The Magnificent May-pole NSD Challenge!

kerri_gt

marmiterulesok wrote: »

I wish I'd watched it now.I really like Graham Norton,but only really know him from Father Ted,which I know was a long time ago.

I'm afraid that Igor took the meaning of punch literally.:(

ps why not get the book second hand?I buy a lot of books off of Amaz-on that cost 1p,barring the postage which hikes the price up of course.

Thanks,it's a great cartoon isn't it?!

I don't normally watch Eurovisiion and only kept it on iPlayer because Graham was making me chuckle. It takes a certain type of humour to make me laugh but he did - I guess he's a little like a gay Ben Elton :rotfl:

Good idea about the book 2nd hand - I wonder if there'll be many copies floating about. Was trying to look at The Works site but it seems to be down (coincides oddly with free delivery ending today - not that I'm cynical )

Well, was out and about today, took some items back for a total of £58, then spent £25-odd back in one of the stores on some picture frames - not keeping them all but need to see what (if any will go) and £18 on a sports bra that might need to also be changed. So technically 'in profit' today but a spend is a spend so no NSD today

Tried to get some whoopsies in Sada today but honestly, couldn't be dealing with the rude (and smelly) people who were hogging everything, one woman had about 8 large packs of burgers and meat that she'd grabbed and wasn't letting go until she could get them restickered at pennies :mad: I did get some sausages at about 1/2 price and decided I couldn't be bothered trying to get them cheaper. Think i'll have to plan just a whoopsie shop in future aside from my main shop.

Sorry....rambling

Oh, and yesterday was NSD #5

supersaver1000

Needed to pick up milk today so got extra mushrooms for the mushroom chasseur and ice cream on offer. Planning that the next week will bring no unplanned spends and I can get past no.1.

beanielou

Not one today as was out for afternoon tea(with vouchers of course!!)

dottysbird

Here to declare NSD #3 for Friday! Yesterday and today have been spendy.... as willbe tomorrow!! Hope you've all had a lush weekend! xx

Saver-upper

Aww,May has been awful for NSD's for me.One day!Just ONE!!Am so disappointed.It is a mix of bills due,school stuff(the circus came to school this week,so that was spendy,school photos,school camp,excursions),needing to do quick top-up shops at local convenience store because car is off the road at the moment,not meal-planning.Arrggghhhh!
Will keep plodding on.I expect that if nothing else,will have to pay for Slimming World tomorrow because I have eaten so much rubbish this week :eek:

marmiterulesok

Saver-upper wrote: »

Aww,May has been awful for NSD's for me.One day!Just ONE!!Am so disappointed.It is a mix of bills due,school stuff(the circus came to school this week,so that was spendy,school photos,school camp,excursions),needing to do quick top-up shops at local convenience store because car is off the road at the moment,not meal-planning.Arrggghhhh!
Will keep plodding on.I expect that if nothing else,will have to pay for Slimming World tomorrow because I have eaten so much rubbish this week :eek:

You know a lot of people have 'money pots' for various things,and for one-off payments don't count it as a spend.The idea is that you put the money aside at the beginning of the month,so the spends are already accounted for.So the extra school stuff doesn't really count IYSWIM?
I personally don't count bills,as they are necessary spends.For me,nsds are all about limiting impulsive buys.
What I don't count as an nsd:
-any bills ie direct debits of any kind,credit card payments,any subscriptions,one-off bills (ie vet,TV license)
-prescriptions
-going swimming.I have an yearly subscription.
-public transport (the bus or tube).I have a yearly travel card.I'm actually thinking of including train journeys now,as these are unavoidable.
-fresh fruit and veg.It used to be just bananas.
-anything needed for TTOTM.

Quite a few of us have grocery budgets (and budgets for lots of other things),meaning that as long as you stay within budget,a spend does not count as a spend,and you still get an nsd.

Some don't count buying milk,bread,petrol etc,as these are essentials.

The great thing is,you make your own rules.

Hope this helps.Sometimes circumstances mean that nsds are few and far between.Don't be too hard on yourself.:)

Have a look at the next post,to give you some more ideas.

marmiterulesok

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 [Weds mornings] in the cracked teapot & Ben's £1 coin for the gym locker [Friday lunch] 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!

marmiterulesok

There are 27 of us



and we have collected



92 nsds!

marmiterulesok

It's Monday already?!

Pippin12

NSD #6 for me today. I've just been listing things on Ebay so hoping for some sales now. I'm having my groceries delivered tomorrow so that's a spendy day. Boo!