The Solvent September NSD Challenge

SpendSpendSpend

I'm gradually getting there. I spent yesterday but then I've been good today and not spent a penny. So I'm up to 10 NSDs now.

BigMummaF

Hello from the soggy sarf *shakes brollie & stamps wellies*

I've got to 9 now--well, up to yesterday--but could have gotten to 10 today if I wasn't looking for new nicky-nacky-nu-nues Our 'local' Sunday market has been my usual stomping ground, but today there were very few stalls & none of 'em selling ladies unmentionables! It's in the middle of nowhere, so perhaps the weather forecast put off a lot of the regular traders or maybe they were taking a holiday before the run up to December's spend-a-thon; please the gods it's for any reason apart from going bust or I will be in for a draughty winter :eek:
Anyhoo if I had known I wasn't going to get me briefs, I wouldn't have got my puzzle books (3 publications from past months for £2:50, saving around a fiver on buying them in a store :j) thus keeping today an nsd, which it isn't, so all in all I. feel.............get ready!


Can you guess what's coming?


Any takers


It's coming!


pants :rotfl::rotfl:

shezam

Right, unfortunately I have just had a VERY VERY spendy weekend and I've almost just had a heart attack checking my bank account and realising there is nearly 2 weeks till payday

Still only on 2 NSD's but determined to make my target before the month is out. Hope everyones had a good weekend!
Sxxx

jintyb

Yes, it's me checking in from sunny Skye! The wifi connection is a bit dodgy here, so it's taken a while to get going with the laptop!
Arrived here on Friday and the cottage and surroundings are just beautiful!
Doglet is very happy as there are lots of great trails for walking!
The weather has been great so far - out with t-shirt and sunglasses today, I cant believe it!:rotfl:Had a great day expolring today, so chilling out now!
I clocked up a couple of NSD's too as I havent spent anything today and Friday was travelling so no need to spend there. I am up to 11 now!

Have a lovely day everyone!:)

pinkfluffybabe

NSD No14 for me today

mysk_girl

NSD 3 for me :-) Except have discovered the mice are back. So need to get some more mouseproof storage jars, been getting lazy about keeping things sealed, which is why they are back, I guess! And we've lost a bag of porridge oats, a bag of flour and one of desiccated coconut. Grrrr...

Nargleblast

Good afternoon NSD gang, I am pleased to report another NSD is in the bag so now that makes 7 NSDs in all!

beanielou

No 12 today.

Butti

Yes haven't been out and loo roll is looking like it is JUST about going to survive for another day SO I'm declaring
NSD no. 3

Thank you very much.

B x

IF

Hello all got my 11th NSDtoday :dance:


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!