Renovations and Repayments.

maman

greent wrote: »

I took it that maman was referring to something stronger but still sounding like snobs, not as any slight against you - I thought she might have meant kn0bs

Of course you're right, no offence intended.


I read this article at the weekend (although have to confess I'd never heard of the guitarist)


http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/music/article4507231.ece


He was at Eton with Prince William and seems to be saying that being a snob (or similar;)) at 13 is excusable as children don't know any better but at 18 and beyond surely it's time to think and reflect.


NSDs don't mean that people on here don't spend anything, ever. It's just that if you go to shops and petrol stations several times a week it increases the chances of spending more than you need. Many people aren't disciplined enough to just buy the pint of milk or pay for the fuel.

Goldiegirl

I think 'NSDs' probably help people in a DFW situation, as they generally need to be doing everything possible to reduce their outgoings and pay off unsecured debts which are being charged at a high interest rate.


But when it comes to a MFW situation, which is more of a life-style choice rather than a pressing need, I'm not so sure NSD's are as beneficial.


After all, if you are going to spend 'x' amount of money, it doesn't really matter if you do it on one day in the week, or over seven days - it's still the same amount of money


I did try a NSD approach, and found it very frustrating. There was one particular day when a book that I'd wanted to read for ages was a Kindle Daily Deal at 99p, and I didn't buy it because apart from that the day would have been a NSD. I soon abandoned the NSD concept, because I was furious with myself for not buying the book!


I accept it works for some people, but, it's not for me. Fortunately, there are lots of other ways to reduce expenditure, so if one doesn't work for you, keep trying until you find the combination that is right for you

AlexLK

greent wrote: »

I took it that maman was referring to something stronger but still sounding like snobs, not as any slight against you - I thought she might have meant kn0bs

It appears I was being a bit slow.

maman wrote: »

Of course you're right, no offence intended.

I read this article at the weekend (although have to confess I'd never heard of the guitarist)

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/music/article4507231.ece

He was at Eton with Prince William and seems to be saying that being a snob (or similar;)) at 13 is excusable as children don't know any better but at 18 and beyond surely it's time to think and reflect.

NSDs don't mean that people on here don't spend anything, ever. It's just that if you go to shops and petrol stations several times a week it increases the chances of spending more than you need. Many people aren't disciplined enough to just buy the pint of milk or pay for the fuel.

Of course he's not a snob ... he plays the guitar. :rotfl:

I understand the idea of the NSDs but don't really like the idea of going shopping for food just once per week because I don't like the idea of eating food bought a week ago. Can see the potential to spend more but can't say I'm tempted to buy more food that what's needed or anything other than petrol at a petrol station.

AlexLK

Alchemilla wrote: »

Is the dog called Rover?

:rotfl:

It's the dog with no name currently, Alchemilla.

slowlyfading wrote: »

That's the whole point of having savings! So you can pay for what needs doing, when it needs doing. Part of being an adult, I'm afraid...

Better than going back into debt to pay for new roof? Absolutely.
Organisation is key to NSDs; I rarely spend during the week as I have bought everything I need to, such as food and petrol at the weekend when I do our weekly shop. It also takes practice, so don't be too worried about it so long as you're not spending £100s every day....

So long as you share a picture of your dog when he/she arrives, then that's fine

Miles better than going into debt for the roof. However, the childish part of me just wants to save towards fun things (cars and nice holidays). Childish, I know but I don't think I've ever quite got being an adult.

Not the organised word again. :rotfl: Certainly not spending £100s everyday, unless I buy petrol, it's rarely over £10, not like the old days.

AlexLK

Goldiegirl wrote: »

I think 'NSDs' probably help people in a DFW situation, as they generally need to be doing everything possible to reduce their outgoings and pay off unsecured debts which are being charged at a high interest rate.

But when it comes to a MFW situation, which is more of a life-style choice rather than a pressing need, I'm not so sure NSD's are as beneficial.

After all, if you are going to spend 'x' amount of money, it doesn't really matter if you do it on one day in the week, or over seven days - it's still the same amount of money

I did try a NSD approach, and found it very frustrating. There was one particular day when a book that I'd wanted to read for ages was a Kindle Daily Deal at 99p, and I didn't buy it because apart from that the day would have been a NSD. I soon abandoned the NSD concept, because I was furious with myself for not buying the book!

