NST October The Turtles Go Outward Bound

Fmess

Please can I join?
I got lost at the end of September due to craziness at work (school) and trying to provide an education for 2 year groups at home and 5 year groups in school. I need to find a new normal where I can balance the unexpected changes.

f0xh0les

Pinch Punch First of the month and no returns!!

mothernerd

Everyone up to here has been given a number. Let me know if I have missed anyone out. No quotes this month (not yet anyway). Will post something later (trying to strike a balance between realism and hope).

[Deleted User]

So, here's my stuff! 
O   Only for this month, charity shop purchases/ donations will not lose you a NSD - not a problem for me, I don't use charity shops and have nothing to donate since I finished the house renovations last year 😉 I'll stick to 15 NSD's though! 

U   You need to take care of you (especially if others depend on you) - this one is hard! However, I'm going to start taking multi-vitamins and drinking more water 😊

T   Try to live frugally, being mindful of every purchase - I really need to focus on this - my new grandbaby has arrived and the urge to splash out is overwhelming! 🙈 However, I will try really hard to resist! In most respects I  live frugally though so will make sure I keep all purchases under review 😉

W   Winter is coming. You are going to get sick. Be prepared.- We have plenty of paracetamol in the house plus elderberry syrup, the freezer has lots of food in and my store cupboard stocks are high 🙌

A   Awesome. Turtles are awesome. You are awesome - No problem with this! 😂 I'm very lucky in pretty much every aspect of my life and I'm very conscious of it, but I'm going to make sure that I spend time every day really appreciating it! 

R   Routine. - I'm rubbish at them! 😔 This month I will try really hard to introduce a self-care routine as I know that I could do with one! 

D   Debts or savings should be paid first, you live on what is left over - I've always done this 😉 However, I'm going to try to minimise my spending this month! 

B  Budgets should be set before the start of the month for all categories - Food, travel, entertainment/personal spends (for those who have them), children's activities. - Again, something I always do but will try to minimise my personal spends 😊 

O   Originality and a sense of humour will get us through this month and the last quarter of 2020 - This one will be really easy - my eldest grandbaby makes me do crazy stuff! 😂 I'm looking forward to doing lots of autumn crafts with him this month and will have lots of fun collecting leaves, pine cones etc for the projects 😉 

U   You must change the way you think about things - this one is the hardest! I really need to change my mindset with alcohol 🙈 I've always been a heavy drinker (I'm not alcohol dependent but I drink a lot!) and this has got worse during lockdown. It's made me put on shed loads of weight and it's been a drain on my funds...I have cut back a bit but I really need to do more so this month I will stick to a plan! 

N   No limits. Take time to ponder, muse, wrestle a tricky problem - I don't have any possessions that are a burden - I got rid of everything that doesn't serve a purpose or make me happy 😉 

 D   December. We are still not talking about that day but, like everything else, things are going to be different - I know that Solstice will pretty much be off this year unless the rule of six in England changes to not including children - I have bought gifts for my eldest grandbaby already and give cash to my kids which I already have put aside. As I'm vegan, I have all the food/ingredients I need in the house already for a celebration meal should one be needed and the veg I will need is growing in my garden 😉 I bought decorations last year so don't need any more. 

Shrewbie

O   Only for this month, charity shop purchases/ donations will not lose you a NSD. 

I absolutely love this. I just wish that we had the sort of charity shops here in Spain that there are in the UK! The ones here as far as I’ve seen are mainly just for clothes. But I am going to do some research and see if I can find any others. I loved poking around the Rastro market here but that’s been closed for months as it draws crowds. 

U   You need to take care of you (especially if others depend on you).  Take care of your family. 

I was doing OK with meal planning in September but want to do better in October paying more attention to getting the right nutrients. 

I am going to continue with regular exercise aiming for 6 days out of 7, some of those days will be light exercise/yoga etc. 

Will add meditation to the mix. 

Trying to get out in the sunshine while it is still there. I’ll have long gaps between classes in October so I’m going to make sure I get out for exercise assuming its allowed. 

T Try to live frugally, being mindful of every purchase.

I just looked back at how my spending compared to my budget for September. I was doing OK with my “fun” budget which usually consists of drinks out and meals.  I had a limited budget  and I came in under budget at €100. We had takeaways but they were super cheap for example, bought on deal days. We ate at only cheap places. However, looking at bf’s accounts yesterday, it turns out he spent €400 on “fun” in September. 

