NST February 2020

Toni'sfriend

Just back from holiday. Can I join please.

We've had some great times away over the last few years but they have been undoubtedly very expensive. Don't regret one penny of it but now the focus is to build up the travelling fund again. So cheaper relaxing holidays in UK and back to proper frugal living again. Be back later with goals for this month.

CJRyder

Morning all, ready to flap these turtle fins away!


I'm going for 15 NSDs this month. Ideally no purchases on weekdays but can't always be helped!

greent

So - Feb flapping pledges look like this....

Examine your wardrobe, really think about what you have in there and what you are going to wear, make sure you know what you have. Rootle through them and stop wearing the same thing. Try not to buy any new clothes - charity shops do not count. - no plans for any new clothes (except maybe knickers - I seem to be running short!!:eek:) - although may look for a bright but Winter-y top for my Nan's funeral (she died last week) - all my bright tops are a little Summery, all my Winter tops a little dull!

They listened to different music – dust off your cds, listen and decide if you still want to keep them. -can thoroughly recommend Sp0t1fy (free version, of course!) for listening to music and suggesting new things I planned to go through (my) CDs anyway and get rid of some (DH will almost definitely want to keep ALL of his....)

They danced different dances - so dance outrageously every day. Sing loudly. we are one of those annoying families who burst into random songs whenever we hear a word which triggers a memory (I've trained my kids well! ) ANd I'm re-discovering Zumba - so dancing Zumba-style is happening here

They "dated," - make at least 3 dates this month - hmmm - well we have a family occasion (funeral) where I get to lots of people I don't see often (always good) - so I'm counting that!!! Will try and get something achieved in half term, too - and that just leaves 1 other.

make an effort even if it is just clear mascara or moisturising daily I'm really trying to do more self care - I had my eyebrows tinted/ waxed yesterday, so that counts (they'll last into March, after all!) I need to book an appt for haircut (maybe last done in Sept?) and I'm making an effort to use serums/ eyecreams/ moisturisers (I have supplies-a-plenty!)

The Roaring Twenties was the birthplace of the consumer society
February asks you to consider – if you have an overdraft, how to reduce it (with an aim to be rid of it entirely asap, if you have credit cards, that you are on 0% We are not tied to these mindsets. We have an od limit but never use it (can't ermember when - literally years ago) but I have reduced it. We have several CCs - but all paid off in full and used for reward points/ vouchers etc



It is a short month, aim for a minimum of 14 NSDs

Plan ahead – budget in advance as much as possible.

Post 3 gratitudes, and stop by regularly to let us know how you are getting along.



Stay away from chain coffee shops / big business food franchises/ takeaways unless they are part of your “dates” and have been budgeted for.

f0xh0les

Oh dear, today has not been a NSD. I am trying to buy the big stuff - loo roll/milk/coffee/teabags/shampoo/bath bubbles/deo/toothpaste/ lunchbox drinks - on a monthly basis. I have been trying for about 3 months now, and so I have a good idea how many to buy, and if we run out. So be it. I don't buy any more until next 'budget reset' day.

So today I have done all that, except what I usually buy in Mr T's shopping emporium, because on Monday I can use my £3 off a £30 spend voucher, and combined with my £6 cl0bcard points voucher I will have a frugal shop. I will go in late and hunt down as many ys as I can.
It occurred to me that I shop in a lot of different shops - Mr Lidli for coffee (and their £1.50 bargain boxes) Her0n for dairy free ice cream /unconventional nut milks and I worked out that I went to 9 separate shops this morning and I still have 4 more to go to. But it really does pay to shop around - I know I am rather extreme, and some of these shops I will only visit once a month, sometimes for one single thing. But the more often we are enticed into the shops, the more likely we are to impulse buy. So if you know you are an impulsive shopper, or lack the time/inclination to wander miles around the place to save £2 on a pack of something or other, then online shopping might just be the place for you.

So really, I am saying make a list. Look if you can use points/money off/ rewards/cashback on everything this month.


