NST Join In January 2019 - In With The New

chocolatelover93

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

Spend free days (NSD’s) – If you’re an absolute beginner aim for 10, regular player 15, expert 20. Spend free days just make us a little bit more aware of needless spending. Yellow Sticker shopping, medication, fuel purchases and milk (greent) do not scupper your nsd’s.
I am going to aim for 10 this month

Make plans for the month – Nights out, treats and outings should be planned well in advance, and reduced wherever possible. No popping into coffee shops or takeaways without prior planning – and try to limit yourself to a maximum of three for the month.
Don't have anything planned yet but I am sure there will be a playdate or two in there.

Always pay your debts first – Set your budget at the beginning of the month and pay particular attention to areas where you’re likely to overspend (food for me). Make sure that you pay to your debts first.
Have done this and got a diary to keep track of everything. I don't want to be in my OD this year

List your frogs – Write a list of jobs that you have been putting off doing, no matter how big or small. If you’ve been meaning to make a phone call, or appointment, put some things away in a cupboard, go through a pile of post etc, then put it onto a list. Aim to cross one thing off the list each day in January and you’ll be amazed how much better you’ll feel as the month goes on.
I am aiming to tidy one drawer/shelf/cupboard a day and declutter!
I need to sort out all my paperwork and file it all

Little savings – Even if you’re paying off a lot of debt, you should be aiming to put a little bit of something away as an emergency fund. I have decided to do the 1p savings challenge over 2019 with the theory being that on the days I can afford to add a bit more to the pot then I will, and on the days I can’t I should be able to find a penny or 5p piece lying about. I’ve printed off this chart and it’s on my fridge ready to go http://www.playpennies.com/media/playpennies-365-savings.pdf
I usually put all my spare coins in my sons money box to put into his bank account. But will split them between mine and his.

Chill out – Whatever helps you to relax, make time for this – even if it’s only 15 minutes a day. Whether this is a hobby like reading, cooking, crochet or doing something for yourself like a long soak in the bath, or a mindfulness meditation. A small amount of time just for you leads to much better mental health.
For me this is going on my PS4 in the evening or having a bath. The Dec challange has reignited (hehe pun) my love for candles so I have been sitting most evenings with just my tree lights, candles and tv light

Helping others – If you can, please consider donating to charity or to your local food bank. A pack of Basics sanitary towels costs 25p and would make a massive difference to a woman who needs them. If you are unable to donate money, then see if you can donate your time and/or expertise to someone who needs it. I will be asking lots for recipe ideas over the month.
While declutering I am giving some things away to people in need. I have a bag of old bras I need to take to the local bra recycling bin

Always be grateful – Take time every day to think about and write down three things in life that you are grateful for.
Will do

New to You – Before splashing out on new clothes, stuff for your house, magazines etc. consider whether or not you can get what you need by swapping with someone or going to a charity shop, using eB@y or Fakeb00k. For example, I regularly swap books and magazines with my mam, which saves us both money. If you’re anything like me, you might have a stash of stuff somewhere that you’ve forgotten about – clothes, craft kit etc. It’s worth going through this too, and easily as much fun finding things you’ve forgotten about as it is finding something new in a shop.
This is one of my rules for the year! I don't want to buy any clothes full price so will only buy from CS, FB, Ebay and in sales (If I need it!! Socks and Underwear are exempt haha)

Get involved – Try and check in on here every day if you can, just a quick hello can be really motivating to others, and you may pick up some helpful hints and tips from the other Turtles.
Will do!

Exercise – It’s more important than ever to get outdoors when there are so few daylight hours. If you are an absolute beginner then aim for 10 minutes of walking every day (no matter the weather), if you’re a regular then aim for 1 more session each week than you would usually do.
Have just signed up for RED January my aim is to go out walking with my son once a day

Sort it out – Your food cupboards and stores. Someone on the Small Things thread made a ‘use it up’ box of foodstuffs, filled with items that were lurking unloved and unused. I encourage you to do the same and aim to use 1 item from the box every time you cook. If you’re not sure what to do with the item then ask on here, and I have no doubt that the Turtles will be here to help.
I do this sometimes, I will leave bits out that need using up! It's a brilliant idea, will be doing an inventory soon!

