The Remember Remember NSD November 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 thefirst 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!

kitschkitty

NSD 9 today.

The comedy club on Friday was great had a lovely evening out.

Saturday was meant to be a NSD but my mum asked me if I wanted to pop to the shops and I ended up spending a few quid - though at least I walked to save on bus fare!

Sunday too should have been a NSD but hubby ran out of cash (so had I) so I had to use my credit card to buy him them.

Monday I was so close to a NSD but popped in M&S and ended up spending on the CC in there too - still got a lot of bargains like milk for 10p and ready meals for just 80p.

Just realised how quickly November is passing me by, I'd have to have every day in the rest of the month as a NSD to reach my target, ah well, will still be interesting to see how many I manage.

[Deleted User]

Morning,

Am now up to 5 NSD's now, hoping I can go over my target but looking doubtful.

Pmo2
x

freebyfifty

Good Morning

I reached my first target yesterday with NSD #20 so I have increased it up to 25 to keep me on the straight and narrow over the weekend :eek: I have my meal plan and my shopping list done for next week so I'm on track............famous last words



Have a great hump day

freebyfifty

Deleted_User wrote: »

Morning,

Am now up to 5 NSD's now, hoping I can go over my target but looking doubtful.

Pmo2
x

Sorry Purplemum You posted between me updating and actually editing the front page so I have missed you I'll put you on tomorrow - honest

penny73_2

NSD 9 and 10 achieved Monday and Sunday this week!! I've been so busy its scary. Will read the bits I've missed later and feeback

Just realised I've met the target !!! Will increase target to 12 as we only have just over a week left and my xmas shopping is sadly behind :-(

rising_from_the_ashes

Morning all

Feeling good today as updated sig and have now saved £100 by not smoking :j:j:j - on Day 40 so hopefully it should start to get a bit easier now!:o

I know it's early but don't need to buy anything online and won't be going out today so .... No 16 please - phew, glad that's done so I can't be tempted to buy anything now!;)

Have a good day

blindtoast

NSD #11 yesterday. Didn't go climbing in the end as I had to take a pair of trousers back to TK Maxx - so ended up gaining money (tho it was money I spent a week ago).

Today should be one - Weds are good for NSDs as long as I bring lunch to work and stay off internet shopping!!

Loubell83

NSD#8 for yesterday...2 to go!!!

WantToBeSE

NSD #17 and 4-in-a-row

Starting to struggle a bit more now! Woke up this morning with the overwhelming urge to go food shopping (i only need bread, but know i would end up with loads more than that), but reminded myself that i have bread flour in the cupboard, so am off to look for some nice bread recipes.