NSK; "The Janus Illusion".

NinjaSavingKat

Good Morning HOBBTIS! :j:j:j

It is amazing just how much relief one feels when a home is promised. I have found it hard to concentrate on this challenge this month due to this, and the worry about the bike didn't help! So now that I am a little less anxious I need to start planning Feb's challenge for you all. :T:T:T

I have noticed that the regular posters are the ones that hang on to the very end with some exceptions - however it was the same as last year. Anyone who has found this challenge hard needs to continue with us and see what it becomes in a few months time - no first time challenger should rate their success on their first try along! It can be a steep learning curve but it's worth it in the end - TRUST ME!

So I move house on Sunday - my friend with the AA van is unreliable so now starts the challenge of finding a man with a van that's cheaper than the £50 (minimum 2-hour) one I had last time and used for 55 minutes (:mad:). I have managed to sell at least a few items on eBay with payments pending which should push my Paypal account to about £150 or thereabouts including postage though. I have another 8 expensive items ending this week though...This will at least pay for my new shoes/trainer things that I will take travelling. Gonna go try them on again today!

The journey to the train station from my soon-to-be-new house is VERY far. Almost I feel to far to walk. This morning getting up at 0500 and it was hard work. I can get out of the house and to the train station in 3 minutes. Next week if I don't have a push bike ready it's a 1 hour walk minimum and that scares me. I did it on the motorbike and nearly cried at how far it is. Dread to think what I will look like if I cycled it. THEN I read this morning that this cold snap is going to last making a bike ride trecharious.

So I have logisitics to work out - clothing to consider - rucksack to prep - work goody-bag to prep ( incase I forget anything cause there ain't no returning to the house ) and mental prep to consider.

I have to realise there are little kids in India and China who would do this walk if it meant that they could go to school, that I should be grateful I have legs to use, grateful I have a job, grateful it's only for 8 months, grateful that winter is nearly over, grateful for a cheap accomodation so there is no whinging from me - just minor concerns.

Plzhelpmesave - I would be glad to help! Welcome. Feb's challenge ( yet to be named) will be up either today or tomorrow so keep your eyes peeled and we will welcome you on board.

Abundant you have been quiet this month haven't you! YES cut up that CC. As Martin said when I was a kid on GMTV that stuck me always - "If you don't have the money don't spend it"..BOOM! :rotfl:

Pheonix - you are debt free today right??

MissyV - your personal connundrum is a warning to us all. I think in some respects your OH should be taking on his ex-wifes debt entirely and not allowing it to impact on you but that's in an ideal world. I really hope this works out for you as I would be going spare at this point. I must admit I see savings / penny-pinching etc being an interesting and probably the most contentious in any relationship I have if the lucky boy is a spend-thrift!

Fmess - what a palava for you! It's the worst thing having to deal with new cheapo tyres no to mention having it on your debit card. I always think these things happen for a reason - what if those tyres weren't put on properly or what if 5 minutes down the road there would have been a collision or something- you just don't know. It's annoying to pay for , frustrating as a set-back but hopefully you can push passed it this week ...
Someone asked about saving fo an emergency or debt. I saved for my motorbike insurance / tax and that was it. Right at the begginning I upped my OD to cover all of this and I swore I would never do that again but otherwise all my money went to my debt - does this alter your DFD in any way though? It's the interest that you have to look at - if you are not dealing with interest free debts then put it all there and don't save.

Right I need to make some plans. Archery tonight (long day) so I came in with my 44l Rucksack - so warm and comfortable! Lol! But can't wait to shoot tonight...

Onwards!!!

MrsGSR

NinjaSavingKat wrote: »

I have noticed that the regular posters are the ones that hang on to the very end with some exceptions - however it was the same as last year. Anyone who has found this challenge hard needs to continue with us and see what it becomes in a few months time - no first time challenger should rate their success on their first try along! It can be a steep learning curve but it's worth it in the end - TRUST ME!

!!!

I couldn't agree more! I joined your challenges in October and have cleared one credit card, greatly improved our joint account and paid off almost £1,500
They have been hard and each time I have fallen down at one aspect but you know what that's taught me where I need to make changes so I don't make the same mistakes. It's a steep learning curve every month but the results speak for themselves.

mooomin

NinjaSavingKat wrote: »

Anyone who has found this challenge hard needs to continue with us and see what it becomes in a few months time - no first time challenger should rate their success on their first try along! It can be a steep learning curve but it's worth it in the end - TRUST ME!

