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NST: February 2023 Freedom

Welcome to the February 2023 NST challenge. We are seeking freedom.

100 days from now, we’ll be well into May. The months will pass anyway, so we want to do something memorable/important/necessary/fun with the time.

Back in 2021, grandmanerd was mothernerd, and she wrote: The Ninja Savings Turtles gather together each month to reduce personal debt, save for a house deposit, paying off the mortgage or to follow our dreams (sometimes wearing capes and masks, some brave souls wear lycra and wave pompoms). We believe in a holistic approach. We live within our means take care of our physical and mental health, celebrate our successes, commiserate when a turtle is struggling or when life hands them a double or triple whammy.

Freedom is our goal. Free from too much stuff. Free from toxic people. Free from old ideas that no longer have a place in our lives. We actively seek out free fun.

Exercise is, as we all know, a key to well-being and health. Aim for 5 sessions per week. A session is whatever you want to make it. I’m having fun with kettlebells at the moment and also aiming for one longer walk each week.

Budgets. You should pay to your debt or savings first and live on what is left. Ideally pay it on the first of the month/ payday. Look at everything you have going on this month and see if it needs money. Include donations to the food bank and charities.

Rules you live by. Think about your personal priorities. And apply the mantra to all purchases: Do I need it? Can I afford it? Will I use it? Is it worth it?

Unburden yourself of tat.  Clear stuff out and recycle it/give it away/donate it; sort out the paperwork that bothers you. Take items to the tip/recycling centre if they are no longer fit for purpose. Use what you have before buying more eg toiletries, cleaning products. Use up your freezer and cupboard stocks. Plan your meals. Take your lunch to work every single day you are there.

Advance planning: are you wanting to go on holiday this year? Or change your job? Are you setting money aside for sproutmas day and birthdays ? Do you plan your meals? Have you a budget for out and abouting? What about medical-related visits – parking, food…? Got any children’s activities that don’t fall neatly into a monthly pattern? As regards that Feb 14th thing, ignore it unless it is your anniversary or your birthday, take the time to meet a friend, look up what is on at the local museum, library, art gallery, or a cheap film date with a mate (241 or Meerkat movies) or a DVD at home, bonus points for a free date, it is too easy to stop being sociable when it is cold and grey outside. Invite someone round for a coffee and gossip. Bake a cake. And eat it.

Reject those things that draw your focus away from your goal and how you want to live your life. Recharge your batteries. The lighter days are coming. Do what you need to do to lift your mood (that involves no spending…!) Do it 5 times per week: exercise; listen to music; dance. Refuel properly. You ask a lot of your body, give it the fuel that it needs - healthy food, water, enough sleep. Refuel your mind and spirit by taking time to relax and rewind.

You matter so much. Say YES to meeting your own needs first. Actively practice self care – we all need different things. Yesterday has been and gone; today is a new day to enjoy and move towards your goals. (you do have goals, don’t you?!?!)

2 trips out this month.

0ne hundred days from Feb 1st is May 11th (a day before my bday, y’know!!!) Where do you want to be by then? What will you commit to achieving by then? What habit will you practice for 100 days? Or give up? Or make sure you try to do consistently?

2 books read/listened to. Or more.

3 gratitudes every day and share them with us all please.

And the rest:

We start of Feb 1st 2023 and go through to the 28th.

15 NSDs is the goal (exemptions apply for ys items, medical needs, travel)


I have shamelessly borrowed ideas from previous February challenges. What can I say? It’s all such good stuff!

Who will join me?







NST March lion #8; NSD ; MFW9/3/23 Whoop Whoop!!!
«13456745

Comments

  • apple_muncher
    apple_muncher Posts: 15,098 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Mortgage-free Glee! Name Dropper
    edited 1 February 2023 pm28 2:07PM
    Turtle freedom seekers:
    1 apple_muncher
    2 Bad bookkeeper
    3 Flying_By
    4 thriftylass
    5 beanielou
    6 grandmanerd
    7 ldee2111
    8 shabbychic12
    9 facethemusic
    10 DrCarrie
    11 lcc86
    12 Shrewbie
    13 firsview
    14 greent
    15 ditty1234
    16 Swayingseaweed
    17 DawnW
    18 Thrifty_Taylor
    18 ldee2111
    19 Dfw38
    55 f0xh0les
    Lycra + pompoms toni'sfriend
    NST March lion #8; NSD ; MFW9/3/23 Whoop Whoop!!!
  • Me please 
    Lightbulb moment - 17/08/2017 £17,033.  Current CC debt £0.00 DFD 31/7/24 🥳. Member #8 of Fiver Friday Challenge £45/£260

  • May I join please?  I need to be more accountable and also more positive about my life going forward, having had a pretty cr*ppy 2022!  
  • ldee2111
    ldee2111 Posts: 1,028 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Me too please @apple_muncher
    NST 🐢 & MFW 🤸
    MFD was: Jun 2040 MFD aim: April 2025
    FINAL BIG PUSH…
    Savings target for March 2025: £14,200/£14,180
  • Please add me in xx
    Count down to retirement 2023
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