Out with the old, in with the new: the January NSD challenge

solventsoon
solventsoon Posts: 17,363 Forumite
edited 30 January 2011 at 11:48PM in Debt-free wannabe
:jWELCOME TO THE JANUARY NSD CHALLENGE:j



January: the month for making resolutions that (usually) don’t last beyond the first week - I’ve stopped counting how many times I’ve given up chocolate and alcohol :o and I’m sure you all have your own to confess:D.

Why not make a different type of resolution this year? Come and join the NSD challenge and resolve to keep your hard-earned cash safe, loved and cossetted with you rather than being used and abused by those nasty retailers:D.


We are a happy (and some might say mildly insane:D) bunch doing battle with those retailers - and there’s plenty of temptation at the moment with all the sales on. We are seriously committed to saving money, but nobody said it can't be done with a smile on your face - so we organise riotous nights out and gatecrash any function going - all without leaving the comfort of our own imaginations or armchairs!

On a slightly more serious note, we are here to help each other avoid spending for the number of days we feel we can manage to try to take back some control over our hard-earned money. What you class as a "spend'" is entirely your choice; some people will try to shop on the days DD/SO etc are paid, whilst others will not include essentials such as rent. Have a look for a post from our sponsor (and godmother of this challenge) BigMummaF, this contains some guidelines and ideas for starting you off on the challenge.

It’s amazing how inventive you get when you’re determined NOT to spend - from weird menu ingredients to surprising DIY solutions - but you know what? 99% of the time those wacky ideas work.


The link to our December thread is below so you can see what a friendly group we are. New recruits are joining up all the time - everyone is welcome so please don’t be shy, come and join us, the more the merrier.


:)Good luck everyone, our lucky mascot is joining us again for January :)


piggybank.gif


Here are some threads to help keep us on the straight and narrow, if you know of others, please post. Many of the lunch box ideas are aimed toward children and are great ideas now that everyone’s going back to work or school.

March Grocery Challenge, with lots of recipe ideas.
Tinned Food Recipes.
Leftovers? Don’t Throw It..
Exciting Sandwich Fillings on a Budget.
Lunch for Work.
Laptop Lunchbox Ideas.
Packed Lunches.
Cheap Healthy Snacks
Cheap Snack Ideas to Stop Buying Crisps.
Homemade Snack Ideas…contains further links for ideas.
Sprouting Seeds to Eat.
Really Quick & Alternative Snacks.
Easy Homemade Biscuits.
Muesli & Cereal Bar Recipes.
Weetabix Cake.
HM Popcorn.
Smoothie Recipes.
Yoghurt Without a Yoghurt Maker.
Ham Economics.
Low Carb Kids Lunches...contains advice for diabetics.
Kids Lunch Box Ideas.
Back to School Lunches.
Healthy Kids Snacks.
HM Lollies.
Ice Lolly Ideas
Cheap Healthy Playground Snacks.
Homemade Fudge.
OS HM Sweets.
Forgotten Puddings.
Making chocolates or sweets

Link to last month's challenge is below so any newcomers can see what we get up to (hmmmmm... on second thoughts, that might put you off...)





:) The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time :)
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Comments

  • solventsoon
    solventsoon Posts: 17,363 Forumite
    edited 2 February 2011 at 12:45PM
    Thanks to all the regulars and newbies who have joined up already, hoping lots more of you will come along for the ride - it's definitely a case of the more the merrier on here :D

    No "Strictly" this month, so I thought we'd have a dancing theme for the prizes for January, hope you like them:D

    target met = 10p8139.giftarget no 2 met = 15p5tg7.gif
    target no 3 met = eg8ebk.giftarget no 4 met = 2d10euo.gif

    target exceeded = 312u4cp.gif

    We have 5 prizes this month because beanie managed 4 targets last month and I'm anticipating a repeat peformance:D



