Marching on in March - The NSD Challenge

Keiss_21

Hya all, declaring today as NSD no 17 :j

Hope to make tomorrow as no 18 and reaching target, but I have to go and pick up DS2 from his physio session (pre-paid for year @ college), so may take the oportunity to visit the big Mr T and return a duvet set. I would like to think I can come out again without spending anything...here's hoping! I must admit the thought of getting an NSD and hitting my target is going to be a great incentive!!

As for seeing (or not seeing) the prizes on the front page, they keep changing! Yesterday I could only see the second and third prizes, but today, they are the only ones I can't see!! :rotfl:
At least it seems I am not the only one having these problems.

Have a good day all, no rain here yet, just very slight spitting. Had the day planned for indoor activities...but may have to venture outside for a bit if it stays dry. Mind you, not sure when I will have the time!

lotti379

Thank you so much everyone, I'm sorry it was such an off-topic moan, and probably very small fry compared with a lot of people have to deal with! Your supportive words really really helped!

kerri gt - It hadn't occured to me that she might be feeling envious of me... I knew that was the reason behind getting upset when I visit the boyf's parents, but I never thought I could be a source of envy... but I shall bear the possibility in mind, it might well make a lot of sense...

I shall have to try just keeping a cool head, and probably try leaving the room... If I do that I think things will get worse before they get better, but fingers crossed they'll get better in the end eh?!

Anyway, back on topic... lots of studying to get done today so hopefully no spends.... oooh and I've booked in for a free-evening-calls phone chat with my best friend tonight at 8pm (she has a busy london-y lifestyle so if we want a long chat we tend to book ahead... ridiculous isn't it? :rotfl:)

CamelLady

Morning all x

I know we have only 2 days left until the new challenge starts, but I would like to start today if thats ok, so i'm aiming for 2 NSD.

Thanks, Magda

chris81418

Good morning everyone! :wave:

Checking in to report that I reached my second target with NSD number 24 yesteday! I may even be able to squeeze one more in before the end of the month ... but I won't hold my breath!

lotti379 - sorry to hear about the hard times your mum is going through - I hope things pick up for her, and that you and your sis can return to normality soon (((hugs))).

Have a good day everyone and good luck catching one or two more NSDs before the end of the month!

Bexterragga

Morning Peeps!

I haven't posted over the weekend, had a late shift then an early. I am happy to announce that I have reached my target of 15 NSD's!

This is only my second month of the challenge, but by following the hints and tips of the group and also budgeting better, I have 110 quid left in my account at the end of the month! Normally I'm running on empty!

Good luck in the last few days for anyone still trying to reach target xx

debtfreewannabe321

Well today is the last day of my month and i will get my target just I'm staying in today as had nothing planned and don't need anything from the shops so i'm declaring 12/12 NSD for March!

BigMummaF

kerri_gt wrote: »

....Darn my skin and it's expensive tastes!....

Three of us have sensitive skin & that makes general shopping a LOT more expensive than I'd like Non-bio laundry powder does not come in 'one sort suits all' & neither do toiletries supposedly 'suitable for sensitive skin' I have trouble finding rubber gloves that won't make me scratch the top layer from my hands & sneeze till my nose drops off, hence buying twenty-odd pairs a time from the Blue & Yellow Emporium! (Our closest is a two-hour drive from here so we don't go that often--although that MAY be a blessing :rotfl:) Rather like reduced fat yoghurt & sugar-free baked beans, the price is immediately 15% more if it is considered outside "the norm" :mad:

Dark & dismal here but I need to go pay some bills that are not included in this Challenge. I'm hoping I won't be tempted into parting with any more cash than is abslutely necessary, but you can never tell when Lady Temptation proves to be on her winning streak.

Sunnylooloo

Just popping in to up date my total - 19 NSD so far

will I make the final one - lets hope so!

I feel really terrible not had time to pop in and catch up at all this month its been mad

hope everyone isok and I promise i will make more of an effort next month

xxxxxxxxx

ElmerFudd

A NSD for me yesterday but LSD for the household budget (OH spent some money on coffee and a snack out which came to less than a £5).

IF

Good afternoon all x

BDINI got my 17th NSD today, won’t increase my target as its a spendy day tomorrow, thank you :A




Bumping for any Newbies joining us xx

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!