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

Igamogam

1NSD - I might just make my target!

Ditto re the whole charity thing - when I am approached then I just politely tell them I only support 3 charities ( which is true ) and name them. There is not a lot more they can do then

rising_from_the_ashes

*staggers in, with box of tissues in hand*

Hello all... well, still have the Lurgi:(, was up at 5 but retired back to bed and now up for the 2nd attempt!

Thought I was maybe a bit better until I looked in the mirror!:eek: My face is the same colour as the white splodges on my pjs:o.

Really wanted to try to go shopping today (or they'll be no tables left!) ..... but don't think a 50 mile round trip in "my condition" would be advisable!:)

Wondering if tomorrow will be any better as I could do a "reserve" on it:think: mmmmmmm - does anyone know what happens if you don't get to collect them - do they just go back into stocks?

It feels a bit odd to say it .... but I've got the Lurgi to thank for reaching target .... No 12 in the bag!:)

Hope you're all enjoying yourselves!:)

*sneeze, cough, cough, sneeze, sneeze*

IF

Afternoon all :hello:

BDINI got my 16th NSD thank you x :A

ModestyB

Rising, hope you get rid of that lurgi soon, sounds an awful visitor to have.

NSD No.13 for me today, I'm really pleased as I didn't think I'd manage the 10.

Be Well one and all.

mooomin

I'm a Spendy Fresian today, but we really needed to get some food in the house

I'm still a bit lurgied, but feeling a lot better, so was very proud of myself for going to Aldi once I got back from the local shopping centre - that way I can try for a NSD tomorrow

Rising - where are you getting your table from?

rising_from_the_ashes

flying_fresian wrote: »

Rising - where are you getting your table from?

I was hoping Dunelm but it's a bit of a "funny" coloured wood and I'd really need to see it before buying - I've already got a multitude of different coloured furniture in here (just realised it's all either been passed down or from Freecycle:o) so not sure if it adding another may be too much!

Failing that Argos have one which I think would be OK - but it's more expensive!

Dunelm would also be better as it's built - I'm not the best at putting things together!:)

kerri_gt

solventsoon wrote: »

Kerri - hope you get some bargains tomorrow and manage to stick to your budget:D
And, yes, I would definitely try to clean up the bin and flog it.


spoon xx

errrm.....cough cough....well I was pretty close to my budget couple of bits to prob go back, a lovely coat from Fatface for £60 (from £95) and a rather costly cardi (not in the sale) from Hollister which nearly gave me heart palpitations when I bought it (actually thought it was 20% off everything but apparently not ) I have 1 item on my wish list still, but I did try on a dress I have been coverting for weeks, was £42 and looked really frumpy on, would have had to pay to have it shortened and it wasn't worth that, so kinda saved money there ....ish....:o

jintyb wrote: »

Ooh! Luvverly! They look so cosy!


That's great news about the bin - glad to have been of service ma'am! Course you can flog the other bin - worth a try I'd say!
What footy was that then? Was there a game on last night? :rotfl:

Your OH would be pleased - mine rather "blue" unsurprisingly!;)

Thanks Jinty, I feel I owe you a cut of the proceeds if I manage to flog the old one

Yes, OH a very happy bunny, comiserations to your OH I didn't know the first game between the two of them (teams, not our OH's :rotfl:) was a friendly :rotfl:

Hiddenidenity

Number 27 for me x

IF

Evening all, sending a big group to all

If...x

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!