The jubilant July NSD challenge

solventsoon

Hi lovely gang
Well it’s Sunday again, hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend and managed to get some sunshine at least


Loads of NSDs rolling in again over the weekend - well done everyone:

:j:j:jkaren is trying - for no 6, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!

:j:j:jCheryl - for no 2, great start for you, keep it up!
Great result in the race on Saturday, well done you. Hope today’s went well and the meeting with DD even better!!

:j:j:jBMF - for no 5, you’re doing brilliantly so far, keep it up!!
Lovely to see you again, missing your whimsical posts. Thanks for posting the links again, I like the sound of your tuna sandwich with watercress, sounds yummy.

:j:j:jelfen - for no 7, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!
And no 8 as well, that’s fantastic, keep going!!

:j:j:jboultdj - for no 6, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!
Glad your leg is getting better, hope you manage to stay awake with the antibiotics

:j:j:jbeanie - for no 9, that’s fantastic, you’re doing brilliantly!!
Hope you can still hear after T in the Park - Foo Fighters tonight, I think, they’re very loud!!
And no 10.. and 10 in a row... wow, I have no idea how you do that, that’s fantastic!!!:T
Good news about DS’s job for the summer

:j:j:jpositivelypurple - for no 7, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!
Good luck with the dentist today, hope the bill wasn’t too horrendous.

:j:j:jKeiss - for no 5, you’re doing brilliantly so far, keep it up!!
Busy weekend for you by the sounds of it

:j:j:jTrinny - for no 4, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!

:j:j:jstrawberriesandcream - for no 3, great start for you, keep it up!
Pleased you’re feeling better, that’s good news

:j:j:jSillyBlondie - for no 4, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!
And no 5 today, even better, keep going!!

:j:j:jchris81418 - for no 8, that’s fantastic, you’re doing brilliantly!! Whooppeee indeed!!

:j:j:jkathy40uk - for no 1, off the starting blocks now, that’s brilliant. Keep it up!!
Hope you’re OK?

:j:j:jFrodo - for no 1, off the starting blocks now, that’s brilliant!
Fingers crossed for no 2 today, you can do it!!

:j:j:jIf - for no 6 - you’re doing brilliantly so far, keep it up!!
Love all the pictures you post, where do you get them all?
And no 7 today, that’s fantastic, keep going!!

:j:j:jmarmiterulesok - sorry the heat’s getting to you, I think we could do with some of it over here. Hope you enjoyed your day off on Sunday and managed to relax a bit
And no 7 today, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!

:j:j:jRed - sorry about the liquid gold purchase, hope it didn’t nearly bankrupt you!!
But no 5 today, you’re doing brilliantly so far, keep it up!!

:j:j:jmuffinman7 - for nos 4, 5 and 6, you’re doing brilliantly so far, keep it up!!
Good news about the kids helping you out

:j:j:jkdenty - for no 6, you’re doing brilliantly so far, keep it up!!
Oh dear, hope the first day back at work isn’t too painful

:j:j:jrising from the ashes - for nos 3 and 4, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!
Oh dear, sorry about the mega-spend day on Saturday, fingers crossed for some NSDs this week to make up for it

:j:j:jredapril - for no 4, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!

:j:j:jkerri - more good bargains for you on Saturday, you’re definitely trying to challenge Cheryl for the “queen of the whoopsies” title
And no 6 for you today, you’re doing brilliantly so far, keep it up!!
Home made fish cakes are scrummy, I’ve made them loads of times, they’re great for using up odd bits of fish or even left over tinned salmon - OH loves tinned salmon....

:j:j:jbellkat - for no 6 - you’re doing brilliantly so far, keep it up!!
I had a great weekend thanks, hope you did too?

:j:j:jpsychopathbabble - for no 4, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!
That’s a lot of driving this weekend, you must be shattered!!

:j:j:jLittleMissHappy - well done you for telling off OH, I like your style. Hope you enjoyed the film, it’s supposed to be a good one - and you did, glad you had a good time
And no 4 for you today, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!

