Bridge the gap with the February NSD challenge

Tropicalmoments

Chalking up #12 today and it feels good to have 2 NSDs on the trot. DH has a migraine and was in bed when I got home so I've cleaned the bathroom, just about to empty the bin, unload the dishwasher and tidy the kitchen then I think I'm going to head to bed (in the spare room) with my book.

Rock_Cakes

Managed NSD#14, just one more to go to reach my target. Have to say the DH buying the food on the company CC has really helped. Going to see if I can walk to and from work. Though that is 45 mins each way. . . .

Well done to everyone, you are doing great :T

xx

kerri_gt

Me again...forgot to mention, in my frugal bid to use up what food we had, I unearthed YET ANOTHER portion of turkey casserole in the freezer tonight, I swear the one I had last week was the last one - blighters must be breeding like gremlins (why does the ice cream never do that? :huh:) had it for dinner (without enjoying it one little bit) to get it used up....please don't let me find any more in the freezer....:wall:

fillyfop

Yay, bagged another one

That's #12!!

Tomorrow I'm coming straight home from work and doing college work so no reason to spend! So it's all coming together

kerri_gt

Quick update on the dress saga...I bit the bullet and asked a friend in the US if she would order the one from the store for me and send it to me which she did - very kind of her as it had to go on her card and then I have paid her via paypal. I did find a $25 off code, but it still wasn't exactly cheap :eek: still, i do really like it and have learned a lesson that sometimes you should just buy something when you see it.

I have also TOLD the fleabay seller I'll be returning the faulty one for refund - turns out the one she advertised as a size 4 the other day was in fact an 8 anyway :eek:

I'm not counting this as spend though as I already counted the first dress as a spend (which will be refunded) and I needed to get my finger out to ensure it was here in time for the wedding so couldn't wait until March - is that ok??

katenut

Number 10 today xx

Brown_suga

Been feeling a bit under the weather which is good for NSD's i guess, I've managed another 3. Sat, Sun and Mon. At work today I decided I needed to feed my cold and had crisps, chocolate and full fat coke.........

Only another 2 needed to make my target

tattooed_lady

Hello ,

Hope everyone is well!

NSD #6 for me today, had a day out at a friends house today.

xx

cw18

Reporting target met, with NSD #12 achieved today :T :T

Really not convinced about increasing my target, but am thinking about it....... only 6 days left this month, and I reckon at least 2 of them will see a Direct Debit go out. That leaves a probable 3 (possible 4) more NSDs from that side of things. So another 2 may just be do-able....


Oh what the heck - Spoon, please can you increase my target to 14 :eek:

IF

Good evening all x


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!