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NST September - A Simple September
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Having to choose between eating and going to the bathroom feels like a rubbish choice - I didn't starve but am running out of options so I've decide I need to be at the bungalow for a few days and give my leg time to heal properly. I've already started to gather the things I need (including use it up bits of toiletries) and think about what else I need (going to take the salad stuff, some fruit and ingredients for a couple of batch cook meals - one of the things I wanted to do this weekend) plus laptop, sewing, embroidery, CPAP machine, books, chargers.
My only problem now is that I think I am the only one awake and there's no way I can carry stuff downstairs - hauling myself up and down takes enough effort. Feeling nostalgic for the days when I could shuffle up and down the stairs on my bottom. It's going to take me a while to gather everything together so maybe DS3 will be awake then.
Going to put my positive head on and find some new ways to do more. I have chopped celery sticks etc at mum's before, maybe I can add cooking one or two things there each week (rather than when I get home between 8pm and 9pm). Sew and ponder time turtles. As always any lessons i learn during this temporary incapacity will be passed on to you in the fullness of time.
Kerry Woman hope you are okay. It's okay if you don't want to talk, I go quiet too but know we are all thinking about you. Hope the move brings in a new positive phase in your life. Hugs, congratulations, gasps of awe, shock and admiration as appropriate to all turtles. If it's tough, just keep plodding. If you're going through hell, just keep going.
I am grateful for a visit from DS2 and the small dog he is minding, bananas, yoghurt, cheese spread and crispbread and all the foodstuffs that have kept me going in between my trips downstairs, to Beloved for bringing things upstairs for me, for finding useful stuff to occupy my time and new ways of working, for dishwashers and washing machines (some work has been done) for my rag bag (cleaned parts of the bathroom).
Will also
Friday - night out brilliant time and overspent on my budget by £1. Only £11 spent, 2 brilliant bands and lots of fun.
Saturday - Pleased hairdressers was very cheap and hair looks so much better. Then the plumber saga continues £45 spent fitting new tap however the new tap has a slight drip as well. Tap faulty. So going to bite the bullet and get some drainage work done I need doing as drainage pipe doesn't run down, need hole making in outside wall to solve it. Quoted a decent price and he will replace my tap then saves a callout fee. I will exchange spare tap I have through work to a more practical one today.
Sunday cleaned offices, went lovely seaside walk, had a toasted teacake and mug of tea sat by the sea for brekkie £2.50, then Lidlee few items needed £7.50 and home by 10.30am. Productive house clean, clothes sort and gardening day. . Roast chicken for lunch again, just so cheap and lots of leftovers for next day or so.
Today I am hoping for a NSD. Going to count it already so then it will happen so have 2NSD in total.
Gratitudes: having a lovely dh, nobody being sick, 9 rooms being clean, my lists, having a choice. Washing machines.
Love reading all your challenges on here! I particularly like the NSTs and want to give it a go myself!
I'm hoping to create an MSE blog post of my journey when I attempt it in October - could you tell me some of your top tips?
I really want to go for the full 15 NSDs - but I have no idea where to start!
I will certainly credit this forum thread when the time comes!
Can't wait to hear from you all
- MSE Molly
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Washing all done and hanging upstairs to dry. Absolutely poured all last night and still continuing to do so.
Made a sort of sausage topping for a baked potato for dinner using up bits and pieces from the fridge and cupboard. Should be enough for tomorrow as well - I'll tart it up a bit with some butter beans and have it with some mash from the freezer.
Got out some recipe books to look for ideas to use up some chicken and more of the sausages.
Plodding on with the cleaning but Himself seems to have "lost" one of the hoover tools. I shall have to go through the cupboard under the stairs to find it, Oh joy!!!
Hope everyone is well.
Welcome. Do you have a budget? I think that's the first and most important thing.
My personal tip is to have a kind of flexible meal plan if that makes sense. I mean have meals in mind and make sure you have the ingredients, have some ready already frozen to avoid buying take aways, buy items when you see them reduced but only if you know you'll use them and above all use everything up. Don't waste anything. I think food is the one thing that most people can cut down on if they really try.
