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

Butti

NSD no. 6 for me today please.

Have too much month for the NSDs though. Will give it a shot!

B

rising_from_the_ashes

Spoon thank you - you've made me blush:o


Londongirl .... I'm intrigued - what is your NSD Pot?

toottifrootti

managed an unexpected NSD today so that takes my tally to 19

beanielou

BDNDI~Can I please increase my target to 21? Ta.
Want to grab that cute wee snowman

Today was 19

Frodobaggins

NSD#15 for today.

jintyb

Better late than never!

Back to work today, had a word with supervisor and got the air cleared. Feel better now!
Busy, but steady today - the next two days have the potential to be totally manic as we approach the last days of the (our financial) year.:eek:

Clocked up #14 today, as predicted had a wee spend yesterday. Bought fabby, cosy slippers ( I luvs slippers, I do) and stocked up my freezer at Co5tco.
Off to watch Great Expectations! See you tomorrow!:)

beanielou

Good news on work chat & the fab new slippers :j

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bedroom-Athletics-Macgraw-Fleece-Slipper/dp/B005RQZL1K/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1325106673&sr=8-18

In navy/lilac.

Got these for Chrimbo

mooomin

NSD #11 thanks to my sodding sinus ouchiness. Even the internet hasn't tempted me (Mainly as my craft supplier of choice only does free delivery when you spend £40, the gits!)

butdoineedit?

Well despite those post xmas sales we're still doing fab!!!!

Targets met today:

Cherryjack – well done for number 13 & exceeding your target!! :j:j

muffin man 7 – well done for number 18 & beating your target!! :j:j
Glad you had a good xmas!

jaffacakegal – well done for number 12 & hitting target!! :j:j

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


kerri gt – well done for number 8!! :j:j
I reckon OH is right, you are always on the go, so this sleep is just what you need… enjoy it!!

Butti – well done for number 5 & 6, keep going, you can do it!! :j:j

Keiss 21 – well done for 15 & great to see you back!! :j:j

zafiro1984 – well done for 15, you’ve had a great month!! :j:j

greenanne – well done for number 9, only one more to go!! :j:j

chris81418 – well done for 22, you’ll have that 2nd prize in no time!! :j:j

freebyfifty – well done for 15, you’re doing great!! :j:j

Igamogam - well done for 8, you’re doing great!! :j:j

recurrent-ostrich - well done for number 9, only one more to go!!:j:j

LondonGirl252 - well done for number 7, keep going, you can do it!! :j:j

donna dynamo - well done for 13, you’re doing great!! :j:j

Hiddenidenity – well done for number 26, that’s an amazing total!! :j:j

fedupandskint – well done for number 13, keep going, you can do it!! :j:j

rising from the ashes – Well done for number 11!!! :j:j
((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))) hope you feel better soon x

marmiterulesok – well done for number 15 & woo hoo to finding hidden money!! :j:j

toottifrootti - well done for 19, you’re doing great!! :j:j

beanielou – well done for number 19!! :j:j
Of course you can increase your target, I’ve done it for you now.

Frodobaggins - well done for 19, you’re doing great!! :j:j

jintyb – well done for number 14!!! :j:j
Fantastic news that you had a chat with your supervisor, go you!!! :j:j

flying_fresian – well done for number 11!! :j:j
(((((((((((big hugs)))))))))) hope you feel better soon x

And hello to:

bottleofred – very windy here too, I thought I was going to blow away when I went out earlier!!

wannabee_in_credit – don’t give up yet, you can still catch more NSD’s!!

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!