The Marvellous May NSD Challenge

emslovesmickey

As predicted, not an NSD yesterday. Spent 4.50 on a return bus to Truro, which was late:mad:, meaning i missed the first bus to Bristol. As i had to get the second train, there was a half hour wait in Exeter for a connecting train. Ended up having to sit on the floor. Got to Bristol and had to get a taxi to my destination or i wouldn't have got there in time (£4). Got a train back but had to wait half an hour in Truro for the bus, so had a Burger King 3.99. Bus was supposed to be at 8.41 but when i went to get on he said he wasn't going to Newquay, even though the timetable said so, and it said on his bus!:mad: So waited for the 9.15. Eventually home at half ten! Over ten hours travelling, 2 buses, 3 trains and 2 taxis (didn't pay for the last 2 taxis or the train) for a 2 and a half hour course!:eek:

On the bright side i will get money back for the taxi and the bus, and when i got home i treated myself to those sleep rollers (16.44).

Glad i am off work today:)

emslovesmickey

Not an NSD for me today either and a lesson learned for not internet shopping when you are tired! Wanted to get some Origin facemasks so went on Boots and it was only when i had got the confirmation that i realised i ordered the wrong thing! So put another order through - both for over £40 but i will get free gifts with each so thats one thing at least. First toiletries i have really bought this year as well.

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!

IF

Morning all :hello:

freeby and LMH got my 12th NSD thank you both xx:A:A

The_Dragon

Clocking in with NSD 11 please :j, and can I up my target to 15? oh and I did get my 5 in a row :j:j:j:j:j

jaffacakegal

Hey all,

Now I know I am on at least 11 NSDs, so I think that I will claim that for now

Life is very hectic at the mo, working 6 days a week, college 2 nights a week, band 2 nights a week, a report for college and 3 exams to revise for. Oh and some charity accounts to be done by end of June :eek:

Feel a bit sick just thinking about it roll on July!!

JCG x

ladymay

NSD on Sunday takes me up to 8

No NSD yesterday, went out for pizza - 2 for £12, mind

LittleMissHappy_2

jaffacakegal wrote: »

Hey all,

Now I know I am on at least 11 NSDs, so I think that I will claim that for now

Life is very hectic at the mo, working 6 days a week, college 2 nights a week, band 2 nights a week, a report for college and 3 exams to revise for. Oh and some charity accounts to be done by end of June :eek:

Feel a bit sick just thinking about it roll on July!!

JCG x

I was feeling a bit sorry for myself having one exam to revise for but three :eek::eek::eek: I take my hat off to you and will try not to moan anymore :D:cool::rotfl:

kerri_gt

Drum roll for NSD #12 :j wow, don't think i've got this far so 'early' in the month for ages. Boot camp deff keeping me out of the shops :A speaking of which boxing today which I really enjoyed in the lovely weather, oh and the small matter of a total of 182 sit ups and 182 squats :eek: if I haven't lost at least a mm on the Fri measure up I'll be asking for a refund

Prob not a NSD tomorrow - seem to be in need of some random items, am gonna have to write myself some lists I think and get my brain organised.

sistafromanothermista

Had my first ever NSD today
Very proud of myself as i don't think i've ever had one :eek:

Here's to many more :beer: