NST;September Squirrels

mothernerd

NST Challenge:September Squirrels
Our First Turtle Adventure


Appreciating What We Have


Yes we are turtles but just as we learned many lessons from Ninja Kat and will continue to learn from each other, we can also learn from other members of the animal kingdom. September will be all about appreciating what we have .


So while Summer may be ending we are going to savour every moment of sunshine and squeeze every last drop of enjoyment out of it and if it rains, then turtles get out there and dance.


As well as our daily dose of ecotherapy we will make the most of our own and others home grown produce, pick blackberries,gather a handful of conkers or pine cones and like our friend the squirrel, put a few away to remind us of this glorious weather in the depths of winter.


The squirrel gets bright eyed and bushy tailed on a diet of nuts and berries and we will aim to have more veg in our diet and reduce our meat intake (for health and healthy finances).


Exercise is important but no tree climbing unless you are really fit. Those with a well established routine, keep it up, but don't forget to enjoy your surroundings. For beginners and poorlies even 10 minutes a day will be beneficial – better to do 10 minutes every day than to decide on a higher target which in unsustainable.


Planning and preparation are needed. Think ahead, budget, work out what is needed. This leaves more time for fun and if you can, do it without spending or have a low spend. This month I will be including a weekly planning and preparation target.


Like squirrels gathering nuts we will find new and creative ways of bringing in extra pennies. Can you save money by solving a household problem or repair, using existing resources. We will remember those less fortunate than ourselves by making a regular food bank donation.


As the school year commences and evening classes and activities recommence, I want you all to commit to learning something new this month – it doesn't have to be degree level, try a new craft, cook something you always thought was difficult or learn to multi-quote (I have the instructions written down, I've just not tried it yet) – I can do this .


Finally (random rule alert) I want you all to set aside time each day for a period of QUIET REFLECTION. Ideally this should be an hour a day but a minimum of one full hour a week. Absolute silence is not required (but no tv or computer).If you have always wanted to try meditation but never got round to it, now is the time. You could try candles and quiet background music, sitting in the garden to catch the fading rays of the sun or watching children playing at the park. Watch the Autumn leaves changing colour, swirling to the ground or crunch through them. Just be aware, breathe, use your senses and be still, notice the beauty all around you. If you are busy and stressed at work this is something else that can work in 5 minute chunks.


The Challenge Rules:

• The Challenge will commence on the 1st September @ 00:00 and end on the 30th September @ 23:59.
• Kat Essentials
• Set your DFD (Debt Free Day)
• You will pay towards your debt FIRST and live on what’s left. Choose the amount now.
• Set all budgets before the start of the month, think ahead for any birthdays, outings etc.
• Random Rule for September Period of Quiet reflection
• Other Rules
• Aim for 15 SFD (Spend Free day or No Spend day)
• Squirrel pennies – share any ideas which work, trawl the other threads for something you haven't tried recently.
• Learn something new (might be fun)
• Weekly mini-planning challenge (details in later post)
• Food budget should be set realistically (ideally at same level as last month or lower unless you have extra mouths to feed). Mine is £100. Base your purchases around basics range and yellow stickered items.
• You will NOT use any of the following; restaurants, cafes, work canteens, vending machines ( yes really), Starbucks, Costa, Nero or any other chain cafe! You will be allowed one takeaway meal (ducks incoming missile from Kat) but it must come from your regular food budget (no adding an extra £20 at the beginning). If this means you have to live on bread and jam for two weeks then so be it – but is it worth it, what else could you do with that cash.
• Lunch to work everyday and plan for appointments and days out (last chance for picnics and bbqs).
• Travel budget – petrol or public transport for work, leisure, hospital appointments. Can you walk/cycle? Can you combine journeys – shopping/ work/ gym?
• Any other regular budgets – children's activities etc.
• Healthy eating – up your fruit and veg. If you are already getting your 5 a day (if not why not?) go for 7. Will make you feel better (especially if free or ys) and may help ward off all those annoying bugs which come with the changing seasons.
• Make a food bank donation (3 items or £3)

• Exercise 5 times a week, newbies and poorlies start with 10 minutes a day, get outdoors wherever possible.

So who's up for it.

REGULAR CHECK INS - Sorry forgot.

mothernerd

http://smileys.emoticonsonly.com/emoticons/t/turtle-28.gif There was a kingdom of tall towers where the financiers lived. They lured wild turtles with gifts of loans and magic cards, making pets of them. When the hard times came the financiers cast off their pets and the turtles fell into the sewers, awash on a tide of debt.

