Shiny New Year, Shiny New Start. The January NSD Challenge

couldsavemore_2

Another NSD for me so clocked up no. 14 so the total is now


14/24

coolcats

Spend day today, more than ideal as we went to coop not lidi. Lidi is another 10 minutes walk and it wasn't nice out there, started snowing, although not laying. Its also down a big hill that is slippy in places in the rain. And with kids with me would would of had someone fall!

I hate paying 67p for a basic loaf at coop knowing I can get a loaf for 47p. May only be 20p, but thats also another 20p on everything else. As I'd normally buy 2 or 3 at a times it soon adds up. Spent 9.80 in all. At lidi would of still of been 9.80 maybe more, but would have more to show for the money.

Only got the basics and hope to get out again tomorrow or tuedsday as looks like we have snow coming tomorrow.Have enough to last till then or Wednesday if we needed to.

beanielou

NSD no 19 today.

Hope all goes well tomorrow rising.

Safe trip to Scotland tomorrow red.

Good to see you spoony :wave:

katholicos

nsd number 13 today

Hope everyone i staying warm and as well as possible.

Nargleblast

Wildcherry - so glad you feel at home here. There's a mug in the cupboard with your name on, and you are down on the washing up and tea making rota. That means it's your turn now - mine's a coffee, no sugar, and don't offer Freeby one this time - she's in the naughty corner for nicking my NSD!

MummyRivett - yes, meal planning and making shopping lists does work, it's a wonder many of us took so long to realise that!
And once you get into the habit of planning meals and shopping trips, it is not really that much more work than doing things ad hoc, and it is certainly less stressful, knowing you don't have to think about what's for dinner as the next week or two's meals are set out on the list. And if you get to Thursday and find you don't fancy the pork chops on the list for that day, you can always swap it for Saturday's sausages!

lottie3000

I managed Number 7 on Thursday, sorry taken ages to update!!! Haven't managed one since though This week hoping for four and if I do I'll be over my target yay

EverTheOptimist

NSD #11 for me today, so close now. Can't wait to reach my target now.

Out for a coffee with friends this morning but hubby paid.

Then a quiet afternoon due to the weather.

kerri_gt

solventsoon wrote: »

Well done for all those lovely NSDs Helsbels but what a bummer about the heating, it couldn't happen at a worse time:(:( Hope the engineer manages to sort it out for you on Monday x

Keeping fingers crossed for the heating too - I guess there's never a convenient time for it to pack up.

freebyfifty wrote: »

Good Morning

Kerri – You always sound so organised. Well done on claiming back that NSD #9. :T Every one helps.:T[/FONT][/COLOR]

Thanks freeby, my OH calls it something less polite

Excellent news MummyR that DaddyR is well and truly on board :T

snowing here again today, put the salt out the front earlier trying to keep it clear to get the cars out tomorrow.

Had a thoroughly lazy day including a snooze on the sofa this afternoon. Been sorting some stuff in the spare room and trying to find the motivation to put some bits back up in the loft.

Have so far restrained myself from buying the items I had in my Oasi$ basket yesterday - and claiming NSD # 10 today :j:j

As much as I 'enjoy' boot camp, am somewhat hoping she'll call it off again tomorrow - really don't fancy an hour out in the snow :eek: Looks like I need to get some food in tomorrow but hoping to stay in budget - must review my list later :A

ModestyB

NSD 15 today.

Rising, have a good day at work tomorrow. Please take care while travelling.

Red, safe journey to Scotland. Glad to hear your mother is doing so well.

Hugs to all in need of one. Keep warm and safe everyone.

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!