Bridge the gap with the February NSD challenge

Sunnylooloo

Just popped in to say 6 NSD I hope everyone is well - will try and make the time to go back and have a catch up.

I have been really tied up with the Divorce stuff, which I am pleased to report - seems have reached an conclusion - just waiting for paper work - so after 3 very long years an end is in sight.

I have booked the London Dungeon for me and Mr Looloo for Tuesday and then I have booked the whole of the gallery on Tower Bridge for a certain little NSD birthday bash!! I've got some booze but can you bring some nibbles please!! hehehe

Well done to everyone on their NSD so far

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

chris81418

karmachilovething wrote: »

chris81418 wrote: »

Hello everyone! :wave:

Just quickly checking in to report that yesterday was NSD number 7 for me! Woohoo! I should catch another one today , but I wont count my chickens just yet! :rotfl:

I like the counting your chickens analogy - I often feel that way about NSDs. But not today! No. 4 in the bag! :T:T

Thanks Karma! I managed to catch that one yesterday, so I'm now up to 8 NSDs! Woohoo!

Have a good rest of the day everyone, and good collecting more NSDs!

jaffacakegal

Well after my big shop on Tues (wasn't meant to be but many things in MrT to tempt me!), managed NSD #4 yesterday! Only by promising best friend I would pay for dinner Saturday (because I would already be spending that day) if she paid for my drink!

I go out every Mon/Wed nights (brass band practice - not as sad as it sounds honest!) and usually have a drink (60p) afterwards. I didn't think ahead this month but think in future I will change my rules and put aside the money for the month for this on the 1st. Seems daft to miss out on the socialising for the sake of 60p ruining a NSD! And maybe add a little extra for a cheeky alcopop every once in while
:beer:

JCG x

wit40iwtwan

I cannot believe it is the 10th already and so far I have only managed a total of 6NSD's. With 18 days left of Feb will I be able to make my 20 total??? one wonders! giggle

I have no plans to spend for the next few days and as yesterday and today are NSD's I wonder if I can keep this up until Tuesday next week to meet my goal of 7 NSD's in a row!

I am making my hubby's Valentine card and gift so watch this space!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

jintyb

Get the kippers out! :eek:
I dont know what's happening here,but I seem to have had a few days in a row spending. I've lost my NSD mojo ATM - I need to give myself a shake!:o
Mystery shop was changed till tomorrow, so I decided to do my grocery shop today. I wanted to stock up on stuff at Co$tco, so off I went! I stuck to my list - but it was the "off-list" buys that did for me! :rotfl:
I got a little bonus at work this month, the majority of which I have put into the savings for our hols. However, I did treat myself to a lovely bag at C05tco ( lIZ cLAIBORNE - £13, ok it's not leather, but who's to know?;)) and a set of nice soft PJ's, £8. Didnt think that was too bad, considering a few years ago my handbag habit went into three figures:eek: ( per bag):eek:
Also got a box of handmade greeting cards, works out @ 35p per card ( you know how I hate spending mad money on cards) and my Aveeno body lotion - £4.99 for 3 ( pretty good)

Sooooooooo, although I've spent, I've been quite wise and tried to budget ahead.
I wont need to go to A$da tomorrow, so I'm quite pleased with the way the budgets going this month:)

Nargleblast

Jinty - HANDS OFF MY KIPPERS!!!

No, actually it's not that bad, as I am now on 3 NSDs.

Busy times in the land of Nargle workwise at present, hence my absence these past few days. Will be visiting family at the weekend so will hopefully catch up early next week.


(and then.....whooshhhhh! the Nargle had vanished.....)

Trinny

Hi SPoon

Declaring NSD 6 for today please

Thanks

Trin

kerri_gt

Hmm...I have another 'situation' here....we have just put together the bed for the spare room and need to get a duvet/pillows etc for it (have none spare that we could use except for the cat blanket which I think people might object to!) I've found a duvet on a website that is a really good deal (on offer) and some pillows which are a reasonable price - which totals enough on the order for me to collect in store for free.

Now according to my rules, any use of card or cash counts as a spend and I was trying REALLY hard for a NSD today. If I wait until tomorrow I'm worried they might stock out, and I'd have missed the deal.... but I feel a bit like I'm cheating if I make the buy and still declare a NSD....thoughts anyone?

boultdj

Well yesterday was a nsd, but not today, thank's to doctor's persciption, so think I'm now up to #5

IF

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!