NST October The Turtles Go Outward Bound

ditty1234

Just want to report a record 10 NSD so far, mostly due to working and being ill this week. And test was negative, so just the old strep throat.

Toni'sfriend

That’s good news, Ditty. I mean it not being the virus but a sore throat like that is not nice.

Narola1976

I too have been lurking, enjoying reading everyone’s contributions. I definitely need some help in organising myself and being more predictive on the home and personal fronts. I like the tree thingy app - what is it called as I struggle to be productive work wise and fritter my time away. 

Calling14

Hi turtles.

Yesterday popped into lidlee for milk and spent £20 oops, must confess cake and chocolate in there. Need to wean my body off sugar. Whilst it was a spendy day bought a fire stick off Amazone I wanted one for ages. Can't get Disney on my tv, got my dd disney on my phone but for tired kids at weekend will be a godsend.

Today booked afternoon off. Plan is to get xmas cake in oven, all the ingredients weighed out, fruit soaked overnight so then hopefully pop down the road to a wander alone around my local zoo in sunshine whilst it cooks. Might see animals without kids, who just want to play in the park.

Booked tomorrow off, plan is finish painting, pick up flooring/ carpet samples and walk in sunshine.

Grateful for

Having holidays left

Sunshine

Feeling more organised, thanks to lists, lists and more lists.

f0xh0les

Yesterday was NSD8, I have used survey vouchers for dyl0n pods to bring some very faded clothes back into use, and I spent £10 on a free gift card on candles.  Should not need another candle til 2021. Well, December anyway.  I bought wicks in April, and am melting the last bits and making new 3 wick candles from the ends. Very MSE.

Today was supposed to be NSD, but DS1s birthday presents from his grandparents via the 'River Shop' have been plopping through the letter box since 7.15am, and I have run out of wrapping paper.   So will have to go and buy some with real money, in a real shop (boo!) this afternoon.  Should not be too horrific, but not as easy as you think when the C word is looming.   NSDs are much easier when you just don't go into a shop!

Took the mattress springs to the metal skip at the tip this morning . Hoovered the house so I don't have to bother with upstairs over half term.  2 school days left. Practically had to shovel them out of the house this morning.

The rest of the day will be concerned with making a  coffee cake for DS1 for tomorrow, and making sure that nobody has nicked my vegan smarties and choc covered malt balls that are for birthday cake decoration, not for sneaky little two legged pantry mice.  I might have to stand guard with a french stick all night .  Hiding stuff on a high shelf does not work so well when they are 4 inches taller than you, with Orangutan arms.  

Will try and find cheap but nice paper, and it can do (C-word Eve Eve birthday) DS4 as well.  But I am NOT ironing the stuff like my m-i-l does.

Bluegreen143

Thank you for the kind welcome everyone ❤️ And sending love to everyone who is ill - get well soon!

O - I’m going to aim for 8 NSDs since I’ve got half a month to go. And will hopefully get some child free time to go charity shop shopping for bits for the kids’ birthdays and Christmases.

U - Could do better getting exercise (other than walking) and eating less sugary treats so will try to focus on these. My philosophy on raising small children involves walking them daily and playing in the garden a lot so that covers fresh air, sunshine, getting some exercise. And I eat with the kids so get plenty of fruit and veg.

R - we have a pretty set routine in our house (courtesy of being a SAHM to two under 5s). Our daily routine builds in time for healthy meals, getting outdoors, keeping on top of basic housework, quality time with the children and making sure they are in bed at appropriate times (essential for my mental health). Need to build in time in the routine for me to do some yoga which I really want to make a regular habit. I’d also like to build in more quality time with my husband which I feel is lacking a bit at present.

D - just starting to change to a “pay yourself first” budget. Aiming to skim off 17% for savings (we will be debt free after next payday) and live off the rest. Any extra income that comes in I think I’ll split 50/50 between savings and fun. Would love to get to 20% savings rate but don’t think it’s doable on current income.

B - as part of my new way of working out the budgets I’m giving myself a weekly spending allowance which I think will be easier to stick to. Aiming for £100 p/w housekeeping (food, other household supplies, petrol, misc) and £25 p/w for wants/treats/clothes.

U - mindset is so important. I’m usually good at keeping positive but have felt a bit down about increased restrictions lately. Need to spend less time reading the news and worrying about things I can’t change! 

D - The other night I ordered some stuff for the kids’ Christmas and feel so much better for making a start. They both have December birthdays so there is a lot to be done before that month comes!

Thought today would be a NSD but a paypal payment has come out my account for a toy I ordered off eBay the other day (to go towards the kids’ Christmas stash). I ordered it a couple of days ago. Do people count this as being spent when they order it or when the cash comes out? 

abundant1972

Afternoon everyone!

So I am just thinking... if I went to the opticians and paid for a test and some eye drops - technically that counts as a prescription so I would have had a NSD had I not stumbled into 'ye olde fashioned sweety shop' and bought a bag of liquorice assortment. Dang and blast! I never go into town so when I do I like to pop in there. I'm still way within budget and I pay myself week 3 tomorrow. Been to the gym also, so am feeling very virtuous haha. 

PS. Bluegreen123  said the 'C' word TWICE before December. You're in big trouble now haha!!! I suspect they may let you off as you are new 😉

Have a great day everyone. 

Toni'sfriend

Hello, Bluegreen. Nice to see you. I think it’s really up to you when you count that as a spend. And I’m sure Mothernerd will explain about that word and elves. She does it so much better than me.

NSD no 9

I woke up in the middle of the night last night, looked out of the window and what a beautiful, clear, starry sky. A crescent moon. Absolutely gorgeous. You miss so much when you live in the city with all the light pollution, etc. It’s dull and rainy just now but lots of birds flying about.

Himself is making dinner tonight. Baked potatoes with bacon and cheese. Yummy.

Bluegreen143

Oh no!! Did I break a rule? I’m so sorry, I wouldn’t want to get on the bad books of any elves. Will make up for it by being excessively frugal all month, with many NSDs 😆

Bluegreen143

Also, I think I will track things when I order them regardless of when the money comes out, that makes more sense to me. But I’m bidding on a piece of playmobil on eBay (for the word which must not be named) and so if I win it won’t be a NSD today. And won’t be tomorrow as council tax and veg box payment and Tesco delivery will all come out then.