Yasha Marches into April

[Yasha92]

This challenge’s goals will be kept relatively simple to try and keep things chugging along. Since I have been on the medication I have been waking up easier (side effect of ‘insomnia’ translates to ‘wakes easily’ apparently) and keeping a relatively level head. I will keep up with the medication and not go down that dark road of desperation I was on for a couple of weeks there. I’ll be kicking off this challenge properly on Sunday of week 1.  

-          Daily Mood & Medicine - each day score out of 10 and take medication + vitamins

-          1/week exercise activity (PT/Krav/Gym, see if I can put the others on hold while I am struggling to get to multiple).

-          Budget cuts – spend as little money as possible – need to get the repayments sorted asap so I can think about whether early retirement is an option (maybe put gym/krav/PT whichever two I’m not using on hold for a little bit). Total outstanding in debts at start of challenge = $10,645.

-          Good eating – if not a meal plan then homecooked meals as much as possible – eating out budget of $??? (need to discuss with Mr). Try not to spend any money at work.

-          Homework 1/week + assignments.

[Mr_Willes]

The title alone would be enough to lure me into this challenge.

 

But knowing you are also a lovely fun girl just makes it all the better!

[jonfirestar]

Following of course! 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following.

[Wild Wolf]

6 hours ago, Yasha92 said:

Try not to spend any money at work.

 

Leftovers have become my go-to because eating at work destroys the budget we set out each pay period. Following!!

 

 

Wolf

[Yasha92]

12 hours ago, Mr_Willes said:

The title alone would be enough to lure me into this challenge.

 

But knowing you are also a lovely fun girl just makes it all the better!

 

A simple title which is also a pun = easy decision! Glad to have you budget-buddy.

 

11 hours ago, jonfirestar said:

Following of course! 

 

Good to see you Jon

 

6 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Following.

 

Love it! Good to have you on board Chaplain.

 

6 hours ago, Wolfpool said:

 

Leftovers have become my go-to because eating at work destroys the budget we set out each pay period. Following!!

 

Wolf

 

I've figured out over the last week that I hate being 'forced' to eat what I pack, so I'll pack my lunch and then rebel and go and buy something else. I have got around that this week by having a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter and jam (jelly) in my work kitchen - then if I don't feel like eating the leftovers I have a PB&J, it lets me feel like I'm making a choice, but it keeps the spending under control and keeps me away from the lemonade temptation.

 

[Yasha92]

Called the gym and put Mr and my memberships on hold for three months. Seeing as we haven’t been to that gym in three months it seemed the logical thing to do, plus we can call and un-freeze whenever we want. This frees up $60/ftn for paying down the debts (pity the payment came out today, otherwise I could have got the $60 benefit straight away).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Emerald Eagle]

Following! Glad you're starting to feel a bit better

[Yasha92]

-          Daily Mood & Medicine - 7/10 (pretty damn good for a work day, med are clearly working), Took meds and vits.

 

-          1/week exercise activity. Put gym on hold as neither of us have been in 3months, which will free up $60/ftn.

 

-          Budget cuts – Put gym on hold. Had first budget meeting with Mr. Total outstanding in debts = $10,645.

 

-          Good eating – eating out budget of $230/ftn (starting from Thurs week 1). Had homemade soup for lunch and went out for dinner (date night) but ordered one large main to share and one cheap drink each (beer for him, mexi soda for me).

 

-          Homework 1/week + assignments - Nothing today, but I'm currently ahead.

[TGP]

welcome to a new challenge

sounds like your in a good mental place as it begins.... deciding to freeze the gym membership surely wasn't an easy choice. 

 

but as you say there are many ways to continue an exercise program

[Yasha92]

Sunday week 1. Stole @EmeraldEagle's little boxes for tracking the once/week goals.

 

- Mood and Meds: 9/10, I had a really good day, it was very (excessively) hot, but my mood was great all day, had people over for DnD so cleaned up in the morning and then hosted the game that Mr runs. Seriously so hot, I poured buckets of water on the balcony to get some evaporative cooling and it was completely dry in like an hour... It's 7.30pm and its still about 30c. I will take meds and vitamins before bed.

- 1/week exercise: ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

- Budget cuts: $0 day we're going to need to have a couple of these, as we have $131 in the account and Mr goes to the psych tomorrow which costs $130 >.< We will get a $124 rebate, but it takes a couple days to come through. Payday is on Wednesday/Thursday where we will start our pay 'cycle' ready to try out the barefoot suggestions for money buckets, (thanks @Endor).

- Good eating: hmmm, not super great, but it was all homemade (protein shake, pb&j on toast, grilled cheese sammich).

