NST May 2018: May the odds be ever in your favour!

Hello :wave:
Today was definitely not a nsd. I'd planned weeks ago with my sister to take my mam out for afternoon tea, as it's her birthday tomorrow. I also had to bribe the kids with takeaway pizza to get dd to babysit while I was out. It was a lovely day and I am just relieved that I had my tutoring to help to pay for it. I have another couple of spendy days coming up this month as well.
Still recording all of my spends to get a hang on things, and still being as careful as I can be given my circumstances. I'm very grateful for the nice weather though, which is helping me to keep my mood up :j

NSD: 4/19 NSD achieved today.
Motivation: To be more mindful regarding spending. This is going to be ongoing. So far doing ok with not doing emotional spending and not spending without thinking.
Money: The budget for each category is done.
Me time: Just read 2 of my books and wordsearch.
Move: Walked from/to bus stop to Mum's grave.
Activation: This thread at the moment.
Arm yourself: Will have to stand strong in my quest against consumerism and acquiring more. Still doing this. Kept this under control today.
Donation to charity: Done for the month.
You.
Grateful for:
Having a nice chat with brother and sister on the phone.
Lovely weather to walk in and for having the windows open in the flat.
Having a very chilled out day and evening.
Having enough rest/sleep.
Spent time watching Star Wars/Empire Strikes Back/Return of the Jedi. Really love watching these films.

Motivation: Short term goal - paid £10 to CC from flebay sale
Money: Didn't spend anything at photography exhibition last night and managed free parking. Popped to Asda - had planned a roast but waaay too warm to be cooking that. Had Nand0 marinated chicken with savoury rice, coleslaw, hm per1na1se, hm potato salad and warm flatbreads & salad. Also bought much needed PJs, shorts and boxers for DS2 & 3 (they don't actually have many new clothes - lots of handmedowns)
Move: yep - lots of here and there in house and garden again

Activation: What spurs you on? - garage tidying today brought forth lots of recycling (bottles from EOs) and some pretty paper and coloured raffia which I can use on gifts. Also used a box and some packaging paper on a flebay sale. OH cleaned and tidied caravan ready for possible sale and found an old notebook of mine and a large new pack of funky plasters which I thought I'd left in America in 2016!

Arm yourself :Fell over a bit today - but DS3 did need some more boxers, DS2 has no summer (short) PJs and DS3 had only 2 pairs of shorts. Also bought some bedding plants (bargain 3 trays for £5) to put in pots and pretty the place up. The garden and porch should be joyful

You. Appreciate what you have. Be grateful.
* finding pretty raffia and paper in garage to use on gifts
* beautiful weather
* line dried washing
* funky patterned plasters being found!

19 NSD:2/19.

Foodbank/ charity donation of £5. - monthly DD to WWT. 2 bags of items donated to shoebox appeal - new bag started today

Pay to your debt/savings FIRST and live off the rest. - done

Plan the month: every single day: what you are doing, what you are eating, especially with the Bank Holidays and half term, birthdays, anniversaries. - sort of - have written in work days, day when collecting DD from uni, DS3's, my mum's, my sister's, my aunt's and bestie's husband's bdays... Am not going to plan food, though).

Check in every day. here :hello:

Hi all :j


Motivation: what is your personal motivation for joining in with the turtles? My motivation is to cut down on the unnecessary spending and pay for some renovations to this property. In order to do this I think we need to be saving money by doing any jobs we can realistically (!) do ourselves. Not much done on this front today although DSHs efforts with the weedkiller plus the hot sun seems to be seeing off the weeds in the path. Failed a bit with unnecessary spending as bought a top from a FB selling site ( I know! I know!) when I a) should have had an NSD and b) have more than enough tops grrrr. In my defence it was only £14 posted & by using PayPal I realise I have a fair balance in there..

Money: know your income and outgoings. All DD bills should have gone out by now and I am going to add up our income, that won't take very long.. so far have done one grocery shop, have receipt for that to hand. Grocery bill so far £25.43. Just cat litter & a couple of other things today, need receipt from DH. No groceries today, ate what we already have in & plan to continue as far as possible.

Me time: look after yourself. Get enough sleep; eat well; move; do things you enjoy. A bit of this today but had to do a lot of clearing up this morning as DDs friend came to pick her up & wanted to see the kitten. They then went off to Manchester till tomorrow so peace reigns. Too hot to garden but did some knitting this evening.

Move: being active benefits your body and your mind. You know that. Now do it. Only moving to do cleaning, feel very tired though.

Activation: what spurs you on to keep on the path? Have not done much decluttering but have identified some items to sell to a fellow collector. Just need to find out how to price, which will be tricky as rare items & not available so need to research somehow. Did some sorting of winter bedding clothes etc trying not to feel overwhelmed but it's difficult when there is so much stuff - grits teeth, onward & upwards! Pile of DHs old polo shirts to go.

Arm yourself : you have chosen to follow a path that many mock and despise - that of ridding yourself of debt and financial constrictions in order to be free; free to choose what to do with your money and time, not enslaved to repaying or to other people. Glad we are not bothered about 'keeping up with the Joneses' - have done that a long time ago but really do not care any more. It's how some people validate themselves & that's fine, but not for me. We are now free from paid work commitments but spent many years getting there, wish it had been sooner.

You. Are you happy in yourself? Know what brings you joy, what cheers your heart, what makes you pause and wonder. Don!!!8217;t just stop and smell the coffee in the morning; practise stopping and looking around throughout the day. Appreciate what you have. Be grateful. Gratitudes for the nice weather, for progress, for cute kitten & lovely dogs, for help & support on this forum, for flowers blooming, for peace & quiet, for DH.

NSD s still 3/19 so far

Check ins: 6/31

Not done charity donation yet but will arrange asap.

Good morning all,

So still on NSD #2. Yesterday was a fail because I had to go back to Clark's AGAIN because my sons replacement shoes rubbed again. luckily this time the lady was fab & I really think these ones will be a much better fit. They were £2 more though .

Did lots of baking yesterday & made some lovely treats . Used up my lemons & for lemon drizzle and made one for my friend. Left over chicken went into a stir-fry for tea!

Local duck race later so walking there about 12 ish to make sure we get a good spot.

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend