out any unnecessary socialising - we don't do much anyway Oct will actually see a bit more because of Half Term and OH's 50th
CUT Screen Time
Be Mindful, Meditate, Read or just spend time with Nature
LOOK for any free activities or events in your area

House Martell's words are

UNBOWED UNBENT UNBROKEN

This Month
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF so that you can look after those who depend on you.


For the Next 90 Days
Introduce ONE HABIT to improve your health - will aim for consistency with exercise and diet
Do something FOR YOU each day
BE KIND always (everyone you meet is carrying some burden)


House Reed's words are

HEARTH, HEART and HARVEST

The mud men live simply. They also spear frogs.
SIMPLICITY has been a recurring theme in this year's posts. Treading lightly upon the Earth and being at one with nature fits with the turtles holistic approach.


This month
Concentrate on the THINGS THAT MATTER, your home and loved ones, health and happiness.
Make a FROG LIST - try to tackle one a day. - will make a list (not sure I will have 31 items on it, though)
CONTINUE to SIMPLIFY your life, RELEASE unwanted possessions and REDUCE things that cause you stress. - always
DONATE - time, goods or money - several opportunities this month
BE GRATEFUL - will get back to listing gratitudes - it makes me think if I am accountable to listing them on here

For the Next 90 Days
Think about what really matters to you.
What can you do to get closer to living the life you have always wanted? - small house & garden jobs/ getting rid of unwanted items/ prep for Chr1stmas


Thanks for this, mothernerd:T:T - long initial post from me, but will aim to make daily posts shorter!

mothernerd

I've given you your milk exemption greent.

greent

mothernerd wrote: »

I've given you your milk exemption greent.

Thanks, mothernerd :T - whilst I have 2 away at uni, one of those doesn't do dairy and the other only has milk in an occasional coffee - so they don't impact on our consumption! - the smallest 2 are the biggest culprits (although OH does have a cereal-for-supper (as well as for breakfast) habit, too)

Karmacat

House Stark's words are

WINTER IS COMING

House Stark has always been very supportive of the Night's Watch who keep the whole of Westoros safe from the Wights. You are the guardian of your family and we will consider how to protect your house and family as Winter approaches.

For the Next Ninety Days
What is Your FOCUS?
What do you want to happen?
What needs to change? It may have to be You
SET some goals. Break them down into Monthly and Weekly targets.
Think in terms of small changes that you can make NOW.

Karmacat wrote: »

End of September is my cut-off date for full-on attention to the garden, I really need to get out there, but its too difficult when the garden is so mad. So life in the last quarter of the year will hopefully be quite different from the first three quarters.

It's going to be a bit difficult to contribute as much/ little as I do usually I'm away for 2 weeks, and another week later on OTOH, even though I haven't finished the garden (because I was preparing for these trips) the whole point of the Stark words is fulfilled by these trips (one is holiday and one is family): what is my focus, what do I want to happen, what needs to change. Exactly that. The goal for the trips themselves is to stay well, so that I can do as much as possible.

thriftylass

Just received the motivation I needed to make drastic changes. I have got 3 months job security and in January that could quite possibly change to none, as in no job. Been forwarned and can only use this as an opportunity rather than to stick my head in the sand. I will go and have a look at my budgets for the next three months and make reasonable adjustments to make the most of the guaranteed paycheques I have left.