:j:j:jmrso2b - for nos 3 and 4, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!
Loving the NSD weekend, that’s great!! Hope your mum enjoyed her birthday party and yay!!! to the free booze, that’s got to be good!!


:j:j:jwouldbe.. - for no 3, you’re doing brilliantly, keep it up!

:j:j:jStapler - I had to google nik naks to find out what they were, that definitely sounds like a bargain, hope you enjoy them.
Fingers crossed for your NSD today, you can do it!!
And you did.. no 6 in the bag for you now, you’re doing brilliantly so far, keep it up!!

:j:j:jLula - for no 6, you’re doing brilliantly so far, keep it up!!


Hello to:

jinty - great news about your teeth, hope the ulcers heal up quickly now and you can get some relief from the pain, that can’t have been a good experience for you. Don’t feel guilty about your new books, after what you’ve been through over the past few days you deserve a treat, enjoy them.
The kippers are ready if you need ‘em, but I really would advise avoiding them, they are pretty disgusting now..
Great news about the bargain duvet today, that’s brilliant, and that your mouth is feeling better, hopefully you’ve turned the corner now

nicca - oh dear, don't despair yet though, you have 3 NSDs in the bag and there are loads of days left in July, you can still do it!!
Hope you enjoyed lunch with your friend today

Nargle - keeping my fingers crossed for you this week

TizerCat - well done for booking your holiday and fingers crossed for lots of NSDs for you from now on.. of course you can do it!!

lotti379 - oh dear, sorry about the ruined NSD but better to clear the debt and get rid of it for good. There are loads more possible NSDs for you in July, you can do it!!


NSD no 9 for me today, I’m trying to resist a couple of tops I’ve seen online... hmmmm......

Off to update the front page now, so see you all tomorrow.

‘night everyone
spoon xx

jintyb

Good morning gang!
#2 clocked up for yesterday! Phew! This month has been challenging so far, but I'm back to work tday so that always makes things easier! Wow to Beanie - 10 in a row is just awsome!:T
Sounds like you had a really productive day yesterday Kerri, well done on the whoopsie dinner!

Thanks for the kind words Spoon - much appreciated, as were everyone's good wishes over the teeth saga!
Tonight I am off to a "craft and banter" group. This is my first visit although it's been running for a couple of months. It's all types of crafts; cardmaking, knitting, sewing etc and it's just a chance to get together for a natter really! One of the girls is going to teach me to crochet, so I am looking forward to that!

I am having a bit of extra time this morning before I go in - easing myself back gently!

Have a lovely day everyone!:)

cw18

kerri_gt wrote: »

I'm not speaking from experience but I understand waterproofs that runners/joggers use can be breathable (Cheryl can prob add more info on that) Not sure about prices but I imagine somewhere like Sports D1rect or Decathl0n should have something at a reasonable price.

I have a couple, and yes they're breathable. But they're not actually that waterproof - cope with a quick light shower, but nothing more than that !!!

cw18

Yesterday was NSD #3 :T

Didn't do the run in the end.... on the 20 minute walk to the venue I could feel the splin shint I picked up last September reminding me it can come back at any time, so decided not to chance it and just hung around as a supporter. Not sure if it was 'cos I've done too much running this week after 5 weeks of nothing (total of 14.2 miles in 7 days), or 'cos this week is the first time since getting it that I've run without a support bandage! Had convinved myself it was time to stop using it as a 'crutch', but probably not a good idea after the break from running Also spotted yesterday morning that my road shoes are starting to wear down (to a very noticeable point when you turn them upside down) on the outside of the heels, so another expense coming up very, very soon (should try and get to the running shop next weekend before I start hammering out too much more mileage - can't do it in the week due to having to travel into the city centre and be back in time for work).

