NST May 2019: May merriment

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NST May 2019: May Merriment

The NST turtles are a merry bunch.

We are about health, wealth and a life well-lived. We want to enjoy life and live it to the full. We aim to be debt-free, to be mortgage-free, to live within our means, to have a full life without paying full prices for it. We are not solely about the money. We make lots of lists, we plan ahead, and we look at life – and ourselves – holistically.


Dedicate yourself and be focussed for the next 31 days. Work out what you truly need and learn to separate your needs from your wants. We are bombarded by messages that tell us that we need to continuously spend more and more, to acquire more and more, in order to be better and happier and more fulfilled people. DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIES.

And will you succeed?

Yes you will, indeed!

98 and ¾ percent

Guaranteed!

So says Dr Seuss


So, what can we do about it?

Make a budget and stick to it. This is the key to stopping overspending. If you don’t know how much to budget, then use this month to note down everything that you spend in a notebook, to analyse at the end. Take your notebook with you everywhere. Every day. Get receipts for every purchase and then note it down. Some use YNAB; others have spreadsheets; others use pen and paper. Find what works for you and stick to it. Every spend moves you nearer to or further away from your goal. May the odds be ever in your favour!

Enjoy the month. Do things that make you happy. Don’t be shackled by other people’s demands, schedules and expectations. Be free to be you. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose” Dr Seuss

Read. “You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax. All you need is a book” Dr Seuss. Take time to read for fun, for information. Read aloud, read in your head.

Reduce, reduce and reduce some more. Reduce what comes in. Reduce what you use. Reduce what you spend. Reduce what you need. Reduce how you ‘waste’ your time. Reduce screen time. Reduce electricity usage. Reduce gas usage. Reduce water usage. Reduce the amount of rubbish you throw away. Got it?!

Increase, increase and increase even more. Increase meal planning. Increase recycling. Increase wombling (think Uncle Bulgaria – making good use of the things that we find; things that the everyday folk leave behind). Increase walking. Increase being outdoors. Increase appreciating what you have. Increase the discovery of joy in your life. Increase your skills.

Move it! If you are exercising already, then up the ante. Go further, faster, heavier. If you cannot exercise then just keep moving as much as you can. For all of us, whatever your goal is, keep doing things that move you closer to it.

Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day. Let’s make May a month of being grateful for all that we have. Post 3 gratitudes every day.

No! to wants, to treats, to coffee shops, to the work canteen, to vending machines, to takeaway establishments. You get the picture! Plan ahead, take food and drinks out with you to avoid the temptation of a ‘deal’. Especially with the half term break and little people wanting things.

Think of others.Be kind. Smile. Talk to a neighbour. Donate to charity or the foodbank. http://www.trusselltrust.org/

The Rules:

We start on May 1st and continue to the very end of the 31st.

16 NSD: you have 15 days to spend, so use them wisely, especially with the Bank Holidays and half term this month. Petrol, medications and emergency travel needs are exempt. As are reduced items if that is all you buy. If you have milk guzzlers, or have to pay for items/activities in cash, get the money out in one go and put it aside so that you can maintain an NSD if that is all you spend.

Pay to your debt/savings FIRST and live off the rest. That is why you do a budget and note down every single spend in a notebook.

Plan the month: every single day: what you are doing, what you are eating, especially with the Bank Holidays and half term, birthdays, anniversaries.

Check in every day. Short posts, long posts, ups and downs. Turtles are gregarious and friendly, they look after each other and encourage each other out of their shells.

apple_muncher

May turtles:


1 apple muncher
2 Kerry Woman
3 chocolatelover93
4 dolly84
5 Lauralozzle
6 sketchingkari
7 misstara
8 x_raphael_xx
9 greent
10 sashanut
11 mothernerd
12 Shrewbie
13 Onmyway2
14 f0xh0les
15 Dottydaisy
16 crazy_cat_lady
17 bizzie
18 bestlifenow
19 hummingbird
20 Toni'sfriend
21 Xspender
22 Calling14
23 poppysmic
24 greent
25 indigo warrior
26 Fmess
27 TartanMum
28 shabbychic12

Kerry_Woman

Can you please add me to the list.

chocolatelover93

I'm in for May
x

dolly84

Thanks for doing May apple. I'm in.

Lauralozzle

I'm in for May :j

sketchingkari

I'd love to join if you'll have me :j

misstara

Please count me in apple. April was a total write off but hopefully May will be better

x_raphael_xx

Ugh! Think I've been missing since February!! Count me in.


I've had a very expensive month, laptop died on me so needed a new computer. Problem is I do a lot of gaming so needed something beefy. Monitor alone cost over £200!
It arrived friday, and I've fully tested it this weekend, pleased to report I love it and its working beautifully



I need accountability this month (and the next few!) so I'm back in.

greent

Me please, apple x

x_raphael_xx

Make a budget NSDs /30 Budget is set as always. I am going to be super tough on myself and attempt only 1 spend day this month (mums birthday present). The only exception will be food (from the grocery budget), petrol if needed, and items for my homeless boxes. I have spent a lot in April, so this is emergency shutdown.
Enjoy the month. Do things that make you happy.
Read. I started 'War and Peace' a few months ago. About time I dusted it off and got through it.
Reduce. Nothing new will be entering the house this month.
Increase. Music practice. Exam cheque has been posted, so there is no going back now. Saxophone practice must increase.
Move it! I'm currently in pain with a duff back, not sure what's caused it, but it hurts to move. I need to exercise thou, as I have a half marathon on the 19th! I will try and move as much as I can each day.

Every day gratitudes
No! to wants, to treats. Lots of No!s this month. I must stay strong.
Think of others. I'll purchase another item for the homeless boxes this month.

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you! Dr Seuss