NST February 2020

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Hi everyone

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. - I definitely wear the same thing most of the time but I did wear a different dress last week and have found a dress I haven't worn since before Christmas so I will wear that tomorrow.

They listened to different music – i will put some CDs in my car that I haven't listened to for ages and try a different channel on the radio

They danced different dances - so dance outrageously every day. Sing loudly. DD1 and I were singing in the car today I often sing in the car; bath; kitchen..... I will throw in a few dance moves too when no one can see me!

Minimum of 3 dates this month - Catching up with 2 friends later in the month and have a family occasion too so that is 3 nice date type things to look forward to

make an effort am good at using moisturiser, serum etc on my face and I have a lot of supplies in. DD1 gave us all a facemask in our Xmas stocking so I will try to use mine this month. Wear make up every day to work - by necessity

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. I have an OD but don't often use it - if I don't then my rewards go to Amnesty so that's an extra incentive. I have 2 x CCs though and one has just reached the end of the 0% deal so I need to find a new deal this month.

Will try to get more NSDs in by better planning. This weekend has been spendy as we visited DD2 yesterday which meant paying for a food shop for her; and DD1 and I staying in a b&b. I paid for that via £co so some small returns and DD1 bought our tea which was a salad bowl each from Mr M. Today have also been spendy as I had to buy cat food. I went to Mr T as that is the best price so I stocked up and also bought a big bottle of washing liquid & some other supplies. I like your plan f0xh0les of buying big stocks for the month and might copy Have planned meals to Weds and all from supplies.

Gratitudes:
Lovely few hours spent with both DDs
Kind friend who looked after the cats while we were away
sister for offering us all a bed for the family do at the end of the month

Deni xx

Siebrie

I've decided to delurk

NSD's planned: 20. I have already paid for or set aside money for our outings, church collections, and dd1's drinks at the youth club.

Outings: yesterday, we had a family afternoon in a picturesque city about 90 minutes from where we live, and had tea and cake at an independent tea house. The restaurants were overpriced, so we ended up at mcd's. We did have a sit-down meal there and nice conversation.

The other outings this month (already paid for/money set aside)):
- dd1 youth club every Sunday afternoon, drink during break is €1, which goes towards the summercamp.
- dd1 disco ice skating (organised by our council, she's going with a friend). Bus there and back, accompanied by qualified people, entry, skate rent, one drink, for €6.
- dd2 paint workshop €8
- church cheese and wine night €14/€7/€7 (I + 2dds. My father will join and may decide to pay for all). I'm organising it with a friend, so don't pay for drinks.
- dds' school event (some sort of musical). Free entry, and the reason my parents are staying with us for a week.
- bouncy castle weekend in local sports hall (filled wall to wall with bouncy castles ). DDs go Saturday afternoon 2x€3; I go Saturday night €3. We will bring water bottles and have snacks in the car driving back home.
-DDs will spend spring break at my parents', saving us the childcare expense. Husband has a company car and petrol card, so driving is free. We use his car as much as possible when we need to drive somewhere.

I cycle to work most days, 9km one-way, on our electric bike. I always take lunch to work.

And now I'll look up the proper challenge and set my goals

dolly84

Welcome to the newbies, lovely to have you join in.


f0xh0les - Happy Birthday to your DS, glad you enjoyed your lunch out, eating out is costly as a family so it should be top notch.



Took my carrier bags to Tesco to put in the recyling thingy they have and also took all the dead batteries we have saved up too. Took DD for her eye test, she needs glasses for screen work but the woman there (not the optician) was useless regarding the nhs voucher, she just couldn't be bothered so we left with the prescription and will get the glasses somewhere else.


Have looked at holidays, this is something I always dread doing, we have decided on a location for our main holiday and just need to research it more.

Planning_ahead

I will join in for February
2 NSD already
Lunches for next week - planned
Gratitude - a week of annual leave, to rest and get organised. My hot water bottle and a dog to cuddle

Ellie_BB

Off to a good start - NSD 1 today :-)

Plus I've downgraded my broadband / tv package so feeling virtuous.