The problem is that bf quite often so desperately wants a takeaway/particular meal that he treats me as well knowing I don’t earn as much as he does. Yesterday we found out he has had a pay cut so now he needs to be careful too and limit how much he is “treating” both of us. I am of course grateful but it is not so much of a treat when it starts to make one feel guilty. I want nothing more than to be able to treat both of us too. 

I need to keep up regular contact with my family. I am not the best at staying in touch but this year has really taught me how important it is and how good it makes me and others feel. 

Winter is coming 

I am going to batch cook this month! Lots of winter veg soups. I actually can’t wait to get organised. 

We have a good stock of painkillers and cold remedies. 

Thanks for the hot water bottle reminder @mothernerd, mine died last year and these are going to be essential this winter. I will stock up on a few as  bf’s bad knees act up when its cold. 

Awesome - I will definitely try to do an awesome thing everyday!! 

Routine 

I will define my targets for October and try to be awesome!! At the moment my main focus is career related, a two pronged attack on jobs in UK and Spain as I really don’t know where I want to be long-term. Some of the jobs I am applying for in the UK recruit 3 years in advance, so that’s my job for winter term while also sending out my CV in spain for jobs that would start immediately. 

Debts and Savings I have been eating into my savings this year as I have only been working part time. I really don’t want it to continue. Next month I could possibly earn enough to break-even and I’m hoping that’s the case.

Every time I eat into my savings I see my future house getting further away from me. 

Budgets 

Will be stock taking and batch cooking!! Here are my budgets for the month… it  really is squeaky- bum time (not letting my savings suffer!!!)

Fun budget €100

Food budget €100 

Originality

 will try to remember to laugh!! Going to plan for foraging trips for pinecones and things for winter crafts. If anything there is too much silliness in this household and I wouldn't have it any other way.

U change the way you think about things

I am trying to change the chip and be more positive. It is true that this year has been good for a lot of things, reflection on what  I want from life etc. I am going to try to be more appreciative of what I have now rather than mourning what I used to have (I left a pretty good job in London to come to spain and be penniless haha) 

No limits

Time to ponder. I’ve definitely had a lot of this over the last few months and yes it has been useful, it needs to continue. 

Going to sort out some extraneous clutter in the flat. 

December

I do have to think about this. I am not sure if we will be able to go home so will have a think about how we can still make it special! 

have a great day turtles 

abundant1972

Happy 01st October!!!

Please sign me up Mothernerd 

O   Only for this month... I don't tend to use charity shops as I hardly ever buy clothes or material goods other than food and books, which usually are quite specific and off-beat!!! I will go through my clothes again and see if there is anything to give away though. 

U   Looking after myself. I have some multivitamin powder with all kinds of good stuff in - I just need to remember to take it! Will keep up with my walks and trying to aim for 7-8 hours sleep. Will make a concerted effort to take some time each day for mindfulness/meditation as it does me the World of good. 

T   Living frugally seems to be my biggest challenge at the moment. I have removed my cc details off sites like Amazon and gaming sites so I can't just one-click everything on the never-never. If I want to buy it it has to come out of my current account/budget. I will strive to use up what is in my cupboards before stocking up on new stuff. 

W   I love Winter so much despite the darkness. I think for me this month I will try and squirrel away what spare change I can, and once my cupboards are run down - stock with own-brand only staples that I will actually use, and get into the habit of batch cooking again. 

A   Being Awesome! I need to learn to appreciate and celebrate myself a bit more and actually congratulate my achievements. I am rubbish at this and if I am honest I don't really do it or know how to! Will try and make time to think and try and feel positive when I do something good. 

R   I love a good routine... Well I love designing them - and then am rubbish at sticking to them haha. Will re-visit my morning and evening routines and try and see why they didn't take last month, and how I can make them work for me. 

D   Debt. Am adopting a 'pay yourself first' approach. As soon as I am paid, 10% of it goes into an account which I will use to better my life. At the moment - this is going to be debt repayment. Beyond that - it will be to save again. I will continue putting £100 a month into another account which pays for things like car insurance, tax and other annual expenses. 

B  Great at designing budgets - have one every month. Need to stick to my spending limits better though.

