The "Just Keep Swimming" July NSD Thread

fedupandskint

Sazzie23 wrote: »

Well done Fed-up for having a target & a strategic plan, you will get there - thinking long term how happy you will be when you get back to credit, keep those NSD rolling in.

Thanks sazzie - I can't wait! I've worked out that by November I should be almost there if I stick to my plan. I feel very positive about this having faced up to my current account and there are no surprises going in and out of it.

When I get there I'll look like this and when I maintain it, I'll look like this :cool:

ModestyB

Wednesday was NSD 13. Yesterday was most definitely not one. We went on a coach trip to Llangollen, very nice but too hot for poor DH.
Today looks like it may be another nsd. Watch this space.

Lizzie_Bennet

Well I've managed to bag NSD #6 & NSD#7 this week.

It could've been a three in a row but DD and I ended up at the beach last night and found our way to the arcades..... Those 2p machines are sooo addictive!! Suffice to say the money that should have gone in my savings tin went into the machines. But at least I only spent what was in my purse. And we had a lovely time.

Hopefully a non-spendy day today. My purse is empty and there is plenty of food in the fridge/freezer/cupboards.

Happy Friday Everyone

IF

Hiya all and welcome to July's NSD thread :hello:

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

Afternoon all :hello:

I'm doing the friday wiggle :dance:

Lurkerderp

Hi all! Picked up another one last Sunday to make 6 NSDs and 3-in-a-row :j but unfortunately haven't managed another one since - must try harder!

ModestyB

Love the Wigglers today If, bit too energetic in this heat though.

mismatch

Payday yesterday so big food spending stocking up the cupboards . Diesel for me today and tomorrow will be petrol for the hubby . hoping to make Sunday a NSD

fedupandskint

Hilarious pic today IF that made me giggle!

Happy to report today is NSD 17

beanielou

So NSD no 9 today.