Jump into January NSD Challenge

Munchin

Hi all

NSD no 2 yesterday:)

MissE001

Hi lovely NSD gang:A
As you can see there is lots of activity on this challenge at the moment and it can be 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 we can see them easily when we whizz through the posts - red would be best but we don't really mind as long as we 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 & nargle 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!

MissE001

Wow, this thread is moving fast just now :eek:


Thanks for the update ETO – and I have to confess to missing your NSD#1 declaration….all updated now though and good luck with the next one

Jojitsui – welcome aboard and well done on getting the first 2 done :j Remember to keep popping back with your updates

Your poor children saver-upper – although if they forgot about that and the hot chocolate by the time they got home, they’re clearly not too traumatised by mummy’s NSD ways :rotfl::rotfl:

Big hugs to you BigMummaF – hope the bleurgh has disappeared now (because the group hug smiley just looks a bit too iffy )


[FONT=&quot]Not sure if I'll add to my NSDs today.....I'm supposed to be going out for lunch with DM and sisters so I'll pop back later to declare (I hope) :money:

PS - has anyone "seen" beanie?
[/FONT]

jaxsmar

2 NSD's BAGGED!

marmiterulesok

Blimey,6 pages already,and it's only the 3rd!January is such a tricky month for so many.Good luck everyone!


I promise to try and be more present in posting and supporting all you lovely nsders,and btw,Happy New Year to you all!


Ok,I'm game for 17 please,and 4-in-a-row .


The 1st was #1.Hoping to nab one today.

mavvysmum

NSD no. 2 for me yesterday, might manage another one today :j

scotsgal1

Can I join please?
Ill aim for 15 NSD :j

slowlyfading

NSD 3 for me today

mooomin

NSD #1 today

fedupandskint

NSD 3

Left my purse at home today to not be tempted as no pennies spare to spend!