NST October The Turtles Go Outward Bound

apple_muncher

Direct debits won't lose you an NSD bluegreen as they can come out on strange days over the weekend or BHols.

ABUNDANT - you are such a grass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mothernerd

Quite simply Father C has to shoot an elf every time someone uses the 'C' word before November - we tend to miss letters out (substituting with appropriate symbols), can also be non-specific 'festive' period (which covers several religions/ belief systems who have celebrations), I also use Isaac Newton's birthday or Dr Who special day. It basically a counter to the commercial interests suggesting that we celebrate by handing them our money. There are other ways to do things/ solve problems than by throwing money at them. 

We will go into things more nearer the time but as someone who brought up three boys alone without receiving a penny in maintenance I would say -
1)  Find out what is really important to your children, what makes 'C' for them - mine were only 5 yo,3 yo and a baby when my partner contracted Bell's palsy, couldn't work for an undefined period and our income stopped overnight as we were self-employed. I knew DS2 wanted a Thunderbird suit and I could make that (or buy a cheap pair of pjs and make the hat and sash) but it turned out that getting chocolate money in their stockings was very important to them and it was something that could have been easily overlooked.
 2) I used to buy one lot of specific paper and buy some plain wrap (bright coloured kraft paper/ spots/ stripes) which went with it. The non specific paper could be used to wrap birthday and other gifts throughout the year and didn't mean having a drawer/ back of a cupboard or wardrobe filled with paper for 11 months of the year.
3)   Only buy food your family loves. As soon as your children are old enough get them to write a list of 10 foods they want to see on the table over the festive season - it doesn't matter if they put down 10 dessert items but if they don't put it on their list, they don't get to complain if you (or whoever does the shopping) don't buy it. As turtles we want to cut out food waste.

'C' is only in this month's challenge because like all budget items, it needs thinking about. It will be different this year, many will lose their jobs (and some their homes). Any available money should be used wisely (including giving to food banks, homeless and other charities) and not on frivolous tat.

I'll get down off my soapbox now. A very warm welcome Bluegreen and any other lurkers who want to dip a toe in the water.

lcc86

Narola the app is called Forest. I've found it a good way to make me focus on working from home as I have a tendency to just pick up my phone for X or Y reason and then spend 5 or 10 minutes procrastinating! 

No NSD today, decided to buy the few housey bits I needed so all the spends were planned and necessary. Nothing else to report other than that it's Wednesday so officially closer to the weekend now! 

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for my car, for a dry outside duty, for teaching some great kids, for a warm and snuggly duvet.

Narola1976

Thanks @lcc86 that’s exactly what I end up doing also working from home. I need to be more disciplined. 

f0xh0les

I managed a sub £8 spend in the end, including a jar of Bisc0ff spread for filling the cake, 3 rolls of wrap, a bag of spuds and bread related fripperies.  

Gratitudes: My scones rose beautifully and tasted even better - just what was needed,  free candles, free clothes dye, only 2 more school days.

Bluegreen143

Thank you @mothernerd. Some very good tips, particularly re checking the food etc that the children actually want. Its all new this year as we are planning a quiet one at home - usually we go to family and the one time we didn’t, MIL + BIL came to us. Interesting husband and I have decided not to do the festive roast this year (though I do love cooking so feel a bit 😳 at it) because the kids never eat even a bite of it and it frees me up to actually play with them all day. So we’re just going to get some treaty party food instead. Should also save money and prevent waste.

No NSD today as I did win that eBay auction.

Today I am grateful for the littlest one (nearly 2) who is suddenly almost totally potty trained with surprisingly little effort (and very proud of herself bless her); the big one (nearly 5) who actually ate(!) and enjoyed(!!) his veggie bean burritos at dinner; my husband who randomly out of the blue has asked a colleague to cover his on call on Friday because he wants us to have an (at home) date night; my homemade wraps for dinner which turned out beautifully soft; a video chat with a couple of friends this evening.

abundant1972

apple_muncher said:

Direct debits won't lose you an NSD bluegreen as they can come out on strange days over the weekend or BHols.

ABUNDANT - you are such a grass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hahahahahaha 🤣

mothernerd

Thought for the day
Reading won't solve your problems, but then again, neither will housework

abundant1972

Good morning

Apple_Muncher - I am now a fully fledged member of the 'Society for the Protection of Elves' haha. 

Planning on a NSD (number 8) today as in work - then out for a walk when I get home. As long as I leave my wallet at home I should avoid temptation lol. Have been sorting out my credit cards and switching one to a 0% interest one. Waiting for one item to clear then I will total up balances and start the grind (again). I joined a few courses earlier in the year and had monthly payments going out - I have now asked to pay the remaining balances in full so I know where I am up to - then no more spending on them. I will be battening down the hatches and throwing everything I have at them whilst also trying to build up a little security for the future. 

Have a great day folks.