Just Say NOvember 2013!!! 28 October 2013 at 11:01AM edited 5 November 2013 at 2:50PM in Debt-free wannabe challenges 1.3K replies 58.6K views

NinjaSavingKat

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:T:T:T“Just Say November 2013; Batten Down the Hatches”.
:T:T:T
Only for the truly dedicate and seriously ruthless!

With the wind howling outside and the rain beating against the windows what better chance to truly batten down the hatches in every sense and stay indoors. This time last year I purposed a challenge, for only the hardened debt-buster to join me on my quest to own my entire pay packet. It’s been a tough, emotional and sometimes draining journey that I will never do again but could really never have managed without the Contenders so willing to throw caution to the wind and follow the rules of a slightly crazed electronic crusader who eats debt for breakfast and can see everything you do!!!....(Ok I can’t see you but you know what I mean…)

So this is the anniversary issue. A true homage to the crazy, fanatical and deep seated desire of each person that signs up to be rid of that noose around their neck. Our aim is for the dizzy heights of debt-freedom and a changed perception of what happiness is. It’s not in things; we don’t NEED everything we own, and it’s here where we will put our foot down and scream NO to those items clogging up our lives and ultimately making us miserable.

My ultimate theme for this month is simple. Stop Making Excuses!

To batten down the hatches is also simple. To prepare yourself for a difficult period by protecting yourself in every possible way. That is what I propose we do. Sacrifices now to reap the rewards later, to prepare for the worst and to do it properly!!!

Dear Reader if you are in debt you are in the right place. If you are in debt you need to do something about it now and do it properly. How many times have people posted on MSE to say their Light Bulb Moment Number 6 has crashed and burned already…. STOP MAKING EXCUSES!!!

It won’t be easy, but you will have encouragement.
It won’t be without pitfalls, but you will have someone to pull you out.
It won’t be without personal challenges but you will have cheerleaders to get you through.
It won’t be without dark days but we will help you see the light.

We are a team on this challenge, we look after each other………..Now are you in?

The Rules…Sorry this is long-winded. But it's for a reason!

***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 ***

• This Challenge will commence on the 1st November 2013 @ 00:00 and end on the 30th November 2013 @ 23:59.

• You will aim for a minimum of 25 Spend Free Days. (SFD). Excluded from this is the purchase of petrol if budgeted for, medication for obvious reasons or anything bought with vouchers because it’s not hard cash. AND if your entire shopping basket is “yellow sticker” purchases! If you are away for a booked holiday, money spent within your budget (I hope you have one?) can be classed as an SFD. If you go over this you have to forfeit that SFD. Childrens activities that have to be paid “on the day” if planned and budgeted for can be classed as an SFD. My aim with this is to rule out emotional spending, boredom spending, spending because you think you can etc, this is not to hamper basic everyday life.

• All monetary outgoings are to be accounted for PRIOR to the beginning of the month. This means having a stipulate agreement with your household for petrol, food, miscellaneous spends, Christmas shopping, car maintenance, children’s activities etc. This also means no surprise spending throughout the month which adds to your CC debt.

• Set your food budget now. You will not be able to go over this. Mine is £100. We spend too much money on food. Simple as that. Basic batch cooking is encouraged, meals that require specific specialized ingredients unless dietary required are not encouraged. MEAL PLAN. Know what you need when you go to the SM - use a list. Use as many supermarket own brands as possible. Down-shift and retrain your taste buds. And for goodness sake empty your cupboards first- see what you have lurking in the back.

• £3 of your food budget must be spent on items for your local food bank. There are people out there who genuinely NEED and deserve the food banks dotted around the country. You can donate online if the petrol expenditure outweighs the benefit of going to the food bank in person. Otherwise bringing yourself and your children to actually buy products and donate themt. http://www.trusselltrust.org/ Please check what they need before buying.
• You will decline all but one offer to go out for the entire month. Find something to do at home for free. And choose your one outing carefully. I was not joking when I said this would be hard. My outing is to see fireworks. Choose carefully - and no before you say it you don’t HAVE to go out. Save your pennies, stay indoors.

• You MUST bring your lunch with you every day to work with no exceptions unless lunch is provided. If you plan properly you will have something yummy from home to eat. Not soggy sandwiches, over priced muck from the canteen or 300ml of orange juice for £3. Bring your own. Embrace the austerity of old.. make do and mend. Home made food tastes better anyway. And you will save a LOT!

