NST OCTOBER 2022: Autumn Leaves and Sloe Berries

f0xh0les

All numbered up to here.  Today is the last working day of September and so I got paid!!!

All my bills go out on the 1st, so probably Monday 3rd     -  24/7 banking? Don't make me laugh!

I am setting my budgets, and shunting anything else left over off to savings - think about whose birthdays you have this month (I have 2), social engagements, if you have to pay the deposit for the works 'c-word'-do,   think about half term, think about food shopping, now set a realistic budget, and shunt the rest to an easy access savings account - worst case scenario you have to claw some back,  but if you can, keep it frugal. 

 If anyone on here only has one bank account (unless it is for a very good reason) stop it now and open another free account with your bank - if you have a child, their interest rates are often better than for grown-ups - open another one for them, they don't mind!

Week One will involve a cupboard/pantry/freezer challenge - regulars will know I love a good inventory, and that  'use by date' is a mythical concept in my house.   Your first task for the weekend, is to take a sheet of paper( the back of a letter works fine and is more eco friendly anyway), and list what you already have in your cupboards/pantry/freezer/fridge, and see what has been in there the longest. What don't you use that you want rid of?  Know what is in your cupboards. Use what is in your cupboards. If it is not going to be used, what is it doing in your cupboard anyway?  Weird item? Ask what other people do with it - one of us will know.  Then make a meal plan based around the fresh stuff in the fridge, then the things you want out of the cupboard, and make a shopping list of what is missing - do not forget baking / puddings/ treats / hot chocolate supplies in your list .  It does not have to be your favourite food, but the aim is to keep in budget this month, and everyone knows if you are careful at the start of the month, you are more likely to have money left over at the end of the month.

And use your local library!

CMD79

Ah!! I get it now!!

  

ditty1234

hi can i join pls :-) 

Esmeralda2662

Hi F0xh0les, please can i join you all for October? Thanks for starting the challenge! 

hazeldreams

Hi!

Loved my first NST last month. It helped massively posting nearly every day so I intend to do the same this month! Thanks so much @grandmanerd for setting it up.

@f0xh0les I'd love to join in your challenge for October please!

Cupboard/fridge/freezer inventory done and meals all planned for the week, coupled with our last shop of September yesterday means we're all set for this week. This new habit has made a massive difference to what we've spent in September on groceries and meant we stayed under budget for the first time ever! So chuffed!

Blankets all out, gaps in windows sealed, torches and candles are ready and we've also stocked up on butane gas for our portable gas fire in a bid to keep costs down. Scarfs, coats, gloves are all ready, but I suspect I'll need to buy extra pairs of gloves as these always get lost within the first few weeks of autumn.

We've halted debt repayment and switched to stockpiling cash as things at work aren't looking great for me, so this will be a new objective for us this month. I'm focussing on what I can control and putting to one side, the things that I can't control. It seems to be working and helping me feel more in control.

If it's ok f0xholes, I'm going to keep going with focussing on gratitudes, aiming for 10 NSDs, £725 grocery budget (I've shaved off £5 per week) and maintaining our current savings pot at £1500 (this means zero overspends)  - its going to be a tough one. We can't afford any more emergencies like last month!!

Happy 1st of the month! Love a shiny new month I do!

Wanna_Bee_Free

Hi F0xh0les, please can I join you all in October, this is the perfect challenge for me this month as I'm going to be moving home and really need to take charge of the food plan with an iron fist and eat everything up as far as I can. You mentioned those of us reading and lurking and I decided it was a good call to arms. 

greent

Can't believe apple and f0xh0les haven't done this yet - pinch punch, first of the month- and no returns 😄😄

apple_muncher

I thought about it, greent, but the call of the coffee pot was too strong! 😂😂😂

Welcome to Wanna_Bee_Free! And congrats on coming out of lurkdom!

f0xh0les

I nearly logged on at 3am, but thought I would give someone else a go.....   You won @greent

f0xh0les

Morning All!  And we're off!   Except those who can't set their budgets until Monday due to being paid on the 1st unless it is a weekend. Grr!

Weather forecast for the weekend is quite good - heavy sharp showers in the NW but  mostly dry for the rest of us.

Tomorrow the far South is a washout, sorry!.   So laundry will still dry on the line for most of us. Just had a look for next week, and it is supposed to be 16-19 degrees in the daytime and no need to build an ark.  Bonus!

I am roasting up a load of Butternut Squash and beetroots today courtesy of a Leedl magic (£1.50) box  I still have scrumped apples from the local Community Orchard that are being baked, stewed and crumbled. The trees are still dripping with fruit, it was a bumper crop this year, lots of councils have started planting fruit trees in public places, and then nobody picks them.   If you see 'public fruit', pick it!

Using up a  mystery teabag sized packet mix of something called 'Firni' that seems to be mostly cornflour and sugar.  You boil it in (any kind of ) milk (who knew?) and shove dried fruit in it and chill it - I will let you know how pudding turns out Could literally be anything, I have kept away from g00gleing for the last 18 months, it is a surprise.   It is now also out of my pantry.

Going to try and drag everyone out for a walk in a bit, before the football (early kick off for us) - sorry @Toni'sfriend  might suggest they want to spend their pocket money in The Wading Bird Store - only a 2 mile round trip but still, it is outside.

It suddenly feels like soup season.  How bizarre!   Put your jumper on and get outside today, even if it is only for a cup of tea in the garden

Let me know what you are up to.......