Springing Into the April NSD Challenge

LittleMissHappy_2

:wave: Hi everyone

Haven't been around this weekend as it was my DD's birthday and we spent all weekend doing fun stuff with her So Saturday was spendy but I managed not to open my purse on Sunday (Sunday was her actual birthday and we had loads of family over so I was too busy making food and socialising!)

Anyway, the point is I got NSD 11 yesterday. I was hoping that today would be an NSD but just remembered I need to give my littlies their pocket money :cool: There is always tomorrow See you all later for the update x

RhiBi

Signing in to declare that yesterday was NSD 7 for me!

Doubt I'll get one today, or tomorrow,but hopefully Wednesday will see me bagging number 8!

brizzledfw

Hi everyone

NSD No. 6 bagged yesterday!

Thanks

IF

freebyfifty wrote: »

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!

ModestyB

Hi, just declaring NSD 6 for yesterday. I'll post later if today manages to be one.
Happy today, theatre tickets for Murder on the Nile came, that will be special as it's actually on my birthday. Also had new e-reader come, I bought a Binat*ne instead of a K1ndle, it was only £30 and has everything with it, even the case. Just charging the battery now.
Get well soon Keiss.
Hope your on the mend Beanie.
Hugs to all who need one.

donna_dynamo

Hi NSD 7 yesterday and clocked up NSD 8 today. Spent most of yesterday in bed felt terrible with a temperature. Feel much better today on the temperature front but i have pulled a muscle in my side and i can't go to zumba. Was really looking forward to going as well. Oh well hopefully it is better for next week.

Wellyboots6

NSD 10 for yesterday despite going to the pictures as I was late and so OH had already bought cinema tickets, and I took some munchies from home smuggled in my handbag

Spendy day today due to dog absolutely having to have his favourite treats!

stripeyjumpergirl

Hi, after a spendy Saturday I got NSD 8 yesterday and NSD 9 today.

slowlyfading

NSD 9 for me today please

rising_from_the_ashes

freebyfifty wrote: »

Rising – Well done on NSD #4. :T They’ll come rolling in now,

Ohhhhh I do hope so!:D

No 5 today .....:T

ETA: Changing ISP tomorrow (dreading it as not very technically minded!:eek:) - so if I disappear for a few days, it's 'cos I've not been able to figure out how to change the set up on the router:o but I'm saving a fair bit by doing it so ..... :money: