Advice with NSDs/being more spend aware

shoppa_2

Hi everyone,:p

Ive been following Martin's website for the last couple of months, and it has helped me successfully claim back some PPI. Ive shifted my attention to the forums and peoples ideas, and really interested in ways to save money/curb spending/ and have some NSDs...

Does anyone have any general advice or tips for this?

What should be included under household spending? should I include my parking for work which i have to do some days? what about food I may buy to cook at a friends house etc etc? Ive already started to bring my own lunch to work, and walk when i can so on the right path!

Thanks everyone xx

d3mon4ngel

Hi Shoppa,

Well done on claiming back the PPI.

As I understand it, a NSD is whatever you deem it to be. Some people include everything as spends, while others will only class money spent as luxuries as spends.

For me, spends are anything that you don't have to pay. So this doesn't include bills, food shopping, petrol, anything that I know I will have to pay that month. My spends are anything that is outside what I have already budgetted for, as this is what I can control. It does include takeaways however

I tried to include everything when I first started, but it was too hard and really made me lose motivation. It actually made me feel worse because I was seeing how much was going out every day. It also made me sort out my DD's and SO's so that they all go on the same few days now, and it means I know where I am more each month, so it does also have a positive side.

beanielou

As d3mon4ngel says its really up to you.
There is a NSD thread & everyone does it slightly differently.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/37079472#Comment_37079472
Have a wee look & sigh up if you want

determined_new_ms

eeek not wanting to be the bearer of bad news ... I know everyone works out what system works for them (in the words of my clever oh "I'll let you into a secret, you get to decide the rules for yourself" ). Some people don't include essentials - food, petrol, bills, anything "budgeted" for really - I on the other hand wanted to gauge how many days pm I can live without exchanging money/using ccs (in my little mind I'd like to give up capitalism as far as I can ). So although food is out of a separate joint account & petrol is essential for my job nd budgeted for if I spend on these I do not include it - I'm very black nd white!

I think whatever works best for you is right x

shoppa_2

Thanks for the replies everyone! Im going to give it a good go and see how I get on!
On the plus side I have most of my xmas shopping done already so should be well on the way to NSD's xxx