Out with the old, in with the new: the January NSD challenge

solventsoon

:jWELCOME TO THE JANUARY NSD CHALLENGE:j



January: the month for making resolutions that (usually) don’t last beyond the first week - I’ve stopped counting how many times I’ve given up chocolate and alcohol and I’m sure you all have your own to confess:D.

Why not make a different type of resolution this year? Come and join the NSD challenge and resolve to keep your hard-earned cash safe, loved and cossetted with you rather than being used and abused by those nasty retailers:D.


We are a happy (and some might say mildly insane:D) bunch doing battle with those retailers - and there’s plenty of temptation at the moment with all the sales on. 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.


The link to our December thread is below so you can see what a friendly group we are. New recruits are joining up all the time - everyone is welcome so please don’t be shy, come and join us, the more the merrier.


:)Good luck everyone, our lucky mascot is joining us again for January




Here are some threads to help keep us on the straight and narrow, if you know of others, please post. Many of the lunch box ideas are aimed toward children and are great ideas now that everyone’s going back to work or school.

March Grocery Challenge, with lots of recipe ideas.
Tinned Food Recipes.
Leftovers? Don’t Throw It..
Exciting Sandwich Fillings on a Budget.
Lunch for Work.
Laptop Lunchbox Ideas.
Packed Lunches.
Cheap Healthy Snacks
Cheap Snack Ideas to Stop Buying Crisps.
Homemade Snack Ideas…contains further links for ideas.
Sprouting Seeds to Eat.
Really Quick & Alternative Snacks.
Easy Homemade Biscuits.
Muesli & Cereal Bar Recipes.
Weetabix Cake.
HM Popcorn.
Smoothie Recipes.
Yoghurt Without a Yoghurt Maker.
Ham Economics.
Low Carb Kids Lunches...contains advice for diabetics.
Kids Lunch Box Ideas.
Back to School Lunches.
Healthy Kids Snacks.
HM Lollies.
Ice Lolly Ideas
Cheap Healthy Playground Snacks.
Homemade Fudge.
OS HM Sweets.
Forgotten Puddings.
Making chocolates or sweets

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...)

solventsoon

Thanks to all the regulars and newbies who have joined up already, hoping lots more of you will come along for the ride - it's definitely a case of the more the merrier on here

No "Strictly" this month, so I thought we'd have a dancing theme for the prizes for January, hope you like them:D

target met = target no 2 met =
target no 3 met = target no 4 met =

target exceeded =

We have 5 prizes this month because beanie managed 4 targets last month and I'm anticipating a repeat peformance



