NST August 2022: Lights, Camera, Action!

Esmeralda2662

Hi Apple, please can i join in this month? Thanks for setting August up!

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Hi apple, I'd like to join august please x

MrsToast82

Hi Apple. Please could I join? Really need to keep an eye on spends this month. 

grandmanerd

Sign me up, please apple. I promise to try harder this month

wishus

Hey everyone, please count me in for August too!
Busy, busy month planned!

apple_muncher

No need to feel you have to try harder, grandmanerd. Plodding and baby steps are good. As is stepping back, resting, taking stock.

I've been quite rudderless recently and can't seem to  find motivation for many things. But this thread and the turtle gang are both a bit of an anchor. Like a fart in a becalmed open ocean of nothingness.

Toni'sfriend

Thanks for running this month's challenge again, Apple.

My goals for August are:

• Keep eating healthily with a view to losing weight. I have a goal in mind but it may again be a bit ambitious but so long as it keeps decreasing.
• Keep up the skin care regime.
• Get out walking every day (weather permitting).
• Less screen time (both laptop and TV). I would really like to start listening to the radio again and listening to music whilst reading.
• Get the **** photos taken and apply for the passport or I'll never be going anywhere in January
• Use what we have as a basis for our meals. I've made a meal plan for the next two weeks which should help get some room in the cupboards and freezer (if I can prevent Himself from buying any more!)
• Really start sorting out the clutter. More of that later.
• Donate to the food bank whenever we go into Aldi
• Start a box of items to take on our self catering holiday in September.
• Eat a few frogs which involve phoning the council because nobody else is going to do it.

Planned expenditures:

• Hairdresser
• Lunch with the lovely cousin.
• Possibly going for lunch with Himself's friend..
• The Boy's birthday (most present's already bought).
  
• Two birthdays (cards bought)
• Passport (Goodness that costs a lot!)
• Get my ears pierced (I have lots of lovely earings but the the piercings have closed up). This is a possible because I'm going to have find somewhere to do it.

I'll try to count NSDs but it didn't work well last time so if I can just stay within budget I'll be happy.

Think that's enough to be going on with but no doubt I'll think of more as I go along.

abbi_aurelia

Thanks @apple_muncher, it’s childcare. We wanted two kids and I didn’t want a big age gap like me and my sis (4.5 years), so for the next year both will be at nursery 4 days a week. We thought about 3.5 days of childcare but to make the hours up at work means we’d never see each other and my mental health isn’t compatible with being a SAHM. We put aside savings to cover this time (eldest goes to school next Sept and then we’ll move youngest to pre school a few months later) so should be doable but I budgeted before the cost of living increase so need to be careful. I’m a long time lurker but hoping posting will keep me focused 

cuddlymarm

Thanks for running the August challenge Apple
I didn’t join in last month as we were on hol for some of it. Also I’m unemployed at the moment which totally threw my routine, but have a new job but that doesn’t start until September.
So I’m aiming for as many NSDs as possible.
Also as my new job is full time ( I’ve not worked full time for years and years) so I’m going to enjoy not doing much until then.

Anyway expense wise I’ve 5 birthdays, luckily only one is young enough to need a present and I don’t do expensive cards but with the post it’s approx £2 each. I’ve already got the littlies present and card. 

Fuel will be a bit of an expense from now on because we’ve just got our first granddaughter ( they live just over an hour away) so visiting will up that, but absolutely necessary ❤️

OH and I actually sat down and worked out a menu plan before I did my online shop last week. Then was tweaked when I saw the price of some things. 
I’m planning on starting my winter preps this month. I desperately need a winter coat , some boots and a couple of jumpers so if I see a really good bargain I’ll snap them up. I have asked for money for clothes for my birthday this year though so this may offset this a bit.
I’ve got plenty of scarves, gloves and hats so I’m going to concentrate on a couple of throws I’ve got on the go. This will be restful and also I can’t eat and knit so that will help my diet.

Anyway good luck everyone for another frugal month 

f0xh0les

Count me in, my Pink Haired Financial-Partner-in-Crime