The Super September 'Back to School' NSD Challenge!

marmiterulesok

t2rry wrote: »

Christmas stuff is in John Lewis, that's all I need! (I am happily ignoring the fact that I have enough lovely decorations to make the house look lovely and this is a site for saving money and shifting debt - I can forego new clothes, furniture and food...I cannot forego new christmas decorations!!)

Do you have a budget?Why not budget for it throughout the year?£5 put aside every month equals £60.That could buy quite a lot surely,and you might feel that your purchases are better justified.
Oh,and still be able to eat!

That's why I love budgeting.As long as it's thought through and you're consistent,you can break down hefty bills and purchases,pay for it all upfront and not go into the red.

For example,my three year rail-card costs 450 CHF.I know that when it comes to paying for it in 3 years time (I've just renewed it),that it'll probably be more like 500 CHF.So,instead of budgeting 13 CHF a month,I've increased it to 14 CHF,which means a total of 504 CHF after three years.If I hear that it's increased to more than 500 CHF,it won't be too difficult to find the extra 50 CHF.To find 500 CHF in three years time,without having budgeted for it,that would be very awkward.

t2rry

marmiterulesok wrote: »

Do you have a budget?Why not budget for it throughout the year?£5 put aside every month equals £60.That could buy quite a lot surely,and you might feel that your purchases are better justified.
Oh,and still be able to eat!

That's why I love budgeting.As long as it's thought through and you're consistent,you can break down hefty bills and purchases,pay for it all upfront and not go into the red.

For example,my three year rail-card costs 450 CHF.I know that when it comes to paying for it in 3 years time (I've just renewed it),that it'll probably be more like 500 CHF.So,instead of budgeting 13 CHF a month,I've increased it to 14 CHF,which means a total of 504 CHF after three years.If I hear that it's increased to more than 500 CHF,it won't be too difficult to find the extra 50 CHF.To find 500 CHF in three years time,without having budgeted for it,that would be very awkward.

I certainly will budget for new decs next year. I have a lot budgeted for in this way (except for clothes - I need to add a budget for this next year) but I didn't budget for xmas decs because of the wedding, I thought I'd do without but I've decided I can't!!

I use swagbucks now so any vouchers I can get from that I am putting to John Lewis. I have £10 already (plus £15 m&s) so just need to keep going with that!

fedupandskint

marmiterulesok wrote: »

Do you have a budget?Why not budget for it throughout the year?£5 put aside every month equals £60.That could buy quite a lot surely,and you might feel that your purchases are better justified.
Oh,and still be able to eat!

That is a great idea.My decs were ruined in a flood and all had to go.

I'll do without this year then save £5 per month to buy new ones next year - love that idea! Thanks marmite

Also no offence taken either!

While I'm on here time to declare NSD 15 today - easy when no pennies to spend1

Nargleblast

Don't forget you can make Christmas decorations out of green stuff from the garden, foraged pine cones sprayed white or silver and sprinkled with glitter, and a nice table decoration can be made by getting a plain thick pillar candle, putting it on a plate or cake stand, piling up clementines around it and putting the odd bit of holly/Christmas bauble/pine cone/bunch of cinnamon sticks etc amongst the fruit. No need to spend a fortune each year on decorations, just have a tradition where on the first of December (or whatever day you choose) you go to a big store such as Mr Lewis's emporium and buy just one really nice Christmas tree ornament that means something special to you. You can inscribe the year in a discreet place on it, and every year you get a new one until you have a really nice collection with a load of memories attached.

Nargleblast

Anyway, NSD-wise today was a spendy day but a planned one. And I saved money by doing a top-up shop at Mr S and redeeming ten quids worth of Nectar points off the bill. I used to try and save Nectar points towards the Christmas food bill, but we have scaled back our spending in recent years, and Mr S along with all the other retailers have bumped up their prices so points saved don't really get much.

Am at work for the next three days so should clock up a few more NSDs - get that Cauldron ready!

slowlyfading

NSD 8 for me today

kxc798

Good Evening Everyone,

NSD 9 for me! Can I hold out tomorrow and achieve my goal? :T

kerri_gt

t2rry wrote: »

Christmas stuff is in John Lewis, that's all I need! (I am happily ignoring the fact that I have enough lovely decorations to make the house look lovely and this is a site for saving money and shifting debt - I can forego new clothes, furniture and food...I cannot forego new christmas decorations!!)

Nargleblast wrote: »

Don't forget you can make Christmas decorations out of green stuff from the garden, foraged pine cones sprayed white or silver and sprinkled with glitter, and a nice table decoration can be made by getting a plain thick pillar candle, putting it on a plate or cake stand, piling up clementines around it and putting the odd bit of holly/Christmas bauble/pine cone/bunch of cinnamon sticks etc amongst the fruit. No need to spend a fortune each year on decorations, just have a tradition where on the first of December (or whatever day you choose) you go to a big store such as Mr Lewis's emporium and buy just one really nice Christmas tree ornament that means something special to you. You can inscribe the year in a discreet place on it, and every year you get a new one until you have a really nice collection with a load of memories attached.

That's a lovely idea Nargle. JL really do have some nice decs (can't believe they are in store already though) I bought a couple of garlands a few years back - in Jan, but didn't seem to be in the sale so paid full price. I did wonder at £12 - £14 a garland what came over me :eek: but they have been used every year since, and are sooooo pretty.

That said, I also use my £4 mini stockings from Matalan that I got years ago, peg them on strings on a garland down our banister, and we've had our xmas tree ever since mine and OH first Christmas down south together, I think it was our second xmas (year before I went up and met his family :eek:), I was still at uni, house we were in was horrible (to the point of having mice!) and we had no real money for decs. In he walked on Xmas eve with this little tree under his arm. He'd been walking past Argos and they'd been reducing them. We've changed the decs since (although still have the originals) and it's only a little tree, but we don't need a big one, and its been through every xmas with us since

Right, sorry, back to Sept - yesterday was NSD # 9 today wasn't, treated us to new pillows and pillow protectors - I know how to go wild. :rotfl:

Knit_Witch

Claiming number 13 please Marmite!

gothrockchic1

NSD No 3 today. It feels like ages since I had one!! Plenty more days in September to hit my target.