NST Challenge - Spring is here!

Fmess

NST – Spring is here!

At the start of our debt free journeys, we all make drastic changes to our spending and make great head way on the debt. At the start of each year, we all feel renewed with enthusiasm and refocus on our debts. However, every month of our debt free journey is just as important as the start of the journey and the start of each year. It is our daily resolve to pay off the debts, to increase our savings and to improve our lives that must keep us going day in, day out; week in, week out; month in, month out. As spring is now here, we have more hours of daylight, and hopefully an extra spring in our step to restore our zeal to continue striving onwards.

The support of the members of this thread has been immeasurable to me on my journey so far, I look forward to spending another month with you.



Rules for the challenge are below. Please do not repost all the rules in your responses as this will make the thread too long.



Rules of the challenge:

1. The challenge will run from 00:00 on 1st April to 23:59 on 30th April.



2. Set ALL your budgets at the beginning of the month – plan ahead by making a list of activities, birthdays, events, savings that need to be made. Remember to think ahead for summer events that may need saving for now – holidays, weddings, extra child care to cover the summer holidays. Budget accordingly, be frugal but realistic.



3. Pay towards your debt first. If you are debt free, put aside some money for savings first.



4. Achieve 15 Spend Free Days (SFDs) – if you only purchase yellow sticker items or prescriptions/medication on a day, then it still counts as a SFD. If you have any regular expenses that must be paid on the day (e.g. kids clubs, bus tickets etc) put this money aside at the start of the month and as long as you stick to the budgeted amount, it will not lose you a SFD.



5. £5 donation to a charity or food bank of your choice



6. Take your lunch to work every day – no exceptions. Feel free to share your ideas for lunches; I for one could always do with more ideas to add variety to my lunches.



7. Keep all spending to a minimum – avoid coffee shops, canteens, vending machines etc.



8. Spring clean your home – this will help freshen up your home but also keep you busy and distract you from spending. Last month we decluttered, so hopefully this month, the task of spring cleaning will be easier with less items to clean on/around/under.



9. Look after yourself – make 3 commitments to look after yourself more this month. You could commit to eat 5 fruit and veg a day, attend an exercise class once a week, have a bubble bath once a week, take the time to read a book etc.

Everyone is welcome to join. Just let me know you want to be involved and I will assign you a number.

Fmess

NST list of challengers



1. Fmess
2. Applemuncher
3. Dizzy Imp
4. Mothernerd
5. Welshkitty
6. Lilt
7. Caeraugirl
8. Stewby
9. Calling
10. Dottydaisy
11. Littleskintdragon
12. Bobarella
13. Traveller
14. Samiszel
15. academiablues
16. shyspender
17. speakingofart
18. The only girl
19. Sazzlebgood
20. TiptoesDB
21. Synonymous

mothernerd

Sign me up, please Fmess.

apple_muncher

Excellent challenge - thank you!

stewby

Oooooooooooooooooh, haven't had a chance to read anything yet but me please!!!!!!!

Number 8 if possible fmess.

WelshKitty85

Sign me up please. I'm ready for a fresh start in April.

liltdiddylilt

I am in pet!! Thanks so much for this.

This month am hitting it with a big stick. Was terrible last month. Got to empty some food cupboards down. xxx

Caeraugirl

Oh yes please Fmess, can you sign me up? Looking forward to it!

Calling14

Throw me into the mix Fmess, was going to have a month off but I need to be keep on track. Too much spending lately.

Thanks for doing April x

Dottydaisy

Dottydaisy is starting again, so can I have a number please. Will really try to have a good month. Budgets etc to be thought out and posted before the 1st.

littleskintdragon

Im in again thank you