A wise and beautiful Kat rescued the turtles and taught them her ninja ways.Month by month, in a firm but kindly manner, she taught the turtles to exercise their bodies till they could negotiate the sewer, to use their will to resist the temptations of the kingdom, to plan and prepare, save their pennies and to give to those less fortunate.

One day the wise Kat gathered the turtles to tell them she must leave them. She was to go on a quest to the Eastern lands. She had saved all her money (and a little honey) and sought new adventures and learning (and perhaps an owl to be her future companion).

At first the turtles were afraid but wise and beautiful Kat reminded them of the lessons she had taught them (Always pay your debt first). They could now keep afloat on the sewer water and could help each other, and those who joined them along the way, to swim through to the tide of freedom and the beach of tranquility known as debt free day.

So the brave little turtles set out, swimming against the tide of consumerism and became the
NINJA SAVING TURTLES

mothernerd

There was a kingdom of tall towers where the financiers lived. They lured wild turtles with gifts of loans and magic cards, making pets of them. When the hard times came the financiers cast off their pets and the turtles fell into the sewers, awash on a tide of debt.

A wise and beautiful Kat rescued the turtles and taught them her ninja ways.Month by month, in a firm but kindly manner, she taught the turtles to exercise their bodies till they could negotiate the sewer, to use their will to resist the temptations of the kingdom, to plan and prepare, save their pennies and to give to those less fortunate.

One day the wise Kat gathered the turtles to tell them she must leave them. She was to go on a quest to the Eastern lands. She had saved all her money (and a little honey) and sought new adventures and learning (and perhaps an owl to be her future companion).

At first the turtles were afraid but wise and beautiful Kat reminded them of the lessons she had taught them (Always pay your debt first). They could now keep afloat on the sewer water and could help each other, and those who joined them along the way, to swim through to the tide of freedom and the beach of tranquility known as debt free day.

So the brave little turtles set out, swimming against the tide of consumerism and became the
NINJA SAVING TURTLES

mothernerd

Reserved for Challengers

1 mothernerd
2 traveller
3 MagicCat
4 PheoniX
5 speakingofart
6 dolly84
7 Fmess
8 Stewby
9 nannygladys
10 shyspender
11 apple muncher
12 TiptoesDB
13 moohound
14 Everhopeful09
15 crazy-lady2009
16 CEW
17 Calling14
18 LoveaDove
19 themarsbargirl
20 XSpender
21 luckystarr
22 Siouxsie
23 angielicious
24 abundant1972
25 Caeraugirl
26 lubava
27 homemademama
28 Pinkylds
29
30
33 MrsGSR
Honorary Cheerleader Liltdiddylilt

mothernerd

Victims/ Volunteers to run the thread in future months
Please indicate if any months are preferred by / bad for you.

1 speakingofart
2 Fmess not October
3 TiptoesDB
4 apple muncher
5 crazy-lady2009 Nov or Feb preferred
6 LoveaDove

traveller

Mothernerd, I embarrassingly ask if I can join in on this one. I have been AWOL this month due to a number of things really, although have stayed on track financially. Thanks

mothernerd

Planning and Preparing Week One

CLOTHES

Will that summer dress work for a few weeks longer with a long-sleeved t-shirt (or a jumper) underneath. Have you any t-shirts that are past their best but can be worn underneath another (or in bed/ for painting and gardening or last of all to the rag bag).

Layers are your friend in the coming weeks. Lots of thin layers keep you warmer than one thick one and can be put on and taken off on days when the weather can't make up its mind or for those walking /cycling to work who spend the day in super-heated workplaces. It's also good for those still losing weight or between sizes.

Look through your wardrobe, try new ways of combining old favourites, adapting, selling or swapping anything you don't like. Remember we are making the most of what we have.

I was given a red jersey dress a few years ago which was a little on the short side. But with thick tights and boots it became very 'principal boy', dressy enough for parties and comfortable enough for running after 3 boys. As I don't go to many parties a freebie which did the job was so much more satisfying than a sad party dress which never left the wardrobe.

Share your success stories.

Week Two CHRISTMAS See post #189
Week Three KEEPING WELL See post #286
Week Four TRAVELLING SAFELY See post #379

MagicCat

Yes please Mothernerd!

I love this challenge - such good ideas for things to focus on,I have been trying (not so sucessfully) to do mindfulness meditiation, so this is just the spur I need.

Kat's legacy is alive and well with you, what a lovely start to September, thanks so much for taking on the challenge.

PheoniX

count me in please mothernerd!

speakingofart

Me to join in please mother nerd! I'm happy to volunteer to run a month as well. Thanks so much for carrying on these challenges this month, I'm really looking forward to it.

dolly84

Count me in mothernerd, what a lovely way to get us all started out on our own in the big bad world without Kat.