NST January 2023 Best Possible Me

thriftylass

Good morning,

Sorry been AWOL for a few days I think, still need to catch up on posts (only missed 47!!). Mixed days, bit up and down, a couple of NSDs (need to look up new total) and spendy days (day out in Glasgow). But also good days.

Had the time to watch some educational/motivational y0utube videos on time management and financial goals etc. The kids keep asking me when this no spend challenge is over, dreading to tell them not before next January . I made them use their pocket money more for when they want stuff, which is what it's for, and they had to wait a few times for the next week as I don't want them to use savings for "silly" stuff. Decided to do a no/low spend year and really watch the pennies, pay the debt off by July and my big financial goal is to do Christmas and a trip to Germany by ferry (with car) without getting into more debt.

Downloaded some apps like V1inted and Z1ffit to sell some stuff. Got so many cookbooks that just look pretty (gifts from SIL) but I never use. Don't have many clothes but wear even less so some of that can go. Also send off some jewellery. Every penny helps and I finally started decluttering. Don't dare to think what I threw out before that I could have sold.  

Also cancelled the trampoline park membership for the kids again, that was £29 each a month. It was worth it in the winter when we went once a week. And I realised I still had full Spotify for £9.99 a month, so back to the ads version. I kept my gym membership as it works out £1 per day if I go 5 days a week and I get a free shower for that too.

Today I will also go through my email and unsubscribe from all emails that I really don't need. I still get about 10 or so a day from companies that I ever bought anything off. I found out that you can filter your emails by ones containing the word "unsubscribe", i.e. the ones you don't need, get them sent to the bin automatically rather than doing it manually and some still coming through.

Off to read past posts

ldee2111

Today I was working in the office and it’s always a productive day because I’m not in and out the kitchen for another wee snack. 🤣 It was nice to see colleagues and actually discuss work face to face and get life updates. 

Since I was in Glasgow city centre anyway, it was a chance to get replacements for our 4 soda-stream canisters… £52 flippin’ pounds! Someone’s having a laugh! I’ll have to rethink my dedication to saving the planet when it comes to fizzy water! 

Grateful today for a day in the office around people, for free fruit, free tea, and free heating(!), and for feeling far better than I did yesterday. Moods are funny old things… can we not just lock-in the good ones? 

firsview

Afternoon Turtles. Sitting here in the dark, watching the smart meter and periodically shrieking up the stairs ‘who has turned something on?’ As you can tell, I am participating in todays energy saving challenge although I have allowed one light in the hallway in case someone trips over a cat. I am not feeling particularly charitable towards said cats as 2 of them teamed up earlier, caught a very large pigeon and plucked it in the garden so it would serve them right if someone trod on them.It has now disappeared, so one of the neighbours has probably acquired tomorrows dinner.
Strangely I still have money left in this months budget and it is payday on Friday and that is without DS2’s rent obviously as he got sacked. Canadian visitor has started work though and gets paid on Thursday so will be joining the rent paying offspring in the house. 

Today I am grateful for everyone taking the energy saving seriously, the pigeon having mysteriously disappeared and my sister giving me 2 huge bars of chocolate (obviously I won’t be eating any!)

lcc86

NSD's - 14

Healthy food days - 14

Workouts this week - 5

Evening turtles 

Busy day today, walked my friend's dog again this morning before going into work. Meetings and various other visits and only got home about an hour ago. Have had a yummy dinner though. 

Got paid today but moved it to another account as I like to start my month on the 1st as its easier for me. Still waiting on £200 worth of expenses payments, have had to resort to using my credit card to top up my oyster card which is annoying. Need to chase them up.

thriftylass

Always feel so motivated at work, looking forward to getting stuff done after, then I get home to dishes, dinner, washing and moaning kids and my energy just drains. 

Still, got £16 worth of books scanned (26) so far. Not getting much for some but still better than trying Amaz0n etc. Although I have got like the whole set of Rebus novels and similar lots, they seem to sell ok on 3bay as sets. Also got the parcel ready for Vint@geC@shC0w. Every penny counts...

Thrifty_Taylor

NSD 😊
Had an interrupted sleep, despite going hdlf an hour earlier. Got DH to set his alarm for half an hour after mine, didn't do exercises when I got up. 
Work was better than yesterday, but still had its moments. My best self stayed calm & patient & did some colouring, until my pupil was willing to do some learning. We both enjoyed reading our book, nearly finished it now, so book 3 looked out from DS2's shelf. 
Felt quite motivated when I got home. Put the box of craft fayre things back in the shed, did lots of ironing, then more Norwegian.
After tea I've done 2 sewing jobs, can drop them off tomorrow, so the pile in my bedroom looks a bit smaller. Just off for a soak with my book now.

Grateful for good books, feeling like I've achieved, leftover chicken curry for dinner

Thrifty_Taylor

Oh & I'm vgrateful for DS1 being on his way home 😃 one flight down, 2 to go tomorrow

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a nice day at work, for getting some new-to-me tasks done, for arriving home just after dc, for a chat with big sis, for no frost on the car this morning.

facethemusic

NSD 12.
Had enough time to have a good chat with DDs childminder at pick up time so that was nice. Work was busy so no time for my lunchtime walk- it's the only time I see daylight just now so I've definitely missed it. 
DD was being super helpful tonight, which was lovely. 
Lots on the list to do tomorrow, including more painting (trying to decorate a house when you are a single parent with a full time  job is a slow process, but the bits I've done I'm really pleased with so I will keep plodding away!)

ldee2111

apple_muncher said:

Today I am grateful for a nice day at work, for getting some new-to-me tasks done, for arriving home just after dc, for a chat with big sis, for no frost on the car this morning.

I should have added ‘no frost on the car’ too @apple_muncher. Definitely a gratitude. Many a morning I thought I was doing well for time, getting DS ready for school and myself ready for the day… then we casually step outside the house, me feeling calm and in control of my life… only to see the frosted car. Then I run about like a headless chicken looking for the scraper and trying to reach the windscreen with it.