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

Surfbabe

ok - so I haven;t posted for over a week (hangs head in shame) BUT I have had 4 NSD since last reporting - so I've exceeded the target I set myself :j:j

teenyweenyspender

I've met my target today. NSD #20. Yippee.

solventsoon

Good morning lovely NSD gang:A

Hope everyone's OK today.

Well, it's Friday and as I think a lot of us need a smile, I thought we'd have our usual Friday wiggle, so here's an assortment of wiggles, hope one of them makes you grin:D






Back later to check you're all behaving:D

julytex

Another NSD yesterday. Won't make my target now but still pretty pleased with myself!

Yorkielass

Well another NSD in the end yesterday as didn't have my hair cut and didn't spend anything else so declaring NSD 11.

Should be a NSD today too and then possibly Sunday so I may get to 12 or 13 this month. Thanks for the encouragement everyone. :A

karren

today is a nsd as staying in,
overcooked spag bol yest so just need to reheat later
im creating some new jewellery later and aim to sort though the jewellery thats there
have to take youngest swimming so have to use the car, but i wont use it otherwise
And then after her lesson its pjs and csi time for me xxx

DansMum_2

Hey everyone Happy Friday!!

Thanks for the wiggles Spoon - glad you're feeling better xx

As suspected yesterday was a good old NSD :j That now takes me to 14

DansDad is being particularly difficult today :mad: He's got some form of Manflu (I think its something he ate)

Have spent spectacularly today with £50 diesel for Vera the Frontera and £33.50 on hoss bedding and that'll do thank you very much :cool:

Should make at least one more NSD over the next 3 days remaining :cool:

cw18

yesterday was another spend day - bought more than the milk & tea-bags I'd put the money away, but got some fab bits from Whoopsies

Just checked bank account, and today is another spend day due to 2 D/Debs going out.... but those should be the last of the month. So I need to get 2 NSDs in the next 3 days !!!

IF

Good afternoon all x

Been AWOL for a few days, so just catching up :eek:

I'm a wiggling Spoony :j





Bumping BigMamma’s and Spoon’s posts x


Hi lovely NSD gang:A
As you can see there is lots of activity on this thread 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.

Thanks everyone:A
spoon xx

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!

suzie_wong

A spendy today, but a very enjoyable one- and not that expensive!!:D

Went out walking with my pal, and we got our usual belgian bun from the lovely village shop half way round. Also got some fab food bargains from the market, and treated myself to some gorgeous white roses whilst I was there (only £2.50 )

I am so pleased with how I have done this month- can't quite believe the difference. I actually feel positive about the fact that I am dealing with my debts, instead of in a panic or with my head in the sand. A huge step forward for me. Thank you everyone on here for your support- it makes such a difference :T:T:T