2joanne - 10 9
3Dogs - 15 15 target exceeded 16
Amethyst68 - 10 10 target increased 15 15 target increased 18 16
Baileys Babe - 17 7
beanielou - 11 11 target increased 14 14 target increased again 20 20 target increased 24 24 target exceeded 25
belfast_girl - 10 10 target increased 15 14
bella121984 - 7 7 target increased 10 8 target increased again 15 9
BigMummaF - 15 15 target exceeded 23
BlimusOreilly - 10 5
blissfullydebtfreewannabe - 16 16 target exceeded 20
boultdj - 15 15 target exceeded 21
Brown_suga - 10 10
brummiebabe - 15 3
buddiebabe - 7 6
butdoineedit? - 15 15
candyapple - 20 7
candygirl - 15 4
cannp123165 - 10 4
Casperthefriendlyghost - 20 3
castri09 - 10 5
catslovelycats - 12 12
Changingme - 20 8
chris81418 - 19 19 target increased 23 23 target exceeded 24
CommitedToChange - 15 15
cuddlymarm - 14 14 target exceeded 19
cw18 - 12 12
d17 - 1
DansMum - 12 12 target increased 15 15 target exceeded 17
Decluttering - 12 12
Dee_cb - 10 10 target exceeded 12
determined new ms - 20 9
dmb - 12 12 target exceeded 17
dollybeads - 10 10 target increased 12 12 target exceeded 13
donna dynamo - 10 10 target increased 15 15 target increased again 19 19
ebayqueen - 10 10 target increased 12 12
ebsaver - 18
ehallett - 20 7
elf06 - 10 10 target increased 13 13 target exceeded 14
elfen - 15 15 target increased 17 17
emiliah - 15 15
emylou - 10 1
fedupandskint - 15 13
got-it-spend-it - 10 10
hannah:-) - 10 10
HeadAbove - 6 5
honey - 10 10
Hopeless Case - 20 2
ifwishes - 15 15 target increased 17 17
ilovetea - 10 10 target increased 15 15 target increased again 20 20 target exceeded 21
ln1981 - 10 8
InaPickle - 7 5
janeawej - 10 8
jedi82 - 10 10 target exceeded 12
JES_F1 - 15 5
jintyb - 17 17 target exceeded 18
jjef -12 1
Jolaaled - 15 12
julytex - 15 9
kalojac - 10 2
karom - 12 12 target exceeded 13
katenut - 16 16 target increased 19 19
katholicos - 18 18 target exceeded 21
Kayleighpea - 10 5
kdenty - 20 20
Keiss 21 - 17 17 target increased 19 19 target exceeded 20
Kellyjelly27 - 12 1
kerri gt - 14 14 target exceeded 16
kessik - 20
kezlou - 10 8
LadyfromVenice - 18 11
Laurent1369 - 12 2
Lemon Tree - 15 2
lily288 - 24 4
lilylass - 12 12

LittleMissHappy - 15 15 target increased 18 18 target exceeded 19
Liz41 - 15
lotti379 - 10 10 target exceeded 11
loveGSDs - 10 10 target exceeded 12
madras79 - 15 10
martafdz - 10 8
meersy22 - 12 8
MINMOL - 10 2
misswissy - 10 5
mommychaos - 6 2
Money Fritter - 12 12 target exceeded 16
moneypenny2k - 10 10 target increased 15 15
monks - 15 15 target exceeded 11
mrs motivated - 15 13
muffin man 7 - 10 10 target increased 15 15 target exceeded 16
mummyroysof3 - 15 15 target exceeded 20
mumofjusttwo - 15 15 target exceeded 20
Nargleblast - 12 12 target increased 14 14
Nejlloyd - 20 10
niccatw - 15 15 target increased 18 18
target exceeded 21
Nym Mcfroglet- 10 10 target increased 15 15
Palema - 10 10 target exceeded 14
PerfectPeaches - 10 10 target increased 16 16 target exceeded 18

pinkfluffybabe - 10 10 target exceeded 11
plzhelpmesave! 3
prettypaula - 7 1
redcoltraine - 20 6
romylou - 15 15 target exceeded 20
SarahNeedle1872 - 18 18
savingcaz - 18 18 target increased 20 20 target increased 22 22 target exceeded 23
sazzledazzle - 12 9
SBeth - 15 15
SeasideEm - 15 10
shedstar - 9 5
skaps - 15 15 target exceeded 18
slowlyfading - 18 18 target exceeded 22
sofababe - 10 10 target increased 12 12
solventsoon - 20 20 target exceeded 24
somethingsgottogive - 20 19
steerpiker - 11 3
Sunnylooloo - 20 20
Surfbabe - 10 10 target exceeded 12
suzie wong - 10 10 target increased 14 14
SuziQ1962 - 10 10target increased 15 15
tazmac25 - 10 10
teenyweenyspender - 20 20 target exceeded 21
The Dragon - 15 15 target exceeded 18
thriftyfairy - 10 1
tina01904 - 10 3
Tixy - 15 15 target exceeded 17
Trinny - 15 13
Tropicalmoments - 15 15 target exceeded 17
twistedhazel - 15 15 target exceeded 16
Wee Pilsbury - 15 15 target increased 18 18
WelshWoofer - 10 7
wit40iwtwan - 20 20 target exceeded 21
Wonkey Donkey - 12 7
Yorkielass - 15 12

solventsoon

This is for anyone who wants to set themselves a target for a number of NSDs in a row. We had some impressive numbers in December (added below), so if anyone would like to have a go at this, I'll add you here:D

