NST May MISCHIEF AND MAYHEM

firsview

My my heart goes out to you Thifty. I have been in exactly the same position as you with DS1 and know exactly how you feel x

wishus

M - Dreams – these are variable because money isn’t my only limiter. My job is great, but I think more than anything I would like to be my own boss a bit more and limit the stress I currently have. My dream has been the same for ages – as my bio below says – to live in a house in the country. I think that’s still a possibility, but I may have to adjust the scale a bit so that I’m not over-stressing myself at work to be able to achieve that. I think I would just like my life to be long and healthy as much as possible, so avoiding stress is key.

What I need to do then is: 

1. Learn to drive so I have more options of where to live. 
2. Get this house into a more sellable state, which involves saving for work to be done to it and decluttering. 
3. Manage my savings a bit better because right now, I’m doing well at them then borrowing slightly back from them at month end, when it’s just for frivolity. 
4. Keep working on the fitness plan. It is going to be harder than when I was younger and fitter, but it’s possible.

I - So, my three main goals are 2, 3 and 4 because I can learn to drive after I’ve done my theory so that’s just reading for now.

• S – plaster walls throughout which will cost around £2K; summer clothes sort to make some space in drawers and eliminate ‘floordrobe’ that keeps appearing; achieve 5 days of activity each week.
• M – walls will be plastered; I can remove 3kg of clothes; I have a Fitbit.
• A – money is saved, just got to find someone to do the work; I have some time next weekend to go through the drawers; I managed it last week with walking and aerobics videos – and I have lost 3” round the waist so far, well done me.
• R – yes, we need to do this work before we can decorate. If I can keep losing tummy, I can nearly get back into a couple of my nice skirts so less of my wardrobe will need to go, so just 3kg is fine.
• T – let’s book the plaster by month end. I can’t get anyone in that quick.

S - 16 spend free days it is!

C - Doing £102 grocery budget.

H - On it

I - ???

E – covered

F – 2 trips planned. Scarborough and Wookey Hole. Let’s celebrate some whacky holidays too!

A - ???

N – okay, eek! I think we may have to make an exception to No coffee shops for the travel plans, Hubby won’t be happy. All by myself, fine.

D – savings sorted, done!

M – on it!

I’ll have a look at the rest of the letters throughout the month. I, A, A, Y, H, E, M

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

hugs Thrifty - I've been in a similar position with DD2 & her serious MH issues xx

welcome to newbies

I'm away today will catch up tomorrow or Weds, it will be quite spendy....

MazzieD

Thanks for adding me to the list mothernerd.  I'll start working on the May challenge after I've caught up on here.

Just got back from a weekend away with OH, a relatively recent addition to my life and very much part time at the moment as I've been on my own for several years and it's taking a bit of time to get used to!.  My cat is not amused, he doesn't like the competition. 

Yesterday was NSD1, the weekend was my birthday and Valentines present postponed from February as I was recovering from a chest injury.  So just a walk on the beach and a paddle in the sea (really cold) enjoying spending time together away from it all.  We did stop for lunch and a cream tea but I got treated.  

Grateful for being alive and well, having someone to cuddle and share with and for the best weekend I've had in a very long time.

Shrewbie

Hi turtles, I hope everyone is enjoying the bank hol. Here is my plan for May:

Mischief and Mayhem

M - I have a lot of dreams but I think the central theme which a lot of people have touched on is freedom and independence. Honestly, I love my life here and I am grateful for what I have, but need to become more independent. A lot of my life is lived through my bf. I have split my dreams/goals into short term and long term, but they are all interlinked and require immediate action really.

Short term - I need hobbies and friends  that are just mine. I’ve been put off making friends due to reducing my drinking, it seems to go hand in hand with making friends, as an introvert. But I want to break this cycle, I’m interested in other things besides drinking and I can meet people through these other interests. 

I want to develop my writing skills, take up aerial classes again and focus on making my body healthy and strong. 

I have a 2 day work party coming up (postponed from Dec due to the ‘vid) I would like to do some extra work on my Spanish in the run up to this as these kinds of events make me nervous at the best of times, let alone worrying about my Spanish.

Long term - I also have a dream of owning a house in the countryside and financial freedom…. for this reason I want to look at ways of growing the savings I do have, and begin investing.

I need to also think of ways to increase my earning potential at work. I could do a traditional route but this will require a big upfront cost and I want to see if there is a smarter way to do it.

I - Here are the small next steps I need to take, it seems like everything is a priority which is bad I guess. The asterisks are my 3 to focus on for now.

• Creativity/Hobbies/meeting people - Do morning pages every day 
• Join book club, and writing groups. **
• Develop an exercise plan. Speak to boss about working from home more so I can go to aerial class (the timetable doesn’t fit otherwise) **
• Keep saving money , work on an investment plan Sort out bank account. 
• Look into courses related to work so I can improve my knowledge and make a case for future pay rise
• Read at least 1 hour/podcasts per day in Spanish, and do 2 hours of grammar study on Sat morning. **

S - I will aim for 15 NSDs as I normally do terribly with this.

C - my budget is set for May. I am going to UK for a friend’s 40th, all is paid from the holiday fund but will have budgeted some spending money. Also my sister is visiting, so will need extra spending money for that.

H - Will continue meditation and will increase the amount I do. 