    2joanne - 10 9
    3Dogs - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 16312u4cp.gif
    Amethyst68 - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 15 15 15p5tg7.giftarget increased 18 16
    Baileys Babe - 17 7
    beanielou - 11 11 10p8139.giftarget increased 14 14 15p5tg7.giftarget increased again 20 20 eg8ebk.giftarget increased 24 24 2d10euo.giftarget exceeded 25312u4cp.gif
    belfast_girl - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 15 14
    bella121984 - 7 7 10p8139.giftarget increased 10 8 target increased again 15 9
    BigMummaF - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 23312u4cp.gif
    BlimusOreilly - 10 5
    blissfullydebtfreewannabe - 16 16 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 20312u4cp.gif
    boultdj - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 21312u4cp.gif
    Brown_suga - 10 10 10p8139.gif
    brummiebabe - 15 3
    buddiebabe - 7 6
    butdoineedit? - 15 15 10p8139.gif
    candyapple - 20 7
    candygirl - 15 4
    cannp123165 - 10 4
    Casperthefriendlyghost - 20 3
    castri09 - 10 5
    catslovelycats - 12 12 10p8139.gif
    Changingme - 20 8
    chris81418 - 19 19 10p8139.giftarget increased 23 23 15p5tg7.giftarget exceeded 24312u4cp.gif
    CommitedToChange - 15 15 10p8139.gif
    cuddlymarm - 14 14 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 19312u4cp.gif
    cw18 - 12 12 10p8139.gif
    d17 - 1
    DansMum - 12 12 10p8139.giftarget increased 15 15 target exceeded 17312u4cp.gif
    Decluttering - 12 12 10p8139.gif
    Dee_cb - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 12312u4cp.gif
    determined new ms - 20 9
    dmb - 12 12 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 17312u4cp.gif
    dollybeads - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 12 12 15p5tg7.giftarget exceeded 13312u4cp.gif
    donna dynamo - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 15 15 15p5tg7.giftarget increased again 19 19 eg8ebk.gif
    ebayqueen - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 12 12 15p5tg7.gif
    ebsaver - 18
    ehallett - 20 7
    elf06 - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 13 13 15p5tg7.giftarget exceeded 14312u4cp.gif
    elfen - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget increased 17 17 15p5tg7.gif
    emiliah - 15 15 10p8139.gif
    emylou - 10 1
    fedupandskint - 15 13
    got-it-spend-it - 10 10 10p8139.gif
    hannah:-) - 10 10 10p8139.gif
    HeadAbove - 6 5
    honey - 10 10 10p8139.gif
    Hopeless Case - 20 2
    ifwishes - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget increased 17 17 15p5tg7.gif
    ilovetea - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 15 15 15p5tg7.giftarget increased again 20 20 eg8ebk.giftarget exceeded 21312u4cp.gif
    ln1981 - 10 8
    InaPickle - 7 5
    janeawej - 10 8
    jedi82 - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 12312u4cp.gif
    JES_F1 - 15 5
    jintyb - 17 17 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 18312u4cp.gif
    jjef -12 1
    Jolaaled - 15 12
    julytex - 15 9
    kalojac - 10 2
    karom - 12 12 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 13312u4cp.gif
    katenut - 16 16 10p8139.giftarget increased 19 19 15p5tg7.gif
    katholicos - 18 18 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 21312u4cp.gif
    Kayleighpea - 10 5
    kdenty - 20 20 10p8139.gif
    Keiss 21 - 17 17 10p8139.giftarget increased 19 19 15p5tg7.giftarget exceeded 20312u4cp.gif
    Kellyjelly27 - 12 1
    kerri gt - 14 14 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 16312u4cp.gif
    kessik - 20
    kezlou - 10 8
    LadyfromVenice - 18 11
    Laurent1369 - 12 2
    Lemon Tree - 15 2
    lily288 - 24 4
    lilylass - 12 12 10p8139.gif

