The Wholly Roman July NSD Challenge!

marmiterulesok

Knit_Witch wrote: »

Well on a bit of a roll here! Currently claiming 15 NSDs and 15 in a row :eek::j:beer::eek:

You're amazing!:j:j:j:j

And second target achieved!:D

Are you going to increase it?

NewbieJosh

marmiterulesok wrote: »

That's great!

Have you thought about having any allowed spends.Some people allow bread/milk/petrol/prescriptions/any bills/fresh fruit and veg etc as allowed spends.It's up to you to decide the rules.

I have a list of seven allowed spends,which might seem a lot,but it's what works for me.Doing this challenge for me is all about controlling impulse spends.

Have thought about this quite a bit, and because of my age, I don't pay any bills, so their isn't much I can include. I have however allowed myself two days every week that I can spend if I wanted too, although I do aim not to spend at all unless it's a social occasion really such as the Football, which is something I am very passionate about, but even then I still need to try and use the money mantras and cut the spending as much as possible!

marmiterulesok

NewbieJosh wrote: »

Have thought about this quite a bit, and because of my age, I don't pay any bills, so their isn't much I can include. I have however allowed myself two days every week that I can spend if I wanted too, although I do aim not to spend at all unless it's a social occasion really such as the Football, which is something I am very passionate about, but even then I still need to try and use the money mantras and cut the spending as much as possible!

That's good.Have you thought about keeping a spending diary,or trying to sort out a budget?A spending diary can be a real eye opener.

Are you any good at cooking?A lot of people make their money go a bit further by batch cooking,or by cooking two portions of something,eating one and freezing the other.I think you said that takeaways were your big downfall.You don't want to be too strict,otherwise you might just get fed up and jack it in.Maybe you could allow yourself,I don't know,one takeaway a week,or something along those lines,just so it's not too hard?

Nargleblast

Just schlepping by to announce the happy arrival of NSD number 6!!!!!
I had some minimal spends today on carparking and coffee and chocolate, but I had already taken out the cash for this the previous day, whilst out shopping, so that is when I counted it as a spend.

Carparking - essential journey to another town on a training course.
Coffee - halftime break and boy, had I earned it!
Chocolate - made from cocoa beans. Beans are vegetables. Therefore chocolate counts as one of my 5-or-more-a-day.......

Nargleblast

Gorgeous puddy tat, marmite!

NewbieJosh

marmiterulesok wrote: »

That's good.Have you thought about keeping a spending diary,or trying to sort out a budget?A spending diary can be a real eye opener.

Are you any good at cooking?A lot of people make their money go a bit further by batch cooking,or by cooking two portions of something,eating one and freezing the other.I think you said that takeaways were your big downfall.You don't want to be too strict,otherwise you might just get fed up and jack it in.Maybe you could allow yourself,I don't know,one takeaway a week,or something along those lines,just so it's not too hard?

Very true there actually. Maybe I am making it slightly too hard for myself. But I think that if I only allow myself to spend on 2 days a week, but on them two days try and be as budget conscious as possible, it will help me stay motivated to keep going

Cheers :beer:

marmiterulesok

Nargleblast wrote: »

Chocolate - made from cocoa beans. Beans are vegetables. Therefore chocolate counts as one of my 5-or-more-a-day.......

Interesting logic!;)

Nargleblast wrote: »

Gorgeous puddy tat, marmite!

Thanks,she is that!

NewbieJosh wrote: »

Very true there actually. Maybe I am making it slightly too hard for myself. But I think that if I only allow myself to spend on 2 days a week, but on them two days try and be as budget conscious as possible, it will help me stay motivated to keep going

Cheers :beer:

Glad if I can help.We're not robots,after all.What I mean is that we can be flexible and still be thrifty.

NewbieJosh

Yeah thanks for all the advice Marmiterulesok! I do appreciate it, always good to have supportive people behind me. Really like this forum!

t2rry

NSD #7 for me today

kerri_gt

NewbieJosh wrote: »

Very true there actually. Maybe I am making it slightly too hard for myself. But I think that if I only allow myself to spend on 2 days a week, but on them two days try and be as budget conscious as possible, it will help me stay motivated to keep going

Cheers :beer:

loving the MSE attitude NewbieJosh, if you enjoy cooking at all I second The Takeaway Secret book. My OH loves the chicken kebabs and chilli sauce from there. Also, you know exactly what has gone into them (and whether the cook has washed their hands which you don't with a takeaway :eek:)

As an idea, how about having a budget for those two spend days a week for 'fun stuff' so you don't go mad on those days. Of course, there's nothing wrong with a treat or little blow out if that fits with your budget.

Digressing from my words of wisdom to declare NSD #7 since i didn't even get out of the office today and am still logged on now.