The "Cripes, Christmas is almost here" December NSD thread

Knitting_Nora

Bounding in to mention 2 NSDs!

Technically I've spent, but it's been from money I left aside for this week and had forgotten about (knew I'd be spending on coffees etc).

Seriously, even when I'm planning I apparently need a keeper!!

NSDs #6 and #7 please!

Nora.x

wannabee_in_credit

Today is my 'blow the budget' day. I will report in later because I'm hoping that once I've done this then I'm done for the meantime.

IF

Afternoon all

Frodobaggins

Another big spend day for me today. My car has a fault with the steering so its gone in for repair today. As the MOT and service is almost due its getiing that done as well.

Just had to pay for some accomodation as well for my trip to Australia. Even though I am going mostly to spend time with my Dad, me and OH are having a few weeks travelling around as well.

solventsoon

jintyb wrote: »

Good morning all!
Been MIA for a couple of days, work has been really, really busy, but now I'm off till next Wed.:)
Worked 7.30 till 6 the last two days and I feel really taken advantage of, so after the New Year I will be adopting a different attitude. Trouble is we've got a couple of our team off long-term sick, so we are all having to muck in. However, my team leader forgets that I am only contracted to work three days and I cannot squeeze 5 days work into 3 no matter how much she'd like me to.:mad:
Gosh I feel loads better getting that off my chest!

Today, I am off to Lid£ for one or two things then to W W for the final weigh in before Christmas, eek!
Wont be a NSD today as I am going to get OH's Christmas present and I need stuff out of Boots.
The plus side is that no matter how busy the shops are its infinitely better than being in work ATM!;)

Have a great day everyone!

(((hugs))) jinty, being taken advantage of is horrible, you rant away as much as you like.

Take care
xxx

sirish1979

Hi Very happy to announce my NSD no 10 today :beer::beer:

I will not be increasing my target but I will see how many more NSD's can I get so that I can have a good target next month.

One reason for being successful in meeting my target may be because I am off work until 4th January. I am a part-time Lecturer and school holidays are holidays for me :mad:

Have a Merry Christmas all

:xmastree:

IF

BDINI Up to 13 NSD's thank you x :A

Hiddenidenity

Unexpected NSD number 20 :j:j:j

IF

Big hugs from me too jinty

IF

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!