NST February 15 for February

Calling14

I want to be included with all you amazing turtles who as team turtles keep me bouncing along. Looking forward to Feb and buying myself a small valentines day pressie. Now to decide what, chocolate? Flowers?

facethemusic

I'm in for February. Surely a short month means less spending.......

Buffythedebtslayer

facethemusic said:

I'm in for February. Surely a short month means less spending.......

You know you say that.........:) but............

greent

My plans/ goals/ etc for Feb

FIFTEEN FOR FEBRUARY
Finances
1)   FIX your budgets before the start of the month - we have some wiggle room in our budgets -  some things are still unknown at the mo with c0vid, so we've given ourselves some flexibility. Food costs are rising and we are assuming (at the mo) that all 6 of us will be here all month (ie: no uni return yet for DS1) And half term will probably mean none of the usual expenses of going anywhere with the kids, so there will be a saving there
2)   FIND out your debt free date, if you don't already know it. only debt is BTL mtge - which will hopefully be fully repaid from the sale of the property in the next few months and small OPs are being made in meantime. Aside from that, any CCs are paid off in full every month (mine was <£100 this month)
3)    FIFTEEN NSDs . as usual, I will attempt to track (always start with good intentions of keeping track and then these disappear..)

Food and Drink
4)   vegetables are good for you, frozen is fine, tins are handy. Usually manage at least my 5/ day. Will also go back to multivits, as I found 2 tubs to use up  
5)    FREE drinks are available from the faucet - my drinks most days are tea and water (ok - filtered from the fridge dispenser - but it is tap water)
6)    FAKEAWAYS not takeaways. - Unless it's a bday, we rarely have takeaways now (a very occasional chippy tea) - have discovered S1mply C00k and this has revolutionised our takeaway habit and is also brilliant for the budget as a result (a takeaway Indian for 4 would easily set us back £60 and the quality was variable - S1mplyC00k kits are max £2.50 each plus ingredients -  even including this a curry for 4 with sides and bread probably now costs me £10 - £15 max)  
If anyone wants to try a box of 4 kits for FREE (there is no catch - you just need to cancel after receiving your first box) then you can use this link to do so: https://simplycook.com/invite/K3560D  - I can recommend the murgh kari, the makhani, portugese chicken, chicken churrasco, chicken saag, jambalaya and lots more! ) (full disclosure - using that link would also mean I benefit)

Fit For Life
7)   FIFTEEN minutes of exercise a day. - I have been a bit rubbish with exercise in Jan - will try harder in Feb. Although I may go for a total of 2hrs/ week, so if I did 30 mins on 1 day I could rest the next
8)    FEELINGS matter.  GRATITUDE is one. - always like this bit of NST challenges
9)    FOCUS on things that really matter. Family and friends. the joys of nature. Simple everyday things we take for granted - aligns with 8

Future Plans
10)   FLIGHT OF FANCY. Imagine for a moment that there are no limits. What do you like and dislike about your current life? What do you really want? What is important to you? Most important things in my life are my fellow family members in my house. I would like to live a long and healthy life, with the opportunity to see all 4 of my children grow into happy adults (had youngest when I was 39) and ideally be active enough to enjoy any grandchildren which may come along. To help do this I need to take better care of myself and lose more weight - see eating and exercise... I think we've got enough funds coming in in retirement to see us 'ok' (nothing too fancy, but not skint)
11)    FUN and FIZZ  What can you do to improve your life, right now. Plan some fun activities . Put on some music and dance  Splash in puddles. Be silly. Work out a plan to get basic household tasks out of the way quickly, find ways of making them 'fun', do things differently, do them as a meditation. Do something for you every day. - something I struggle with (along with many parents/ carers), especially in lockdown
12)    FOOD BANKS and many other charities are struggling as demands increase and funds decrease. -have a pile in garage for when CS reopens - and I shall also be back there volunteering. Have been giving things away via 0li0 app and also donating to foodbank

Filling in the Gaps
13)   FIRST of February to the 28th. - yep
14)   FREE yourself from the burden of too much stuff. - yep - always looking to do this
15)   FIND the best price for everything but beware of false economies - Protect the planet and its people. - planned spends this month (exc food) is on electrical work. Not expecting to buy any 'things' yet in Feb (unless kids need bigger clothing/ shoes - we do handmedowns, but they only go so far )

misstara

Please count me in.

Dorisd

Would like to join, sign me up thanks!

Buffythedebtslayer

FIFTEEN FOR FEBRUARY
Finances
1)   FIX your budgets before the start of the month. 
For Feb I am putting a 1000 pounds into savings ( put 800 away last month but needed to use 500ish from the emergency fund so it is a bit messy)  I don't know how realistic it is easy to save that much but hopefully it will work. 
2)   FIND out your debt free date - Don't hate me but I don't have debt at the moment. I am also middle aged and don't own a house or have much in the way of financial security,  and it is just me. I have been properly saving for about a year and have about 8600, I need at least 20000 for a deposit so am going for it for a year, my last push! 
3)    FIFTEEN NSDs - I suck at this! But will try and also keep a record!

Food and Drink
4)    FRESH vegetables - I keep adding them to meals! 
5)    FREE drinks - Only really drink water, tea, cocoa, vodka and lemonade and I currently have all of those in the house! 
6)    FAKEAWAYS not takeaways- Don't really eat takeaways at the moment. I am trying not to. Can't cook for love nor money! 