Look forward to this challenge and seeing what the new year brings

ETA: I re-read the 1p bit and realised it is something I did a few years ago! Have printed it off and will try and do it again this year. The first year I did it I bought myself a new bed and mattress

C xx

shabbychic12

Count me in please x not much of a poster but it keeps me focused, new year fresh start x

Toni'sfriend

Toni's friend, I'm pleased you're going to be cheerleading from the sidelines when you can - it wouldn't be the same without you

Aw thank you, That is kind. I will be reading but can't post so don't think I'm neglecting you all.

apple_muncher

Toni'sfriend -we'll send you the virtual cheerleading lycra and pompoms.

XSpender

Spend free days (NSD’s) – Aiming for 15

Make plans for the month – I have planned a long walk on the 1st with friends but have no other outings in the diary. Have a set budget for family activities which would cover Sunday lunch out, swimming, ice-skating etc and whatever we select from the ‘Fun Days Out’ Jar.

Always pay your debts first – All debts on DD, all other budgets all set in YNAB. Sticking to the food budget is a challenge for me and often throws out the rest of my carefully planned budget. BT to be made to a 0% card for spending and holiday flights. Also aiming to save the equivalent of another monthly payment to OP to one of my debts this month.

List your frogs – I won’t get all the admin tasks I set myself last month done so will carry them over into January and there are a few more added to the list in my bullet journal. Will post my progress/achievements rather than the big long boring list.

Little Savings – I’m going to do the 365 1p challenge. I will add the month’s payments to a virtual pot. I don’t use a lot of cash as I lose track of it and all my loose change goes into a piggy bank and my £2 coins into another. This will be an extra savings pot for Christmas 2019.

Chill out – Reading and updating my bullet journal. Watching TV as I do this rarely.

Helping others – I have a big bag of books and some other items to go to charity.

Always be grateful – I will add three things to be grateful for to my daily posts

New to You – I am not planning on any random purchases this month (or next) after overspending in December. I may look at joining the village library as I will want to buy kindle books this month from my personal spends. It is now run by volunteers, so I have to join separately to the council run ones, but parking there is a challenge/expense. I also want to organise my wardrobe, so I can better see what I have and wear more of it.

Get involved – will try to post everyday

Exercise – I have signed up to C25K with a local running group starting next week! I will also walk the dog everyday I am at home. I would also like to add in another exercise session to the 2 runs per week like swimming or yoga.

Sort it out – I have 2 stuffed freezers and a stuffed cupboard both of which need listing and sorting although nothing is particularly old or weird. I will list and meal plan from this to keep my food expenses down in January

RhiBi

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

I doubt it's obvious - it stands for Ninja Saving Turtles... :rotfl:
Named after NinjaSavingKat - the original founder of the thread. I wasn't around in those days but I know some people will be able to explain more for you.

Thank you for that, at least I don't feel stupid for not being able to work it out :rotfl::rotfl:

worklifebalance

Can i please join for January? I have been lurking for awhile but i tend to lose motivation throughout the month. Hopefully i will stick to it as a member!!

Eager_Elephant

mothernerd wrote: »

Hugs fmess and ee - have been missing you but did not want to hassle you as I know I tend to go quiet when times are tough. Waves to all returning turtles and a warm welcome for new ones.

No turtle gets left behind

Thank you mothernerd.

Life has been a bit of a whirlwind since end of April when I ended my marriage - I'm coming in to 2019 all ready to do battle with debt and get my life on track single handedly.

x_raphael_xx

In 2018 I had 267 NSDs, however on my spend days, I spent a total of £4017.71 in misc items!! I need to reduce this drastically this year.
'kay, so here goes 2019, starting with January!

