• 12 NSDs - 6/12
• Budgets - £250 food and £100 social - £89.74 food and £7.60 social
• Continue batch cooking for the little one (remembering to include a larger variety of meals) - 3 portions of veggie omelettes and 3 portions of veggie lasagna made. Rooted around the freezer and we're running low on soup and risotto so I'll make some more of that next weekend
• Make an extra £93 through surveys - £48.69 made to date
• Continue building the full and final fund - £47.93 added to date
• I'm making up Christmas gift boxes for local disadvantaged children. So far I've done two teenage boys and started on a boy 9-12 months but still more to get for him so I'll continue with that
• Plans - safari park and dinner/new avengers movie. Will also allow for a visit to soft play and I need to take the little one swimming as we're holidaying in June and he's never been in a pool - safari park cancelled, soft play on the 12th with friend and her daughter, lunch with work colleagues on 23rd (just remembered!)
• Read as much as possible - 1 book in progress, 2 books finished
• Finish my final OU essay for this module

Evening all
I'm only just settling down for the night - and I've lost my nsd due to poor planning. I gave in and got takeaway for the kids for dinner. I was late at work tonight as it was Parents Evening, and then I had a meeting with a lovely lady who is going to look after the cats for me in a couple of weeks when I'm away with the kids. By the time that was done it was after 8pm and the last thing I could be bothered with was preparing dinner - I have a load of other bits that I need to do around the house. Putting the bins out, load of washing, dishes etc and I still want an early night.

Off to boxing straight from work today. Had to miss it last couple of weeks due to one thing or another.
I did get a concerned text from my step-dad when I got out from boxing, "Everything okay? You missed mums b'day"
I NEVER forget birthdays! But work has been so crazy lately it seems like I've just worked and slept! Mum wasn't worried about a card or present, just more worried something had happened for me not to send a card.
I rang her as soon as I got back home, I feel like a horrible child!

Money: know your income and outgoings. Still haven't spent!

Me time: Look after yourself. Revive an old hobby. Exam practice. No practice today, but its a valid excuse as I had boxing.

Move: Boxing today, punching is fun

Activation: What spurs you on to keep on the path? Still more podcasts. I'm listening to a few fitness ones who are chatting about running and marathons at the moment.

Arm yourself : Whether you opt to work more or to spend less in order to achieve your goal, stand firm against the naysayers. Chipping away at surveys. I aim to do at least one a day.
Planned spends this month - £20 tattoo deposit.

You. Appreciate what you have. Be grateful. Today I am grateful that work still seems to be calmer.

19 NSD: 9/19 NSDs Achieved.

Minimalism: Day Nine - 9 items. Nice easy one today, 9 old magazines. It is getting tougher as the numbers increase.

Check in every day. Here I am

Hi all


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. Cut the grass front & back, not what I call gardening but exercise & not too difficult, also saved money by doing it.

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 now two grocery shops, . Grocery bill so far £57.07. NSD today.

Me time: look after yourself. Get enough sleep; eat well; move; do things you enjoy. Good nights sleep, eating fairly good, moving by cutting the grass, enjoyed visit from friend this afternoon.

Move: being active benefits your body and your mind. You know that. Now do it. Moving by cutting grass, its a fair workout.


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. Garden looking better, have decluttering ideas for selling (DH says skip...) DD listed some of her stuff & actually sold a couple of things..


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. Desperate need of decluttering & getting rid of old lifestyle. Am going to do this so will post progress on here to keep me accountable

You. Are you happy in yourself? Know what brings you joy, what cheers your heart, what makes you pause and wonder. Don'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 spotting not one - but two - tree peonies just flowering in the garden; for DDs car passing its MOT with no work needing to be done, just love our Hondas; for friends visit and easy supper..

NSD now 5/19 so far

Check ins: 9/31

Not done charity donation yet but will arrange asap. Need to do through euro account.


Tried to register on Photobucket dolly84 but it threw me off 3 times as it didn't like my user name. Will not let it beat me..

Morning all,

Not a SFD as had to pay for SW and chocolate for school. Went swimming, walked the dogs and lost 1lb, so I!!!8217;m happy about that Today is a long day at school so no swimming and lots of marking to do tonight

Today will be NSD 4 I think.

Well, I have everything I need.

All shelves sorted and tv on them and looks fab.
Coat rack back up so all the coats back on the wall and off the sofa.

Packed away all gloves, hats and scarfs until October/November and stored.

Need to put all the fronts of light switches and plug sockets back on, and fix DS1s bedroom door handle thing, but where did I put all those screws????


Grateful for anti-histamines - my eyes are itching out of my head!!- a tidy living room, DH rolling home after his evening in a beer gairden with work collegues in a happy mood, DS3 having a great time at the seaside with school.

