Marching into March with the NSD Challenge

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!

kerri_gt

freebyfifty wrote: »

Good Morning,

Kerri gt – NSD #13 for you. :j Brilliant. :j Are you running the half marathon?? :eek: 13 miles?? :eek: Ohhhhh I’ve come over all faint just thinking about it. :rotfl:

Ohhh no, nothing as strenuous as that (I can barely run a bath :rotfl:), it's just that a lot of the roads to get into the shopping centre will be closed for the 1/2 marathon tomorrow so it would've been a nightmare getting in. Took items back today, nearly bought 1, well 2 pairs of shoes but resisted (so far) :A Apart from 2 tops from HnM (apparently you can only return internet orders to store for a gift card) all my reutrns have been done and the spare room is now free of random bags - which is nice - all going back on cc as well, which kinda feels like it's being paid off.

Did stop at Ald1 for some more chicken breast (as i don't know when I'll be back over that way) and picked up a couple of bits but that will come out of hh budget. Oh and managed to get petrol (6p per ltr cheaper than petrol station up the road :eek:). Since that doesn't count as a spend, I might actually hit target by the skin of my teeth.

Chilly here today, just been out and mowed the lawn, then hoovered the cars out and gave them a clean inside, they need a darn good wash but might do that tomorrow at the jet wash if I can be' arrised (btw, one of them is OH car, I don't have two myself :rotfl:)

Hope you're all having a lovely Saturday, and who've know Igor could pick handcuff locks - lucky one for SF that - I did ask where he's learned it but when I heard the words Bolivia, police and misunderstanding I said i didn't want to know any more :eek: :rotfl:

beanielou

Sorry about the dog rising.

Unexpected NSD yesterday & one today so 23 & 24 I think.

IF

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Thank you again ..... especially If for the group hug (it made me cry:o).

Anyway, can't see me venturing out anywhere today as not even dressed yet:o and it seems a bit lame but that means I've met my target today which I'd written off reaching this month No 16 please ladies!

Aww bless you, it will take time but you did the right thing xx :A

Well done on 16 nsd's :beer:

Igamogam

Finished |March with the spendyiest of spendy spendy days I have had in a long time. None of it frivolous - just necessities all coming in at once. Will join in for April - have I missed the link for an April thread - cant find my glasses so squiNTING AT EVERYTHING and cat keeps walking across keyboard!

solventsoon

Hi lovely people, I've just been catching up with you all (nosey, me.. never:o) and thought I'd pop in to say hello and mention some of you

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Thanks all for the kind words ... unfortunately on a bit of a downer tonight.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=52149341&postcount=11

rising, I'm so sorry to hear your news, you must be feeling so down now after the excitement of thinking you'd found another four-legged friend. Please don't lose heart hun, there is a dog out there for you and you'll find each other very soon, I'm sure of it.

Big ((((((hugs)))))) winging their way to you now xxx

Keiss_21 wrote: »

Hya folks...the interview went well, it lasted nearly two hours! :eek::eek: He will let me know on Monday whether I have got the job, but he did give me a "staff" discount on some needles I bought...so looking promising!

Fingers crossed Keiss, that sounds right up your street xx

A massive well done to kerri for managing to exist without chocolate for so long and another massive well done to Red for keeping off the red for so long, I'm in awe of you both xx

And a huge well done to all of your for all the NSDs you've nabbed this month, you are all superstars.

Take care everyone and see you soon

spoon xxx

freebyfifty

Good Morning,

The last update for March. Everyone did so well and we should all be giving ourselves a pat on the back, or we could just pinch If’s group hug.


Some brilliant targets hit. BDINI will update the front page with your prize the next time she does an update.

Piquant - An excellent total of 17 NSDs for you. :j:j Well done on smashing your target. :T
Rising - Target reached with NSD #16. :j:j Well done you. I hope you start to feel less down soon. I’m sending you a (((hug)))


Well done to everyone who captured another NSD

Beanielou – You got up to NSD #24. :j That’s fantastic. :T Well done.
If – NSD #16. :j Brilliant. :T Thank you for the group hug.
Purpleorchid – NSD #15 for you. :j Well done that’s a brilliant number to get. :T

And hello to

Allie Ballie Bee – Sorry you missed your target by one, but all NSDs are good NSDs :T
Bottleofred – Liquid gold :eek: It really is just that at the moment. What with the price and everyone filling up their tanks and jerry cans :mad:
Keiss 21 - I’m glad the interview went well. :T Good luck, you’ll have to let us all know when you hear.
Kerri gt – Wasn’t sure if you were declaring an NSD or not – sorry. Sounds like you had a busy day. I had my car washed yesterday by 4 big firemen who were washing cars for charity – ooooooohhhhh it was lovely :rotfl:
Igamogam – Isn’t it strange how everything all seems to come at once. :mad: At least now you know you’re sorted and can get April off to a flying start.


So I finished the month on 2O NSDs (I think). I have had a spendy time just lately so I am heading into April determined not to spend anything for a good long while.

Happy April everyone

marmiterulesok

I got one more yesterday,so that's#16,that's one short of my target.Ah,never mind.I'm happy with that.:)

purpleorchid

morning all

have i missed the new thread for april?

Luv P
x

LittleMissHappy_2

Hi everyone

I made it to NSD 15 :beer:

purpleorchid - there will be an April thread but I don't think it has been set up yet I'm sure BDINI will post a link as soon as it is up and running x


I am going to say 10 NSD's for April please BDINI as the children have 2 weeks off, it's DD's birthday this month and Easter