Not had a go at the clothes and music thing yet, but popped a hair colour on that i've been meaning to get round to for aaages so feel like I've cleared a tiny space in a cupboard and done some pampering at the same time :-D

MidsHollie

Thank you for the welcome! It's going to be fun to join in. Here is my POA:

They wore different clothes – I listed some clothes on eBay last weekend so will see if any sell. Have some more prepped to list this evening - fingers crossed. No plans to buy any at the moment.


They listened to different music – I sorted through my CDs and DVDs when I moved 18 months ago, but probably need to do so again, as I haven't listened to a single CD in that time. Maybe they all need to go? Also need to try and sell some books

They danced different dances - Got my body moving at an exercise class this morning. I might pick one song for each car journey so that I can sing outrageously loud in private!

They "dated," - Date 1 last night included a talk by an adventurer, dinner out and a mojito. Mostly paid with left overs from Januarys groceries budget. I've budget £50 for dates /entertainment/eating out this month too.

The flappers used make-up. Put my make up on for date night. I will sim for a spritz of perfume each day this month and treat my feet to a soak and a scrub each week

Flapper Gentlemen, moisturise! I was strongly encouraging my flapper man to cleanse and exfoliate this weekend!

The Roaring Twenties was the birthplace of the consumer society (boo! hiss!). I need to drop my CC limit on the one that is close to being paid off, and I may drop the limit on the one I plan to keep (but rarely use) once all debt is paid off

It was also the time of Agatha Christie – I need to investigate the extra spends at the supermarket and stop them. Planning, meal prep and NSDs will help here

Aiming for 15 NSDs

Plan ahead – budgeted for monthly and annual spends, and large chunk of debt payoff done already. I'll take a look again after DD day tomorrow

Post 3 gratitude's:
Today I'm grateful for afternoon naps, a job I love so much that I don't mind (too much) that I'm spending some of my Sunday evening doing it, and my lovely quiet little home

ditty1234

So caught boys arguing about who has more hairy legs so I think ds is beginning to recover well, so very happy about that as am off to work a full day tomorrow and he will have to look after himself.

NSD yesterday. Filled fridge and car today so that is most of my money gone for this month. I'll have enough to cove the basics, but as always it will be tight.

Grateful for recovery, for a swim where I only did crawl arms as still have a dodgy ankle, and grateful for full fridge :-)

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for getting out and about a bit, for dh doing the driving, for the rugby this afternoon, for a friend giving dd a lift home, for tinterweb and all it offers.

DawnW

Evening all
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. - I need to sort through my clothes. I have some that don't fit at the moment Will keep the nice ones and aim to get back into them, but things like charity shop tops - not so much. They can be donated.

They listened to different music – I have CDs, though not a huge amount. I only listen to them in the car, so will make sure to put some different ones in there for a change.

They danced different dances - so dance outrageously every day. Sing loudly. - I am a really bad singer and have 2 left feet as far as dancing is concerned, but I will try!

Minimum of 3 dates this month - Nothing planned, will consider.

Make an effort - I don't wear makeup but do moisturise and use perfume every day

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 = I don't have overdrafts or credit cards these days.

I am not great at NSDs, as I tend to shop little and often. Not managed one so far in February But will try!

Gratitudes:
Bargainous pate from the market this morning
Nice dinner cooked from scratch from ingredients I already had

Lovely warm stove to toast my toes

mothernerd

NSD number 2, only bought some things for mum. I asked on Thursday if there was anything she needed - no, but no frozen chicken left (she and her Saturday visitor are both chuck it in a pan with a jar of sauce people). On Friday she kept 'remembering' things she might need.


I was hoping I could walk to Morries in the afternoon with her walker but gave up as the list got longer (I was initially going to do a delivery order). So have bought some of that today and have three things I can take from my cupboard (mayo because I bought one from the reduced shelf last week, tinned toms because I buy 20 at a time and generic curry powder as little arseda had very few herbs and spices in stock).


January had some expensive surprises but I had enough in the drawer and in my change jars to cover them. I do want to use some of the money I have in the house and let the money n the bank build up (whatever is left after the direct debits go out). Still need to set up a savings account (a very poor people on).



