NSK; "The Janus Illusion".

NinjaSavingKat

:T:T:TThe Janus Illusion!:T:T:T

"Ring out the Old, Ring in the New"

In Roman mythology the god Janus was a god of two faces that looked in opposite directions. One that looked into the past and one that looked into the future. The month of January was named for this god. Janus is also the god of gates and doors, and of time and transitions.

This is the basis of this challenge ; the first of 2014. The Illusion is what we want to break free of. Things do not make us happy, especially if we spend money we do not have to attain them!!!

We are closing the door to 2013 and leaving behind the mentality that went with it. Looking behind you through the year and before that what do you see? Is it spending behaviour that you would like to continue or close the door on?

If you are wading through MSE and landed within this forum of Debt Free Wannabes before this year is even over I get the feeling you have changes to make.

YOU need to embrace the face that looks forward, see beyond the sales, the desires of materialism and the close the door on needless spending! You MUST look further than tomorrow.

The debt around your neck can only stop growing if YOU want it to.
The debt that ruined your Christmas can only stop if YOU take control.
The debt that you've had for insert your amount of years will only diminish if YOU decide this is what you want to do.

Do YOU want to be debt fee??

So the theme for my January 2014 challenge is this; now is the time for transitions from bad spending, not thinking about our finances and not being careful with our pennies and how we spend them to looking with our face towards the future meaning a transition to thrifty living, paying debts off first, making a REAL effort to pay off what we owe and NEVER owing money to someone else again.

It's time to plan for your future. A future of debt freedom!!!

Who we are = Since starting my challenges in November 2012 a group of warriors have pledged to fight the good fight with me until they were debt free. I myself have reached that golden fleece and will be starting 2014 as a saver but it's my goal to take everyone who dares sign their name under this challenge to the bitter end and cheer them when they declare their DFD (debt free day). We encourage, challenge, hug and love each other in what can only be described as a tough ride... it will be worth it in the end. You will learn new habits and make new friends....

There are only a few rules to abide by (for your own good!..:))..

Please do NOT repost the entire list of rules. It makes the thread unnecessarily long. If you are putting your name down it means you are playing the game. I don't need to know which applies to you... I expect them all to. If one does not apply (because you do it already) then that's great but it now falls under my rules as does everything else. I might be a taskmaster at times, my CAPITAL lettering is simply for emphasis (not shouting) but remember I have been in debt and I respect everyone of you and this journey and above all my way works!!!:T

1. This Challenge commences on the 1st January 2014 @ 00:00 and finishes on the 31st January 2014 @ 23:59.
2. You will aim for 20 SFD.(Spend Free Days). Any money spent means an SFD. Use your days wisely. Plan ahead.
3. You will set your food budget before the beginning of this challenge and stick to it. You will need to meal plan, stock take what's in your cupboards and eat everything before buying more. My budget for food is £100 for one (vegan) person.
4. Set your petrol budget now! Can you drive more carefully and lower your petrol outage? Can you leave the car behind and walk to work, cycle?
5. You must down-shift 5 brands to supermarket own brand OR if you are feeling brave to value brands...i.e. porridge oats are an easy choice to shift with minimal taste difference)
6. You MUST bring your lunch to work every day with no exceptions. £5 of your food budget goes in an envelope and stays in your purse/wallet for the month. You will inevitably forget your lunch one day - this is called planning ahead.
7. Please pre-arrange any outings with friends now before the beginning of the month and budget accordingly. Any friends that contact you after the commencement of this challenge must be politely declined.
8. You will be banned (:)) from all of the following;- cafes, restaurants, rip-off vending machines, work canteens, chip-shops, take-aways, corner shops and especially Starbucks, Costa and Nero during this 31 day challenge.
9. £3 from your food budget to be spent on your local foodbank (since you are giving up Lattes / Cappacinos etc). Please attempt to take items in there in person otherwise you can donate on-line with the Trussell Trust. Giving a little back helps in the long run!
10. Exercise is now your friend. Food is not. 3 x 20 minute sessions of exercise a week please. Don't care how you do it but get your heart rate up. Avoid joining gyms - you can't afford it.
11. Choose a Debt Free Date now. Put it into your signature with your FULL DEBT AMOUNT that is outstanding. This is your motivation when you see those numbers reduce each month.
12. Use a spreadsheet, notebook or your phone. Document every single spend that you make. You might be surprised as to where you money is going.
13. No beauty spends over £10. I am sure Christmas saw you earn a few smellies that should see you through. Use up what you have.
14. No purchasing of alcohol unless it is out of your food budget. You MUST stay out of the pub for 31 days. Better if you stay off the alcohol altogether?
15. Lastly put all your budgeted money (food / petrol / outings) into separate envelopes now. Keep them separate and receipts as well.