Going to have to have an in-depth chat with the staff in the store though, as (based on things I'd read in magazines) I've not had them for as long as they should have lasted, and have done considerably less than half the mileage I should be able to expect a pair of shoes to cover - but on doing a G00gle this morning it appears I should have replaced them a couple of months ago on both counts Worrying thing is that (based on the mileage I've seen quoted today) it looks like I can expect to have to replace them every 3 months at most from now, as I'm going to have to kick in my marathon training :eek: The one bit of good news I've had in the last week or so is that the running club have released their official conditions for applying for one of their allocated places for the L0ndon Marathon, and if I'm rejected in the general ballot then I meet all of them..... so I now officially have two chances of getting a place, which means it's definitely worth starting the training sooner (now) rather than later (Oct when I find out from the ballot/Nov when the club announce who has their places) :T (Now need to start saving up for the cost of the place, travel, accomodation and food - as well as all the shoes it appears I'm going to get through in the meantime!)

Visit to DD seemed to go OK. Judging by some of the conversations she started (after the girls had been excused from the tea table) she clearly felt comfortable around him, and when we left he said she's 'nice' and my GD's are 'really cute' - but the youngesters were unusually quiet, so I'll wait for him to revise his opinion of them after he's seen them at their worst

As parking at DD's can sometimes be an issue I decided it was probably better to take my car (a lot smaller than his van), so I picked him up from his which means I now know where he lives (and have seen the inside of his flat).

Have discovered one 'incompatability' between us though!! Before I cooked for him just over a week ago it transpired that he likes his veg 'mushy' which I can't stand - so I started it all off in the top layer of the steamer and then threw his in with the potatoes for the last few minutes until it was waaaaaay softer than anything I'd eat by choice.... but yesterday he let slip that his hadn't been what he'd have called soft. My DD is another likes soft veg, and I almost couldn't eat what she served up yesterday - but after we'd left he said that it still wasn't as soft as he likes/cooks it for himself :eek: If it had been any softer yesterday I don't see how it would have been possible to serve it though!!! Can see it's going to be quite a challenge to get his veg soft enough for him while keeping mine al-dente He suggested just cooking his in with the spuds for the full time, but I don't think that would work if I were making mash (as I'd have to fiddle lifting out his veg and keeping it warm, or fish out the spuds and mash them in another pan or a large mixing bowl).

IF

Morning all :hello:

solventsoon wrote: »

:j:j:jIf - for no 6 - you’re doing brilliantly so far, keep it up!!
Love all the pictures you post, where do you get them all?
And no 7 today, that’s fantastic, keep going!!

Thanks Spoon, glad you like the pics......do tell me if they get a bit wearing!!



Written by solventsoon aka Spoon:-

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!

jaffacakegal

Hi all,

Well I'm not entirely sure but I think Friday was NSD 3, will check later!

Saturday I went for a mooch and ended up in the P£acocks sale! Didn't spend as much as I could have done tho

Sunday I did the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride - 60 miles :eek: Still can't believe I finished it

Didn't spend any money whilst I was out on it - took food to eat over the 8 AND A HALF HOURS it took me!! But I decided to treat myself to a takeaway after - thus ruining my chance of an NSD!! Oh well sometimes needs must!

JCG x

jaffacakegal

cw18 wrote: »

I have a couple, and yes they're breathable. But they're not actually that waterproof - cope with a quick light shower, but nothing more than that !!!

Oh and regards the above, I had weatherproof cycle gear on yesterday, but I don't think even the most waterproof of clothes could have coped with the downpour we went through at Westhoughton! Torrential rain, thunder and lightning, flooded roads!! Everything in my backpack was soaking!! Managed to finally dry out somewhere around Preston

psychopathbabble

Well done Jaffa!!! That is very impressive... if a little crazy

Frodobaggins

Hi guys, hope everyone is well.
Managed to get NSD 2/8 yesterday, well pleased, and two in a row!:j:j:j
Not sure about today, running a bit low on afew things.:(
Will give it my best shot though.:p

Tixy

Saturday was spendy as the cat had to got to the vet. But managed a NSD yesterday so up to 4 please spoon.