NST March 2026: The Turtles are revolting!!!

weenancyinAmerica

Went early to see my eye doctor. Was his first patient today. Eyes are doing fine. Didn't even need new glasses. They dilated my eyes. Fortunately, I went by free medical transportation so didn't have to drive home. Came home and lay down and closed my eyes and it was suddenly three hours later. I was more tired than I thought.

Roommate J is taking out the trash. We will be filling up the waste bin and the recycling bin today. Roommate Di has gone to pick up our free hamburgers we got from the Winter Reading program at one of our favorite fast food places. Had to read five books to get a free hamburger. Got a free book for signing up. There were two Disney books, which my roommate wanted so I let her have my free book choice (like I need another free book- given away about 300 since January, still have several thousand to go).

Our taxes are due this month. So I need to start work on them today. But my eyes are still blurry, so it may need to wait until later this evening.

We are supposed to get rain in a couple of days. Will believe it when it starts - we have gotten no rain at all this March. We are definitely going to be under drought conditions this summer.

Sending hugs to anyone who needs them. Trying to avoid watching the news.

grandmanerd

I walked to the library, returned 6 books and took out another 3 as I'm expecting a long closure next weekend. I renewed the remaining older books online. I carried on to the nearest charity shop, negotiating all the Civic Square renovations. Donated a small rucksack which I've been gathering since last year and asked if they had space for a doll's house.

I'd taken my ankle support to the bathroom but put my shoes on without using it - it's too much effort to take my shoes off again. So by the time I'd done those two errands my ankle was bothering me. A slow hobble back home, the wind making it harder. I limped to the bed, took off my shoes and put the ankle support on. I asked DS3 to bring it from the bathroom.

I'd checked earlier and told him the brown (cans, bottles, jars) and green (food and garden waste) bins had to go out - a day early because of the 2 bank holidays. He'd said he knew but realised later that I was telling him about the day change not just which bins needed to go out. Later on I hobbled into the kitchen with a bag of cans I'd collected but then asked DS3 to take them when he put the bins out, as walking down the yard was beyond me (involuntary yelps when I put my foot down).

I had done quite a bit of veg chopping so the scraps could go in the food waste caddy. Would have liked to have done more but thankful for what I did (all neatly boxed in recycled takeaway containers) and ate the broccoli with my tea.

I would like to get more things out to various charity shops today but will listen to my ankle and my creaky knees.

Grateful for getting out of the house, fresh library books and charity shops.

beanielou

@grandmanerd. Do any of the charity shops near you collect?

apple_muncher

Huge apologies all round for only popping in occasionally this month. I think I have been stuck in the revolving door, rather than getting stuck into my own revolution!

I think thriftylass offered to set up April, but I can't see it posted yet. Have I missed it? Shall I set up an April challenge?

Than you to everyone who has posted this month or read along in the background. You all make the turtle clan a special group to belong to.

grandmanerd

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81944379#Comment_81944379

British Heart Foundation used to but there isn't one in town anymore. When I tried to use them for collecting mum's furniture it got very complicated. If they are collecting furniture they will take other things as well, so I had a list of 18 things including a large mirror and some paintings (too large/ bulky for me to take). I kept having to redo parts of the form and then hit the stumbling block of mum' obsession with 'tidyness' - she had cut off all the fire safety labels from the upholstery and of course they can't take them.

Waste wizards also told me they were very fussy. He had a load of nearly brand new furniture and told his driver to take it to them. They looked through the van and told him they didn't want any of it. To be fair their shops in Wigan and Bolton are like mini showrooms - about half and half very good furniture and electricals. I think last time I tried to get cs to collect they wanted photos of all the items.

grandmanerd

Yes apple, you do April. I will try to get my head together in time for May (or thriftylass may be around)

apple_muncher

April is live:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6662193/nst-april-2026-thrift-and-thrive/p1?new=1