We Are Decking the Halls with NSDs December Challenge

rising_from_the_ashes

Ahhhh I love this thread too and it really, really does keep me on the straight and narrow - it was one of the 1st ones I started when I joined MSE and I'm pretty sure the only one that's lasted all the way through!:)

I know none of the updaters would ever dream of saying it's a chore as you are all :A but I also know I get frustrated when I see that IF's taken the time to re-post the OP reminding people to post the NSDs in big colourful text and then it doesn't happen ... so it must drive you nuts at times!:o

I have always read the updates - and I mean the comments against everyone's name ... not just mine - as sometimes I've missed something in the thread & it's a great way to catch up .... but I will also admit if the update is huge (as they have been sometimes recently) - I do skip to the one for me only

So .... I guess we need to decide what we & more importantly, the updaters need / want:

• Updates everyday
• Updates once a week
• Updates to the front page only
• Any other suggestions!

The_Dragon

I'll go with the majority but I will say I love seeing how people are doing! (and I try to remember to use colour and re-size my NSDs!)

Speaking of NSDs #16 snaffled today please!

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!

rachyroo1985

NSD 5 for me please. Half way there!!

mummy172

Hi All

Just in from work and out again in a few minutes to school xmas concert but just have time to report NSD's 9 & 10 yesterday and today.

Have a good evening all

lottie3000

NSD # 6 for me today Yay, over half way now

marmiterulesok

I think that today is an nsd,even though I paid some medical bills,as I will be refunded all the money.:)Is that ok?So that's #14 I think.

As for the updates,I am happy to help and don't see it as a chore.This thread certainly motivates me and it's nice to share and encourage with all the nsders.I am guilty sometimes of speedreading though and miss things,then see a comment by someone else and have to go back!:o

kerri_gt

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Kerri well done on sorting out S*ky;) and fantastic news the tooth looks as good as new!

Thanks Rising, I must admit it still feels a little odd - it's almost like having a smooth bit of chewing gum stuck to the bottom of your tooth IYKWIM :rotfl: Also a bit worried about it coming off (which you'd know is daft as it got quite a pull about when the dentist was working on it) but sure i'll get used to it over time.

Fingers crossed Maisie will be home with her mum soon xx

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Ahhhh I love this thread too and it really, really does keep me on the straight and narrow - it was one of the 1st ones I started when I joined MSE and I'm pretty sure the only one that's lasted all the way through!:)

I know none of the updaters would ever dream of saying it's a chore as you are all :A but I also know I get frustrated when I see that IF's taken the time to re-post the OP reminding people to post the NSDs in big colourful text and then it doesn't happen ... so it must drive you nuts at times!:o

I have always read the updates - and I mean the comments against everyone's name ... not just mine - as sometimes I've missed something in the thread & it's a great way to catch up .... but I will also admit if the update is huge (as they have been sometimes recently) - I do skip to the one for me only

So .... I guess we need to decide what we & more importantly, the updaters need / want:

• Updates everyday
• Updates once a week
• Updates to the front page only
• Any other suggestions!

I can only echo what Rising says about the thread and not wanting to lose it - although I've not been on here as much as sometimes of late, it does (partly) keep me on the straight and narrow, and I'd miss you guys too xx

TBH, I love the updates - but am quite happy to keep my own NSD tally, still declare on here but if it's a pain / chore / time issue for those wonderful folks who do the updates and look after the front page, then I'm ok if keeping track is kept as a personal task (e.g in sigs or something) and we can still continue to chat / support / share on the thread like now.

Oh, on the subject of NSD... 8 & 9 in the bag :j Been in meetings at work so dinner / lunch paid for, and got the trimmings for xmas dinner tonight, which my lovely DM bought (bless her :kisses3:)

Gotta run - washing to get out the machine xx

tomandjerry

13 NSDs so far :j...went to town today and used my vouchers and the bus ticket was already paid for... good times:j...

kururunfa

Today was NSD 6 for me.

Sorry to not check in to the thread for a few days. Pretty much as soon as my husband recovered from the winter vomiting bug, I caught it, so I've been in bed most of the week I hope everyone else is doing better!