NST March 2020 Merriment

BadBookkeeper

Lovely having a quick catch up on how everyone is doing.  Here’s my update:
Armoury - Think this is best suited here!  DS has been invited to cub camp.  March budget can accommodate this but we’ve now received the kit list £££.  Need to think about how I can fit this into April.  Also need to think about Easter childcare and costs, cricket club subs and I’m sure his footy annual payment is due May time.  Starting to think budgeting a month in advance isn’t enough.  Does everyone plan 3 months? 6? Yearly?
Mix it up - so DH and I are currently disagreeing on whether DS should go swimming with school on Friday.  DH is worried about the Coronavirus, I think he’s over reacting.  DH workplace have lots of crisis meetings about it and maybe he’s better informed than me.  I think the risk is low.  Usually if we disagree I sulk until I get my own way instead tonight we both said our piece and I’m ringing the school tomorrow for more info.  We will then make a joint decision.
Exercise - we didn’t do our mile for charity so need to do 1.5 over the next 2 nights to catch up.
R&R - turned phone off to watch the footy match but feel stressed so brought DS to bed at half time! 
Reduce - Sold an old phone on magpie for £15.  Listed the case on eb@y.  Sorted DS pj drawer.  Nothing taken out but now nice and organised.  Stress not reduced due to swimming dilemma probably be on my mind at 3am!!
Check in - ✅
NSD - 3/15 doing well.  Need to book a campsite for May but waiting until a spend day!
Thankful for - slow cooker making tea for us, sunshine, lighter morning/evening.
Charity - nothing here today. 

facethemusic

Tuesday- yesterday and today both NSDs so 2/15. 
Budgets are sorted, but I would like to have "extra" to throw at savings at the end of the month (standing orders to savings all gone out already, so it is in addition to, not just save what I don't spend) so need to try and reduce my food shop. I know I spend more if I don't meal plan and make a list! Have tonight prepped everything ready to put the slow cooker on in the morning, so that's tomorrow's dinner and will be enough to freeze a few meals worth. 

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Hi all
I have achieved my first NSD of the month
Sat with different colleagues at work and had some nice chats and giggles!
Caught up on PT work in the eve and watched TV on catch up.
Gratitudes:
Lovely colleagues sharing their coffee
Relaxed evening
catching up on things
Deni x

newbieNST

Hi
I am looking forward to learning from everyone because I need all the tips I can get to pay off debt! 

✅🤗🙏🏼

Siebrie

Welcome, NewbieNST!

No NSD today; dd1 has a medical appointment for excessive scarring on the back of her earlobe, due to piercing her ears when she was 5. She already had an operation when she was 8 to remove a lump of about 2cm, and now it's regrowing We will bring our own water and biscuits for the long wait (always....) I know this will not lose me an NSD, but we are going grocery shopping after that.

Grateful for:

- husband properly playing with dds last night (some sort of ballgame in the living room. They were having so much fun I decided to be lenient on the 'no ballgames inside the house' rule).

- good chat with other parents while waiting for dd1's dance practice to finish. Lots of info on secondary schools in the region (we have to choose this month).

- sunshine

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Hi all
Just looking at this month and how i relate to it:
MARCH forward. The mistakes of the past should be left there.  i tend to dwell on the past but i am getting better and will keep looking forward not backwards
ARMOURY Frugal habits and putting small amounts of money aside.  All debt on 0% 

REVIEW your shopping habits. Do you have any weak points? Not too bad here, need to be more organised with food shopping/meal planning 

CHECK out what you have in your cupboards, fridge and freezer. I am trying to clear my freezer so i can use it better by batch cooking soup and other meals.  I need to check out what is in the cupboards and organise them better. I usually cook from scratch.   

HAVE all your budgets in place before the start of the month.   Yes have done this - DD2 has a big birthday, have put money aside for this and having family weekend away to celebrate so aiming to spread the cost across this and next month

MIX IT UP Try new things and new ways of doing things. I am trying to be more positive!

EXERCISE According to your current state of health and abilities. Got exercise classes I enjoy but work sometimes stops me getting to them so I go to all the ones i can.  Try to get out for a walk every day
REST AND RELAXATION.  I'm reading much more now I have rejoined 2 book groups, often read before sleep.

REDUCE. I will continue to declutter and get better organised.  

IGNORE the mass media, ads telling you their product will make your life complete, 'friends' posting about their perfect life on bookface (so fabulous they need to escape from it). I deleted the Fb app from my phone last year but it is on my new phone and I am getting into bad habits of mindless strolling so need to stop it!.

MUSIC. I listen to music in the kitchen and car  

EVERY DAY check in is recommended. I will try.

NO SPEND DAYS (NSDs). I will aim for 15. 

THREE things each day to be grateful for. i will post these
Hope everyone has a good day 
Deni x

mothernerd

Welcome newbieNST. Everyone up to here has been added to the list of contenders. Please check and let me know if I've missed anyone.

mothernerd

Sorry to be late, the cough is once again entering the debilitating stage and I feel like a wrung out dishcloth. Laptop also has the virus as it's taking ages to load anything and keeps saying it can't remember.

Day 4

The less you respond to negativity, the more peaceful your life becomes.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn life around.

Martin Luther King Jr

Mental Wellness Day 4

What are your top three intentions for each day and how are you going to meet them.

(This is a good one because when we are having a difficult time we start getting overwhelmed by all the shoulds, musts, ought tos and to dos. Stop, get your breathing in check, work out what is most important and concentrate ongetting through the next 24 hours. On a really bad day it might be just get up, have a shower/bath or wash and remember to eat - something nourishing not just chocolate and keep breathing)

I have a lot of stuff on sleep but that will be for another day.

f0xh0les

mothernerd! you made the weekly email!

PurpleFairy26

@BadBookkeeper I budget monthly for all things like cubs, brownies, swimming lessons, dancing etc... and save a set amount each payday. Then I have it when it’s due. Obviously if they stop or start an activity I just adjust the monthly amount. First few months are a bit challenging as you may not have enough in the ‘pot’ but stick with it and it definitely works.