Plan for the month
Recently did a clothes audit and noted anything marked or with holes, stuff bought within the last 18 months. Nearly everything is pull on/ pull off and I have most of the basics (had bought a few things in end of season sales and put them away for a year).



I have taken to hanging several items from 2 overdoor hangers and it's helping me to discover new combinations. Most of it is neutrals and nearly everything is self-coloured (patterns are mainly 2 coloured - splodgy white spots on navy, black swirly pattern on teal background) so most things will go with other items.


Anyway I bought quite a lot over the past 18 months (wore everything out and then bought when the alternative was wearing pjs and not leaving the house at least 2 days a week). I am losing weight so will wear combinations of the things I have until they fall to pieces or are hanging off me (£2 Toucan was originally for clothes but he's been needed for minor house jobs - it's taken a lot longer than originally expected to lose the weight).


I have very few cds - only the ones requested for playing at funerals. I have a dvd of the Snowman (with Father Christmas). I bought a dvd from the cs before Christmas for a treat and then realised that the new laptop doesn't play dvds (no slide out drawer) so sent it off again.


Dancing. Not started yet but will get on to it - I was still awake at 5 am this morning so not got round to doing the stuff I was supposed to. My singing voice is non-existent and there will be complaints.


Dating ?**! arghh. I am going to see the new grandpuppy as soon as I can manage over an hour's travel on a bus. I have seen an advert for a Pete Shelley memorial concert locally but only jotted the details down so may not get a round tuit. Stiil several museums/ floors I want to visit.


It's going to be tough because twice weekly visits to the district nurse is going to determine the shape of my week. We have asked for a refund on the planned holiday (they no longer do home pick ups in our area and they gave us 3 options) but I really feel I need a little break (maybe on my own). It may have to be taking a notebook and pencil to one of the hides on the country park and thinking things out not surrounded by the mess that is my home.


Moisturise. Have just thrown my only lipstick away (3 y o) but will do lots of pampering (stops any chance of dermatitis/ eczema flare ups and have to inspect my feet every day). Have a large container of E45 and will need to start suncream soon (and hayfever tablets).


No overdraft, no credit cards but do want to get my emergency fund back to where it should be. I have an initial target for this year (it seems a lot but if I emptied all my penny jars out, I could be nearly there). If DS2 pays me back I'll be up to the second target (he said he 'might have some money for me but didn't bring any).



I will look at where money is being frittered. I want to get the kitchen organised and some sort of replacement will be needed. I keep reminding myself that when I moved in 1981 my sink had been used for mixing cement (I cleaned it) and my only kitchen equipment was a kettle (on cold days I could have cup a soup and, if I could affored it, I had chips and gravy from the chip shop and sat in front of an open grate burning ex bar shutters.


Going to aim for 20 NSDs, really need to get back to frugality. Budgets - I have spent £33 on frozen food and a similar amount on fresh (bit to come back as using my stores for mum) so will use the money in my wallet and coinjar and keep food under £100 (I have loads of recipes I just need to be able to stand up and find a clear corner of the kitchen - not the 4' under the hole in the ceiling, I don't think the WHO meant palster when they said we need more fibre in our diets).


Travel is unknown, probably 2 x £6 for puppy visit + one other outing, need to check when I need to put repeat prescriptions in and when we need our blood tests doing (may be able to weave then in with the district nurse appointment when we get back to our infirmary - Thursday next week, not this?).



Daily plan

Lots of little extra bits each day (baby steps)
Have a little dance
Take a little walk
Some food prep or cooking - celery sticks, sandwiches in the freezer, rice salad etc
Keep on top of paperwork - this week landlord insurance for mum and Tax credits renewal for me
Moisturise thoroughly, giving it time to simk in before dressing
Bit of gardening
Bit of sewing
CLEAN - found a pack of wipes (rarely buy them) and will do door frames, handles, taps bit by bit (got to send this bug packing)


Today I am grateful for wholemeal seeded bread, easy food, a declutter plan.