    LittleMissHappy - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget increased 18 18 15p5tg7.giftarget exceeded 19312u4cp.gif
    Liz41 - 15
    lotti379 - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 11312u4cp.gif
    loveGSDs - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 12312u4cp.gif
    madras79 - 15 10
    martafdz - 10 8
    meersy22 - 12 8
    MINMOL - 10 2
    misswissy - 10 5
    mommychaos - 6 2
    Money Fritter - 12 12 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 16312u4cp.gif
    moneypenny2k - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 15 15 15p5tg7.gif
    monks - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 11312u4cp.gif
    mrs motivated - 15 13
    muffin man 7 - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 15 15 target exceeded 16312u4cp.gif
    mummyroysof3 - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 20312u4cp.gif
    mumofjusttwo - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 20312u4cp.gif
    Nargleblast - 12 12 10p8139.giftarget increased 14 14 15p5tg7.gif
    Nejlloyd - 20 10
    niccatw - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget increased 18 18 15p5tg7.gif
    target exceeded 21312u4cp.gif
    Nym Mcfroglet- 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 15 15 15p5tg7.gif
    Palema - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 14312u4cp.gif
    PerfectPeaches - 10 10 target increased 16 1615p5tg7.gif target exceeded 18312u4cp.gif

    pinkfluffybabe - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 11312u4cp.gif
    plzhelpmesave! 3
    prettypaula - 7 1
    redcoltraine - 20 6
    romylou - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 20312u4cp.gif
    SarahNeedle1872 - 18 18 10p8139.gif
    savingcaz - 18 18 10p8139.giftarget increased 20 20 15p5tg7.giftarget increased 22 22 eg8ebk.giftarget exceeded 23312u4cp.gif
    sazzledazzle - 12 9
    SBeth - 15 15 10p8139.gif
    SeasideEm - 15 10
    shedstar - 9 5
    skaps - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 18312u4cp.gif
    slowlyfading - 18 18 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 22312u4cp.gif
    sofababe - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 12 12 15p5tg7.gif
    solventsoon - 20 20 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 24312u4cp.gif
    somethingsgottogive - 20 19
    steerpiker - 11 3
    Sunnylooloo - 20 20 10p8139.gif
    Surfbabe - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 12312u4cp.gif
    suzie wong - 10 10 10p8139.giftarget increased 14 14 15p5tg7.gif
    SuziQ1962 - 10 1010p8139.giftarget increased 15 15 15p5tg7.gif
    tazmac25 - 10 10 10p8139.gif
    teenyweenyspender - 20 20 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 21312u4cp.gif
    The Dragon - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 18312u4cp.gif
    thriftyfairy - 10 1
    tina01904 - 10 3
    Tixy - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 17312u4cp.gif
    Trinny - 15 13
    Tropicalmoments - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 17312u4cp.gif
    twistedhazel - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 16312u4cp.gif
    Wee Pilsbury - 15 15 10p8139.giftarget increased 18 18 15p5tg7.gif
    WelshWoofer - 10 7
    wit40iwtwan - 20
    20 10p8139.giftarget exceeded 21312u4cp.gif
    Wonkey Donkey - 12 7
    Yorkielass - 15 12
    :) The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time :)
  • solventsoon
    solventsoon Posts: 17,363 Forumite
    edited 7 February 2011 at 12:49AM
    This is for anyone who wants to set themselves a target for a number of NSDs in a row. We had some impressive numbers in December (added below), so if anyone would like to have a go at this, I'll add you here:D

    December records:
    chris81418: 11 in a row
    beanielou: 10 in a row
    elf06: 6 in a row
    muffin man 7: 5 in a row

    January challenges
    bella121984: 7 in a row
    niccatw: 7 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    8 in a row - woohooooooooooooo!! free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    chris81418: 6 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    Baileys Babe: 6 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    The Dragon: 6 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    Tropicalmoments: 6 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    boultdj: 6 in a row - woohooooooo... 7 in a row free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    katenut: 5 in a row
    muffin man 7: 5 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    new challenge: 6 in a row
    redcoltraine: 5 in a row
    beanielou: 5 in a row - woohooooooo... 6 in a row free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    woohooooooo... 7 in a row free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    Keiss 21: 5 in a row
    kezlou: 5 in a row
    Sbeth: 5 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    savingcaz: 5 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    new target - 6 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it free-jumping-smileys-463.gif
    Tixy: 5 in a row - woohoooooo.. made it free-jumping-smileys-463.gif

    forsya: 4 in a row
    elfen: 3 in a row
    :) The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time :)
  • solventsoon
    solventsoon Posts: 17,363 Forumite
    edited 2 January 2011 at 5:15PM
    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 wink2.gif
    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 sport-smiley-003.gif & have been l-o-n-g time Nsders so don't panic :p
    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 :D
    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 Solvent's (aka Spoon:rotfl:) first 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 action-smiley-076.gif
    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 :D

