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

rising_from_the_ashes

Got sidetracked!

Still only 2 for me (trying hard tomorrow)

rising_from_the_ashes

solventsoon wrote: »

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

Quick question (sorry if I'm being an idiot)...

If I've increased my NSD no, I've put in red but I've also posted a couple of times when there's been no change - I've left these in black so you don't waste time going to "update me".
Is this OK?

dmb_2

NSD No 3 for me.


Have a good weekend folks:beer:

dmb_2

I'm having a Friday wiggle too. Fortunately no one here to witness it:rotfl:

kdenty

5 for me today.

Had a wonderful birthday and some very useful and nice presents. Thank you for all the wishes.

I love nail polishes and got a huge box full. I threw out a load of set ones just after xmas so it's replenished my stock.

Got lots of booze and chocolate and some shower gel.

My Mum sent me money and insisted I bought myself a treat so I got a trollbead (I was an advid collector before my LBM) and today another turned up that she had bought me on holiday. Also got an ebook that was released on my birthday but wasn't going to buy till the price went down.

We went out with friends for a curry which was lovely :rotfl:

solventsoon

dmb wrote: »

I'm having a Friday wiggle too. Fortunately no one here to witness it:rotfl:

I'm here, dmb.. and I'm watching you....:D:D:D

lilylass wrote: »

Quick question (sorry if I'm being an idiot)...

If I've increased my NSD no, I've put in red but I've also posted a couple of times when there's been no change - I've left these in black so you don't waste time going to "update me".
Is this OK?

Hi lilylass, you're not being an idiot at all, very sensible question.

That's perfect thanks:A

spoon x

Trinny

NSD 4 today Spoon

Thanks

Trinny

Nym_Mcfroglet

NSD no. 4 for me :j

bella121984

Can I join this challenge please? 2011 is the year I will get our finances straight, this will hopefully prevent me from making all those impulses buys im so guilty of...I know it wont happen tomorrow as I need to buy DS some new shoes, but starting from Sunday id like to try and go for 7 consecutive NSDs if thats alright, and then...well we will see what happens!

IF

Just bumping BigMamma’s and Spoon’s posts x

solventsoon wrote: »

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

BigMummaF wrote: »

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!