NSK; February 28 Days Later!

SarahB1989_2

TiptoesDB wrote: »

Good morning fellow Febbers, not long to go now with this month. Having a lazy Sunday here, just had agirlcalledjack's apple pancakes - yum- and lazing about reading before having a clean round this afternoon then a swim and steam. It will be a SFD and an exercise day, but I won't add up the totals till it's in the bag!

SarahB1989 I agree with Thrifty in that having SFDs makes you reassess your spending habits and prevents impulse buys and 'pick me up' buys and any emotional or situational spending. It also makes you plan ahead! Food wise it makes you have meal plans which you need to stick to because that is the food that's in the house, rather than thinking I can't be bothered to cook that, or I don't fancy such and such tonight, and then getting more expensive convenience food, or a take away or whatever. In essence it stops all UNNECESSARY spending!

It helps if you know that the bills etc don't count as spends, and we all accept we don't always make the total at the end of the month, but it's a mindful and concious way to watch the pennies so the pounds look after themselves. Knowing you have to come here at the end of the day and 'fess up to that new dress, or that mars bar, or that coffee at starbucks just makes you think 'do I need it?' and for the competitive or rule followers amongst us, it makes us unwilling to break a SFD!

I guess it won't work for all, but it's worth a go! Good luck...

Thanks for this advice. Confession time - I went out for the afternoon with friends and had a slice of cake at the cafe. Blaming peer pressure, didn't need it and definitely didn't have the money to throw away on it, but did turn down a cup of tea (resent paying £2 for something that costs mere pennies!) in favour of free tap water. Taking it off next month's grocery budget so I'll start on the back foot and be extra cautious with spends. Purse is being locked away now til March - there is nothing I need (aside from that tattooed somewhere so I don't forget it!) and have been sufficiently sociable recently that I can turn down any further invites for a reasonable period of time. On the plus side for today, had to go round the supermarket on the way home as the friend I was with needed something, and I spent nothing.

Living_a_good_life

Evening all - managed a sfd today. Yesterday we had family breakfast at our church so that cost a few quid - it was good though! Also picked up some drinks at Mr Tesc0 ready for our takeaway dinner around at another friends house last night - I know, I know - however we hadnt seen them in ages and they have a new baby so they suggested T/A at theirs.

Anyway - DS had a birthday party this afternoon which was nice, DD finished her epic half term homework - 4 sides of A4 completed of her own story from start to finish with pictures. She is 6 and its half term - felt a bit OTT if I'm honest - still its done!

Right would love to chat but the ironing is screaming and needs dealing with

Love to all, LAGL xx

luckystarr

Hi all

Pleased to hear DD is on the mend and congratulations on passing your driving test. :T

I have managed two NSD in a row woo hoo .. its a little to late to be fair but it's still saving money.:j

Any way been at work and it's been a long shift so off to chill will check in tomorrow

Have a nice evening all

£ashcow

Hi all
Claiming a SFD today.
NSK - will be trying out Cafe in the Crypt later in the year and may even build up an appetite (as if this is ever necessary) by having a go at Fmess's Hidden Cities.
Any how i've pretty much shaken my cold (although still using it as an excuse to laze around all day today) will return to work tomorrow and hopefully cram in a few more SFD's and LTW'S before March:eek::eek::eek:
Is it normal on these challenges to get anxious/excited around the end of the month?
Tea lover - Congrats on passing your driving test :j
Night

catshark88

Hello All,

Had a NSD today, but went to see the new Leg0 movie which was great fun (tickets paid for earlier in the week). We went to the first showing and saved about £20 compared with a later film at the other local "brand" of cinema. I also took out own treats, care of Ald1, so no moaning when I didn't buy popcorn. In fact, I have just realised that the kids didn't even ask for popcorn today, so that's a result.

My latest obsession is putting my Ald1 receipt through mysupermarket. As my nearest alternative is mr W, there is always a saving of about 50%, which makes me v chirpy. I'm surprised how much I save v. Mr T, or even Mr M though. I'd always thought they were cheap - shows how misguided I was.

Am hoping for another NSD tomorrow, but that will rather depend on whether there is another loaf in the freezer.

Very glad your daughter is OK Apple Muncher.

Fmess

Evening all

Congratulations on passing your driving test tea lover

Very glad your DD is doing well apple muncher

In good news; today was a SFD Yesterday, we decluttered our broken car to the scrap man and were paid £124 for it Our food bill and animal food bill combined, come in under the combined total

In not so great news; yesterday I spent nearly £30 on food and drink whilst out for the day with friends. I had no self restraint but at the end of the meal I was kind of glad as everyone wanted to split the bill evenly, sowould have been very miffed if I had chosen cheap options.

So with only 5 days left of February and 4 SFDs left to get, it should do-able Payday is Tuesday so I will do the food shop on Tuesday as I haven't done food shopping this weekend, as we are out of money.

I am really looking forward to Tuesday and paying off more of the debt. Unfortunately, due to overspends this month, the amount that the balance will go down by, will not be that great In March, I am not going to overspend, I think I may have to hide my credit card from myself (might give it to my friend who has more self restraint than me - it would be very embarrassing to have to ask for it back!) Think someone also suggested freezing the credit card? Do you just pour water over it? Do you have to cover it in anything to protect it? However, I am back on eB4y and have tutoring booked in twice a week for the whole of March, so will focus on increasing income by as much as possible.

You all sound like you have had lovely days, I am already looking forward to a restful day next Saturday!

CEW

Well today was, as planned, a spend day. I think I spent about £15 something which means shopping is a little over budget. The good news is I started to meal plan for March so that I can produce a shopping list and it seems I have at least a weeks worth of meals in the cupboards and the freezer. So hopefully March will be a cheap grocery month :j

Will update full totals tomorrow.

Chez x

SarahB1989_2

Fmess wrote: »

In March, I am not going to overspend, I think I may have to hide my credit card from myself (might give it to my friend who has more self restraint than me - it would be very embarrassing to have to ask for it back!) Think someone also suggested freezing the credit card? Do you just pour water over it? Do you have to cover it in anything to protect it? However, I am back on eB4y and have tutoring booked in twice a week for the whole of March, so will focus on increasing income by as much as possible.

I think you just put the card into a plastic container and add water - they're pretty hardy things so no need to protect it with anything. I've often contemplated doing it but I have all the numbers memorised so would be pointless! If anyone knows how to get rid of credit card info in my brain...?

Billie-jo

12 NSD now clocked up and food, petrol and outings budget is still good. Am thinking tomorrow may be another NSD but I need to go to the library and its on the high street so who knows. Cant think of anything that is needed but that doesn't mean to say a NSD will happen - we will see.

missyv30

Well I have a lot of catching up to do been over a week since was last on. Not been doing to good with birthdays and having this chest infection, which has finally cleared after a second set of steroids.

Have lost count of spend days as I was either forgetting things when doing a big shop or buying stuff to ease my sore throat.

But I will sit down Tom night and figure it all out but I will be honest it's been a bad month. I had to do 2 payday loans this month and yes it's bad but I won't be ever doing it again. Was a lapse in judgement with my money anyway as I go and hang my head in shame for that. I am going to catch up with what I have missed and will put my disastrous figures up Tom good night.