Avoiding the shops in April - The NSD Challenge

suzie_wong

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

We have just heard that DH's redundancy date is the end of May!!!

That might sound bad, but it was actually what he wanted, as he has very little work, and it means he will get 18 months pay, and there is no danger of his department being taken over and him being asked to relocate (which he wouldn't do).

However, it is suddenly very real and scary. It means I will definitely be going full time at school in september(:eek:), and that DH will take over the cooking(:o), cleaning (:T), school runs etc. In other words, a complete change of lifestyle for us. It will take a bit of adjustment for all of us.

There is also the issue of me trying to clear my debts as quickly as I can, within reason. At my present rate it will take about 5 years, but in september my salary will double, and although I will take on responsibility for some of the household bills that I currently pay, I will also be able to throw more at the debts. I won't need to pay for before school care and after school clubs anymore either, which will help.

I know this has absolutely nothing to do with NSDs, but I needed to tell someone, and this is the thread that I talk most on

Ooooh- I feel a bit scared......

fedupandskint

Oh suzie - I hope things work out ok for both of you with this news - hug sent virtually over to you

bottleofred

Hi Suzie,

I hope things work out the way you want them to.

Good luck

Red

bottleofred

Hi folks,

A spend day for me today I'm afraid. I'm going to try for at least one more before the end of the month even though my target has been reached.

IF

Afternoon all :hello:

Big hug for BDINI and Suzie xx



Link to May's NSD thread:-

solventsoon wrote: »

Link is below, look forward to seeing you all there:D

spoon xx


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/43194850#Comment_43194850

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!

kathy40uk

suzie_wong wrote: »

we have just heard that DH's redundancy date is the end of May!!!

I know this has absolutely nothing to do with NSDs, but I needed to tell someone, and this is the thread that I talk most on

Ooooh- I feel a bit scared......

((((((((((((((((((((Suzie)))))))))))))))

I really hope everything works out, at least you have a little breathing space.

I know what you mean about talking most on this thread I am exactly the same.

LittleMissHappy_2

:wave:

Hi I've been awol recently due to concentrating on DTD so just quick updates however (sad day for 'friends of Martin' DTD'ers) DTD stopped at noon today soooooooo back to lots of NSD's and meal planning Twas fun while it lasted!

Anyway, no NSD for me today but I will get at least one over the week-end so will definitely reach my target!

I hope you are all ok, I haven't read back, just read this page and (((hugs))) for Suzie x

cw18

3 D/Debits out of the bank this morning (pretty sure that's the last for the month, so there shouldn't be any held over for next Tuesday - though the first one of May will hit then anyway ), so picked up some groceries as I left work

Off out in a bit to get a couple of things I need from Mr T - including liquid gold :eek:

fenna

Only NSD 13 to declare today, n definitely getting 14 tomorrow and 15 finally on Saturday, got no choice, left if very late but at least i will get it done.

BigMummaF

suzie_wong wrote: »

....I know this has absolutely nothing to d thing to sayo with NSDs, but I needed to tell someone, and this is the thread that I talk most on ....

What a lovely thing to say...I feel quite emotional that people feel so comfortable within our little band, that we will willingly share our dreams & demons with each other. (((GROUP-HUG))) everybody--c'mon! Snuggle in
You & your hubbs sound to be a secure partnership who can take on the World, & my best wishes for a relatively pain-free transition of roles are speeding in our direction x

solventsoon wrote: »

Don't worry, BM I nearly had a rant earlier but stopped myself in time....

I think I'll see what various folk are wearing, the flowers & coach..but with the mute button firmly stuck down with tape! Anyone else thoroughly pigged orf with what she had for breakfast at prep school or what the secretary's third assistant's substitute dog walker's impressions were of "the young Prince aged 3mths" :wall:The stupid questions to 'experts' [in their own eyeballs maybe, but no-one else has a CLUE who they are!] about facts that have nothing of any interest or relevence..can you tell I just adore journalists when something like this happens :mad:
As to the cost of this particular event, The Palace themselves are supposedly contributing & her parents are spending a wedge, but I'm convinced the Public coffers are being snaffooed too! Unless of course, the Palace of Westminister is taking a pay cut :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

cw18 wrote: »

Now if I were 101% positive that would really happen, I'd be more than seriously tempted to apply for a charity place - which would mean working my socks off to raise a mimimum amount of sponsorship as well as training for the actual race :rotfl:

fortunately I don't expect there'll be (m)any people there who know me in real life
but there again, I don't think a sight like that would escape the interest of the national rags :rotfl:

*rubs hands with manical glee & wicked connotation* That--if I'm not mistaken --sounds like a 'they wouldn't really do that.._pale_..would they?' kind of panic-stricken Challenge! When you've thrown down a gauntlet like that, expect for it to be picked right up & thrown back mighty quick :laugh: