NST March 2024: The Magic Roundabout

ditty1234

I have paid up an other £100 in expectation of my self assessment tax for last year. And I still have over £85 a week for the month after I have paid that. And my mum gave me some money, so I have a small cash fund now, which sometimes comes in handy. 
I have also made over £10 in surveys, an advantage of being at home - between that and not going out to work, I think I will be ok, even though I am not working cover. 
Apple thanks for running March.
In my journal this morning I wrote - 'I chose to do what I am good at' - now I just need to remind myself what I am good at. 

laura_lau

Fun fact: 1st March marks the start of the meteorological Spring. And very spring-like weather we had today! Changeable and unpredictable as I expect early Spring to be!

Hope everyone is doing well! Thank you to everyone who answered my question about Rescue Remedy on the last day of February, I really appreciate it! I bought the drops, the day ones and also the night ones, will let you know how it goes! @Thrifty_Taylor I am like your mum, very windy days always make my anxiety spike! There must be something there that someone should really study!

Did my specialist visit yesterday evening, everything is fine physically, went back for blood test this morning to check various values are ok, and that's it, feeling much more relaxed now! It was so cold when I got there that they couldn't see the veins at all, the nurse tried from the hand, didn't go well, so she had to go wake up the doctor, who ended up taking it from the wrist. Rewarded myself with a store bought coffee and breakfast before coming home and starting working.

Today I am grateful for: my ever supportive OH (I know, it's the same as yesterday, but I am very grateful again!), my dog, who has been a real emotional support dog in the last few weeks, store bought breakfast as a reward for going against my fears and not running away.

Today was not a NSD day, as I purchased the said breakfast for myself and OH (and the drops).

Let's get on with my goals:

Hiphop - I like this idea of playing the music every day. I'll Definitely try and do that, even if not every day, every time I'm home by myself.

Emergency fund - I have been trying to build an emergency fund as quickly as possible, which is proving rather difficult since I'm also paying considerable credit card debt (and a mortgage). Little by little I have managed to set aside approximately 500 pounds of emergency fund and about 400 in high interest rate (locked for withdrawal for 12 months, but I can add to it monthly). Plan for march is to add any spare money to the 1p challenge pot, and I have activated the round up for every transaction on my current account. It will not be huge amount, but every little helps.

Me, myself and I - I'm really committed to this. I want to slow down and get a grip on my anxiety, so I'll do all work necessary to reach this goal from different perspectives (remedies, mindfulness, exercise, taking some time off, self care, etc)

Avoid - I feel this goes hand in hand with the above, and I want to avoid getting myself too worked up due to anxiety

Gratitudes - will continue putting in gratitudes every day

Inquisitiveness - Learning is one of my favourite things. I put myself forward for adding automation developer competencies to my role, and got confirmation today that I will be trained on it, and can't wait to start!

Commit - to simplify my life. I am on a (slow) journey to reduce and reorganise, so I want to commit to accelerate this journey in March

Use it up, wear it out, make do and mend or do without. - Have been doing this with toiletries, as through my work (between discounts and staff sales) I have accumulated quite a stash of toiletries over the past few years... I haven't bought soap bars, hand or body creams, face wash and similar in the past 3 years. I have gifted a few of the unopened ones at Christmas, and they were very well received. Getting (almost) there! I will continue this, and am also applying it to my yarn and pattern stash. (exception are yarn festivals, I'm going to one in London in March, and then nothing until late Summer).

NSD - I had already committed to 16 before this goal was up, so feeling very smug there!  

Budget - after trialing the bus commute (instead of train) in February, I am fully committing to taking the bus to work every time I go to the office. I have also decided to cancel my Pr*me membership, as we are not watching it much anymore lately, and I can still get things delivered next day for free to the locker, which is a nice walk from my flat. I am making this decision in March, but it will not come into fruition until the Summer, as I was paying annually instead of monthly.

Active lifestyle - not sure what zorbing is, but I definitely want to be more active. We decided, weather permitting, to go to the huge park every Sunday, or at least 3 times a month, which makes the dog happy and makes for a much longer walk for us. I am also committing to restart Pilates and/or yoga at least a few times a month

Understand your finances - I have a budget and try to stick to it every month. I have requested to merge my pension funds, and finally posted the authorisation letter.

The magic roundabout needed maintenance - I haven't done a single job in my flat since I moved in almost 3 years ago, as sadly I don't have the budget. I do have a few plans, and hope to be able to do some of the works next year. So for this month the only action on this point will be contributing to savings and working harder to clear my CC debt (I am planning some overpayments - or a big one on one card, need to figure out the most convenient option - at the end of March).

Ermintrude and I are all ready for March!

Thrifty_Taylor

Thanks for another great challenge, @apple_muncher. Please could I join & be #18? 😃

ladybird1106

No money spent today. Most of the day was dedicated to cleaning and decluttering the downstairs and upstairs bathrooms. Managed to crate additional space in both, used up a facial scrub which was from the youngest (no longer wanted) to clean the bath. DH old toothbrush used to clean the tile grout. Must remember to get him a new one out tonight.
Love 🐞

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for the kettle DH bought - it's not just any old light up kettle. Oh no, this one starts with a green light and goes through blue, purple, pink and red. I'm also grateful for pip going to school for the morning, for a fab gym session, for not getting toooo wet in the downpours and hail - saw a really beautiful strong rainbow.

Sweetbriarrose

Thanks Apple for running this month can I join again please.

grandmanerd

Grateful for sitting on the church wall looking at purple crocus, my food delivery being early so i could go back to bed (and had a nap), good books

Esmeralda2662

Thanks for setting up NST March Magic Roundabout, @apple_muncher, can I please join you all?

I may not post often but I love to read everyone's posts and get some inspiration and ideas. X

DawnW

May I join again please @apple_muncher

Work again today, and had to attend an evening function also for work, so shattered now! Had to pay to park this evening, and buy a few nibbles, so no NSD for me unfortunately. OH had a spend day too. He needed a new coat, so went to a few shops to look for one he liked. Found one in M*tal*n for a good price, and also got a new waterproof for golf. Got both for less than the price of one in the first shop he visited, and was also given a freebie, presumably as he had spent over a certain amount, a nice sponge / makeup bag containing branded body lotion, deodorant and shower gel for me!

f0xh0les

NSD1, even more paint stripped, lots of hoovering done.  Had a lovely bath and conditioned my hair as a reward.  Then cleaned the bathroom.  Staying up til midnight for the PB notification