- Homework: nothing yet ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

[Yasha92]

Monday week 1 (updating on Tuesday because I fell asleep on the couch at 9pm)
 
- Mood and Meds: 8/10, I had a pretty good day, left work at 4pm after getting a bunch done, had people over for DnD so cleaned up and then hosted for the second game that Mr runs.It was pretty hot again but not as hot as Sunday. I was super tired and falling asleep at the table so I lay on the couch at about 9 and dozed off until 10 then got up and took my meds and went to bed.
- 1/week exercise: ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
- Budget cuts: $0 day for me, $130 for Mr cause of the psych. We will get a $124 rebate, and I’ve put the claim in, but it takes a couple days to come through.
- Good eating: yes, protein shake, chickpea and potato curry, tomato rice and beans. There was a free fruit bowl at work so I had an apple too.
- Homework: nothing yet ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Elastigirl]

Sometimes I look at your photos and think I want to live there, and then you say how hot it is, and I know I'd die. Great job on the budget cuts.

[Yasha92]

Tuesday week 1. Had a pretty good day, work was fine, I'm working extra hard on trying to translate the bosses weirdness into human communication. Today she took a sticker from my intray and stuck it to my hand. I'm guessing she is currently pleased with my efforts...

- Mood and Meds: 7/10, I had a pretty good day, took my meds and vitamins.
- 1/week exercise: ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
- Budget cuts:  spent $5.40 on Mr's meds, I also became highly grateful for the Australian healthcare system that means I can go and buy the meds Mr needs with pocket change.
- Good eating: yes, coffee and a free apple, chickpea and potato curry, tomato rice and beans with a slice of cheesy toast.

- Homework: nothing yet ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

 

[jonfirestar]

5 hours ago, Yasha92 said:

Tuesday week 1. Had a pretty good day, work was fine, I'm working extra hard on trying to translate the bosses weirdness into human communication. Today she took a sticker from my intray and stuck it to my hand. I'm guessing she is currently pleased with my efforts...

That's certainly not a very clear sign. What was the sticker of? 

[Wild Wolf]

On 3/15/2018 at 4:52 PM, Yasha92 said:

I have got around that this week by having a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter and jam (jelly) in my work kitchen - then if I don't feel like eating the leftovers I have a PB&J, it lets me feel like I'm making a choice, but it keeps the spending under control and keeps me away from the lemonade temptation.

 

Yussss! I have the same contingency plan in my desk drawer . I looooove me some PB&J.

 

Wolf

[Yasha92]

Sometimes I look at your photos and think I want to live there, and then you say how hot it is, and I know I'd die.[emoji6] Great job on the budget cuts.

I’ve been very aware the last few days how much I prefer cool weather to hot. Thanks! It’s easy to stick to budget when there is no money, the challenge will be sticking to it once the pay check clears.

That's certainly not a very clear sign. What was the sticker of? 

A dinosaur and the word ‘spectacular’ which is why I’m guessing it’s a good thing... it’s possible she just wanted to stick a sticker on something, she tends to have really busy hands and always wants to be grabbing and touching things, I’ve moved all my hand creams, painkillers, chapstick and deep heat into my drawer instead of my tray because she was always helping herself/opening things and smelling them (like if I’m drinking a cup of tea and it is sitting on my desk she’ll grab it and take a big sniff). The medication is helping me be able to go ‘haha, that’s weird’ and not spiral into terror about what might happen with her in charge.

 
Yussss! I have the same contingency plan in my desk drawer [emoji4]. I looooove me some PB&J.
 

Wolf

PB&J is excellent! and having the options is really helping me stick to eating the lunch I’ve packed (but sometimes I’ll have pb&j anyway because so delicious!) it means I’m able to have breakfast at work as well instead of buying it on campus or trying to cram something in while I’m still half asleep.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jonfirestar]

22 minutes ago, Yasha92 said:

A dinosaur and the word ‘spectacular’ which is why I’m guessing it’s a good thing... it’s possible she just wanted to stick a sticker on something, she tends to have really busy hands and always wants to be grabbing and touching things, I’ve moved all my hand creams, painkillers, chapstick and deep heat into my drawer instead of my tray because she was always helping herself/opening things and smelling them (like if I’m drinking a cup of tea and it is sitting on my desk she’ll grab it and take a big sniff). The medication is helping me be able to go ‘haha, that’s weird’ and not spiral into terror about what might happen with her in charge.

 

I'm someone with busy hands and tend to fiddle with things constantly (I've got a sumo wrestler stress ball on my desk to give me something to play with) but she certainly takes that to the extreme. Such a thing as personal space, you know. Oh well a sticker with spectacular for one spectacular woman seems well deserved  

[Yasha92]

Wednesday week 1. Had a pretty ok day, work was fine... I'm starting to get a bit tired, which is fair I guess for midweek.

- Mood and Meds: 7/10, I had a pretty good day, about to take my meds and vitamins.
- 1/week exercise: ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
- Budget cuts:  $0 day for me, $13.55 for Mr's work snacks.
- Good eating: yes, coffee and chickpea and potato curry, muslie bar.

