Nst november in new york

NST NOVEMBER IN NEW YORK


Everything can change (in a New york Minute). Be prepared for the worst. However change can be an opportunity. We can change. We can be the change we want to see in the world.



Welcome to the Ninja Saving Turtles (NST) November challenge. We will plan and be prepared. We will keep our families safe. This month I also want us to take the opportunity to look forward, consider our values and what is important to us. New York represents these aspirations.



We will live in the spirit of the season and embrace all the good things about this time of the year. Along the way we offer help and support, lots of fun, quotes of the day and we might swallow a frog or two. We will try our best to meet all the elements of the challenge but if progress stalls or life throws a spanner in the works don't panic. No turtle gets left behind.

THE RULES


NSDs No spend days. You will aim for 15 (easy) or 20 (hard). Any YS (yellow sticker) items, medical costs, petrol or 'oyster' card top ups do not lose you your NSD. (we don't want turtles delaying treatment or being stranded because they wanted to keep their NSD). Special milk exemption for greent. Any other requests for exemptions will be considered on their merits.


ORGANISE your time. Many of you are very busy (especially teacher turtles) but to safeguard your health, both mental and physical, you need downtime. Simplify where possible.


VALUES Differentiate between needs and wants. Keep your ultimate goals in mind (getting rid of debt, overpaying your mortgage, saving to do something on your bucket list) and weigh that against the shortlived gratification of a new lipstick, a chocolate bar or a new bag. It's okay to build the occasional treat into your budget, but be wary of treats that turn into daily expenditure.


ENJOY yourself. Have fun. Kick about in the leaves, splash in puddles. Smile, be the rainbow in someone's cloud.


MAKE an inventory of the food in your cupboards, fridge and freezer at the start of the month. Plan your meals around what you have, make your shopping list up from the ingredients you need to go with them. Do you need to defrost your freezer (because someone left the door open) before Christmas - work out when you will do this. Look for ys 'treats' that can be frozen and saved for Christmas. Root out those forgotten items at the back of the cupboard. Use them or donate them to the food bank, school Christmas fair.


BUDGETS should be set before the start of the month - Food, travel, socialising, personal. Consider any birthdays or other events. Reduce last month's budget by 5%. If you don't know what you are spending, write down every purchase and analyse it at the month end to see where you can cut it (make cuts sooner if it's obvious). Make provision for a donation (money or goods) to your local food bank/ other charity of your choice.


EXERCISE 4 times a week, 20 minutes a day. Many of you have an established exercise programme. If you don't, make a start, do something.


RULES Turtle rules can be difficult at first. Think of them as a tool box. If you can use a hammer and a screwdriver you can do simple repairs. If you are competent with a range of tools you can much more. The more rules you can follow, the more you will save/ have for debt reduction.


IN case of emergency Add any items you might need (torch, shovel for snow, old carpet for traction, extra coat or blanket) to your car boot. If you don't belong to a breakdown organisation, make sure you have phone numbers for friends or relatives who might come and help you.

Make sure you and your children can be seen if walking or cycling. This week, after the clocks go back, has the highest incidence of road accidents in the year.

Stock up with generic painkillers, cold and flu meds - just as effective as the expensive ones (MSE tested).


NOW is always the right time to start. If you were successful in last month's healthy habit challenge, are you going to continue? Have you another new habit to add? If you fell didn't quite make it, start again now. If you start now you will still be 2 months ahead of those making resolutions in the new year.


NO takeaways, coffee shops, vending machines, canteens unless for a special event. Take your own food and drinks to work, hospital appointments and days out where possible.


EVERYONE should know their debt free date (work out what you owe, how much you can pay each month and work our when it will be paid). Pay to debt or savings first and live off what is left (I know some of you are not in a position to do this atm). EXTRA income ideas are always welcome - could your children's old toys be someone else's dream gift.


WINTER proof your home, if you haven't already done so. Thick curtains, extra linings (two sets of curtains if you have lots of old ones), winter quilts, door curtains, draught excluders, an old blanket over the mattress/ under the bottom sheet. Baked potatoes, hm soup, hot drinks. A throw or blanket for snuggling on the couch, especially when you're ill.


YOU should cook from scratch when you can (unless time is short or it costs more to make) and batch cook. It is as easy to make a big pan of something as a little pan. Don't buy it if you can make it.



OUTSIDE It may be cold but wrap up warm and make the most of the available light - it will help your immune system and your mental health.


REPORT regularly (daily is best)


KINDNESS costs nothing. Everyone you meet is carrying some sort of burden, so try to be kind, especially to yourself.


The challenge runs from 00.01 on 1st November until midnight on November 30th.