NST August 2021: Lights, Camera, Action!

thriftylass

Good  morning,

so good to be back and have an extra incentive i.e. the accountability here. 

BTW were have the emojis gone, I haven't used the new version yet and the old forum is now definitely gone and I have to learn to use this one

Productive afternoon yesterday. Cut the hedge, cooked lunches for the rest of the week, made another week's meal plan (two weeks !!!!! planned, can't even remember the last time that happened) and played games with the kids rather than plugging themselves in all evening. 

Payday today and I paid some of the CC and started the EF fund again. I think I'll pause the mortgage OP for now as a spendy time is coming up and I do not want to use the CC again.

Hope you have a good day

apple_muncher

Welcome to the last day of Lights! Camera! Action! Thank you for coming on the ride with me and making it a good month.

Don't forget to sign up for mothernerd's September : https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6293429/nst-september-2021/p1?new=1

f0xh0les

Well I made it to double figures this month, which is more than I did last month, so that is progress. 

Have done my bulk buys this month to see me through to C-word - washing powder, washing up liquid, shower gel, tea, coffee, flour, 2 months worth of loo roll,  all the stuff you don't want to run out of. 

Bought most of what DS1 needs for uni, paid uni accommodation deposit, and still came in on budget. 

Thanks for running August  @apple_muncher - see you in September!

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Thanks apple for this challenge.  I've not made it to double figures with NSDs.  Lots of small spends but have been away to celebrate DD's graduation which was spendy.  Today we are visiting DD1 for lunch before she and i go back to work and DD2 goes off to do her Masters.  I have 3 bags for the CS but haven't managed to take them yet; i am gathering books that i am going to try to sell to a 2nd hand bookstore and i have a bag of OOD meds to take to Sainz pharmacy and a bag of soft plastics that i can recycle in the local c00p.  Thus making life lighter is WiP but going in right direction I have made myself lighter though!!  I actually weighed myself on Monday and was below 11stone - first time in 4 years!!  Have been a bit indulgent since the weigh in but i am in the right place mentally to keep making healthy choices.  I have also walked 10k steps everyday since i got my f!tb!t (about 3 weeks ago?).  
I'm grateful for the turtles for keeping me focused especially apple and mothernerd who runs lots of our challenges.  I am grateful that DD2 had a lovely grad celebration and that DD1 has a new job to look forward to.  I am grateful for my lovely friends who i have managed to see this month.

See you in simple September
Love Deni x

Calling14

Belated birthday greetings Idee.

Very quiet weekend family all feeling under weather so left alone.  Was good to have a rest and declutter my garage. Car full tip run and CS after work.

Spent too much this month !

Food 200/150 Fridge/ freezer packed as family too ill to come this weekend.

Fuel 85/45 Got Sept fuel as well

Me 160/100 New cardies for autumn bought, nightie as family stay weekends need to cover up, and dd2 doing  trop ikal thing, got lots with with discount so no spending rest of year on cosmetics.

Bdays -50/10  thought none this month but there were!!!

Had budgeted £200 to go away but didnt happen and gained £76 from surveys  if I hadnt have bought a water feature  would be winning. Savings not made my target.

Nevermind, ready for September,

Thanks Apple for keeping us in check see you in September.

ditty1234

Hi all, not caught up. New computer same old life :-) Pretty much ready for September. Ready for some NSD days and a lot more MSE life. 
Grateful for NHS, for ds2 changing a tyre, for small mercies and life in general. 

Kerry_Woman

Apple - Thanks for running this month's thread.
Sorry for not checking in regular.  Managed 24 NSDs.  Was nearly £9 over budget in the food category.  Other categories were ok.  Managed to get shifts at work for first 2 weeks of September.  Work has had it's ups and downs, which affected my mh. Am trying to keep on doing my current self care plan.
Grateful for:
Better day at work today.
Receiving a small package from the organisation that I work for, which includes a journal and other items.
Having a book to read on bus to and from work.

apple_muncher

That's it, folks! August is done and dusted. Thank you one and all.

I made a possible 11 NSDs but we were away for 13 days, which changed spending habits. I did manage to do 23 bouts of exercise though, so certainly fulfilled the 'action' part!

I'm working my way through a book called A Year To Clear. Only on day 50 ish but it's helping.several bagfuls of stuff have gone to charity shops. And the garden has been worked on. Overall, the place is feeling lighter.

Dc had a new camera, so we've all been looking at things differently. We also dyed our hair (I had Big Pink that took best on my grey hairs, and dc had bleach then Washed Up Mermaid, and now has brown ready for back to school) which has been surprisingly liberating.

Today I am grateful for finding a set of bunk beds for dc and fitting them in the car, for dh finishing the re-assembling of a unit thingy for dc's wardrobe, for getting more school prep done (just as well; I go back tomorrow!), for book 5 in a series of 5 arriving (bought new, but the other 4 only cost 50p each), for my supply of fresh rasps.

ldee2111

I’m surprised to have made it to NSD 15. 

I randomly checked our credit card this morning. The card is used for holidays abroad and we haven’t been one in over 2 years. So it came as a surprise to see it had £34 spent on it just a week ago. I was straight on to the bank which immediately cancelled the card and has refunded the money. 

OH is due to get a first payment tomorrow since starting to work for himself 8 months ago. I spent an hour after work today fiddling with our monthly budget to include a bit of regular saving again. I feel relief because we had one month left of emergency funds to keep us above water. After September, we’d have been in the red. And my weekly shop would have consisted of rice and beans. 

Grateful for birthday wishes from fellow turtles, this thread, and the MSE site (and Mr Lewis of course). 

ldee2111

Sorry, I forgot to say thank you @apple_muncher for this month’s challenge. Hugely grateful to the turtles who set up the challenges - they really do keep me on track - and to all the turtles for just making this the kindest, most supportive thread on the WWW!