Jolly June's NSD Challenge!

IF

Afternoon all :hello:

Sf got my 10th NSD yesterday, thank you :A

slowlyfading wrote: »

Please can you to highlight your number of NSDs in a colour and in bold and preferrably LARGE so that I can see them easily when I whizz through the posts - any colour will do, though I am personally partial to PURPLE

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!

chrisico

Just reporting NSD 9. Hurrah, nearly at my target.

Chris

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

Hi folks don't know if I can get in an NSD today, lets see how things proceed.

fedupandskint

Number 8 for me today

marmiterulesok

Spend day today,so still on #11.

I'm on holiday now for 10 days,so not too bothered either way!The bliss of not getting woken up by the alarm clock-mind you,the wee cat'll still waken me at 4am,as per usual....

Learning2Budget

Whoop, whoop, NSD 6!!!!!!!!Feeling very chuffed. OH's payday tomorrow, so it won't be a NSD, but I'm on track.

Nargleblast

Bad news and good news...

Bad news - changed my car nearly 3 weeks ago. Reg doc arrived in post today - in my OH's name as registered keeper????? Obviously idiot car dealers gave his name instead of mine. So I have had to amend it and send it back.

Good news - dispute with previous car insurance firm now settled, they agree I have had more hassle than would be considered reasonable so are giving me a full refund plus a bit extra for my phone calls etc. Am expecting refund within next 3 - 5 working days, so will be able to survive till payday and maybe even stock up on some bargains.

Life is indeed a rollercoaster!

Hoping for another NSD tomorrow as will be at work all day and not available to take moths in purse out for walkies.

youngmummy

well done to everyone on there NSD's
NSD for me today. good luck. keep up the good work everyone. hugs for those that need them, take care all xx

AlyBaly

#5 TODAY . Decided putting jammies on straight after work means im not tempted to nip to shop. Past the half way mark now xx

Penny_pauper

Hi
Had NSD number 2 yesterday (mortgage fees haven't come out yet) three more to go!

PP