Spend free days (NSD’s) – Aiming for super tough 25

Make plans for the month – It's my birthday on the 4th, I'm off to the cinema (with a free ticket) then to the VR centre (they are next door to work, so give us a special discount).

Always pay your [STRIKE]debts[/STRIKE] savings first – Budgets are set, got a few extra shifts so extra will be put straight into the savings pot.

List your frogs – I don't have a lot of unfinished stuff, but I need to sort out the pet insurance. I've found a much cheaper quote, I've also found a lower quote from the same provider for 'new customers only' which I'm going to try and haggle for. If its a no, then I'm off.

Little savings – I've signed up to a well known cycling takeaway delivery company, to earn a few extra pennies (and to help train for a triathalon I'm planning on entering in June). All extra £'s will be popped into savings.

Chill out – I want to devote a little more time to my gaming, what with working, keeping fit and cleaning, there isn't a lot of time and my consoles gather dust. Even thou my game pile is building! I have a huge backlog of games I want to get through, I plan on icking a game and playing til its finished, then I can re-sell or donate. I want to get through my Xbox 360 games first, so I can get rid of the console and just use my xbox one.

Helping others – Next Christmas I am not doing gifts for family and friends, instead, over the year I will be collecting things for homeless boxes for next year. I'm planning on at least 10 boxes (one for each family member/friend) and getting something once a month to fill them.

Always be grateful – Take time every day to think about and write down three things in life that you are grateful for.

New to You – I want to avoid shopping for anything, as much as possible this year. I want to see how long I can go without spending on 'stuff'. I will still buy (or preferably make) birthday presents and buy necessities. I want to see what I really miss and struggle without. I have plently so I'm hoping I can last a while.

Get involved – Posting daily is a struggle for me, I am going to commit to popping in at least once a week.

Exercise – I took a break from the gym over Christmas, time to get back to it. I have a 10k next Sunday, the first of the year, and I have a Marathon & triathlon planned for later in the year.

Sort it out – We don't tend to overbuy. Apart from a few vitamin tablets we keep forgetting to take, and a bit of quinoa I need to use up.

DawnW

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

:snow_laug NST Join In January Challenge :snow_grin

The month of January is named after the Roman God Janus, who had two faces in order that he could look at both the future and the past at the same time. Janus is the God of transitions and beginnings and he symbolises changes in life and the universe.
Many people see a New Year as a new beginning and the opportunity for a fresh start and to make changes in life. This January for me personally with be the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my life, and I am keen to learn from the mistakes I’ve made in the past in order to make the future an improvement.

We cannot stop change from happening, however we can influence it, and increasingly I am finding that small changes can make a big difference to everything. January is traditionally a ‘blue’ month in terms of finances, mood, weather etc and whilst many people start the month with grand ambitions, these can quickly be abandoned once the initial motivation wanes.
And so, I present Join in January for the Turtles – the opportunity to make some small, sustainable changes that will hopefully add up to big benefits.

Spend free days (NSD’s) – If you’re an absolute beginner aim for 10, regular player 15, expert 20. Spend free days just make us a little bit more aware of needless spending. Yellow Sticker shopping, medication, fuel purchases and milk (greent) do not scupper your nsd’s. I am not great at NSDs, as I tend to shop little and often. I don't count an NSD unless I spend nothing apart from any direct debit bills that go out. For me, if I have spent, I have to enter the amount in my spending diary and 'fess up :eek: I will aim for 10, but no promises - having said that I haven't spent anything since the 24th, so doing better than usual

Make plans for the month – Nights out, treats and outings should be planned well in advance, and reduced wherever possible. No popping into coffee shops or takeaways without prior planning – and try to limit yourself to a maximum of three for the month. 2 family birthdays and my bestie's birthday this month, so will need to sort presents for those. No coffee shops or takeaways planned though, as I don't really like them. Strange I know!