- Homework: Y ☐ ☐ ☐

[Salinger]

Hoping things are ok Yasha, you definitely seem better on the meds, which is great to see <3 xx

[Yasha92]

Oops I’ve forgot my Thursday update because I fell asleep on the couch again.

Mood/meds: pretty sure mood was ok, though I bought a pizza and they made it wrong twice so I was pretty annoyed about that (on the up side- less likely to go buy pizza as a treat), did take meds and vitamins

Homework: done for the week

Workout: not yet, booked for Saturday

Budget: spent $15 on jellybeans for the team and reduced to clear energy drinks to stash in my locker and bring home for Mr (he drinks that kind a lot at work, so better to buy them for 50c/ can instead of $4/can. $5 pizza which was crappy enough that I submitted feedback even though I had already made them re-make it. $20 me day, $15Mr day.

[Yasha92]

Friday wk 1,

Mood and meds, pretty good mood today, doing first aid training and I like learning new things, plus it was fully catered which was nice.

Homework, done for the week

Workout, booked in for tomorrow (need to take out cash).

Budget, spent a fair chunk of change today but it was planned datenight and we stuck to budget. I’ll update the maths tomorrow when I have more available brain.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Yasha92]

Saturday wk 1, pretty ok day, very chill, went to gym in the morning then spent most of the rest of the day on the couch watching Grand Designs.

Mood & meds: 8/10, took meds.

Homework: done for the week Y ☐ ☐ ☐

Workout: Y ☐ ☐ ☐ Mr and I did a couples session with our trainer which was good and saves us quite a bit of money, we did bench and accessories.

Budget: $50 on PT and organised to do couples PT next week as well which will save us $80/ftn, instead of each of us doing a 1on1 session for $45 we do it together for $50. Spent $45 on groceries.

Debt at end of week one: $10,377.

[Yasha92]

Sunday wk 2, pretty good day, had people over for DnD and kicked 12 giant's butts. Duunack my half-orc rallied the 40 enslaved orcs against the giants and the spellcasters in our party used their whole repertoires to great effect. It was a close call, but that is the best kind. We returned triumphant down the mountain with a haul of treasure, 52 giant goats and a dozen winter wolves. I cleaned the house and in the evening went grocery shopping with Mr (more on that in the budget section, but in short- yikes!). Planning to do a bit of meal-prepping for the week before bed.

Mood & meds: 9/10, took meds.

Homework: not yet for wk 2. Y ☐ ☐ ☐.

Workout: Booked for Thursday morning. Y ☐ ☐ ☐.

Budget: Groceries. Good grief did we ever buy some groceries... We went to a different store because I had a gift card for $50 left over from Xmas, I thought with that we might spend net $0 on groceries today... how wrong I was. We spent all of the $50 gift card (not coming out of budget) then $23 extra at that shop, then $86 at our normal shop (alas, $4 short of getting $10 cashback, if I'd have known I would have bought an extra bottle of milk and a bag of carrots). That brings us to $109 on groceries today (not including giftcard). I'm hopeful that some of the groceries (eg baked beans and the like) will roll us through a bit longer. We also had a 'surprise' charge of the playstation subscription of $74, because it only comes out once per year it wasn't anywhere in the budget - so it's come out of the 'eating out' budget for this fortnight and we will just need to eat at home (with the exception of the separately budgeted Thursdays). I did cash in some cans that I had collected over the last week or so to add to the debt repayment once I've got enough to make a dent, and received $5.50 for my efforts, so it wasn't all spend-spend-spend O_o

Good eating: ate lots of snacks, but they were mostly pretty good (cheese and crackers, cashew nuts, a couple pieces of chocolate), two coffees, otherwise had some toast with cream cheese and honey. Don't feel like dinner and have probably hit enough calories for the day.

[Yasha92]

Monday wk 2, very busy day today - we introduced the new system at work and my bum didn't touch my chair until 11 after getting there at 8 and then I was up and down all day and didn't have lunch until 2. I wish I wore my fitbit because I'm sure I got soooo many steps (side note - I don't currently know where my fitbit is but I also feel like if I don't look for it it isn't stolen... Shrodinger's fitbit). In the evening had people over for DnD again,.  it was a good game but I was tired and somewhat unfocussed.

Mood & meds: 7/10, took meds.

Homework: not yet for wk 2. Y ☐ ☐ ☐.

Workout: Booked for Thursday morning. Y ☐ ☐ ☐.

Budget: $0 for both of us (and rightly so with all the stocking up we did yesterday).

Good eating: Coffee and an apple, an energy drink, chickpea curry, salt and vinegar chips, a mandarin, cheese on toast, some dnd snacks... a bit of a mix in terms of good but all 'homemade'/packed.