Marching on in March - The NSD Challenge

BigMummaF

jintyb wrote: »

....Met my deadlines....For a while there, I was as to why you were meeting dandelions
Hospital today for dermatology. Consultant really pleased at the way my skin has cleared. Still on meds for another 4 weeks by which time I should be COMPLETELY clear ( for the first time in about 30 years:j)....

Great News :T

sibles wrote: »

I did it!
I've had 10 nsd's this month!

:j Well Done Sibles! Can you tell why we keep coming back to do this Challenge now I've got hooked on dog training programmes on the telly, & she keeps on about reinforcing behaviour patterns so WooF WooF waggle-sssslurp cuz it's that, that is obviously working on us lot too!

suzie_wong wrote: »

Have had a hectic day, so only just got the chance to sign in and claim NSD#10 :j. Really don't think I will reach my target this month, but at least I have made double figures. Still a week to go though. That's the spirit Sooze!

....thing will be that he will take over all the jobs at home- cooking etc....

Does this mean we'll be meeting Mr Wong then? We'll look after him & I'm sure Igor won't mind passing on his kitchen secrets...oh..praps that might not be such a good thing...how much do you like Daffodil Delight & Hog Roastie-toasties? Nah. Don't worry; Hubbs will fit right in I'm sure

Don't tell anyone :shhh: but I'm out on tag *swiftly looks around for signs of the fuzz...urghh..found some in the corner & scribbles note to clear cobwebs* Muvva feels happy to have her solo space back, so I'm on Amber Alert till we get the results of her scan at least. Human bodies are wonderful things aren't they, but a balooga when bits go out of kilter & it should make me more enthused to take care of my own bulk. Like most, I go through spells of determined healthy planning, but am too ready to not only stumble at the first hurdle but get planning permission & stay for the duration

Anyhooz. Sweet 16 yesterday & filling the salad drawer today, among other things no doubt. Healing Thoughts & Happy Places Peeps x

BigMummaF

Bump-bump.

butdoineedit? wrote: »

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


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!

lotti379

BigMummaF wrote: »

Last year I had new number plates to get me through the MOT, year before was money toward the fridge freezer & before that a bread maker & this year I've suggested a water butt, mini greenhouse or other garden stuff. Well. Flowers make me sneeze & sweeties make me fat(ter ) For Christmas 2009 I had spark plugs, 5l engine oil & various other bits to service the car, plus the three of 'em can club together to get something useful for their wonga :rotfl:

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This is true, however, there is a fine line with my Mum, she doesn't like too many presents to be useful ones! We can get some tantrums if that happens... The trouble is knowing when to pick the useful ones and when to go for something frivolous and super-girly! :rotfl:

Also, yesterday continued to be spendy, pizza for supper (:eek: the podge is really starting to creep back... really need to STOP EATING TAKEAWAYS AND CHOCOLATE!!! :eek:). But today will NOT be, although it may take regular perusals of this thread to keep up the resolve. And probably moving the cotswold outdoor catalogue away from me. Very far away. :rotfl:

sibles

Thank you everyone!
And BigMummaF - you are totally right, I've been telling my friend about the 21 times in a row thing - if you can do it without a break it becomes a habit.
I feel great, and it's made such a difference, I'm ending the pay month with cash in my bank and nothing on my cc that wasn't to do with work (and therefore expenses sorted).
I'm not going to have an NSD today, but I've not finished the month, I wonder if I can exceed my target?!

Love all round xcx

elfen

NSD no 12 for me, been swimming now plan to work!

jintyb

BMF - glad to hear you're out on licence ( dont worry, I wont grass you up!)
Not a NSD for me as predicted, popped out for milk and savoury rice( dont ask, OH has a craving for it:o) and while I was out I passed Gr€ggs , or should I say didnt pass, and succumbed to a soft sub roll which I've just scoffed, along with a pink jammie ( I am VEEEEEERY partial to them!) I think they count as one of your five-a-day...........after all they do have raspberry in the middle:p

Just about to postion myself on the sofa with Tim Bargain Hunt.....may have a little shuteye..........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

beanielou

Jinty~Chuck me a jammie,ta

The_Dragon

Claiming #13 please BDINI and sorry to hear your news but glad to hear it seems to be getting sorted out!

jaffacakegal

BDINI - glad things are getting sorted for you, hope u have happier days at work ahead.

Just reporting NSD 11 yesterday :j Trying to rack em up early as I'm going away this weekend, so no chance of NSDs

JCG x

pinkfluffybabe

NSD No. 18 for me today