Good morning,

yesterday remained an SFD. Quite productive evening, the usual chores plus filling party bags, making some paper craft for the party on Saturday and I started on the conservatory (my major bugbear) . I broke it down into 12 little tasks and did half (the smaller ones). What a difference already.

This morning I got up earlier than usual and rather than just getting up and getting every body else organised before I get the kids up, I sat down with a coffee and organised myself. My head feels better for it. Should definitely make that a habit. Why haven't I done this before? (well I did to a degree but not right somehow)

Also my boss came round my office last night and we had a wee chat. She was wondering if I was ok and how I was getting on. She is very encouraging and supportive while giving constructive criticism without putting you down. Another weight of my shoulders/worry out of my mind.

And the sun is shining and we have a whopping 12 degrees. Must be Scottish summer

Today won't be a SFD as I need to go shopping for party food items and cake ingredients. Also did the shopping list for the big shop and will combine them and can then hopefully stay out of the shops for a few days.

Quite a few spend days. Tomorrow will be as well. Then I am done for a week. (hopefully)

Quick check in from me tonight. It's been another busy, but productive day at work. I've managed a nsd as well, and prepared a healthy dinner from scratch since I got home. Got to take the good days when they come...

NSD: 8/19 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(finished reading the self care book), wordsearch and mindfulness colouring.
Move: Walked from bus stop to work today and walking around school doing errands.
Activation: To get my spending down to a reasonable amount.
Arm yourself: Will have to stand strong in my quest against consumerism and acquiring more. Still doing this. Not being tempted by emails regarding discounts.
Donation to charity: Done for the month. Bag of items put aside for charity shop. Have put another item into the bag for the charity shop.
You.
Grateful for:
Achieving what I could in work.
Having a laugh in work.
Good night sleep.
Using up some samples this morning.

Well done ccl.

Today I am grateful for primarni having what I needed for dd, for spocksavers adjusting my specs, for a good catch up with a great colleague, for a school lunch (!), for somehow impressing the y8 and 9s with my knowledge and bowling in rounders, for finding myself another ring I like after dh 'cleaned up' the other one and ruined it(to the extent that I think that a good coat of 'plasticoat' spray paint is the only way to make it wearable!), for yummy sausages for tea, for evening birdsong.

Evening all. Just a quick update for me tonight.

Money: know your income and outgoings. Spreadsheet updated with paid DD's

Me time: Look after yourself. Revive an old hobby. Exam practice. No practice today MIL and SIL popped round for a cuppa so I started cleaning as soon as I got home from work. Haven't seen MIL since her diagnosis, she's looking very thin, as she's having difficulty eating.

Move: Just the pups walkies. Did have to do both the am and pm strolls as BF went off to Wales early this morning. I hate the morning walkies I need a nice gentle long awakening in the mornings, not rushing around and out the house.

Activation: What spurs you on to keep on the path? Still more podcasts.

Arm yourself : Whether you opt to work more or to spend less in order to achieve your goal, stand firm against the naysayers. Chipping away at surveys.
Planned spends this month - £20 tattoo deposit.

You. Appreciate what you have. Be grateful. Today I am grateful for a cuppa and a nice chat with MIL.

19 NSD: 9/19 NSDs Achieved. Spend day today. First one of the month. BF picked up two bags of topsoil to finish Donnas run. £3.98.

Minimalism: Day Ten - 10 items. Holey pants, chewed up dog toy & 8 of BFs magazines (with his permission. He's had them for about a year, and they are still in the celophane)

Check in every day. Here I am

Spending on some bits that were needed for dinner and a top up of tissues - all seem to be suffering with sniffles of the hay fever type not nice.
Grateful for another lovely day weather wise, friendly work colleagues and the weekend in sight.

• 12 NSDs - 6/12
• Budgets - £250 food and £100 social - £96.99 food and £17.38 social
• Continue batch cooking for the little one (remembering to include a larger variety of meals) - 3 portions of veggie omelettes and 3 portions of veggie lasagna made. Rooted around the freezer and we're running low on soup and risotto so I'll make some more of that next weekend
• Make an extra £93 through surveys - £48.69 made to date
• Continue building the full and final fund - £194.80 added to date
• I'm making up Christmas gift boxes for local disadvantaged children. So far I've done two teenage boys and started on a boy 9-12 months but still more to get for him so I'll continue with that
• Plans - safari park and dinner/new avengers movie. Will also allow for a visit to soft play and I need to take the little one swimming as we're holidaying in June and he's never been in a pool - safari park cancelled, soft play on the 12th with friend and her daughter, lunch with work colleagues on 23rd (just remembered!)
• Read as much as possible - 3 books finished
• Finish my final OU essay for this module

