The “how many paydays ‘til Xmas” November NSD challenge

kerri_gt

HELP! SOS! I have misplaced my shopping mojo - has anyone seen it? :eek::D I don't know what's up with me this week, but for some reason after my few essentials on Monday (ok so it's only Wed) I have ZERO inclination to open my purse :eek: Nothing on Black Friday taking my fancy at all, popped into town at lunchtime and even had a mooch round Mr S but restrained myself from spending anything. so NSD # 11 for me :j

My (ehem rather expensive ) shampoo and conditioner did arrive today (already counted as a spend on Sat) so looking forward to trying that tomorrow. Also decided a shrug i bought for our xmas do next week is going back, it's gold but a black cardi I have will suffice perfectly well and it's £18 I don't need to spend :A

Not sure what tomorrow will bring as I might have a quick bargain hunt in Mr T if I have time ...

oh, in fact, today should be a profit day as I have two items ending on fleabay

IF

solventsoon wrote: »

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!

rising_from_the_ashes

Hi everyone, have fallen way behind on the thread (and many others I follow ) so apologies for anything I've missed and (((hugs))) for those who need them.

I'm bowing out for the rest of the month but will try to read when I can ..... mind's on other things atm and just can't seem to get it together.

On a positive note, I am still keeping track in my spending diary and have managed another couple NSDs so hopefully will be pretty close to target.

Today most certainly wasn't - had a shock to the system as had to fill Teeny up with fuel for the 1st time since ....... 12th September!:eek: (she was very thirsty;))

Other spends today were:

• a portable radio for winter emergencies that I've been meaning & forgetting to buy for around 3 months:o - but not a bad price @ £8.97
• a few groceries (shopped without a list:( as only went in for milk......) ended up with the milk and the coffee I love but refuse to buy @ full price (£6.40ish:eek:) on BOGOF, tubs of hot chocolate also BOGOF and some lovely scented candles £4 each (which I'd never pay) but were BOG2F.

Anyway, nearly £100 poorer tonight :eek:.....




I will try to catch up:o on everyone's news.

Nargleblast

10 luvverly NSDs now!

Limping on bravely to payday (after the weekend) - fortunately it will be a good one this month, so I will be able to get some stuff in for the C festival (refuse to say the word until December) and get the last of the prezzies for DS and OH.

CW - Johnny English is a funny film about a gormless secret agent. Well, I found it very watchable and amusing anyway! If you can get hold of it to watch it do so.

Jinty - your workplace - what a bunch of scheissters! I would suggest from now on you only do what you are contracted to do, no overtime unless it suits you, no favours or taking on extra stuff. And if any more nonsense occurs, any little games or taking the p.... start looking around discreetly at other possibilites workwise. A reputable and professional employer/company would not treat its staff like that.

bottleofred

kerri_gt wrote: »

HELP! SOS! I have misplaced my shopping mojo - has anyone seen it? :eek::D I don't know what's up with me this week, but for some reason after my few essentials on Monday (ok so it's only Wed) I have ZERO inclination to open my purse :eek: Nothing on Black Friday taking my fancy at all, popped into town at lunchtime and even had a mooch round Mr S but restrained myself from spending anything. so NSD # 11 for me :j

My (ehem rather expensive ) shampoo and conditioner did arrive today (already counted as a spend on Sat) so looking forward to trying that tomorrow. Also decided a shrug i bought for our xmas do next week is going back, it's gold but a black cardi I have will suffice perfectly well and it's £18 I don't need to spend :A

Not sure what tomorrow will bring as I might have a quick bargain hunt in Mr T if I have time ...

oh, in fact, today should be a profit day as I have two items ending on fleabay

That means they've finally got to you too Kerri and you now think before spending (either that or you're having an off week!):D

NSD18 for me today please:)

slowlyfading

NSD 16 for me today.

Feeling down today

kerri_gt

bottleofred wrote: »

That means they've finally got to you too Kerri and you now think before spending (either that or you're having an off week!):D

NSD18 for me today please:)

:rotfl::rotfl:to be fair I'm usually quite good about thinking about my spending, and usually (if its anything significant) will look online for price comparisons first, actually I tend to do that with most things, even groceries if I'm gonna be hitting Mr T and Mr A. For the past couple of days though I just can't be 'arrised with it all. I think I might have reached my xmas peak a little early

butdoineedit?

Well it’s been a chilly one today, but all the NSD’s we’ve been collecting have warmed the cockles of my heart!!

Lots of NSDs rolling in today, so well done to:

flying_fresian – well done for number 9!! :j:j:j
Hope cat #2 is doing ok? Massive well done for your weight loss, it’s fantastic!!

mf0u1098 – well done for number 10, keep going you can do it!! :j:j:j

fedupandskint – well done for number 7, & woo hoo to the weight loss!! :j:j:j

kerri gt – well done for number 10!! :j:j:j
Try not to stress too much about what you’ve not done for xmas, there’s still time, & knowing you, you’re mojo will be back before you know it!!

pipersky – well done for number 9 & resisting the toy sale!! :j:j:j
Hope you are feeling a bit better today?

SillyBlondie – well done for 13 & 14, you’re doing great!! :j:j:j

chris81418 – well done for number 15, not many to go now till you hit target!! :j:j:j

lotti379 – well done for number 10!! :j:j:j
You’ve had a very restrained spending week, if you keep that up, you’ll have your holiday money in no time!! Good luck with the job apps!

Keiss 21 – well done for number 13!! :j:j:j
Thanks for the recommendation for the Hugh F-W book, I’m always running out of ideas to cook for my veggie friend, so I’ll be checking that one out.

jaffacakegal – well done for number 12!! :j:j:j
Did you find a nice outfit?

donna dynamo – well done for number 9!! :j:j:j
:mad: to your computer, I hope you get it sorted soon!

Frodobaggins – woo hoo!! Well done for number 13 & 4 in a row!! :j:j:j

Nargleblast – Great to see you Nargle & well done for number 10!! :j:j:j

bottleofred – well done for number 18, you’re doing great!! :j:j:j

slowlyfading – well done for number 16!! :j:j:j
Hope you’re ok SF?

And hello to:

fedupandskint – wow, you’ve done great with your weight loss, I’m sure the last 2lbs will be gone before long!!

his missus – well done for being so organized for xmas!!

beanielou – another great weight loss, well done Beanie!!

LittleMissHappy – more ((((((((((((((((((big hugs)))))))))))))), I do hope you feel better soon x

suzitiger – wow the sewing social sounds like fun, hope you have a great time!

wannabehermit – great news about DH’s wages, keep going with the NSD’s, there’s still time!

LondonGirl252 – darn to the mini supermarket being rubbish, but I hope you had a good tea with your friend?

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver – your dryer sounds fab!!

rising from the ashes – ((((((((((((((((((big hugs)))))))))))))))) hun, hang in there, you’ve had a hell of a month, & any time you want to chat, we’re all here!!


& number 16 for me please, far too cold to be messing about with anything after work, so straight home & into my pj’s with a cuppa!! :coffee:

Learning2Budget

NSD 7 i think??? Will have to look at my signature lol.x

Learning2Budget

Really pleased now cos I'm actually on NSD 8 Bonus!!!x