NST April 2020: Fools we are not!

Toni'sfriend

Thank you for offering to run May, Apple. I wish I had your imagination to think up challenges.

Today I've got to do the banking, arrange a top up food delivery, do the ironing, plant my new seedballs and make a chilli. First of all I need to get Himself out of bed. On second thoughts I might get more done if I just leave him there.

Speak to you later.

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Morning all
Managed a NSD yesterday.  Did buy some books to send to niece but my sis is paying me back.  Agree that food shopping is more expensive.  I don't want to go to big SMs so shopping in local shops.  Plus both DDs here whereas one usually spends half the time with her boyf including meals and the other is usually at uni.  I am saving the money i would normally give to DD2 at uni but seem to spend loads on food every 3 days or so....  Plus there's the boredom eating and drinking, and extra cups of tea as putting the kettle on makes the time go faster and is something to do.  I am still working FT from home but that is dragging a bit at the moment.  By contrast my PT, much lower paid job, is busy!  
Yesterday i put the washing out at 4 and got it mostly dry.  We had a nice long walk which lifted our spirits a bit.  I stood outside with DD2 when it was dark and we enjoyed the peace and gazing up at the moon and stars.
Hope everyone has a good enough day
Dx

apple_muncher

May is live!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6136377/nst-may-2020-may-the-force-be-with-you-star-wars-1977/p1?new=1

abbi_aurelia

Last day of April, have moved most of the money around ready for DD tomorrow and paying into regular savers.  Emailed the water people about reducing our bill, we have credit which is slowly going up, they seem to prefer you have something like 3 months of credit before they suggest any changes. Currently shopping around for OH car insurance, slowly weaning him off staying with one or two insurers (he's lowered his standards to he has to have heard of them and their rating has to be 5 star). I'm getting anxious about money which is ridiculous, first month where husband is on new lower wage and we have only saved about £70. I know this is ridiculous, we are saving, debts are being paid and we have an emergency fund. But I keep worrying that normally our credit card is £500 more than this month. Must pay attention this month. Grateful for the quiz last night (seem to have done quite well, £25 for the NHS charities from me and around £1000 in total), watching the sparrows from my desk and a bit of sunshine this morning

abundant1972

Good Morning!

Hi all. A quiet few days for me - and glad it is the end of the month. Next week is going to be strange as is my last week at work (although my job doesn't resemble work anymore!) and then on to a new job, where I also have no idea what I will be doing? Very unsettling - I am not the best with change and uncertainty. Felt washed out and have bought a book called 'the Handbook for Highly Sensitive People' haha. I don't know if I'm just depressed (though I have nothing major to be depressed about) or if I am just getting bogged down with everyone else's emotional baggage. I'll give anything a try!!! I am aware I haven't really contributed for a while or commented on posts etc for which I am very sorry. You are all fantastic... and I appreciate your posts, and for just being here. 

Today I am grateful for:

1) A nice cup of tea
2) My home and my little car
3) My physical health even if my head is shot haha! 

Today = NSD ??? Will concentrate on May! 

Apple - Thank you so much for having run April and taking on May too!!! When my head is in gear and my life is back in some semblance of order I'll take on a month I promise!!!

Hugs everyone x

mothernerd

abundant, changing your job is a major life event, cut yourself some slack. (+ we are all experiencing a major life change, you have already had changes to your work pattern, you used to use the gym as a way of keeping your anxiety at bay and that is no longer available to you, you are worried about your parents - especially as your weekly interactions with them have been disrupted). Take stock, absorb all this (the 'whys'), work out what you can do something about and take action on those, go through all the things that contribute to your wellbeing and put them/ alternatives in place, be kind, especially to yourself. 

facethemusic

Thursday- going to count today as a NSD already, have no intention of going to the shop so should be fine. That means I end the month on 18. Have "underspent" on food, entertainment, fuel and no cost for sports clubs etc so more money left in the current account than normal. Been paid my "furloughed" wage so must be very vigilant in May that I keep costs down. 
Gratitudes really just that we have survived April, DD has done some school work, we have exercised and more or less coped with just each others company! See you all in May. 

snowbird20

I have 13/15 NSD with no plans to spend today but the day is still young!
I'm normally very much a homebody but even I am feeling a bit anxious just being at home all the time.  Maybe we will go down to the river later and just watch the water.
Gratitude:
we're all still well.  It's not snowing here.  Warm, clean beds.  Summer IS coming...it's slow but it is coming!  Chocolate and cheese-the staffs of life! 

Kerry_Woman

Apple  - Thanks for running this month's thread.

Sorry that I have not been on to give an update for most of the month.  Had lost my motivation due to my mh.  I have managed to get 25 nsd's.  I have ordered some eco friendly products from 2 different eco friendly companies.  I also had to order a few things from my favourite shop for things that had to be replaced and 2 other things.  They all should arrive by next week. I need to get into more of a routine as I am not working and have not been going out for my daily walk in the park which is really close to my flat.  I have pulled out of the mh programme as I was not benefitting from it.  They were doing zoom meetings every Wednesday.  I need to my food shopping tomorrow so have prepared the shopping list.  Also I need to do some other things whilst I am out.  I have put them on my shopping list so I can see what I need to do. A charity 5k event that I had entered in July was cancelled for that park.  I managed to get my entry transferred to a different location which was postponed to a later date. Sending hugs to those in need of them.  
Grateful for:
Catching up with a few things around the flat.  Starting to read a new book.  Getting things ready for tomorrow for my food shop etc. Mindfulness colouring.  Watching a Carry On film.

Toni'sfriend

Well, I didn't quite manage everything but most of it. I knew it would have been better if he'd just stayed in bed.

April was a very strange month. Food budget is goodness knows where because I've lost track but we'll certainly not starve next month. I'm going to have to take sole control of the online shopping or we'll drown in a sea of chocolate and cakes. And we've bought things that we would never have usually considered. Oh well, I suppose it's a learning curve for us all but it's been an eyeopener in more way than one.

Thank you to everyone for their support when times got tough and especially to Apple for running this month and next,

Take care.