    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 :D The only thing to be aware of is Hubert the donkey who is partial to anything remotely edible but is not yet house-trained :o

    And Remember;
    there are no silly questions, so don't be afraid to ask us anything!
    :) The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time :)
  • janeawej
    janeawej Posts: 808
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    I'm here, after a last minute failure as I had to buy milk and a stamp today Im up for starting afresh tomorrow!
    Member 1145 Sealed Pot Challenge No4 ;)
    NSD challenge not to spend anything till 2011!:rotfl:
  • jedi82
    jedi82 Posts: 410 Forumite
    Hi Spoony, I have been awol for a couple of months. Have actually been really good spending wise but just needed some time away from forums for a bit. But I am back and ready to put down a refreshing 10 NSDs for Jan!

    Hope you all have a lovely new year

    Jedi x
    Finally getting my life on track. Onwards and upwards.
    BSC No 327
    GC Jan £336.91/£450
    GC Feb £0/£400
  • niccatw
    niccatw Posts: 3,096
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    And I think I'll be brave and up my traget from my usual 14 to 15! :p Ok, so not the bravest thing I've ever done but if I can't do it in January when all I want to do is hibernate, it won't bode well for 2011!

    Spoony - you've been making the wrong types of resolutions all these years! As have I!!!

    This year I have a much more fun and sensible resolution: to spend more time with the people who make me laugh. :D
    Jan10: 28,315.81 Jan11: 18,015.32 Jan12: 7,682.58 Jan13: 2,987.73 Current debt: 1,225.55
    HFC [STRIKE]1896.10. [/STRIKE] 225.55 SLC2 [STRIKE]5123.34[/STRIKE] 0 Others [STRIKE]2085[/STRIKE] 1000 Bcard [STRIKE]1172.60[/STRIKE] 0

    Mike's Mob
  • solventsoon
    solventsoon Posts: 17,363 Forumite
    niccatw wrote: »
    And I think I'll be brave and up my traget from my usual 14 to 15! :p Ok, so not the bravest thing I've ever done but if I can't do it in January when all I want to do is hibernate, it won't bode well for 2011!

    Spoony - you've been making the wrong types of resolutions all these years! As have I!!!

    This year I have a much more fun and sensible resolution: to spend more time with the people who make me laugh. :D

    I certainly have, nicca, and love your resolution, think I might pinch that one:D

    Well done for being brave with your target:T
    :) The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time :)
  • solventsoon
    solventsoon Posts: 17,363 Forumite
    janeawej wrote: »
    I'm here, after a last minute failure as I had to buy milk and a stamp today Im up for starting afresh tomorrow!

    Oooh... janeawej, thought I'd told you about that "f" word...... not having my lovely new thread sullied with that word:D:D.

    Welcome on board, hope you enjoy your first full month of the challenge:)
    jedi82 wrote: »
    Hi Spoony, I have been awol for a couple of months. Have actually been really good spending wise but just needed some time away from forums for a bit. But I am back and ready to put down a refreshing 10 NSDs for Jan!

    Hope you all have a lovely new year

    Jedi x

    :hello:Hi jedi, welcome back, we've missed you. I know what you mean though, sometimes you just need a break.

    Well done on the spending:j:j
    :) The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time :)
  • kdenty
    kdenty Posts: 250
    Mortgage-free Glee! First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    I've not done this challenge before but would like to give it a go. I assume you don't count when the bills come out the bank - just the days you go in a shop and pay?

    Can I try for 20 days? or is this too stupid. I really do need to not spend any money in January other than on groceries!

    :D 20 days - woop :D
  • reb
    reb Posts: 315 Forumite
    I forgot all about this. I did it last year and the the dreaded fb took over.
    I have repented and returned.
    Yaaaay!
    I am going for at least 4 each week
    I don't get to come on here too often.
    Too buzy money saving!
    :D
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