NST - Achievable August

Aim[/B] - Think I've not only got my 1st NSD, but ended up with more money, as I returned an item

Update (Budgets) !!!8211;done.

Get (prepared for Xmas) !!!8211;Have written list of bdays between now and end of Jan and Xmas list. Will fill in with what Ive got and start to work on gaps. I still need to finalise my list and come up with more ideas of what I'd like from people (eg: my mum)

Utilise (free activities in your area) - not really applicable today - only place we've been out is to return an item, post a flebay item and to a friend's house. But have made Hama bead pictures at home

Share (money saving tips) I make laundry gloop using freebie hotel soaps (my husband stays away with work most weeks) and use white vinegar as a softener (although don't even bother on every wash)

Treat (yourself) !!!8211; I think I'll use my £3 towards getting my eyebrows done (waxed and tinted) - haven't had them done for over a year Will try and be organised and book it next week for later in month (although we are away in a forest next week)

Very sleepy right now - planning an early night

NSD today 3/20.
Did some voluntary work this afternoon in London. Got travel and refreshments paid for.
Taking it easy now as was not feeling well earlier on.

Evening everyone :hello:

Day 4 progress is as follows:

• Aim for 15 NSDS - 1/15
• Update (budgets) - spends are at £113.24/£350. £1.27 added to the EF to date
• Get prepared (for Xmas) - no progress
• Utilise (free activities in your area) - no progress
• Share (money saving tips) - take all you electronic devices to work so you can charge them at your employers expense thus saving you money on your own electricity bill
• Treat (yourself) - bought my face masks. 2 were on sale so I got 3 for £2 :j
• Read as many books as possible - 1 book finished, 1 book in progress
• Batch cook for the little one - 4 portions of vegetable soup cooked and frozen
• Make £50 additional income - £3.76 made to date

Still not doing good on the patience thing.....

Today should be NSD 2

Just tidying and pottering about planned.
In an odd mood.
Elderly relative is back in hospital - I am feeling manipulated and annoyed and trying not to be.

It is 27 degrees here until Wednesday when it plummets to an icy 24 degrees, no rain until next weekend. Phew!

I haven't managed a proper starting post this month either but thought I would chip in anyway!


Did a big shop (for me) this morning, spent just over £59, but had a voucher for £7.50 off a £50 shop :T I usually struggle to spend as much as £50, but decided to stock up a bit, and also did my monthly £5-ish donation to the local food bank - I spend about £5 at the beginning of each new month on items they request on their FB page Anyway, due to the Sainsburys voucher, my donation didn't cost me anything this time


OH has picked a big washing up bowlful of spinach, so I need to deal with that - I bought Sainsbugs basics version of feta cheese and some filo pastry, so will make a Greek spinach and feta filo pie - I can't spell the Greek name for it Anyway, it always looks and tastes good, and costs not much at all! A packet of filo is enough for a couple of pies at least, so I will freeze what is left.


My moneysaving tip is to use your freezer - go through what you have in your fridge, veg rack, fruit bowl etc, and if it looks as though it will go off before you can use it, freeze it for later Even things like half a pepper, a single bendy carrot or a stick of celery will come in handy when you are cooking, and as an added bonus, will be ready prepared. I only blanch things that will be kept for a long time (for example beans from the garden) - little bits and oddments of veg can just be washed and chopped up, put in a bag or tub and frozen. Fruit - apples are peeled and sliced, for use in cakes, crumble, pies etc, bananas can be mashed for banana bread /cake (a squeeze of lemon juice keeps them nice and pale if you worry about that kind of thing), lemons and limes can either be cut into wedges or juiced / zest grated. Oranges, any kind, I freeze whole for marmalade. When the bag is full, I boil it up!


And while on the subject, freezer bags, particularly the more substantial type, can be washed out and reused - we all want to reduce plastic use, don't we? I don't reuse any that have contained meat, fish or anything greasy, but if they have only had bread slices or veg in them, why not? I just wash them out and peg on the line to dry. OH wonders what the neighbours think..... do I care? I do not! :rotfl: