Avoiding the shops in April - The NSD Challenge

beanielou

Kerri~ I agree some of the super scrimpers tips were a tip too far :eek:

Jinty~Dident realise that you had Crohns too

jintyb

beanielou wrote: »

Kerri~ I agree some of the super scrimpers tips were a tip too far :eek:

Jinty~Dident realise that you had Crohns too

Yes! I have Crohn's and psoriasis, thankfully both are under control ATM, but I have experienced the downside of both on many occasions.
Had a lovely lunch with my pal and a mooch round Water$stones. I had High St vchrs from a survey I did so I treated myself to some new books for my hols ( my one true vice - books that is, not hols!);)

twistedhazel

Hi all, had an INCREDIBLY stressful day today, I wont bore you with the details but my head is still swimming, so much a lovely restful days holiday! I did, however, manage to fend of the spends and got no. 9 in the bag. Hope everyone else is well and that we all have a good day tomorrow.

pinkfluffybabe

NSD No.12 today

Tixy

2 more for me taking me to 7 so far this month please

Tixy

No If about today so a reminder......



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!

cw18

Yesterday ended up being a spend day - one huuuuge temptation in Whoopsies at work (which I managed to get at final reduction price ), so I took the opportunity to get a few other Whoopsies, a couple of items on special offer that I fancied, and some salad items.

The window cleaners had been and cleaned in the morning, so I knew they'd be around to collect payment tonight. As such I put the money to one side yesterday - hence making today NSD #7

bellkat

No 7 for me today. (sorry it's not highlighted, I can't do it on an iPad).

Thanks for the great advice re The PO Bdini, hopefully I'll be able to resist when I go tomorrow!!

Kathx

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone
Another NSD here today, aking my total to 7
P
X

Rock_Cakes

So glad its Thursday. Really need some human interaction. I barely speak to anyone at work, they are all too busy in their own offices and then come home to an empty flat. Was feeling really rubbish when I got in but had a nice call with my mum and DH.

My CV and Covering letter are nearly done for this job, so I think I will send it next week. Fingers crosses. Really need to apply for a few more. . . the search begins.

Good news though NSD#9 today, hoping I manage tomorrow then I will be in double figures.

Just 5 more days of work then Easter, hooray!

xx