O   Originality and a sense of humour - I definitely need to lighten up and try and remember that things I perceive as 'stressful' in the grand scheme of life, are here today and gone tomorrow. Learn to take pleasure in life's simple pleasures. 

U   I am doing lots of work on understanding and changing my mindset. In relation to finances - I think I need to learn to understand why I do great first 2 weeks of every month and then spiral out of control for the last 2... It is a definite pattern with me and my spending. 

N   No limits. I have plenty of pondering time

D   December. Since moving back up North and looking after family I have lost sight of my own beliefs and spiritual practice and been dragged kicking and screaming back into the 🎄 mentality. I will make a point to reconnect with my beliefs and re-ignite my Solstice celebrations, and taking time out to retreat. 

Great challenge - thank you! 

Update: Budgets set!  
Today = NSD number 1

Toni'sfriend

Happy 1st October. New month, new challenge. It’s going to be a bit odd for me since I’m on holiday for most of it.

Hope you don’t mind, Mothernerd, if I don’t set a specific number of NSDs. It’s a bit difficult when I can’t really plan. However, no expensive meals out or cheeky little lunches in the pub. We’ve got lots in the freezer at the moment but will probably need the odd ingredient to make a nice meal. Virtually no shops here so I shouldn’t be tempted to spend on other things.

My focus this month is very much on relaxing and looking after myself. Walks on the beach and around the lovely countryside. Enjoy looking at the birds, flowers and plants - all the things you miss in the city. Talking to Himself the way we used to about everything and anything. Reading - read a whole book in one go yesterday. Lots of sleep. Not watching the depressing news and dreadful television, etc, etc

That’s all sounding a bit self indulgent but hopefully I’ll return with batteries recharged and start getting on with my life again.

ditty1234

can i pls join.

lcc86

Okay day one so here goes!

The Challenge
O  - Only for this month, charity shop purchases/ donations will not lose you a NSD. I'm aiming for 20, have achieved this the last few months so should be doable.

U -   You need to take care of you (especially if others depend on you). Still trying to get to the bottom of my back pain but have a couple of important appointments this month so let's see if we get somewhere. In the meantime I'll continue with my physio exercises etc. and won't beat myself up when I do need painkillers!

T   Try to live frugally, being mindful of every purchase. Don't have many spends planned this month so this should be relatively easy. I do want (not need!) an electric scooter to save money on fuel and mileage on the car, I have my eye on one and if there's a sale I will grab it but it's not urgent. 

W   Winter is coming. You are going to get sick. Be prepared.  Done. Also finally put blinds up everywhere so we can keep the cold out!

A   Awesome. Turtles are awesome. You are awesome. I probably can't post every day but will do what I can.

R   Routine.  I have a relatively good routine of exercise most mornings. Work is getting busy but I need to make sure I maintain my boundaries! 

D   Debts or savings should be paid first, you live on what is left over.  Done! Budget set, money sent to savings until my cc statement comes in and then debts will be paid. Not much going on this month and I do have overtime so it all helps.

B  Budgets should be set before the start of the month for all categories - Food, travel, entertainment/personal spends (for those who have them), children's activities.  Done! 

O   Originality and a sense of humour will get us through this month and the last quarter of 2020. I will try my best, especially when work tries my patience!

U   You must change the way you think about things.  I have been guilty of being a bit negative recently so I need to make more effort to be positive and optimistic. My home is cosy and I am extremely fortunate to have a job, a safe place to live and enough money to enjoy my life.

N   No limits. Take time to ponder, muse, wrestle a tricky problem. I have a bag for the charity shop which is actually my mum's stuff! Need to get round to getting it down there. I may start doing a bit of Marie Kondo just to get rid of any unnecessary bits and bobs.

D   December. We are still not talking about that day but, like everything else, things are going to be different. My goal this month is to find out what everyone wants (close family) so that I can make a proper start. Not thought about anything else tbh given the way everything is going. Just hoping I can see family. 

Kerry_Woman

Was a spend day today as I did my food shop.  Also ordered epsom salts on line - should be delivered tomorrow and booked a ticket for cinema to see A Life on Our plant on Saturday.
Grateful for:
Achieving what I wanted to do today.
Having a lovely relaxing bath.
Read some of a book.