I'm sure there will be lots of people around with lots of tips very soon.
Just a quick one from me tonight as I managed a mere 3 hours and 10 mins of sleep last night. Add a full day of work and I'm really ready for bed.
Not a nsd for me as I also had my stop tap :rotfl: replaced. £40 for me and all is well. Now I know I can switch it off if there is any sort of incident. As I was spending anyway I decided to do the grocery shop online - I've also ordered everything I need for my home made Christmas gifts. So this year I'm doing socks, blankets, cowls, tomato chutney, fruit gin and an attempt at Baileys. It's cost me less than a tenner for the remaining ingredients I need.
Also, I really go with the idea of rounding down bank accounts daily to make payments to debt. That adds up really quickly. The best thing about being in this group as far as I'm concerned is the support I get from the other turtles - knowing that I'm not on my own that that nobody gets left behind.
Mothernerd - take care of yourself and that leg. Hope that you're fighting fit very soon.
Secondchance - hang on in there. There are good days and bad days... find the thing that makes you happy. I find a good nights sleep and some fresh air works well for me - and really enjoy the treat of reading a book or watching a box set, which I can do with little or no spends.
Working hard to pay off my debt
Time to take back control
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6290156/crazy-cat-lady-chapter-5-trying-to-recover-from-the-pandemic/p1?new=1
Not much sleep last night here either, so not a huge amount achieved today. I had to do some work for my little business this morning. I drove as I had to take several boxes of stuff with me. We then had a power cut for a couple of hours this afternoon which prevented / delayed me doing some of the jobs I had planned, but I have made the most of the electricity this evening - made jam from the raspberries in the freezer and fridge (freeing up some much needed freezer space :T), and I have a loaf in the breadmaker, as there is hardly any bread left.
All meals were from home
Nothing spent, so I am on NSD 4 / 15
I'm claiming a NSD today - #1:) I did spend but it was postage for my Bay of E parcels so that doesn't count does it??
I've sold about 10 things and really pleased.
Yesterday I sat in bed to read for a little while then caught up on my PT job. I had a bit of a panic about my FT job as it's very busy and i'm covering my boss' job - there are loads of issues to sort out and the workplace has been toxic (better without our boss). I'm trying not to get overwhelmed..... Today I took 1.5 hours for lunch as I decided to get out the office and came home for lunch. I went to the PO enroute to post some of my parcels. It was lovely to be home and I will do it again. Last week I only got one proper lunch break.
Today I've been to my exercise class and eaten all meals from stores.
Got a long day tomorrow but am taking salad for lunch and HM soup for tea.
Nite all
Dx
Another NSD today, racking them up now - at the dizzy heights of 3/15....won't be one tomorrow though as shopping day before my stint in the CS.
Will be taking a book or two in, plus a couple of items that I have found whilst clearing (not clothes).
Still drying out the dining room with the dehumidifier but more difficult as it's rained all day. Will get the carpet cleaner on it later in the week, see if that helps. Found lots of shot glasses that were on the window sill behind the blind, all full of water still .Well done CCL for getting your stop TAP fitted, you may never need it but if you do....money well spent.
All food from stores today for lunch & supper.
Wet day so made some preserves with things I had in. Will be handy for Christmas as I am one also who makes HM gifts CCL. I started this when we were too broke to buy anything & have continued because family/friends who receive them always say they really look forward to them.
Also did a bit more clearing in the sun room, with any luck we will be able to refurb it soon as it is in a bad state. And was full of tat. Less now.
second chance I hope you are feeling more positive, it looks like you have made a great start by doing the clearing & identifying some items you can sell as well as stuff to chuck. If the bills & debts are getting paid already, then that will be a real bonus. Lots of us have been in that position of feeling broke & fed up but you have made real positive steps already.
Mothernerd I hope your musings led to some ideas & strategies about how you can move forward with what you want to do, it does sound very difficult at present.
Checking in to say hi: Hello turtles!!