December records:
chris81418: 11 in a row
beanielou: 10 in a row
elf06: 6 in a row
muffin man 7: 5 in a row

January challenges
bella121984: 7 in a row
niccatw: 7 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it
8 in a row - woohooooooooooooo!!
chris81418: 6 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it
Baileys Babe: 6 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it
The Dragon: 6 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it
Tropicalmoments: 6 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it
boultdj: 6 in a row - woohooooooo... 7 in a row
katenut: 5 in a row
muffin man 7: 5 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it
new challenge: 6 in a row
redcoltraine: 5 in a row
beanielou: 5 in a row - woohooooooo... 6 in a row
woohooooooo... 7 in a row
Keiss 21: 5 in a row
kezlou: 5 in a row
Sbeth: 5 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it
savingcaz: 5 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it
new target - 6 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it
Tixy: 5 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it

forsya: 4 in a row
elfen: 3 in a row

solventsoon

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
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 & have been l-o-n-g time Nsders so don't panic
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
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 Solvent's (aka Spoon:rotfl:) first 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
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

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 The only thing to be aware of is Hubert the donkey who is partial to anything remotely edible but is not yet house-trained

And Remember;
there are no silly questions, so don't be afraid to ask us anything!

janeawej

I'm here, after a last minute failure as I had to buy milk and a stamp today Im up for starting afresh tomorrow!

jedi82

Hi Spoony, I have been awol for a couple of months. Have actually been really good spending wise but just needed some time away from forums for a bit. But I am back and ready to put down a refreshing 10 NSDs for Jan!

Hope you all have a lovely new year

Jedi x

niccatw

And I think I'll be brave and up my traget from my usual 14 to 15! Ok, so not the bravest thing I've ever done but if I can't do it in January when all I want to do is hibernate, it won't bode well for 2011!

Spoony - you've been making the wrong types of resolutions all these years! As have I!!!

This year I have a much more fun and sensible resolution: to spend more time with the people who make me laugh.

solventsoon

niccatw wrote: »

And I think I'll be brave and up my traget from my usual 14 to 15! Ok, so not the bravest thing I've ever done but if I can't do it in January when all I want to do is hibernate, it won't bode well for 2011!

Spoony - you've been making the wrong types of resolutions all these years! As have I!!!

This year I have a much more fun and sensible resolution: to spend more time with the people who make me laugh.

I certainly have, nicca, and love your resolution, think I might pinch that one:D

Well done for being brave with your target:T

solventsoon

janeawej wrote: »

I'm here, after a last minute failure as I had to buy milk and a stamp today Im up for starting afresh tomorrow!

Oooh... janeawej, thought I'd told you about that "f" word...... not having my lovely new thread sullied with that word:D:D.

Welcome on board, hope you enjoy your first full month of the challenge:)

jedi82 wrote: »

Hi Spoony, I have been awol for a couple of months. Have actually been really good spending wise but just needed some time away from forums for a bit. But I am back and ready to put down a refreshing 10 NSDs for Jan!

Hope you all have a lovely new year

Jedi x

:hello:Hi jedi, welcome back, we've missed you. I know what you mean though, sometimes you just need a break.

Well done on the spending:j:j

kdenty

I've not done this challenge before but would like to give it a go. I assume you don't count when the bills come out the bank - just the days you go in a shop and pay?

Can I try for 20 days? or is this too stupid. I really do need to not spend any money in January other than on groceries!

20 days - woop

reb

I forgot all about this. I did it last year and the the dreaded fb took over.
I have repented and returned.
Yaaaay!
I am going for at least 4 each week