This is the first month I've done this challenge and it's been a real eye-opener for me. I'd seen it on the forums before and automatically though "Well, I can't do that" but I've done a lot better than expected. Ok, I haven't hit 20 NSDs and will be over on the outings as well, but I'm a LOT more aware of where and when I'm spending and I've been pretty good about not ruining NSDs for petty reasons. I should be able to get 15 which is a record for me

thriftylass

NinjaSavingKat wrote: »

Good Morning HOBBTIS! :j:j:j

I have noticed that the regular posters are the ones that hang on to the very end with some exceptions - however it was the same as last year. Anyone who has found this challenge hard needs to continue with us and see what it becomes in a few months time - no first time challenger should rate their success on their first try along! It can be a steep learning curve but it's worth it in the end - TRUST ME!

I've been on these challenges with you Kat for 14!!! months now :eek::D and also can only advice newbies not to give up. It is a learning curve. I'm still learning and yes some of my set backs were caused by OH not being on board (or even knowing about this ). But without these challenges we would be a lot worse of, we paid for a lot of big things (expected and unexpected) in the last year and still managed to get out of debt and seriously started saving.

Kat Could you get get a cheap second hand rundown bicyle somewhere. That way you'd be quicker to the train station but not in danger of having your nice one knicked while it sits there all day? Good luck with the move anyway!

Fmess that's rotten with the tyres. Cars/bikes always throw up unexpected repairs. Our clutch smelled really bad while being in crawling traffic up a steep hill in town, so we better hand it in this week and see what bill will hit us

Today should be a SFD as well as the next two days. OH is working in town atm so I can get a lift everyday both ways and save on bus money (still pouring so not risking a cycle with a 33 week bump just now).

his_missus

SFDs: 14/20 (I think)
Food budget: £270/£240
Lunch: £1/£5
Brand downshift: 1/5 (smartprice nat. yoghurt)
Foodbank: £0/£3
Exercise sessions: 4/15
Social: 3/2 (1 unexpected one)

Yesterday was a SFD.
Tonight I'm out with a friend for our monthly carvery.

lilian1977

Hi Kat

Pay day for me today, did pretty well last month but as usual couldn't keep up with the posting as I can't post Friday - Sunday really, so I dropped off the thread. I think from now on I will just cheerlead as it's too difficult to keep up with you all

LoveaDove

Wow....That was no easy feat cancelling my free subscriptions with the 2 big credit ref. agencies. Couldn't get the land line option to work on one of them and with only having a mobile, I was on the line for 11 minutes continually declining a free alerts service which I would have to phone back and cancel after 4 months. Not looking forward to my phone bill! *End of Mini Rant*

EmilyTee

Reporting for duty..

with 5 days to go...

SFD: 12/20
Lunch to work 15/21
Exercise 9/15
Food £35/30 (this is a bit misleading as I have a loaded batch cooked freezer)
Petrol: £25.02/£35
Beauty Spends £1/£10

I'm much closer to my targets than I think I have ever been! I think I might do this for feb!

LoveaDove

I agree with the 'keeping at it' attitude with the challenges. Kat's challenges especially address several areas including: Money saving, debt repayment and attitude to money/ realising what you do have. It took me time and some getting used to, to very gradually change my financial habits and attitudes to my money, and to feel like I was getting fully into the swing of it and making progress.

Habits are incredibly difficult to change/adjust and do not just change over night. Ease yourself in gradually with the challenges. Look at your personal achievements and progress, it is easy to compare yourself with other forumites and feel like you're not achieving. I found my best competitor was myself, noting my personal achievements (however small) and celebrating these! E.g. finding 20p on the floor outside, using a coupon to save money, down shifting a brand and actually enjoying it! It is literally all of the small things that make the difference! The guys and girls on here are always very enthusiastic and more than happy to celebrate these achievements and steps with you- so please share!

When I first followed and then eventually joined the challenges last year, I found even 5 Sfds in a month, very difficult to muster! I think the challenges have an incredible impact on your 'awareness' of your spending and your own habits. They help you to plan ahead (as best as you can as there is always something unplanned that pops out of the woodwork every now and then, but that is ok. That is life, it usually means a little bit of re-planning and shifting around of your finances or finding alternative ways to boost them!)

Where there is a will there is a way. Every little achievement leads you a step closer to the big achievement- That ultimate goal, whatever it is. If you need support- we are all here with you for the ride! The highs and the lows!

NinjaSavingKat

thriftylass wrote: »

I've been on these challenges with you Kat for 14!!! months now and also can only advice newbies not to give up. It is a learning curve.

Wow!! That sounds LONG! I love my long-time Contenders like nothing on this earth! Thanks for sticking with me!!!