Sorry I've not posted for almost a week

NSDs - 5/19
Money - budgets are not looking too healthy Food - £120.65/£200 with 3 weeks still to go social/personal - £166.14/£180 and petrol - £29.98/£60
Move - managed a few nice walks this week
Me time - time spent in the garden, reading
Arm yourself - did 2 short shifts for 2nd jobs, been doing some surveys

Not much sleep but woke at 6.15 so had pills, breakfast and bath etc and had all the shopping done in under 20 minutes (back to Icyland to buy choc ices and cones for mum, stuff for her garden (did an online order last night but hey would only allow me to have one block of coir compost delivered and one item was not in stock at the warehouse but I knew the local store had one left. Have bought a few items including a tiny triceratops, as I knew I would need a taxi to the therapist appointment (caught the little bus back).

Good session with the therapist going through my homework (values ie what's important to me rather than goals to achieve). Had a slightly rocky fortnight due to mum's health scare and my days being changed round and also several days when I could not stay awake (could be illnesses, medication - especially hayfever meds, the heat or a combination).

Discussed the prioritising methods I outlined yesterday. Explaine dhow I had sorted my embroidery work load (two items to sew up, 2 to be working on, 2 others that are only needed for later in the year and one long term project. All other items, from just started to near completion have been put away. All my focus is on those few projects.

Have done similar with crafts, identified 6/7 projects we will work on over the next 2 months, have a list of other ideas (and still need to get the 'craft stuff' under control). Now I need to do the same thing with a couple of other areas of my life but keep it manageable - maybe do things like checking before I leave a room for 3 things to put away/ take with me if they don't belong in that room.

Had lunch when I got in. Felt guilty about it until I realised it was 5 hours since I had eaten. Had a short rest then put together the package for the poorly person (chronic illness but suffered a setback this week and feeling that all her hard work over the last year was in vain) then went out to buy a jiffy bag and post it. Lots of bits out of the house but have made more mess pulling out boxes to go through - spent an hour or two going through threads, untangling knots and getting part used skeins onto 'bobbins' and all properly labelled (and logged in - did this a while ago but some have been used and more have been bought). Should make it easier going forward as I can refer to the list instead of trawling through the drawers of threads trying to find them.

Today I am grateful for my therapist, for getting the shopping out of the way early when there was lots of shade, for all the benches dotted around the town centre and for toilets at the infirmary, for finding just what I needed (tiny triceratops) to put the finishing touch to my parcel.

Hi all


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. Discussed with DH further weed killing ventures, swept some of enclosed garden walls where the paint is flaking off (cross about this as only done last year). Resolved not to use Wilk*s cheapo paint again, but have found some brilliant white Sandtex. Don't want the walls brilliant white but hopefully will be a good base coat..


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 now two grocery shops. Grocery bill so far £57.07. Another shop today from farm shop as friend round for lunch. Will check receipt when I get it, will not be an NSD tomorrow either as have hairdressers - which is near to other shops so I will pop in. It's like supermarket sweep to see if I can get into Ald*, M&S & HB and get to apt by 10am...

Me time: look after yourself. Get enough sleep; eat well; move; do things you enjoy. Good nights sleep, apart from dogs barking at 6am, eating fairly good, moving by getting into garden for half an hour, enjoyed visit from friend this afternoon, he must like it too as he always arrives at 12.30 & leaves 5 hours later..

Move: being active benefits your body and your mind. You know that. Now do it. Moving by weeding in garden. took big weed trolley up to compost heaps. Fresh air lovely..

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. Not done much today as spent morning cleaning up then visit all afternoon. DD provided us with the clothes she sold for us to post... not daft eh.

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. Desperate need of decluttering & getting rid of old lifestyle. Am going to do this so will post progress on here to keep me accountable. No progress today but have a pile of DH polo shirts he no longer wears to go.

You. Are you happy in yourself? Know what brings you joy, what cheers your heart, what makes you pause and wonder. Don'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 entertaining afternoon with friend, for DH making the food for lunch, for progress in the garden, for the antics of the kitty ...and for DD going to her own home for at least a couple of nights


NSD still 5/19 so far

Check ins: 10/31

Not done charity donation yet but will arrange asap. Need to do through euro account. Nope.

SFD number 4 yesterday. Lots of work done and a dog walk. Not much else to report.

NSD 6/19 so far. Saturday may be the next one. £3.50 has gone into charity boxes. Courses, exam marking and hobbies are ticking along nicely. Detox is ok but I'm running out of veggies again!

Fmess - you are up rather early?!