Springing Into the April NSD Challenge

kerri_gt

Freeby - if you want any coupon advise, just pm me x Sorry I can't assist in the running of the thread next month but things are so busy atm I'm not sure I could be relied upon and I'd hate to let you down

Right, I have a bit of a quandry today. I spent, but I bought stamps (2 x books of 2nd class) before the prices go up tomorrow. I'm tempted not to decare it as a spend as I'll at least be using the stamps at xmas and it would've been false economy to leave the purchase. Also, I'm debating whether this comes from my own personal pot, of the household account as it is kind of a household expense given we both use the stamps and xmas cards come from both of us - any thoughts?

beanielou

Freeby~Cant offer to help either~sorry.

suzitiger

*sneaks in shamefully* errr...I have got my first NSD of the month, but I haven't got enough days to make my target awwww shucks, i knew this would happen, hemce extremly low target. Its because I've had to travel so much for work this month. I promise to do better next month

mooomin

Today was NSD #14 as I haven't left the house All I've been doing all day is watching telly and making cards (pics on my blog) so it's been a lovely relaxed day

freebyfifty

Good Morning,

It’s the end of the month and loads of targets have been smashed but there is still one more day to get that last one.

Well done to everyone this month, we are all quite brilliant.:j


Well done to everyone who captured another NSD

Beanielou – NSD #22. :j That’s a brilliant number. :T Well done.

Donna dynamo – You did it.:T NSD#16 and target smashed. :j Well blimmin’ done.

Flying – Well done for NSDs #13 & 14. :j:j You are brilliant. :A

Lamarsi – A brilliant NSD #16 captured by you. :j Well done, you have done so well this month. :T

Marmiterulesok – NSD #14 and target met. :T:T That is brilliant. :j Well done you – see you in May.

ModestyB – Well done on capturing NSD #10. :j:j Great job. :T

RhiBi – Two brilliant NSDs for you and up to NSD #10. :j Well done. :T

SillyBlondie – Woo Hoo,:j you reached your target of NSD #18. :T How fantastic is that, well done. :T

Stripeyjumpergirl – NSD #16 safely bagged. :T You have done so well this month. :j

Suzitiger – NSD #1 :j and that is a lot better than none at all. Come and join the May thread and stay aware of your spending, that’s the main thing.

freebyfifty

Good Morning


Just flying in and out this morning.

Front page is all up to date - it looks brilliant :j and to declare NSD #24 for me yesterday

I hope everyone has a brilliant Monday and captures that last NSD for April

bottleofred

Good morning folks,

I hope everyone had a good weekend and also has a good Monday. I'm off this week and am away until Thursday after today. Declaring NSD20 for yesterday:beer:
Today definitely won't be an NSD, as I'm going to get my haircut later:D

LittleMissHappy_2

Just flying in to say 2 more over the week-end so up to 19 NSD's Fingers crossed today is one - should have been going to a boxercise class today but DH has taken my car to work today so can't get there (unless one of my friends offers me lift which is a possibility)

Thanks to everyone who offered to help with the thread :grouphug:

ETA - definitely not an NSD as I broke the weight barrier I was at so treated myself to a new set of scales (normally use the wii fit which is a lot of a faff, this way I can weigh myself as part of my morning routine)

The_Dragon

I finally got 14 but no 5 in a row - must do better next month!

IF

Mays NSD thread - Click here

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!