Go TEAM GB July NSD Challenge

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!

butdoineedit?

Lots of NSDs rolling in today, so well done to:

Redouble – well done for 5 & 6 & for 4 in a row, you’re doing great!! :j:j

solventsoon – well done for number 9, you should be chuffed, you’re off to a cracking start!! :j:j

Frodobaggins – well done for number 7, you’re doing great!! :j:j

Fae – well done for number 5, good luck for tomorrow!! :j:j

ifwisheswerehorses... – well done for number 6!! Love that picture too!! :j:j

jaffacakegal – well done for number 4, keep going, you can do it!! :j:j

poohbear59 – well done for number 2 & resisting temptation!! :j:j

Hiddenidenity – hope you are feeling better soon, but well done for number 4!! :j:j

marmiterulesok – well done for number 7!! :j:j
Totally agree about the packed lunch, I love the feeling that comes from knowing a whole weeks lunches are sorted & ready to grab!!

Pips Mum – well done for number 3, sorry to hear about the microwave, but well done for resisting the temptation to rush out in a panic to replace it!! :j:j

kerri gt – snap, same bizarre weather here, well done for number 5 & good luck with the cushions!! :j:j

slowlyfading – well done for number 4, keep going, you can do it!! :j:j

And hello to:

LondonGirl252 – ooh sounds like the date went well if you are seeing him again, do share all the details….

emslovesmickey – Woo hoo to your ebay bargain!!

beanielou – Oh no Beanie, sorry to hear about your tyre (((((((hugs))))))))

Sorry i've been awol, another busy weekend at my dad's followed by 2 very busy days at work, but the good thing is all the busyness has netted me another 3 NSD's taking me up to 7 :j:j

Frodobaggins

NSD#8 for yesterday.

donna_dynamo

Hi all another two nsd's that makes 7 NSD's. Not a work today as DD2 is poorly with asthma. GOing to look at all the junk in my room this afternoon and try and get rid of some or try and sell it.

ModestyB

Declaring NSD's 3 & 4 for Sat and Sun. None since unfortunately.
I had to laugh on the way to the Dr's the other day, passed a posh car with the numberplate 4 NSD. I bet they wouldn't have many nsd's with a monster like that to feed with liquid gold. :rotfl:

Hope everyone is keeping well.

Hugs to all who need one.

LittleMissHappy_2

Another spend day for me - will I ever learn? I might just put money in a pot for my trip next week and if I only spend that every day will be an NSD - apparently it's the only way I can do it

slowlyfading

NSD 5 for me today

marmiterulesok

A small spend day for me today,but hopefully set up now to get another 4 in a row!

I've bought a new washing liquid that is half the price of the one I tend to buy,so hope it does the job.As a treat I bought some organic dried apricots-they're so yummy.:D

rising_from_the_ashes

ifwisheswerehorses... wrote: »

Think I need an ark for my garden :eek::rotfl:

No 4 today .....

butdoineedit?

Sorry tonight's update is so early, but i'm full of cold & really need an early night, so just a quick catch up before i head to bed

Lots of NSDs rolling in today, so well done to:

Frodobaggins – well done for number 8, you‘re doing great!! :j:j

donna dynamo – well done for number 7!! :j:j
Hope DD is feeling better soon.

ModestyB – well done for numbers 3 & 4!! :j:j
Lol to that number plate, bet all the gas guzzling is why they only get 4 NSD’s!! :rotfl:

slowlyfading – well done for number 5, you’re doing great!! :j:j

rising from the ashes – well done for number 4, & I’m with you on the need for an ark!! :j:j

And hello to:

LittleMissHappy – don’t give up hope hun, you know you can do it!!

marmiterulesok – good luck with 4 in a row, fingers crossed!!