NST: October Turtle Triathlon

apple_muncher

NST: October Turtle Triathlon
:j:j:j

To be a triathlete means :-

• you are hardcore
• you are already a superhero
• you already have a different mindset from the majority of people
• you already train three very different skills, improving areas where you are weaker whilst maintaining your strengths

We shall swim, bike and run our way together through October together. Some are able to sprint, others will waddle, but we shall ALL make it to the finish line. We are not competing against each other, we are here to encourage each other on, to share tips on training our money-saving muscles.

• [FONT=&quot]The Challenge will commence on the 1st October @ 00:00 and end on the 31st October @ 23:59.[/FONT]

Say ‘NO’ to the consumerism that sweeps the country in the build-up to Christmas. Enjoy the preparations, but decide your present list and do not add to it. Do not buy gifts out of any ‘should’ or ‘ought to’ feelings. Plan your food carefully and stick to your budget.

Waste nothing – especially food and your energy. Choose your focus and keep your eyes on that goal this month. What will you fill your head with this month? Remove excuses, unsatisfying filler activities (tv, FB, PC time) and dedicate time to your chosen focus.

Identify your stress buttons and find ways to switch them off. People? Circumstances? Things that do/don’t happen? Choose not to be drained by external factors.

Me-time is vital – be kind to yourself (and others too, but yourself FIRST). Find something every day that makes you smile.



Budget absolutely EVERYTHING before the month starts. Look ahead to the next 31 days and plan your NECESSARY spends. Food, travel, presents…. Turn down invitations and use those pennies towards paying off your debt. Do NOT [FONT=&quot]use any coffee shops, vending machines, cafes, canteens unless you have specifically budgeted for it.[/FONT]

Improve your money-saving muscles. Work them hard and often. Tell us all how you make/save those extra pennies. Every penny off your debt is less money to THEM (those pesky lending institutions). It is worth it!

Kick your debt’s @$$! Set your Debt Free Date in stone, make it public (here), and plan how you will pay it off as quickly as possible. Your Debt is a millstone that holds you back from standing up tall and free. Shake off the shackles! Pay off your debt first and live off the remainder – that is why you have done a detailed budget.

Each and every spend is weighed up and, if made, is written down in the notebook that you always carry with you. Do not think that you ‘deserve a treat’ – that will waste your cash. Instead, plan a treat for the end of the month and enjoy the anticipation. (I put away £1 for every NSD, exercise session, 10 000 steps, 10 veggies or sugar-free day I have. What I ‘earned’ in July was our spending money on our holiday in August.)



Remember those who are worse off than you – we shall give £5 of food and toiletries to the foodbank.

Use up your toiletries before buying new ones. Got ones you will never use/finish? Give them away! Don’t keep the clutter in your life.

No Spend Days (aka Spend Free Days) shall number 16. That means you can spend on alternate days! Take your lunch to work every day. NOT counted as ‘spends’ are DDs, prescriptions/urgent medication, any yellow stickered produce (so long as nothing else goes in your basket), children’s activities that have to be paid weekly (so long as they are in your budget) or items bought solely with vouchers. For those with kiddies, you have half term this month – some of you may have 2 weeks of it. PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!



Who is with me?

apple_muncher

Reserved for challengers:

1 apple muncher
2 Habibiboo
3 Calling14
4 Caeraugirl
5 mothernerd
6 PhoeniX
7 moohound
8 Stewby
9 shyspender
10 Magsnoodle
11 LoveaDove
12 lubava
13 nannygladys
14 liltdiddylilt
15 sazzlebgood
16 Fmess
17 crazy_lady2009
18 luckystarr
19 allie23
20 speaking of art
21 abundant1972
22 lindsaygalaxy
23 Celticmiss
23 XSpender
24 CEW
25 Aloofdragon
26 Samiszel
27 Tiggy10
28 tori.k
29 StressedSteph
30 thriftylass
31 traveller
32 Estragon
33 ilovetea
34 dolly84

stewby

Not read it yet but me please!!!!!

Number 8 if possible.


Will go back and have a read now.
Hugs.

Habibiboo

:wave:

What an excellent challenge!

I knew you had a triathlete pose on that bicycle of yours, just knew it!



I'm with you A*M, although you might have to give me a kick to keep updating over here!

Mr Hbbb often tells me I have a different mindset to other people, not sure he means in the good way that you do though!

Thanks for a great challenge! x

Calling14

Lyrca clad bring it on :beer:

Calling14

Sounding great by the way

Caeraugirl

Have been less than motivated last month despite Mothernerd's brilliant leadership, and was considering opting out for this month while I got my act together, but your Triathlon Challenge has fired me up so count me in! Can I wear a baggy T-shirt to cover my lumpy lycra-clad bod though please......

mothernerd

Yes please, but I am with Caeraugirl on the lycra, loose and flowing for me (don't want to frighten the horses or small children).

Excellent challenge.

apple_muncher

Let me assure you that lycra is optional!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PheoniX

count me in your turtle-thon team please Applemuncher! whoop!!:j

mothernerd

Thanks for lycra reassurance. Also would have to buy it so a no no.