Fit For Life
7)   FIFTEEN minutes of exercise a day. I have done 30 active minutes according to my Fitbit every day in January so far so will keep that up. 
8)    FEELINGS matter. That is why I have MSE. Also I need to look after myself a bit, make up, hair dye, lots of self care
9)    FOCUS on things that really matter. I really am very fortunate right now. I have a job and good friends. 

Future Plans
10)   FLIGHT OF FANCY. In my wildest crazy dreams I do wish things would work out romantically with one of my friends. He is so great and we got together a few times but then Covid happened and we keep in touch obviously and he has a plan for us to meet up but I know realistically it won't work out. Still it keeps me going! 
Also if I could just win the lottery.......I would buy a lovely house with a garden for the rabbits and run a pet sitting business alongside tutoring, dog walking and helping people organise their spaces. 
11)    FUN and FIZZ (non-alcoholic). The best thing I can do is keep clearing out the house. Get back to my house plant hobby (!) and maybe start on the dolls' house I saved from the shed. Going for walks and watching TV series like Friends, Modern Family and Would I lie to you. To be honest Friday and Saturday nights I do like a drinky. 
12)    FOOD BANKS Can totally donate to the food bank this month. 
Filling in the Gaps
13)   FIRST of February to the 28th. Must get in to this. Reading this month really did cheer me up.
14)   FREE yourself from the burden of too much stuff. Yep. I offering for free on FB and taking to the recycling centre. 
15)   FIND the best price. Am not going to buy anything in Feb aside from petrol, pet food, vet bills, food food rabbit insurance and postage costs. 
Thank you so much for this Mothernerd, it feels great to have focus XXXXX 

BadBookkeeper

Hi everyone, here’s my plans for this months challenge:

FIFTEEN FOR FEBRUARY
Finances
1)   FIX your budgets before the start of the month 
done ✅ 
2)   FIND out your debt free date, 
Mine was Feb 2025.  I’ve increased payments to shave 2 months off to have a 2024 date! 

I’ve also worked out when all of my 0% end.  My challenge for 2021 is to pay at least 21% off my total debt.

3)    FIFTEEN NSDs 
0/15
Food and Drink
4)    FRESH vegetables
will make an effort with this one.  Keep meaning to learn more about seasonal items to keep it interesting.  I will think about adding more f&v into our daily meals 
5)    FREE drinks 
We do use expensive pods for our coffee machine and will reduce this.
6)    FAKEAWAYS not takeaways. 
We are bored of our weekly takeaway.  Cooking may give us something to do in lockdown too.  Please share any good fakeaway recipes.
Fit For Life
7)   FIFTEEN minutes of exercise 
A challenge for 2021 was to walk 21 miles a month so I can achieve this with 15 minutes fast walk a day
8)    FEELINGS matter. 

I will think more of the good points of lockdown and on every day.  This would be a good habit to get my DH & DS into too.
9)    FOCUS on things that really matter. 
I like routine, plans and lists.  I will give myself time to do this each day
Future Plans
10)   FLIGHT OF FANCY. 

I have a bucket list but not a plan on how to achieve it.  Will spend some time on this.
11)    FUN and FIZZ 
Will look for others ideas on this.  I have new wellies and they make walking more fun!!  
12)    FOOD BANKS 
We have a community hub we currently donate to.  Will look for other ways to be charitable. 
Filling in the Gaps
13)   FIRST of February to the 28th. 

Will check in daily
14)   FREE yourself 
I’ve challenged myself to Declutter 21 items every time we have a charity bag.  Use ziffit for books/DVDs etc.  I have a rule that for anything new bought, something needs to go.
15)   FIND the best price for 
I do tend to this.  Although I’m aware I’m overpaying on groceries due to being unable to use cheaper supermarkets and paying for click & collect.  Cheaper than delivery but £6 a month extra to save being in a supermarket at the moment.

Excited to get started and read other people’s journeys through the challenge 😊

DawnW

May I join again please Mothernerd? I never manage to post every day, but always read every post and try to stick to the challenges. I will be aiming for 15 NSDs in February, and a generally frugal month, as I have work on the house to be paid for.

Kerry_Woman

1)   FIX your budgets before the start of the month.  Budget for each category that I have.
2)   FIND out your debt free date, if you don't already know it. Do not have any debts.

3)    FIFTEEN NSDs (no spend days, when you don't buy anything in shops or online). Will do.
4)    FRESH vegetables are good for you, frozen is fine, tins are handy This I have to improve.
5)    FREE drinks are available from the faucet (posh word for tap) in your kitchen. Will have to improve my water intake.

6)    FAKEAWAYS not takeaways. Do a menu.  Will try and plan to bake scones or cake as I have the ingredients already in.
7)   FIFTEEN minutes of exercise a day. Currently as I am mainly on my feet whilst in my temp job 5 days a week, I am getting too tired to do any exercise. I do move about quite a bit in work so that will be included as exercise.

8)    FEELINGS matter. I have to work on this as negative feelings have crept in.

9)    FOCUS on things that really matter. Will try.
10)   FLIGHT OF FANCY. Will look into this.

11)    FUN and FIZZ (non-alcoholic). Need to do more for self care.

12)    FOOD BANKS and many other charities are struggling as demands increase and funds decrease. Will do.
13)   FIRST of February to the 28th. The challenge lasts throughout February. Check in daily, whenever possible and especially if you're struggling. No Turtle Gets Left Behind.  Will try.
14)   FREE yourself from the burden of too much stuff. Will be using up creams etc.

15)   FIND the best price for everything but beware of false economies - fast fashion harms the planet and the people who produce the goods. Protect the planet and its people.  Will try.