Always pay your debts first – Set your budget at the beginning of the month and pay particular attention to areas where you’re likely to overspend (food for me). Make sure that you pay to your debts first. No debts these days, but I do standing orders into regular savers each month:)

List your frogs – Write a list of jobs that you have been putting off doing, no matter how big or small. If you’ve been meaning to make a phone call, or appointment, put some things away in a cupboard, go through a pile of post etc, then put it onto a list. Aim to cross one thing off the list each day in January and you’ll be amazed how much better you’ll feel as the month goes on. I tend to do this most days, so that things don't get forgotten. I have already set up my 2019 spreadsheet, and was given a new diary for Christmas Must transfer appointments etc to new 2019 calender

Little savings – Even if you’re paying off a lot of debt, you should be aiming to put a little bit of something away as an emergency fund. I have decided to do the 1p savings challenge over 2019 with the theory being that on the days I can afford to add a bit more to the pot then I will, and on the days I can’t I should be able to find a penny or 5p piece lying about. I’ve printed off this chart and it’s on my fridge ready to go http://www.playpennies.com/media/playpennies-365-savings.pdf

I will look into this challenge. At the moment I just empty the annoying coppers and 5p coins from my purse into a tin. I emptied my tin today and counted out £7 worth in coin bags to pay in to savings


Chill out – Whatever helps you to relax, make time for this – even if it’s only 15 minutes a day. Whether this is a hobby like reading, cooking, crochet or doing something for yourself like a long soak in the bath, or a mindfulness meditation. A small amount of time just for you leads to much better mental health. I will think about this.

Helping others – If you can, please consider donating to charity or to your local food bank. A pack of Basics sanitary towels costs 25p and would make a massive difference to a woman who needs them. If you are unable to donate money, then see if you can donate your time and/or expertise to someone who needs it. I will be asking lots for recipe ideas over the month. I donate to the local food bank every month I will also be sorting out some items to donate to the CS.

Always be grateful – Take time every day to think about and write down three things in life that you are grateful for. Will do this

New to You – Before splashing out on new clothes, stuff for your house, magazines etc. consider whether or not you can get what you need by swapping with someone or going to a charity shop, using eB@y or Fakeb00k. For example, I regularly swap books and magazines with my mam, which saves us both money. If you’re anything like me, you might have a stash of stuff somewhere that you’ve forgotten about – clothes, craft kit etc. It’s worth going through this too, and easily as much fun finding things you’ve forgotten about as it is finding something new in a shop. I am not bad at this, but could do better!

Get involved – Try and check in on here every day if you can, just a quick hello can be really motivating to others, and you may pick up some helpful hints and tips from the other Turtles. Will try!

Exercise – It’s more important than ever to get outdoors when there are so few daylight hours. If you are an absolute beginner then aim for 10 minutes of walking every day (no matter the weather), if you’re a regular then aim for 1 more session each week than you would usually do. I try to walk a couple of miles at least 2 or 3 times a week. I don't love walking when it pours with rain though I don't like 'exercise' as such My energy levels can be quite low, and I prefer to channel it into walking and gardening rather than going to the gym etc

Sort it out – Your food cupboards and stores. Someone on the Small Things thread made a ‘use it up’ box of foodstuffs, filled with items that were lurking unloved and unused. I encourage you to do the same and aim to use 1 item from the box every time you cook. If you’re not sure what to do with the item then ask on here, and I have no doubt that the Turtles will be here to help. My food spending should be minimal for January, as I have 2 stuffed freezers and an equally stuffed larder Please give me a virtual kick me up the rear if I waffle on about loads of shopping - I will confess spends here! :eek:

As always, the challenge runs from midnight on the 1st Jan 2019 to 2359 on 31st January. Whether you’re going into the New Year with a bang, or more like me and intend to be asleep for the first 8 hours of it – we should all be able to make these small changes for the month ahead.

So - who will join me in January?

Gratitudes for today:
It didn't rain :j

We have plenty of food!
I have managed a bit of decluttering - only 2 items, and they haven't been collected yet, but hoping for the best!