I - improve. I need to kick some bad habits, my sugar intake has crept up again so I will try to address this as I know it makes my skin suffer. I will also try to switch off the TV earlier and spend the evenings reading (I always say this)

E - I will add one extra low impact day to my exercise routine and will incorporate more strength and flexibility exercises 

F -  I will certainly try to remember this throughout the month. I have some very fun things to look forward to in May so I need to enjoy them and relax a little.

M - will declutter some things from the house

A - will think about this

Y - relationships, this is a  good month for me to catch up with friends and get their perspective on some changes I need to make, Will try to value my relationships more, treat my sister when she comes here and be more of a friend to my friends and better generally to my family.

H - will do 

E  / sounds good. I need more energy! 

M - Love it

Good luck turtles and thanks again mothernerd for running the challenge. You have given me much food for thought.

MazzieD

M   Make the most of Your Life. Suspend reality for 5 -10 minutes and wite down your ideal life(without limits). If worries and to do's  dominate your thinking put them on paper (therapeutic, gets them out of your head and you can chop them down to size) 

I WFH with an occasional visit to the office which is ideal, plenty of contact with colleagues so I don't really feel isolated.  I would really like to spend more time with OH but he works shifts and I quite often work long hours so this is work in progress.  Apart from that I have everything I need and am quite content.

I   Identify 3 areas to work on. Assess them with SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and break them down into small steps.

Self care.  This is not my strong point, I really need to improve on simple things like taking time each day to moisturise my feet and body rather than just my face. 

Diet.  I try to eat well but this also needs attention  I meal plan and batch cook but unhealthy snacks keep creeping in!

My garden.  It's small and low maintenance but it still gets overgrown as I don't get out there often enough.


S   SFDs 16 (hard), previous best +1 (easy)

Not sure what my average is as I have never counted so I'll aim for 16 and see how I get on

C   Challenge runs throughout May. Budgets are set before the start of teh month.

Budget completed last week and savings allocated.

H   Health needs to be a priority (Mental/ Physical/ Spiritual - good for your soul)

Another area I need to work on, I tend to take it for granted.

I    IMPROVE Find ways to make things a tiny bit better or stop them getting worse

Not sure about this one, might have to come back to it.

E   Exercise 4 x 30 mins a week (walking wounded exempt)

I walk for about an hour at least 3 times a week.

F   FUN we all need more fun in our lives

I don't take myself too seriously, love playing in sandpits, paddling in the sea and building sandcastles on the beach.  Just need a bucket and spade next time I go.

A   Attitude - Try to adopt a positive attitude (you are allowed sad or bad days)

I'm usually cheerful and positive, it takes a lot for me to have a sad or bad day.

N   NO unnecessary spending especially savings thieves like coffee shop coffee.

Really good at this one, take food and drink with me or don't take any money.

D   Debt or Savings should be paid first, live off the rest

I've been doing this for years, it's the best way to live.


M   Maintenance Start a notebook for regular checks of your home (roof, wall, plumbing, appliances)

Great reminder, I used to do this but stopped due to lockdowns etc.  Need to dig my notebook out and revisit/start a new list

A   Alternative Solutions different ways of looking/doing/seeing/being

I'll have a go but this could be quite difficult.

Y   Your Relationships Listen, hug, avoid/ end.

Concentrating on just one relationship for the moment.  Others will follow

H   help those in need and add an extra good deed

I donate to a charity close to my heart.

E   Energy - We all have limits - Simplify, Organise, Delegate (more later)

Wish I had more energy at the moment!

Well here it is, this is my first attempt at a monthly challenge, feels quite daunting at the moment.  I'll do my best..............

apple_muncher

MazzieD, it can seem daunting at first, but hang in there with us! We have lots of strands in each challenge, yes, and we're all at different points regarding each one. And it changes from month to month! Kick back and enjoy the ride 😁.

Today I am grateful for a really quiet drive to the gym and cheerful people, for planting up some plants (😆) instead of leaving them for weeks, for coffee out with dh (yep, I'm first on the naughty step...) as we had an unexpected few hours without dc, for dc having a fab time with friends, for my family.

beanielou

Thrifty~~Sending hugs your way.
Such a difficult age for boys trying to deal with everything.
I will never forget my DS telling me he did not want to be here.
Can still make me cry now.
Anyway, he came out the other side.
Take care of you too   xx

beanielou

Oh & for me going for a coffee is a social thing & a chance to catch up with friends.
It's when I get out of the four walls & is good for my MH.

firsview

Evening Turtles. Spendy day today buying compost and seeds and (hangs her head in shame) tomato plants. I have never, ever bought tomato plants, I have always grown everything from seed but this year I just haven’t got my ar@e in gear and have run out of time.Some new garden lights may have fallen into my trolley as well.
Just to round it off nicely I had to buy a new sandwich toaster as the old one kept smelling like it was going to catch fire and tripping the electrics. Apparently it is a necessary addition to any kitchen so says DS2.
Dyed DD’s hair for her which went a rather fetching shade of neon orange rather than the blonde it was meant to be with some leopard spots where I had missed bits thrown in for good measure. She just shrugged and ordered some semi permanent dye to tone it down. Oh well, will cut down on the electric bill as she won’t need to put her bedroom light on later.
Today I am grateful for my sister going to my clients so I could have the bank holiday off, some gladioli bulbs from my Dad and DD not being cross about her hair.