We Are Decking the Halls with NSDs December Challenge

Welcome to the December No Spend Day (NSD) thread!!

We are a happy (and some might say mildly insane) bunch doing battle with those retailers - and there’s plenty of temptation out there at the moment. We are seriously committed to saving money, but nobody said it can't be done with a smile on your face - so we organise riotous nights out and gatecrash any function going - all without leaving the comfort of our own imaginations or armchairs!

On a slightly more serious note, we are here to help each other avoid spending for the number of days we feel we can manage to try to take back some control over our hard-earned money. What you class as a "spend'" is entirely your choice; some people will try to shop on the days DD/SO etc are paid, whilst others will not include essentials such as rent. Have a look for a post from our sponsor (and godmother of this challenge) BigMummaF, this contains some guidelines and ideas for starting you off on the challenge.

It’s amazing how inventive you get when you’re determined NOT to spend - from weird menu ingredients to surprising DIY solutions - but you know what? 99% of the time those wacky ideas work.


Link to last month's challenge is below so any newcomers can see what we get up to (hmmmmm... on second thoughts, that might put you off...)

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4254533
Free by Fifty
Debt of the Moment -
August NSD Challenge 14/15
«134567115

Comments

  • freebyfifty
    freebyfifty Posts: 3,189 Forumite
    edited 2 January 2013 at 6:48PM
    1st Target Metth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Met th_snowman2.gif?t=13539159333rd Target Met th_snowman5.gif?t=1353915931
    Target Exceeded th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335



    The Challengers

    Abundant – 20/19
    Armchair – 13/12
    BDINI – 15/15 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Reached 20/20th_snowman2.gif?t=1353915933Target Exceeded 20/21th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Beanielou – 11/11 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Reached 15/15th_snowman2.gif?t=13539159333rd Target Reached 19/19 th_snowman5.gif?t=1353915931Target Exceeded 19/23th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Bigmumma – 20/20 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Reached 24/24 th_snowman2.gif?t=1353915933
    Blindtoast – 20/20 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    Bottleofred – 15/15 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 15/17th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    BritAbroad – 10/10 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 10/13th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Chris81418 – 19/19 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Reached 23/23th_snowman2.gif?t=1353915933Target Exceeded 23/25 th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Citizenkitten – 20/20 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    Coolcats – 15/15 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323Target Exceeded 15/16th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    DanielleNic – 15/4
    Debtfree – 12/12 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    Donna d – 15/15 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    Dragon – 10/10 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=13539983232nd Target Reached 15/15th_snowman2.gif?t=13539159333rd Target Reached 20/20th_snowman5.gif?t=1353915931 Target Exceeded 20/23th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Emloves – 15/15 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Reached 18/18th_snowman2.gif?t=1353915933
    Evertheoptimist – 10/9
    Fae – 18/18 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 18/19th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    FallenArcher – 10/4
    Fedup – 20/12
    Flubbery – 15/15 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 15/17th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Freeby – 20/20 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Reached 25/25 th_snowman2.gif?t=13539159333rd Target Reached 28/28th_snowman5.gif?t=1353915931 Target Exceeded 28/31 th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Giggles86 – 8/8 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    Headabove – 10/6
    Hummingbird – 3/3 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    Ifwishes – 15/15 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    Jamiedodger – 20/20 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 20/22th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Kerri – 12/12 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 12/14th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Kitschkitty – 15/15 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Reached 18/18th_snowman2.gif?t=1353915933
    Kururunfa - 15/11
    Laura16 – 10/8
    Learning2 – 20/15
    Lemmings – 15/9
    LeoLasagne – 10/7
    Liltdiddy – 20/20 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Reached 23/23th_snowman2.gif?t=1353915933
    Lottie3000 – 10/7
    Loubelle – 12/12 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 12/13th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Lurvlyloz – 15/15 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 15/17th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Marmite – 20/20 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323Target Exceeded 20/21th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Mcmanlyn – 15/6
    Mimi35 – 20/7
    ModestyB – 12/12 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 12/19th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Motoko – 15/15 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    Muffin man – 10/10 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 10/15th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Muffy - 10/4
    MummyRivett – 10/10 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Increased 20/13
    Mummy172 – 8/8 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Increased 13/10
    Munchin – 8/8 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    Nannygladys – 20/17
    Nargle – 12/12 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    NinjaKat – 20/
    Nomi01 – 10/7
    Penny73 – 9/8
    Phoenix – 20/14
    P0lly – 20/5
    Poohbear – 15/15 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 15/19th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Purple.sarah – 10/6
    Rachel – 10/2
    Ranchyroo – 10/10 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    Rising –12/12 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323Target Exceeded 12/17 th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Sazzie – 8/8 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Reached 11/11 th_snowman2.gif?t=1353915933
    Shannys – 10/10 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Reached 15/15th_snowman2.gif?t=1353915933
    Silvasava – 12/12 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323
    Siouxsie – 20/20 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 20/21th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Slowlyfading – 15/15 Target Reachedth_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 Target Exceeded 15/16th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    Spoony – 15/15 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323 2nd Target Reached 20/20 th_snowman2.gif?t=13539159333rd Target Reached 25/25th_snowman5.gif?t=1353915931
    Suzitiger – 10/6
    Tomandjerry – 20/13
    VickyV – 15/15 Target Reached th_snowman107.gif?t=1353998323Target Exceeded 15/16 th_snowman105.gif?t=1353998335
    WantToBeSE – 20/12
    Young_un – 15/14
    Free by Fifty
    Debt of the Moment -
    August NSD Challenge 14/15
  • freebyfifty
    freebyfifty Posts: 3,189 Forumite
    edited 31 December 2012 at 7:41AM
    This is for anyone who wants to set themselves a target for a number of NSDs in a row. We had some impressive numbers on this over the past few months so if anyone would like to have a go at this, I'll add you here