• £5 must be set aside in a small envelope and kept in your wallet or purse for the day you forget the lunch you so lovingly prepared. I am feeling nice - you will still be awarded an SFD if you have to spend this £5. You only have this one chance - so be careful. Because no-ones perfect!

• De-clutter 20 items in your home. Give them to charity. Do not sell them. Again it’s not all about us. However I don’t want you spending your time trying to sell something on eBay for 99p or losing money when someone else might need that old jumper you hate.
• Attempt to make £80 anyway you know how. Time to start bringing the pennies in. Start finding the more valuable items in your home that you have “just because” and get rid of it. It’s healthy to de-clutter, time for a new frame of mind and out with the old items and old bad spending habits. And Christmas is just around the corner….eek! Or do overtime at work. It’s what has got me near my DFD. I hate it but it works.

• Coffee shops are off limits. No Costa, No Starbucks, No Nero, No No No! Get a travel mug. (And no work canteens, cafes, and restaurants either). Please read this - http://agirlcalledjack.com/2013/07/30/what-can-you-do-to-help-buy-someone-22-meals-for-the-price-of-a-3-coffee/ . Nothing more I need to add. But it’s a waste of money.

• Use up all your beauty items and limit yourself to £10 for everything you need. Soap is cheap. You don’t need 5 different types of shower gel. And I mean you boys too. If I had to go through my toiletries before I started all these challenges it would have been embarrassing. See what you have, swap with girlfriends / man-friends and starting using what you have. No doubt you will get loads for Christmas anyway! ;-)

That's It. Now get your name down if you think your hard enough! :rotfl:

NinjaSavingKat

Reserved for Contenders.

1 = NSK
2 = HappyBeingMe
3 = KittyBoo
4 = ThriftyLass
5 = KarmaChiLoveThing
6 = Calling14
7 = Cottage_Retreatist
8 = Stewby
9 = His_Missus
10 = LoveaDove
11 = Fmess
12 = LuckyStarr
13 = Avogirly
14 = PheoniX
15 = LindMa
16 - Siouxsie32
17 = CrazyCatlady1
18 = Lilyanna
19 = Kbarty
20 = AutumnLeaf
21 = MrsGSR
22 = Shyspender
23 = Applemuncher
24 = RosieCheeksBlossom
25 = RumblyTum
26 = Traveller
27 = MrsbrownBear
28 = PositiveBalance
29 = CowboyMum
30 = Abundant1972
31 = Andrar
32 = Samjangi
33 = BettyCrumble
34 = TiptoesDB
35 = Superdopsa
36 = Toomuchdebt
37 = FreyaWillow
38 = maisieM
39 = Clippy_Girl
40 = Jofish2669
41 = Gien
42 = Fyggy
43 = MrsO2b
44 = Kaybeebop
45 = Hummingbird
46 = DimpleChops
47 = Angelicious
48 = Kerfuffle
49 = Shazzer22
50 = LittleSkintDragon
51 = HollieinBloom
52 = Shady2307
53 = PurpleJay
54 = MagicLily
55 = TennisFanatic
56 = Mrs Toast
57 = BuffyTheDebtSlayer
58 = Mon1o
59 = Shelbi
60 = SkintDadUK
61 = Eyes Wide Open
62 = DaisyStar
63 = Katrss7
64 = PiggyBankShaker
65 = ItchyFeet
66 = Nic_Hr
67 = Cuchuliann
68 = Katie26
69 = Anna2825
70 = Lovely_Cup_of_Tea
71 = DeterminedDiva
72 = Splodethefirst

thriftylass

Me please, damn thought I make number two this year, lol being the first post, tehe. Never mind. Any number is fine

Better read the rules now and see what I'm in for.

karmachilovething

Count me in Kat! I need this more than ever now we're getting 10% pay cuts at work . . .

Calling14

Me taking it seriously this month. Only 30 days in Nov Kat.;-)

cottage_retreatist

im in! im in! im in!!!!!!!!

haven't read the rules yet - just wanted to be no4!!!!
(hope i don't regret it!)

his_missus

I'm back to it for November, leaving behind a rather dismal october, with the only way being up!

Has it really been a year since we started these challenges?!?!?!?!?

LoveaDove

*Puts hand up*

Fmess

I haven't read what's involved yet but definitely count me in! NSK you are changing my life

luckystarr

please put me in roll on NOvember xx

Avogirly

I'm in I'm in I'm in! Thanks.