NST January 2025: Freedom!

beanielou

grandmanerd said:

beanie We will be kitchen twins

Yes. I am getting a little stressed now. Too much to do & not enough time. Not helped by having a fall yesterday. 

Thrifty_Taylor

@abundant1972 you've been through a lot, so don't be too hard on yourself. Next month's challenge will be great for you, thinking of doing things in a block of 5 minutes per day. You know we love you, regardless. Turtle power will win, slow & steady wins the race. Take care x

Sorry to hear about your fall @beanielou. Hope you're ok & well done on all your NSDs!! Hope the new kitchen gets fitted quickly & doesn't cause you stress.

NSD19

No exercises done this morning, was slow getting started. Had a fantastic day at work, really proud of my morning pupil, as were the visitors observing.

No nap when I got home 😊 caught up with messages, then sorted through a bag in my bedroom, & listed an item online for sale. Had an offer for a reduced amount, which I declined, as I'm already paying postage! (Well using a free stamp, but they don't know that! 🤣) Replaced a jeans zip after tea 

Grateful for a great day at work, that when the phone rang late afternoon, it was for DH & not my doctor ringing to apologise (I'd rather get a letter), enjoying my book

Pauper1

I've really not posted very much this month but I've lurked and read everything. You are all so inspiring and I do hope to join in more next month ❤️

laura_lau

Day 31 and I am here to look back at my January and see how I have done:

1. Fashionista - as mentioned at the beginning of the month, I wasn't planning to do any clothing decluttering this month, and I didn't. However, I was very mindful to not add anything to my wardrobe, and I didn't! I actively avoided the internal shop ad work, and actively avoided all the sales email I got in my inbox (unsubscribed from quite a few), so mission accomplished.
2. Revolutionary! Rebellious! Resourceful! Refuse to do things you don’t want to do - reuse and recycle, as expected is quite big for me at the moment. I mended 2 pair of knitted socks I use around the house and with wellies, and reinforced the heels of the ones that had not holes yet, to make them last longer. I still have 2 pairs to reinforce, which hopefully I will do next month.
3. Eat well for the body you want! - I started being more mindful again to what i eat, together with OH, more veggies and fruit and less takeaway
4. Do good to others! Donate time/money/stuff - I resumed my regular volunteering and did that 3 times in January, which was really great, and always brings me lots of joy.
5. Old-fashioned ways - joined the Fashion in the Ration challenge and am really enjoying it, so will definitely continue.
6. NSD - I signed up for 18 but managed to do 20, and I'm very happy about it.
7. Elephant in the room -I have been way more strict with money this month and have barely used the credit cards, which was great. Planning to continue like that. I have also managed to do a (very) small overpayment, which is not much but still something, small step in the right direction.
8. Wish list. What do you want from the year ahead? Do you have 25 things you want to do in 2025? - wanted to wortk on the 25 in 2025 but haven't got round to it yet, so it will be a job for next month. 

Thank you @apple_muncher for the fantastic thread!

abundant1972

Good morning

Thank you DawnW and Thrifty, and everyone in the group for your support. Just knowing you are here month in month out, and there's a little space for me to return to has meant the World, and I'm really grateful. 

I had some great news financially. I had to fill in a capacity for work assessment in December and was awarded a higher threshold as a result. However - I'd been in the same situation since last May/June when I started my chemo etc so I queried it - and they've given me a back-dated payment. I also sold a new pair of boots on the Bay - my first ever sale! That has given me confidence now to see what I else I can sell. I'm also looking to do a bank switch next month which will be a £150 bonus. I'm being good and snaffling it away in a higher interest saver until my CC 0% period ends, then hopefully I will have enough to clear it outright. Certainly, my DFD will be much sooner than expected! 

Last time I became debt free - I slipped back into bad habits. Went shopping with my ex who was very convincing in persuading me that I needed this shiny new coffee machine that was on offer (it was a good price) and on the CC it went. Before I knew it I'd run up more and more - clearly not learned my lesson. This time - I am creating a wish list in my budget where I can put things I want to buy - but I have to save for them. I already budget ahead for everything else (car and home insurance, subscriptions etc) so always have the money when those bills arrive. It'd be nice to build an Emergency Fund once I'm debt free. 

Today I am grateful for:

1) Unexpected financial boosts 🤑
2) A long lazy lie in this morning. 
3) My NST family

NSD total = 13 or 14 

PS I am in awe beanielou of your 30 NSDs!!! That's awesome!!!

Happy Friday everyone x See you in February x

f0xh0les

NSD 17

Finished the month with the weekly shop done, and £70 left in the budget.  

Paid off the carpets, mot, and full service from the credit card. 

Feeling ready for the shortest month and two wage packets at the end of it.

Taking the boys to the dentist this afternoon, cleared another m2 of empty cardboard boxes from the back room (woo hoo!)

Thanks for running January @apple_muncher .  Glad you got your payout @abundant1972 it is about time things started going right for you.  See you all in February!

apple_muncher

Abundant - the chaise longue is always there for you. Someone will come along to peel grapes for you, I'm sure! I remember the thread you set up - all about ships and lifeboats and fun! (well, that's what I remember about it!)

Beanie - we are all in awe of you and your thriftiness. Hope the kitchen reno goes smoothly. Is it something you saved up for? How long will it take?

Thank you to all you turtles for coming along with me in our quest for freedom in January. I clocked up a good number of NSDs and revamped my wardrobe. Stuff left the house and I've been facing up to my personal elephant in the room and nibbling away at it.

See you all on the other side. Here's the linkie for if you missed it: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6584226/nst-february-2025-love-and-kindness#latest

beanielou

Kitchen is starting on Monday. Skip coming Monday. 

Unfortunately I have had to take a loan. However I just felt if I dident do it now then I never would. 

So I am ok with that. 

Thrifty_Taylor

Great news @abundant1972, hope it helps clear some of your debt & enough left over for a little treat!

NSD#19, which I'm very pleased about. Haven't spent an awful lot on the days I did spend either.

I've been more mindful of what I've been eating this month, & not beating myself up if I've eaten a few unhealthy things. Hoping this will continue.

Had a good day at work, left sharply, to get to town to take mum to her hospital appointment. Treated us to a takeaway, then headed to my friend"s for Wool Club. Just have an arm to knit, then another gonk is finished.

Grateful for not spending much, crafting time with a friend, this month's thread & that this year January passed by quickly & was enjoyable.

Thanks for this month's thread @apple_muncher