    The In-a-Row Challengers

    Abundant - 7-in-a-row Target Reachedsmiley-happy107.gif

    Armchair - 3-in-a-row

    Choppy - 3-in-a-row

    Chris - 6-in-a-row Target Reached smiley-happy107.gif7-in-a-row smiley-happy080.gif

    Citizenkitten - 8-in-a-row Target Reached smiley-happy107.gif

    Dragon - 4-in-a-row Target Reached smiley-happy107.gif

    Fae - 7-in-a-row Target Reachedsmiley-happy107.gif

    Flubbery - 3-in-a-row Target Reached smiley-happy107.gif

    Freeby - 7-in-a-row Target Reached smiley-happy107.gif8-in-a-row smiley-happy080.gif9-in-a-row smiley-happy066.gif 10-in-a-row smiley-dance005.gif29-in-a-row smiley-happy036.gif

    LeoLasange - 3-in-a-row

    Liltdiddy - 4-in-a-row Target Reachedsmiley-happy107.gif

    Missyv - 4-in-a-row

    ModestyB - 5-in-a-row Target Reachedsmiley-happy107.gifx2 smiley-happy107.gif6-in-a-row smiley-happy080.gif

    Muffin Man - 5-in-a-row

    Munchin 3-in-a-row Target Reached smiley-happy107.gif

    Penny73 - 3-in-a-row

    Piquant - 3-in-a-row

    Purple.sarah - 4-in-a-row

    Rainbow - 3-in-a-row

    Silvasava - 3-in-a-row Target Reached smiley-happy107.gif

    Siouxie - 5-in-a-row

    Stardrops - 3-in-a-row

    VickyV - 3-in-a-row Target Reached smiley-happy107.gif4-in-a-row smiley-happy080.gif

    Want_to_be - 6-in-a-row

    Youngun - 4-in-a-row Target Reached smiley-happy107.gif5-in-a-row smiley-happy080.gif
    Free by Fifty
    Debt of the Moment -
    August NSD Challenge 14/15
  • freebyfifty
    freebyfifty Posts: 3,189 Forumite
    Hi lovely NSD gang:A
    As you can see there is lots of activity on this challenge at the moment and it's difficult sometimes to see how many NSDs you're all declaring on posts.
    Could I ask you to highlight your number of NSDs in a colour and in bold so that I can see them easily when I whizz through the posts - red would be best but I don't really mind as long as I can see the numbers easily.


    Some helpful suggestions and ideas to follow below from our sponsor and godmother, BigMummaF :A


    NO SPEND CHALLENGE.


    1. Have a good, long think about what YOU want to include in your Spend & Excluded categories.
    Some of us count everything from Direct Debits & school expenses, while others do not include things like essential Bills or emergency medical costs. If you plan what is or is not a Spend for you now, it will help you decide on a realistic Target.
    2. It is NOT a race!
    We all have very different demands on our time & bank balance, so please do not think you have to buy everything on 1st January & make it last till 31st December! A few of us have been following this Challenge for a long...long...LONG time so have developed plans & ploys to help us along the way wink2.gif
    3. Most important of all, WE..DO..NOT..FAIL!
    Sometimes we can't quite reach our Target, but that is fine :) Everyone knows how Life will try to trip us up, & that is when you will find us here to help you back on to your feet.

