The Love is in the Air February NSD Challenge

fedupandskint

NSD 17 today for me, think that's it as it's car tax day tomorrow

slowlyfading

NSD 15 for me today

kerri_gt

Well not a NSD for me although not toooooo bad.

Took back a set of headphones to S.Direct - only had them 6 weeks and right one stopped working, 'only' cost £2.60-odd but not the point. SA tried to insist I had a gift card which I refused on the grounds the item was faulty, not a simple change of mind. Thankfully manager agreed and showed he how to do it - which I think was the main issue. But they were both very nice and helpful, which makes a change for that chain of stores.

Also picked up DM M'Day card - one I saw when I was out with her on Sun, some tin foil (wild) and (a'hem ) a pack of caramel snickers that called my name.

Oh carp, just remembered it might go downhill this evening, 'need' to order some new skincare (trying a new 'all in one' sensitive one, that it a bit :eek: but I'm trying to tell myself will kinda save me £ as I'll be taking one bottle into the bathroom instead of 3 :rotfl:)

Also need to load up B00ts card for my new makeup (but Nargle told me off for having eyeshadow over 10yrs old :eek::o:eek::o)

kerri_gt

ps meant to say, glad you're feeling better Spoony xx

karenccs67

Not a NSD but I knew it wouldn't be, had to pay for sons diving lessons £44, didn't know Id have to pay £4.80 for certificates and badges on top, because I knew Id have to pay for the lessons I went to Tesco to take advantage of their easter egg offer, buy 2 eggs £1.50 each, get 2 free !

EverTheOptimist

NSD 12 today, I have reached target. :j:j:j

Am aiming for one more tomorrow to get over target.

IF

March's NSD thread - Click here

Hiya my No Spendy chums :hello:
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 we ask you to highlight your number of NSDs in a colour and in bold so that Freeby, Spoon, BDINI and Marmite can see them easily when they whizz through the posts - red would be best but they don't really mind as long as they 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!

katholicos

Exceeded my goal. Today makes nsd number 19 :j

Delilahh

Success for me again today, so now have:

10/11 NSD's

BritAbroad

NSD no. 19 is in!