The Spend Free September NSD Challenge

kerri_gt

Hey folks, well Aug really was a washout for me so deep breath, new month and all that. Wow, how is it Sept already, seems only 5mins ago I was taking down the Xmas decs (and no I didn't leave them up until Aug :rotfl:)

Need to pull my socks up this month as dreaded car ins due in Oct and Aug proved much more costly than anticipated. That said, after my specatacular flop in Aug, I'm going to go for 14 NSD - and see if I can get more rather than set a silly target I'll never reach.

solventsoon

miss_t wrote: »

OMG, I have fallen off the wagon big time and need to get back on!

Have had a huge kick up the backside when my OH totalled up the amount I have spent over the last 3 months on treats for my class, end of year gifts for them and stuff for my classroom as well as other completely useless stuff. Am really embarrassed to say it has been a ridiculous amount and it could have brought us a new PC (which we need, but haven't yet brought because we didn't have the money to pay for it outright and we didn't want to use a credit card ).

So could I please rejoin the challenge and start with 10NSD's and a 3 in a row. I know it's a low target, but although I spent, spent, spent, none of it was on stuff I actually needed like clothes for the new year! :mad:

I honestly feel like such an idiot at the moment. I am so angry with myself, that I spent so long clearing my credit cards and paying off my loan, only to go and slip back into old habits again and to top it off, I don't even have anything to show for it!

Am hoping that I can grab as many NSD's as possible, as if I can, I can suprise my OH with the computer we have seen and want, as I will actually have money left (after I have paid my regular bills and put money aside) to be able to afford it! Am just hoping he will be able to forgive me for being such a prat over the past few months!

Hi miss_t
Please try not to beat yourself up about what's happened too much, it's done now and all you can do is try to repair the damage. You're in the right place for lots of support and we'll try to help you along as much as possible.

I'm sure OH will forgive you once you show that you're taking steps to change thing.
Good luck hun
spoon x

freebyfifty wrote: »

Good Morning

Sorry I have been missing for a couple of days :o

The front page and the In-a-Row page have been updated Please, please can everyone check that they are there and that I have got you down correctly. It's my own fault I know but there was so many I'm convinced that i've missed someone


I am going for 20 NSDs and 6 in-a-row. :eek: As long as I don't have any wild urges and stick to my budgets that should be fine


Have a great day

...any wild urges...
Good lord freeby, what are you planning on doing?:rotfl::rotfl:

Thanks for the mega-update of the front page, you're an :A



And before I forget..... could I add myself to the challenge again this month please. I would like to aim for 20 NSDs again please as that appeared to be my lucky number last month:D


A big welcome to all the newbies, you're definitely in the right place, hope you all enjoy the challenge

freebyfifty

solventsoon wrote: »

Hi miss_t


...any wild urges...
Good lord freeby, what are you planning on doing?:rotfl::rotfl:

Thanks for the mega-update of the front page, you're an :A

The less I reveal about my wild urges the better :rotfl::rotfl:


Front page updated again Trying to stay on top of things and not be a bad thread organiser ever again

Welcome to everyone, it's great to see you here and I hope you keep popping in to keep us up to date with your successes

optimistic-mummy

i wont be including debt repayments. but everything else will be included. if thats ok? x

beanielou

No 1 of the month here.

pixiechick99

Hi there,
Bit late joining but can you put me down for 12 NSDs in September please?

I've had a bit of a speedy summer hols, but myself and the teens back to school next week so the spending can stop:D

Thank you:A

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

Afternoon all :hello:

Got my 1st NSD thank you :A

marmiterulesok

Hi everyone and all newbies-and goodness,there are a lot of you!:hello:

Well,feeling slightly more ambitious and would like to up my goal to 20nsds please freeby!

Today is #1 please!

I've had a pretty rubbishy day at work,so I'm very pleased to be off tomorrow.A touch of baking is on the cards methinks!

I have a weekly grocery budget and a monthly budget for just about everything else,so will count spend days as an nsd if I haven't gone over budget.I do count dds and paying bills though,even though these are also budgeted too.

Have a great evening fellow nsders.

rising hope you enjoy your new car!

nat21luv

Love to sign up again if that's alright? Think i might aim high(for me!) and go for 20 NSD