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

Karb

Up to NSD #11 now. Hoping for #12 today, as I don't have anything that I'm so desperately in need of that it can't wait for tomorrow

armchairexpert

NSD13! This might just be the month I do this!

IF

February's NSD thread - Click here

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!

IF

freebyfifty wrote: »

If - I already have you down for NSD #15???? Do you mean 16??? Or have I made a mistake (which is probable )

Love the picture, I feel like that and I haven't even got to work yet :rotfl:

Oops you are right it was me, thanks Freeby :o

I claim my 16th NSD :beer:

emslovesmickey

Yesterday was NSD 21 and, as i'm currently ill in bed, today will be NSD 22 so 3rd target reached.

lurvlyloz

this weekend was 12 & 13/18 for me

chris81418

Good morning everyone! :wave:

solventsoon wrote: »

:j:j:jchris - yay to a brilliant trio of NSD nos 17, 18 and 19 and your target being met, that’s fantastic!! :j:j:j
Freeby will award your prize tomorrow morning and increase your target to 21, good luck with getting there, you can do it
I’m glad you’re indulging in the odd treat here and there, it makes being DF worthwhile

Thanks Spoon! And a flying visit from me to report that, I caught NSD number 20 yesterday, so I'm on my way to reaching my target! :j

Have a good week everyone!

BigMummaF

ifwisheswerehorses... wrote: »

....

Blummin' Papps ..they always wait till you're 'inconvenienced' & then photograph your least flattering 'assets'...
Might as well tell you now; I was going to suffer in silence as it was research vital for the good of the Group, & a mission fearlessly accepted as you know I don't like to [STRIKE]brag gloat[/STRIKE] be the centre of attention :whistle: Took it upon myself to personally taste all types of scotch to find the best ones for Friday night & even some new blends in the process; gosh, had I known how many whiskies there are *sarcasm* I would have started a long time ago. So..if I haven't missed it, I've narrowed it down to 23 & if I have been nonononononononnoNO..I've been delirious withwithwith fever yes! That's it..poorly thru illness ( ..good save BM; no-one'll notice) I've been with a virus (nuvva good one! I'm on a roll :T )

Either way, I'm up to 23 nsds, up to & including yesterday :rotfl:

Sazdaz

NSD 12 yesterday for me, think I am going to finish the month a bit short.

HeadAboveWater

Happy Monday all

Sunday was NSD so 12/12 :j:j

Dare I up my target or not?! I know today won't be one but I guess there's no reason why I shouldn't at least aim for another....... 2?? :eek::D