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

Florida2013

Morning all!

Have we all got that Friday feeling? I certainly have!


I'm at work today but I'm going to dedicate my lunchtime to checking the joint/bills account. I'm either going to have to increase my contribution by £200 or I'll find ways to reduce my outgoings.


I don't exactly enjoy sorting out the banking but I hate the thought slowly slipping into debt so it must be done.


Wishing you all a happy NSD! F x

couldsavemore_2

freebyfifty . thank you all the updates and stats must take you a while

and congrats on your 2000th post

freebyfifty

couldsavemore wrote: »

freebyfifty . thank you all the updates and stats must take you a while

Ach it's not so bad. I have it all on templates and spreadsheets so most of it is done. It is taking a while at the moment because there is so many of us but I really enjoy catching up with everyone and putting in my tuppence worth
I can't think of a better way to spend my spare time

lurvlyloz

yesterday was NSD 2/18 (and hoping for one today as well but wont update until tomorrow

blindtoast

NSD #2 yesterday, hoping for another today - might be going climbing but have bought some cans of drink to take with me and have enough chocolate from xmas to take as a snack so it shouldn't cost anything. Tomorrow will probably be spendy as I'm going to the coffee shop

Redouble

Yesterday was NSD #2

Today is a planned spend day though, have fruit and veg delivery coming, then it's onwards with more house sorting

marmiterulesok

beanielou wrote: »

Hope your back is better soon marmite.
Take care.

Thanks.I can straighten up this morning but it all feels very fragile,as if my back might go again at any minute.:(

moneypenny2k wrote: »

Ouch poor you, some well deserved rest and TLC called for methinks

Thanks that's just what I've got planned!:)

I don't plan on any spending,but will declare later.

Have a great day folks!

solventsoon

Just a little reminder:)

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!

WantToBeSE

Morning all.
Cant believe its morning already, i was still tossing and turning at 2.15am, thinking of ways to 'step up' the job hunting.

Today will be NSD #3 for me, just going to potter about and make sure the kids have finished their homework.
I get my CTC today, so goig to allocate that the the corresponding pots (emergency savings might get some-about time!).

Have a great day everyone

freebyfifty

marmiterulesok wrote: »

I can straighten up this morning but it all feels very fragile,as if my back might go again at any minute.:(

Take it easy marmite and be very gentle with yourself. Hope you feel better soon :A:A