The most important bit = Pay Towards Your Debt First. Thinking you will pay "what's left" at the end of the month towards your debt will get you no-where. Make that payment your PRIORITY! Live off what's left! ( minus the important payment of course).

Remember - we are here to support not chastise. If this challenge is not for you please move on. There are a multitude of great challenges to get involved in. This kind of thing is not for everybody - but we get results. This challenge is purely to retrain your brain about how you spend not dictate but I do expect all Contenders to abide by these rules.
Simples!!!

NinjaSavingKat

Saved for the Contenders.....
1 - NSK
2 - Traveller
3 - Kittyboo
4 - Habibiboo
5 - Thriftylass
6 - Superdopsa
7 - Fmess
8 - Stewby
9 - Pheonix
10 - MrsToast
11 - Clippy_Girl
12 - Calling14
13 - Missyv30
14 - Munchin
15 - AppleMuncher
16 - JazzyJustLaw
17 - SpeakingofArt
18 - Kanagdoo
19 - Everhopeful09
20 - Helencal80
21 - Charlies-Aunt
22 - BeckyBoo1980
23 - Gretchen2012
24 - Ecodude
25 - PurpleJay
26 - Sandycheeks
27 - B17c
28 - Bex296
29 - Lillyanna
30 - Loveadove
31 - Siouxsie32
32 - Scubaangel
33 - MrsGSR
34 - Fyggy
35 - Gwengeth15
36 - CEW
37 - Stitchintime
38 - Mountaingirl
39 - Shyspender
40 - Foggy Froggy
41 - Plymouhtscubagirl
42 - IWillsucceed
43 - Jofish2669
44 - Crazycatlady1
45 - Abundant1971
46 - Strandedinaber
47 - Cottage_Retreatist
48 - LindsayGalaxy
49 - Bigglesworth
50 - Hollieinbloom
51 - LouiseLou
52 - Lubava
53 - Dolly84
54 - JayneC
55 - Moneymash
56 - Nanny_Gladys
57 - MaisieM
58 - Sarah147
59 - LoubyLou1982
60 - RainbowBridgeReturns
62 - Kickuptheasstime
63 - TiptoesDB
64 - Jubilee76
65 - Net78
66 - BlueDaisy
67 - Xspender
68 - Lillian1977
69 - Learning2Budget
70 - His_Missus
71 - Rosiecheeksblossom
72 - Amanda666
73 - Chickadee
74 - Angelicious
75 - Tea-Lover
76 - CariadsNewStart
77 - TheMarsBarGirl
78 - Retromother
79 - Suziebaby
80 - Avogirly
81 - Doodles1971
82 - Lynneee
83 - Tennisfanatic
84 - DanielleNic87
85 - The Green Lady
86 - WizzyPop
87 - EyesWideOpen
88 - Kat143
89 - Luckystarr
90 - Hummingbird
91 - CrazyLady2009
92 - Taranaman
93 - MagicLily
94 - Blissfullydebtfreewannabe
95 - Catshark88
96 - Mooomin
97 - Bellagiobaby
98 - Jeanniefaethecarse
99 - Happy Bunny86
100 - EmilyTee
101 - Catriona79
102 - Billy-Jo
103 - KarmaChiLoveThing
104 - Midgie

stewby

First to respond and number 8 please!!

Challenge looks good.

traveller

Hi NSK I'm in :T

Habibiboo

:wave:
Great motivational post NSK, thank you! Please count me in too!

KittyBoo_2

Hi NSK I'm in for this too.
Can you give me a number please?
3 would be nice as I had that before.
Thanks again NSK.

thriftylass

Woohoo, I'm in

Superdopsa

Count me in please!

Fmess

Me please x x

PheoniX

Yay me too please!

Mrs_Toast

Please count me in NSK. Been MIA for a couple of months but new year & all that x