NST March 2019: WINS against the debt

apple_muncher · 26 February 2019 at 9:17AM

NST March 2019:WINS against the debt

Turtles are determined little critters. They know where they are going and nothing can stop them getting there. Some may even say that they are stubborn. But, the thing is, as Ninja Saving Turtles, we refuse to go along with the general acceptance that it is okay to live beyond our means, to live selfishly. We like to save up for our needs, and appreciate what we have. We like to look out for other people. We like to try to beat the banks and the institutions that would rob us of our peace of mind – and our money. We do this together.

March is about WINS.

Waste management:
- Food waste – eat leftovers, don’t bin food (unless it could be used for a science experiment), buy only what you need – plan your meals before going shopping.
- Plastics – reduce what comes in to your house and recycle as much as you can.
- Utilities –cut back on how much gas, leccy and water you use.
- Money – just don’t fritter it away. Be wise. Would stockpiling work for you and mean better food management?

Invest in yourself
- Do something every single day that makes you happy.
- Do something else every single day that takes you a little bit nearer to your long-term goals (and now is a good time to set some, if you don’t have any…)
- Learn a new skill or re-start an old one.
- Can you grow any food this year?

Needs not wants
- We all know Martin’s mantra. Be consistent in applying it. Learn to distinguish between what you truly need and what you want to have now and simply cannot ever live without…
- Appreciate what you have and enjoy it.

Simplicity
- Put routines in place that keep your life running smoothly and make things automatic.
- Simplify your stuff. Just get rid of the unnecessary stuff. Donate it to a charity shop. Freecycle it. Give it to friends and neighbours.
- Make space for yourself.
- Cut out the extra noise in your life. This might be computer games, the Interweb, tv, radio, certain people. Allow yourself peace and quiet to simply be.
- Be frugal in your needs.

Non-negotiables:

We start at the start of March, and finish at the end - just so you know!

[FONT=&quot]15 NSDs[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. Any spend on any item will class as a spend day. You have 16 days for spending - use them wisely. An NSD will not be spoiled by purchasing yellow sticker products only or medication, fuel or paying for regular activities (when planned in advance and the monies put aside in an envelope – eg children’s activities or random payments). This month you will also keep an NSD if you only buy items for the food bank or donate to charity.[/FONT]
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DFD/MFD How much do you owe in debt or on your mortgage. When do you plan to have it paid off? Can you bring that date forward? You must pay to this debt (or into savings) first and then live off the rest.

Have a budget. If it’s not in the budget, don’t buy it. Note down every single spend for the month and at the end, track it for each category.

NO spending in coffee shops, work canteens, vending machines, corner shops unless it is cheaper than you could make yourself, or is part of a planned outing (and therefore has its own budget)
Take your lunch to work every day that you are there. Take pack ups and drinks when you go out. Plan ahead so that you are not caught short.

And there it is. A month of WINS. Who will join me this month?

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

apple_muncher · 26 February 2019 at 9:18AM

Reserved for turtles:

1 apple muncher
2 cuddlymarm
3 XSpender
4 Toni'sfriend
5 greent
6 mothernerd
7 Kerry Woman
8 dolly84
9 crazy_cat_lady
10 sashanut
11 worklifebalance
12 shabbychic12
13 lovelifeloveliving
14 misstara
15 fmess
16 BigDreams
17 f0xh0les
18 Moneybutterfly35
19 laurenh1
20 swfcfan
21 bizzie
22 SpekySquarehead
23 Calling14
24 ponypal
25 dottydaisy
26 JoJo77
27 MarthaGwen
28 MaisieM
28 Shrewbie