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

IF

Afternoony all :hello:

Up to 15 NSD's thank you BDINI x :A

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!

bottleofred

Good afternoon folks and a Happy Boxing Day,

Dropping in to report NSDs 18 & 19 for yesterday and today:beer:
I hope everyone has a great Christmas:)

Hiddenidenity

Number 24 today I will make my target I will. Even if it means leaving my purse and cards at home :rotfl:

Frodobaggins

NSD#13 today.

rising_from_the_ashes

Happy Boxing Day everyone ... I'm being very lazy and am not dressed yet:o. I decided to come home last night (think I upset DM though but just couldn't keep the brave face on any longer:(). I was up at my usual 5am:o but went back for a snooze around midday and am just up again.

It's not something I do often but ..... can't face going out today.

On a positive note, I've another 2 NSD to add bringing me to a paltry 9:eek: so don't think target will be met .... (still, we can't manage them every month, or it really wouldn't be a challenge!:))

Jinty (((hugs))) what a stressful day it must've been but glad your Dad's home and on the road to recovery.

solventsoon

Happy Boxing Day everyone

Jinty - that was an eventful Christmas Day, really pleased your dad is on the road to recovery now. Good news that they've finally found what's causing the problem. :T Enjoy your quiet day today, I think you've earned it xx

Frodo - sorry about all the nights but I'm sure you'll all make up for it on New Year's Eve, that's going to be one heck of a party:j:j

If - love the Boxing Day cartoon :T

rising - (((hugs))) hun, you're going through a lot at the moment, look after yourself and, if you need a nap in the middle of the day then go for it. Take care xxx

marmiterulesok

Well,I've reached my target today and I also managed 4-in-a-row.Can I please up it to 17?

I had a quiet Christmas yesterday,we'd already had it earlier on when my family were over,so it felt a bit unreal.
It was tempting to stay in my jammies,but had to as I went for a walk,today as well.:)

jinty hope the tablets start doing their magic for your dad soon.

Happy Boxing Day everyone.

I'm off to choose a film from my 1000-plus dvd collection.:o

Butti

NSD no. 4 please.

Hope you all had a good day yesterday. Didn't manage to finish my brother's pressie for Christmas, going to try and get it done for New Year. Did get his daughter's bag made which was my priority!


B

Learning2Budget

Wahoooo NSD 8 TARGET HITfeeling pleased with myself. Wonder how many more i can get now.x