This afternoon I am going to make a coffee and walnut cake for DS3 as he is going to be 12 tomorrow (and to find the candles).

It is so sunny and warm out it is bizarre. Don't forget to moisturize.

Greent - I love that your funeral is a date. It is a celebration of her life after all. I hope mine will be a joyous occassion.

shabbychic12

Not a good start to the month spend wise £40 at Morri and this was only my half share. It better last us 2 weeks. Least it’s a short month and hopefully that will help boost the savings x

abundant1972

Happy 01st February...

It is also Imbolc for any pagans out there! It is all about awakenings, new beginnings and the stirring of new energies that wake us from our Winter slumber, and remind us that Spring is on it's way.

Today I am grateful for:

1) A weekend to myself to really get things in order
2) My health and well being
3) My home - my sanctuary. I know it pops up a lot - but I really am!

Will look over this month's challenges again later, and make an action plan!

apple_muncher

f0xh0les wrote: »

If you fancy a bit of Flapper Motivation, this poor lass has no furniture but she's still having fun.

Flappers Folly by Ksenia Parkhatskaya

- just google it - not suggesting we all try it,but she has a few non threatening tutorials on the cow's tail and the black bottom. If you fancy learning a Charleston move this month.

She is just awesome! I'd be laid up for a week at least if I tried that! Loved it.

f0xh0les

abundant1972 wrote: »

Happy 01st February...
It is also Imbolc for any pagans out there!

Thanks Abundant, I will be lighting my candles at sundown. Warm knickers if you are going out.


It is also Baked Alaska Day and Ice Cream for breakfast day. Sorry, I was a bit late in telling everyone.

My DS3 loves that he was born on groundhog day (tomorrow)... might explain the school run. :rotfl:.

crazy_cat_lady

Hello February Flappers!
I am most annoyed today because I had planned a nsd and it was only scuppered by Arseda. :mad:It's a long story which basically involved my doing my big monthly shop online to be delivered last night. It didn't turn up, and 'customer services' couldn't tell me where it was so I ordered it again to collect this morning as I was desperate for certain items. So £85 monthly big shop at Arseda this morning... meantime they only tried to deliver last night's shopping at half 12 this afternoon. Unbelievable.
Have had my first date of Feb - popped round to bestie's house for a cuppa and a natter, making plans for moneysaving and frugality. So pleased I have a like minded bestie - she's just booked a real luxury holiday so is saving hard to pay for it. Obviously I have a different need to save (my massive divorce debt) but we're in it together.
Gratitudes:
My brilliant bestie
Being able to earn extra £ from exam marking
Finally having milk in the house again so I can have a cuppa.

Toni'sfriend

Hello everyone

Not an NSD as we needed fresh stuff. Veg, milk, eggs etc but stuck to the shopping list.

Clothes – Certainly don't need any more. A few winter jackets that I won't wear again but are in good condition, Wash and a quick check for missing buttons etc and then they can go to the Charity Shop.

CDs - This is a real problem for me. Himself's brother died in very tragic circumstances some years ago and he inherited the CD/DVD/Video collection. Over 4000 plus he has his own vast collection. Every cupboard in the house is stuffed full. For sentimental reasons he refuses to dispose of them so I guess this is something I just have to live with. Actually a lot of them are limited/special editions and may become quite valuable but that's not the main thing. It's the memories for him.

Dancing - Tone deaf, no sense of rhythm but if no one is is watching why not?

Dates - You've been reading my mind, f0xh0les. Was just saying to Himself that we need to get out more.

Make Up - Lots of lotions, potions, make up and perfume. Sheer laziness not to use them. Have to get motivated.

Consumer Society - Totally agree with every word.

Hercule is my hero. I love him

Plan ahead – Have a free year planner and my paper diary (I do love a diary). Must fill them in and plan for the year ahead.

Gratitudes

I am so grateful to be warm and have enough to eat. So many people don't
A lovely and supportive partner, son and extended family
Just generally being content with my life