NST: November 2020 - Madness!!!

f0xh0les

Narola1976 said:

 Since I paid much more than the minimum to Argos this month, the estimated interest should be less. I was pleased to see it should be about £13 less than predicted, if I have my sums right.

Don't want to be the voice of doom @Narola1976 but even if you pay back £299 on a £300 credit card bill debt, you still get charged interest on the whole £300 - it is why Martin is always shouting IN FULL about paying off your monthly debts.  

Today I am grateful that although kids are testing positive in yr 8, 11 and 13,  so far I only have one who is self isolating, and only until next Tuesday now. Got a fab ys haul after volunteering tonight.  Lots of lovely fruit and veg, and 16p bags of oats! And that the total fornicating imbecile who tried to swerve into the side of my car, managed to hit his brakes and stop.  Sadly my mouth worked faster than my brain, and my children heard words come out of my mouth that left them sniggering and giggling like fools.  It did not improve my mood.

mothernerd

Finally managed to spend some money on myself (present money from mum). Bought a load of 2nd hand books from Oxfam online and some orange and cinnamon scented candles, rounded up with a small donation. Have a load of candles on the way, some in beautiful metal tins, bulk pack of plain ones for power cuts and a battery operated storm lantern. Picked a Morrocan lamp and some tapers and wooden spills for lighting (stop mum burning herself or trying to lean too far). Did a stock up on basic t-shirts at sale prices and got an extra 20% off - mostly navy or black to wear with my long dresses to give different looks - monochrome patterns and ones with little details (bobble lace hem). Will extend the life of my existing clothes and cover up marks they have gathered over the years. No leggings except size 8 and not impressed with the jumpers. Have looked at Edinburgh woolen mill today , cotton jumpers around £20, lovely Aran and wool jumpers but need to work out a 'cost per wear' and a guesstimate on how long it is before I ruin them.

Nose and eyes both streaming today but went out side for a while this afternoon to dig in the side bed (get it down to below the level of the adjacent paving slabs) and moving some medium planters (14") and some larger items. Still a mess because I have to move things or shove them out of the way in order to get something else into position and frankly it's a bit like one of those tile puzzles for children where you move the tiles around to form a picture (flat rubix cube type thing).

Food has been simple, was a long while before I could manage more than yoghurt and grapes but had a monster tea chips and 'golden food' from the freezer but breaded garlic mushrooms not chicken nuggets. Added nando's sauce and cheapo mayo and wolfed the lot (left some of the breadcrumbs). Was awake for a lot of the night and did a food order which will come tomorrow evening and moved some items into empty spaces in the kitchen cupboards and a few bits into half empty spaces in the front room (one designated for festive food). 

Grateful for ibuprofen, coke with caffeine, throat sweets and tissues, lovely (not very healthy) food and ice cream on a stick.

facethemusic

Monday- NSD 2/18, meals for the week are planned and should only have to buy bread or rolls for packed lunches later in the week. Need to get diesel tomorrow but shouldn't need anything else. 
My to-do list seems to grow ever longer but am going to aim for 5 things a day and see if I can reduce it a bit by the weekend. Main priority is getting the pile of paperwork filed away and making sure I have changed my address with everyone that needs to know. 

f0xh0les

Today I have a plan. I am on a mission.  I do not have a waterproof coat, the c/s are still open. I am going to find one that I like, so that I can get my steps in even if it is raining.

misstara

Not had a chance to post my plan for the month yet but will do it later.  Sunday was a spend day as we got food shopping, yesterday was NSD 1  

ditty1234

Hi I haven't read all and I just want to state my gratitude for extremely resilient and driven kids. Will post my plan for the month later.

apple_muncher

I'm always impressed by the plans you turtles post for all to see! Mine usually tends to be a vague resonance that bongs around my head....

But I do need to get plans committed to paper this month as I need to hit the practice of saving hard to get used to if/when my pension gets mucked around with.

March - the biggest compliment I had recently was  friend who said 'you guys live simply'. I hope we do, without dd missing out. Also, re the pension shenanigans, I need to ensure I don't follow the crowd with a ''mob mentality'.

Alternate - I have been rubbish over the last few months with spending/nsds. Sigh. So starting the month with 2 nsds is a great boost.

Donate - yep. Have recentlyish increased my money donations, and am continuing to send stuff to the ch shops/friends...

Nesting - we tend to have separate areas, so long as we do not need to use the dining table! It is where dd and I do our work and sometimes our crafting. But now that the gutters are fixed, I'd like to do things like paint the hallway (it is small) as it will no longer be subject to rainwater making it damp/wet.

Exercise - this is one area where I have been consistent. And even though gyms have to close, i am confident that I have the equipment and the routines to workout at home. Still working, so I can also try to keep my step count up.

Spend + simplify. Spending feels more under control for this month. And Cmas presents are slowly being bought. Simplifying EVERYTHING is a dream!

Stay strong to yourself - most need this re the pension stuff, and the simplifying life.

Ta da!

I have committed!

Calling14

March - usually on a very different beat to most of my friends. Happy to be an individual and go where the music takes me, even alone. Happiest in a sweaty gig, equalled by mountain walk or travelling the coastal path. Find that not that bothered with all the shops being closed, hate shopping at the best of times.

Alternate - great idea can last another day. Set NSD 15 just hope can do more.

Donate - got more charity bags ready, just waiting for everything to reopen. Probably have donated more as one off payments  in lockdown.

Nesting - I excel at it. Cosy rooms downstairs throws everywhere, just need to finish hall painting and get new flooring when our lockdown is over next week.

Exercise - failing badly, too wet windy most days. Only managed 62k steps last week, must try harder and explore you tube for yogi and exercise if weather is bad.

Spend - probably buy too much food for just me but gkids at weekend usually empty my cupboards. I only shopping once a week if possible, odd milk/ bread shop when needed.  Made so much soup, different ones freezer full and perfect for work lunch. Simplifing, using food in freezer up, xmas pressies not a big spend, family sets budgets.

Control -  concentrating on what makes me and family happy at the moment. Avoiding negative people and spreading little kindness if I can.

Toni'sfriend

I was supposed to get my hair done today but when I got there the salon was closed. Waited for 20 minutes and no sign of anyone so left a phone message and went home. I had only been in ten minutes when I got a phone call from the owner. She'd put me in for Thursday instead of Tuesday. Poor girl was absolutely mortified and apologised profusely. No problem I'll go on Thursday instead. Apparently she thought she didn't have any appointments till later (she only takes a couple at a time) so was in the cafe next door with her partner making plans in case we go into lock down. Never mind. Mistakes happen.

Since I was out - a rare occurrence these days - I went to the butcher and bought some things that I was going to get later on in the week anyway. So no NSD. At least I did get a walk.

Hopefully, no spending tomorrow. Got a meal plan till Saturday and everything we need in. Don't need a delivery till the weekend (if then) but will have to get something for Sunday. I like to make something really nice for the Boy. Something he really likes and won't cook himself. Also promised to make some curries (and maybe a few other things) for his friend. He's a nurse (his friend that is) but his eating habits are appalling. Lovely boy but he really needs looking after and he is working so hard just now.

So, mushroom omelettes for dinner because I bought mushrooms without any clear idea of what I was going to do with them

Kerry_Woman

Apple - Thanks.  
Was a small spend day.  Had to top up my oyster card, next week's tv mag and a play next month(will get a refund if there are issues with not being able to go).
Grateful for:
Speaking to sister on phone as it is her birthday.
Cruse bereavement on line chat support.
Reading some of a book.
A short walk.
The Bucket woman.