The Lets Make It Awesome April NSD Thread

fedupandskint

armchairexpert wrote: »

Fedupandskint, that's brilliant about the credit card. That must feel fantastic. Have you cut it up ceremoniously?

Thanks, it certainly does feel fantastic, can't wait for the next one to go!

The card is being cut up today into a zillion little pieces and then disposed off

Today should be an easy NSD will be back later to update - happy NSDing everyone!

IF

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, Marmite, Cheryl and Sazzie 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!

IF

Morning all :hello:

I have my 6th NSD

Thank you Freeby, Spoon, Marmite, Cheryl and Sazzie
IF…x

ModestyB

Many Happy Returns of the Day Nargle. Have a fab time.
:bdaycake::bdaycake::bdaycake::bdaycake::bdaycake::bdaycake:

Giggles86

I've been away for a week and it's been a bit spendy. Only managed 2 NSDs while I was away and didn't spend yesterday as I didn't leave the house. So that takes me up to 4 NSDs Should go some way to making up for paying off half my holiday on Monday! Hoping today will be NSD 5 but not going to declare it yet just in case...I'll be back later!

ModestyB

I'm glad I've brought back some good memories with my favourite music. It's good to know there are other fans on here. :T:T:T:dance::dance::dance:

HeadAboveWater

solventsoon wrote: »

HAW - a big woohoooooooooo and a few :j:j:j for a brilliant NSD no 2, you did it!! Onwards and upwards now that you’ve finally got those pesky NSDs in order:T:T

Thanks for the update spoon and encouraging words for everyone :D

Think I'll try for another one today, although tis very possible that OH will spring a 'gone stop off and get...' text/call on me before the day is out

Will update later!!

fedupandskint wrote: »

The card is being cut up today into a zillion little pieces and then disposed off!

Happy chopping!! :D:D

zenshi

Having only just realised the severity of my debts and sorting them out, I wanted to join in but had absolutely no idea of my spending habits. So I started the spending diary and will join in properly next month but it shocked me to see, in a nice way, that so far this month I have already had 3NSD in a row. Only spent on 4 days out of 10 so that's over 50% success!

IF

Happy Birthday Nargle :beer:

fedupandskint

Credit card chopped up and GONE!

NSD 8 for me today