The October Awakening!

NinjaSavingKat

:T:T:TThe October Awakening:T:T:T
Getting Back to Basics The Hard Way

EDIT; - Right then folks - since we are well into the Challenge and day 3 is drawing to a close there is to be no more "joiners" - if you want to lurk and read please by all means do so and get ready to start again next month with us all!

In as much as I don’t want to make these challenges purely about me and my life (because it’s boring) I am going to say one thing.

On the 29th of September I will have been on MSE for 1 year. In that time I have cleared £14400 of my £16600 debt which is roughly 86%. In 365 days.

What have you achieved in the last year?

I do not and never will use an accusatory voice when asking a question like this. It’s simply a question.:o Have you achieved what you want to achieve in this last year? Is there more you want ticked off your list by the end of 2013? Don’t wait until January - create the good habits now and start the year on a positive with a new outlook on your spending habits. It’s time to get tough!

Do you realise Christmas is a mere 88 days away?

The October Awakening Challenge is a lifestyle choice….(oh yes it is!:)). Psychology dictates that rules and regulations make life a little easier by eliminating the choices you have to make. The website Psychology Today had a “Financial Focus” article where the author said this…(I’m getting all intellectual here:cool:)….

Where are your financial boundaries, your markers of right and wrong, the alarm bells that are set off when forbidden territory is invaded? Such boundaries are necessary, or at least handy, in helping us navigate our financial lives, stay on the debt free road and out of debt- ditches. There are occasions, though, when we just don't have enough information to establish helpful rules. Sometimes, we have to wind up in that ditch.

When it comes to money, we all have rules. One great example is the "How Much" rule - justifications for expenditures can calm one person's soul while raising ire in the next.


I have created rules. I am taking that burden from your shoulders(aren't I lovely), you just have to nod and post your name. These will be simple rules as you will see but tight and at times difficult.

:j:jYes it is a case of me telling you what you can do - just for 1 month! :j:j

I feel that unless you are totally completely committed you will never feel the full benefit of this financial overhaul. 31 days of following my rules. I will pull you up on things, I will ask questions and expect complete honesty, I will expect some sort of a decent answer to spending spurges (which are strictly forbidden) but it’s only because I care. Everyone on this thread cares - regulars will welcome you and you will be a part of the gang before you know it. Enthusiasm, encouragement, cheerleading and a lotta love! :rotfl:

You will have my honesty in return - you are keeping me on track as much as I you.You can leave at any time, but I guarantee your mindset towards your current spending will change forever. Now are you in?

The Rules.

• This challenge will commence on the 1st October 2013 at 00:00 and will finish on the 31st October 2013 at 23:59.
• You will aim for 20 SFD (Spend Free Days). This does NOT include money used on normal everyday DD / CC payments, standing orders, debt over-payments obviously and petrol - but these MUST be budgeted and accounted for prior to the start of the Challenge. Yellow Sticker purchases are exempt as well as long as nothing else is added to the basket.
• Pay off debt first. You will decide prior to the start of the challenge how much you can put towards your DEBT. This is paid on the first of the month - you live on what’s left! Not the other way around!
• You will create a spreadsheet and budget EVERYTHING. These amounts must be user friendly and realistic. Don’t go hardcore if you know you can’t keep it going to the bitter end on the 31st.
• Get a small spend diary to keep in your bag, everything you buy is written on it.
• Set your food budget now then reduce it by £20. Mine is £80 for just me. Start by “down-shifting” food brands, start buying smart and getting yellow sticker bread etc. Start cooking from scratch and stop buying convenience food. Get smart and meal plan.
• Clear out your cupboards of food before buying more. This is where the “get smart” comes into play. Stop stock piling and wasting food. Bread / milk and vegetables only until everything else is low enough you that consider eating grass.
• Out of your allowance £3 of food will be donated to the local food bank. Check your local one, buy the items, and drop ‘em in. Simples. Life is not just about ourselves and what goes around comes around.
• Budget for outings, birthdays, Halloween parties, trick-or-treater treats and meals with friends PRIOR to the start of the challenge. If someone wants to arrange for something after the start you must politely decline.
• No eating out, no cafes, no Starbucks, no Costa, no work canteens, no hospital cafes...you shall not buy food out! You do not need to if you PLAN AHEAD!
• Bring your lunch to work everyday. It’s a pain in my ar*e every night but what you make yourself tastes better and you know what you’re getting. Budget for £5 to stay in your wallet because I KNOW you will inevitably leave your lunch at home at least once. Save yourself an SFD from the very beginning. It’s called being prepared you know!
• Choose a DFD - a Debt Free Date! You NEED something to aim for - a challenge of your own. You don't need to be as hard on yourself as I am but being willy nilly and non-committal about your debt is not a good idea. Get determined and start planning!
• Use up all your beauty products BEFORE getting any more. No more than £10 allowed on beauty spends for the month. This might sound harsh but soap is soap. Shower gel is liquid soap. Lidl’s sells great soap according to my Mother. And it all goes down the drain. Invest in a good moisturizer instead.
• And just for the “regulars” who might be a bit too comfortable in these challenges.. you have to somehow make an extra £100 this month. I don’t care how. Ebay, Amazon book trade-in, sell pictures of yourself (kidding), sell everything that isn’t nailed down - lets see what you are made of.

