The Solvent September NSD Challenge

cuddlymarm

Good morning :hello:
So far this month I have managed 9 NSDs (and hopefully lots more to come)
Yesterday was my day off but couldn't go far cos the gas man was coming to do our yearly gas certificate (unfortunately when he was cleaning it he discovered/created (not quite sure?) a small gas leak so it will be a shower this morning rather than the nice warm bath I prefer to start my day (he's coming back to mend it tomorrow so I am thinking positively of the gas I am saving and that I didn't wait till the middle of winter to get it done (no central heating brrrr)
Tomorrow won't be a NSD because I badly need fresh stuff (the freezer is OK though so I may try and leave a proper shop till next week)
I hope everyone is OK after our breezy spell and that you are all feeling happy and positive
Better go and get ready for work I suppose
Have a good day moneysavers
Cuddles:)

webitha

yesterday was no 8 nsd and 5 in a row :j:j:j

boultdj

Now up to #10

shezam

Still only at 2 i can't get the hang of this! Still a few weeks to grab a few though!
Sx

Betsie2010

I will be desperately trying to make today no 3 as I know I have spending days for the next few.
It's not me it's the kids.....honest!!
Fingers crossed

LittleMissHappy_2

Spoon - my DH's brother lives abroad and he got married a few weeks ago - it was low key and they didn't celebrate as her family are in America and obviously we are here so they visited her family for the last couple of weeks and now it's our turn We are having a wedding reception for them on Sunday at MIL's and FIL's house. She is really lovely so am very happy for BIL!

BDINI - we missed you while you were gone! Glad you got loads of stuff sorted in your house...I still can't believe what happened to it!

No NSD for me again as went to Mr T to pick up something I ordered a couple of weeks ago and they have some toys and things in the sale so I got a few bits for the dreaded 'C' word (although I have to admit, I love it and can't wait to see all the shops filled with C cards and C wrapping paper and C decorations etc etc etc!)

elfen

NSD no 8 for me please - no spends today as I don't have my wallet

IF

Welcome back BDINI we have missed you

This is to cheer up BDINI and to make us giggle too:A






Hi NSD'ers Could I ask you please to highlight your number of NSDs in a colour and in bold so that BDINI can see them easily, thank you :A



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!

runnerbean17

Got #10 yesterday Still struggling with the 5 in a row but going to give that a go starting next Monday

debtfreewannabe321

spendy day for me had to post ebay items, so also took a trip to tesco to minimise spend days and picked up items to last a few more days before i need a big shop. Also got my car tax that is due end of month (1st time i've ever got it early!) so hopefully tomorrow and friday will be NSD here