    OK, an idea of how some of us do things.
    1. What you will or will not include as a 'Spend'.
    Some people are doing other challenges too, & don't include the money spent on those for this one.
    Some will try to shop for other bits on the days their direct debits etc go out of their bank accounts; they're the real hard core of the bunch sport-smiley-003.gif & have been l-o-n-g time Nsders so don't panic :p
    Some won't count those annoying last minute demands from school & collections as you can't plan for them in advance, likewise emergency prescriptions or visits to the vet :(
    Personally speaking & providing I don't buy anything else, I don't count parking for hospital appointments.(..but then I usually do my shopping because I'm already out :whistle:)
    General thoughts on €bay sales is the buyer has paid P&P so no cost to you :D
    2. It takes Time to reach mega-numbers!
    The First suggestion is the first, because a bit of planning will work wonders on your road to your Target. Have a look at thefirst posts each month for a hefty list of other threads that may be of help. For example, there's a few giving ideas for packed lunches so you can avoid standing in the queue at the bakers for 45mins of your lunch hour! A good incentive to tweak your healthy eating & the pounds you save will show in your bank balance AND your waistline action-smiley-076.gif
    It helps to have various 'money pots' for the different costs that happen like Scouts, dinner money, yoga, window cleaner etc etc. The idea is you "spend" all that money in one hit by..:think:..
    let's say **putting the week's bus fares into the pretty coffee jar, Jo's tumble tots SIZE=2]Weds mornings[/SIZE in the cracked teapot & Ben's £1 coin for the gym locker SIZE=2]Friday lunch[/SIZE in the pocket of the changing bag, on Tuesdays every week when you've got some change from doing the food shop, so an already spendy day. At least four 'spending days' condensed into one ;) (**mine's jam jars for windows, milkman & a bit towards the bills!)
    3. Any day the money stays in your pocket is a bonus!
    If you look at it as a day you beat the system, you can't help but :j so don't fret it--ENJOY! If nothing else in here, we do manage find something to make us smile :D

    We have virtual outings to wonderful places that never cost us a bean :rotfl:New York, Edinburgh & Brighton have been a couple & Spoon usually pilots the Tardis but you can use your own transport; my personal favourite has been a sit-on lawn mower borrowed from the cricket club :D The only thing to be aware of is Hubert the donkey who is partial to anything remotely edible but is not yet house-trained :o

    And Remember;
    there are no silly questions, so don't be afraid to ask us anything!
    Free by Fifty
    Debt of the Moment -
    August NSD Challenge 14/15
  • Ooooh! It's pretty and shiny in here!

    Please sign me up for 15 NSD's! That seems to be about the right number for me... Achievable, but enough of a challenge that I have to organise my spends quite carefully!

    I've never done the "in a row" part of the challenge before... So... Sign me up for 3-in-a-row to start with please!
    Because it's fun to have money!
    £0/£70 August GC
    £68.35/£70 July GC
    January-June 2019 = £356.94/£420
  • I'm in again. Please put me down for 10 again.

    Thanks

    Pmo2 x
  • Ooh i want the snowmen!!! Put me down for 15 again please!
  • Nearly Christmas :D:D!

    Thanks for the new thread Freeby. I'd like to sign up for 20 NSDs in December - I'm not sure I've ever managed that many but Christmas week should be an easy one as the shops are shut and then I'm at work so no sales shopping for me and I'm trying to be optimistic!! Also I'm hoping for snow which will also hopefully stop me going anywhere to spend - will be too busy building snowmen and throwing snowballs!!

    I am going to a victorian Christmas market on Saturday tho so the month probably won't start with a NSD!
    No more buying books Books in 2016 = 20.
    Target for 2018 = 7/21
    No more buying DVDs ? 2018 target 27/52

    Sealed pot challenge member #1733
  • Hello everyone! :wave:

    Thanks for the December thread Freeby, you're an :A

    I'd like to pledge my usual lucky 19 NSDs and 6 NSDs in-a-row please, thank you! :money:

    Have a good December everyone! sunshine-012.gif
    :money: Proud to [STRIKE]be dealing with[/STRIKE] have dealt with my debts! :money:
    DFW Nerd #1256, WSC £?/£? for w/c 03/03/2013, NSD ?/19 for 03/2013, Long Hauler #196

    highest debts: 01/06/2006 £69,023.92 _pale_
    debt free date: 31/12/2012 £0!:D
  • Ohhhhhh Freeby ..... you've excelled yourself with the prizes this month :T- they are absolutely lovely :D (see I'm not a total scrooge - even tho' the C isn't my favourite time of year!)

    I want them all ...... :o;):D

    As always, thanks to all the wonderful updates of the thread - Freeby, BDINI, Spoon, Marmite .... (lordy, who've I forgotten:o) - you are all :A:A and we couldn't do it without you.

    Thinking about my target & will report back later on!:)
    Grocery Challenge £211/£455 (01/01-31/03)
    2016 Sell: £125/£250
    £1,000 Emergency Fund Challenge #78 £3.96 / £1,000
    Vet Fund: £410.93 / £1,000
    Debt free & determined to stay that way!
  • slowlyfading
    slowlyfading Posts: 13,429
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    Forumite
    December....?! Already.....?! :eek: :eek:

    Best put me down for 15 NSDs please - lots of birthdays (including mine :D) and christmas this month!
    Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
    Personal Finance Blogger + YouTuber / In pursuit of FIRE
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