That’s it. Now get your name down and lets the games begin!

***Please add your name on a post only. Comments and budgeting chat will start on the first of the month. Please DO NOT re-post the entire initial thread indicating what you can and can't do - please just leave your name for now to prevent this thread getting to long unnecessarily ***

NinjaSavingKat

Reserved for Contenders..

1 = NSK.
2 = KarmaChiLoveThing
3 = Cottage_Retreatist
4 = ThriftyLass
5 = Loveadove
6 = Fmess
7 = CrazyCatLady1
8 = Stewby
9 = BeckyBoo1980
10 = Determined Diva
11 = StopLurking
12 = TinkDH
13 = Superdopsa
14 = LittleSkintDragon
15 = Clippy_Girl
16 = DeterminedNewMs
17 = Kaybeebop
18 = Maisie M
19 = Angelicious
20 = Calling14
21 = Samjangi
22 = Everhopeful09
23 = Doris65
24 = Munchin
25 = DaisyChain1
26 = ClootiesMum
27 = Banananana
28 = MrsGSR
29 = Lilyanna
30 = Fyggy
31 = xJOJOx
32 = TiptoesDB
33 = KittyBoo
34 = Roxy7699
35 = MoneyMash
36 = LittleMissKitty
37 = SpeakingofArt
38 = FrugalFoxy
39 = ShySpender
40 = Abundant1972
41 = MrsToast
42 = Traveller
43 = RoseiCheeksBlossom
44 = Lillian1977
45 = Avogirly
46 = PurplePosting4
47 = PurpleJay
48 = SandyCheeks
49 = Bumblebee
50 = Rumblytum
51 = Magiclily
52 = HisMissus
53 = NannyGladys
54 = Hollieinbloom
55 = Strandedinaber
56 = Shelbi
57 = Andrar
58 = Lizziesnips
59 = Siouxsie32
60 = PrincessLou
61 = Kayester
62 = Luckyginger
63 = Pinkylds
64 = Nanell
65 = Lindatrole
66 = Shady2307

karmachilovething

Quick off the mark: count me in Kat!

cottage_retreatist

can you put me down please for October?

Thank you!!
eek! can't wait!! Glad I'm not a 'regular' just yet!!!!

xx

NinjaSavingKat

CR... you are still not exempt from that rule...:)..it's for everyone just especially for the "regulars".. I will still accept a jolly good expect. :T:T:T

thriftylass

Count me in :T
Liking the new rule for regulars to make £100. I stopped selling stuff ages ago but it makes sense to find ways of making a bit of money again. Do surveys count?

LoveaDove

I'm in!! I haven't even read the rules yet, but I'm in. Blind apparently but willing

Fmess

Can I join this month please? Thanks NSK

stewby

This is Stewby, checking in please. Nothing like jumping straight in at the deepend.


Any chance I can be #8?? (my lucky number).

CrazyCatLady1_3

Im in too please Kat

beckyboo1980_2

Yes please in - ready and enthusiastic!!!