Nst; fearless february

mothernerd

NST Challenge:Fearless February


February can be a tough month. We are nearing the end of winter but as the last week has shown, winter still has a sting or two in her tail. We will look for any signs of Spring but be on the alert for danger. Take care when driving/ cycling/walking in hazardous conditions. Take care of yourself if you are laid low by illness or are just low in spirits.


Some parts of our debt free journey are like February. We focus on our debt free date but sometimes our journey feels like an endless winter, unexpected payments block our path and the cold (fear of failure) creeps into our bones. This is like being in a tunnel in the sewer (turtle back story below for those who haven't read it before). It can feel endless and frightening. Which is when our turtle friends will help us through by reminding us of our inner strength and how much we have already achieved and when one turtle is having a hard time the rest of us will circle them and carry them along, knowing they will do the same for us another time. No turtle will be left behind.


Turtles are fearless and when we don't feel it we will fake it and keep plodding along. Planning ahead makes us more able to cope with the unexpected - that means budgeting,meal planning, thinking ahead for work lunches, any celebrations or hospital appointments. We can turn time spent indoors to our advantage – cooking for comfort and warmth, catching up on reading or craft activities, using equipment we have to exercise at home.


We will also focus on what changes we want to make in our lives and commit to 15 minutes a day. Do you need to exercise more, is your house a tip, is your paperwork piled up everywhere, are you studying – or do you just keep thinking about studying (or changing your job/ making changes to a relationship – not necessarily a partner). Give it 15 minutes a day – 15 minutes brisk walking is better than never getting to the gym, 15 minutes on the paperwork will make a difference, 15 minutes revision (or getting your notes in order if you have just started) is better then a mad panic two weeks before exams). Bigger changes need a thought but ultimately you need to do something – find more details about a course, try little changes in relationships 15 minutes can make a difference.


The Challenge Rules:

• The Challenge will commence on the 1st February @ 00:00 and end on the 28th February @ 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 February 15 minutes a day
• Other Rules
• Aim for 15 SFD (Spend Free day or No Spend day)
• Focus on changes you need to make
• Weekly mini 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 £50. Base your purchases around basics range and yellow stickered items.
• You will NOT use any of the following; takeaways, restaurants, cafes, work canteens, vending machines, Starbucks, Costa, Nero or any other chain cafe!
• Lunch to work everyday and plan for appointments and days out.
• 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 (choose your own amount)
• Exercise 5 times a week, newbies and poorlies start with 10 minutes a day, get outdoors wherever possible.

mothernerd

RESERVED FOR CONTENDERS
1 mothernerd
2 Calling 14
3 Synonymous
4 Samiszel
5 CEW
6 speakingofart
7 traveller
8 Stewby
9 cupcake-queen
10 sazzlebegood
11 WelshKitty85
12 blubella
13 shyspender
14 thriftylass
15 speakingofart
16 Bobarella
17 liltdiddylilt
18 LoveaDove
19 apple muncher
20 Fmess
21 Caeraugirl
22 abundant1972
23 pippy1971
24 luckystarr
25 nannygladys
26 Debtdrowninglondongirl
27 Dottydaisy
28 crazylady2009
29 Dizzy Imp
30 Magic Cat
31 ilovetea


FUTURE THREAD LEADERS (Volunteers Welcome)
March shyspender -SUSTITUTE thriftylass
April Calling14 -SUBSTITUTE Fmess
May speakingofart
June apple muncher
July litldiddylilt
August Bobarella

Volunteers (please specify any months preferred/not available)
Bobarella see above
shyspender
Calling14

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

Calling14

Looking good Mothernerd I am in x

thriftylass

Whoohoo, I'm in. Thank you Mothernerd! Can I have 14 please, my lucky number and BD this month.

stewby

Hiya!!!

Will come back to read once I wake up (on nightshift last night. just got up to the loo).

Sign me up please. Number 8 if possible.

Thank mothernerd.
Hugs.

CEW

Great challenge. Please sign me up and I promise to try harder to post more regularly this month.

Chez x

traveller

Thanks Mothernerd-fantastic :j I'm in

cupcake-queen

Thanks - looking forward to it! Count me in!

sazzlebgood

me too please

WelshKitty85

Count me in please. Can't believe January is nearly over!