I accept it works for some people, but, it's not for me. Fortunately, there are lots of other ways to reduce expenditure, so if one doesn't work for you, keep trying until you find the combination that is right for you

Thanks Goldie for a great post.

I've been thinking about writing a new budget for a while, this has given me the push to do so as I think you're right about it not mattering if you spend the money all at once or over the week. Well, it does if you are tempted by coffee in a cafe whilst out or extras but I can't say I am.

Unfortunately, we have recently gone back to not really knowing what we're spending, at least it's much, much less than it was, though. Recently I've taken no salary from the business (due to things not being great) but we've still had a surplus at the end of the month, this simply never happened before MSE.

Currently the only overpayment we are making to the mortgage is a monthly £200 but I do think we can do a bit better than that, really.

maman

I take your point about fresh food. Although I manage fine with a fridge and freezers that's your choice. Great news that you're disciplined enough to only buy what you planned. I'm sure you've noticed others in the petrol station buying all manner of snacks.


What some people do is set a monthly/weekly budget and then withdraw cash for that amount. Then whenever you choose to do your food shopping you're only spending that money. It seems to concentrate the mind actually parting with cash.


Will LittleK get to name the puppy?

edinburgher

I read this article at the weekend (although have to confess I'd never heard of the guitarist)

I'm sure he'd hate to hear it, but Frank Turner is a national treasure

He was in Million Dead (a post-hardcore band that ended before its time) and then went on to carve out a very successful career as an Engerlish folk-punk.

A recent offering on YouTube

AlexLK

maman wrote: »

I take your point about fresh food. Although I manage fine with a fridge and freezers that's your choice. Great news that you're disciplined enough to only buy what you planned. I'm sure you've noticed others in the petrol station buying all manner of snacks.

What some people do is set a monthly/weekly budget and then withdraw cash for that amount. Then whenever you choose to do your food shopping you're only spending that money. It seems to concentrate the mind actually parting with cash.

Will LittleK get to name the puppy?

Just to confirm technologies in refrigeration are commonplace in Derbyshire. Yes, I have a fridge and it does get used but I find if we do a large shop lots of food is spoilt by the time we get around to eating it.

Regarding buying snacks from petrol stations, I thought that was an utter waste of money even back before my DFW diary. That said, it is a very rare occasion if I eat something between meals.

Been there with the withdrawing cash, it suits me and I pay for most things in cash these days. Does certainly help me to think before I buy, pre-cash days it was quite easy to spend £100s on things I happened to see in shops when visiting customers. In fact, I think today is the first time I've bought myself any item of clothing in over a year and I found myself thinking quite hard about whether to buy or not.

My son will have a say in naming the puppy but ultimately Mrs K and I will make the final decision. After all, we've got to live with calling it's name for the next 15 or so years. We're choosing which to have on Friday, don't know whether it's a boy or girl, yet. Mrs K would like a 'girl dog' to sort the gender balance out. :rotfl:

AlexLK

edinburgher wrote: »

I'm sure he'd hate to hear it, but Frank Turner is a national treasure

He was in Million Dead (a post-hardcore band that ended before its time) and then went on to carve out a very successful career as an Engerlish folk-punk.

A recent offering on YouTube

Thanks Ed, I'll admit to not knowing who Frank Turner was, either.

However, having had a listen to the first two tracks of the album link, I think I'll listen to the rest tomorrow. Always open to new music.

Bluefire wrote: »

I have a lot of love for Frank Turner. One of my fondest memories from Glastonbury is being curled up on a sofa in front of a roaring fire listening to him play about 2am in the morning. "Love, Ire & Song" always makes me want to go out & start a revolution of some kind.

Sounds like fun. Though, I'm well aware that I'm certainly not cool enough for Glastonbury. :rotfl:

AlexLK

Business has been good today and I've started prepping a few things for sale which should boost the savings total. Managed to also get a few house jobs done, so seem to be getting work done on the house and also making some money.

Amusingly, my father said he'd noticed that I'm "now" an adult. Quite glad he's finally noticed I'm no longer a little boy, even if the signs have been there for far too long. :rotfl: Perhaps he and mother will start trusting me over the property business, given their epiphany. Still, it makes me quite sad just how time has passed and that my son will never know his grandfather as anything other than a frail old man.