Nifty November's NSD Challenge

cathybird

Dentist visit done and dusted - just a checkup for the mo, haven't come back with a jaw full of anaesthetic or anything like that, thankfully.

cathybird

Well done IvysMom! :T:T Still 18 days left in November.

Happy_Monday

Happy Monday everyone, hope you've all had a good weekend. I'm calling in a NSD early so that makes me NSD # 8. By putting it on here really makes me feel accountable, and makes me feel like I can't let everyone down by going and spending!

Borollan - I think spending can be addictive, but agree with Cathybird that saving can be equally addictive. Having the NSD challenge really does help me with the mindless spending, especially where food is concerned - this is my downfall.

I've set myself a challenge to live on a set amount of money this month, and I've almost been derailed because of my car MOT and needing 2 new tyres - but I'm hoping to cling on there til the bitter end. I'm hoping to retire in 8 years time, so all that is keeping me going is that anything I'm saving is going into my retirement pot......

Happy_Monday

Cathybird - good news about it just being a check up at the Dentist x

cathybird

Happy_Monday wrote: »

Borollan - I think spending can be addictive, but agree with Cathybird that saving can be equally addictive. Having the NSD challenge really does help me with the mindless spending, especially where food is concerned - this is my downfall.

Happy Monday, food is a biggie for me and also books, if I don't watch it - I often come across books that sound really interesting and have to rein myself in, usually by reminding myself that I haven't even read the last book I bought yet! I've got a pretty strict book budget now. I used to go to the library a lot and that was helpful.

I've set myself a challenge to live on a set amount of money this month, and I've almost been derailed because of my car MOT and needing 2 new tyres - but I'm hoping to cling on there til the bitter end. I'm hoping to retire in 8 years time, so all that is keeping me going is that anything I'm saving is going into my retirement pot......

It's amazing how many things can crop up and derail the monthly budget! It only takes one problem with the car or a vet bill or some other mishap. Even tiny things can derail an NSD too - an ingredient you neglected to buy, or a card for someone, or something else minor you forgot. It's actually trickier to put together a lot of NSDs than it looks, especially as the month goes on.

Good luck with your retirement plans - you sound really well organised - it's something everyone should start saving for early but not enough people do.

Cathybird - good news about it just being a check up at the Dentist x

Thanks yeah, I was pleased it didn't involve the hurty syringe and drill and the biggish bill lol It's never a great way to spend your morning really, a visit to the dentist, even if nothing much happens when you're there.

delta13

cathybird wrote: »

It would be great if people wanted to offer their savings tips on here. I can say what's worked for me but I'm sure there are other great ideas out there that have worked for other people.

If people can identify their spending triggers too that can be helpful - the sort of moment where you think "oh sod it I'm going to buy this". I get this with food a lot (for instance, the place that sells the yummy cinnamon buns on the way to work) and my way of dealing with it is to walk on the other side of the street! Sometimes it's hard to beat the urge but it's better to although I don't always

I used to be really good at saving but after university and getting into debt I found it difficult.
I like making things so I followed the 52 week and 365 day saving challenges, but hand made my own charts - my thought process was that if I put the effort in from the beginning in making the charts to track my progress, I'd be more likely to follow through - and I did! Putting money aside for savings was the first thing I did each day too, so I would start the day having ticked off something positive off my to do list - that's also a really good tactic - pay yourself first!

Food is my biggest downfall too - for example yesterday I nearly caved and ordered a takeaway after work - took a lot of strength to not give in! I wouldn't say what I ate last night was a health substitute (pasta and veg with cheesey sauce) but it was home made at least and didn't cost me any extra.

Today will not be a NSD because I have used up all my fresh fruit and veg so will need to do a small food shop, but tomorrow and Wednesday should be spend free (fingers crossed)

cathybird

delta13 wrote: »

I used to be really good at saving but after university and getting into debt I found it difficult.
I like making things so I followed the 52 week and 365 day saving challenges, but hand made my own charts - my thought process was that if I put the effort in from the beginning in making the charts to track my progress, I'd be more likely to follow through - and I did! Putting money aside for savings was the first thing I did each day too, so I would start the day having ticked off something positive off my to do list - that's also a really good tactic - pay yourself first!

delta13, I could not agree more about starting the day off with something positive. It's part of my morning routine too - updating my accounts so I can see where I'm at and where my monthly budgets are at and how much I have left. I was never a good saver back in the day and wish I'd known then what I know now. Getting into debt is a whole cycle all by itself and once you're in it it can be really hard to get out.

Food is my biggest downfall too - for example yesterday I nearly caved and ordered a takeaway after work - took a lot of strength to not give in! I wouldn't say what I ate last night was a health substitute (pasta and veg with cheesey sauce) but it was home made at least and didn't cost me any extra.

I'm lucky in that a lot of the takeaway round where I live just doesn't seem to be that great so if I ever order it I usually think "meh". Sweet treats during the day is my weakness - I take chocolate to work every single day to stop myself going out buying chocolate brownies at lunchtime. Well done with not giving in It can be really hard to resist although the urge to splurge on food does pass if you withstand it.

Dottles1

Today has been another NSD, I'm not going out now apart from walking the dog and I won't take my purse with me. That makes it 4/12 so far. It's beginning to look do-able

borollan

cathybird wrote: »

Borollan, spending can be addictive, and actually saving can be addictive too. I think spending every day in a routine way gives you a small buzz of satisfaction every time and so trying to restrain that can be hard. The buzz doesn't last though, whereas saving can give you a real buzz too, and that does last (I think). Maybe take the amount you were going to spend today, move it into a savings account and start adding it up in your signature on MSE? As you see it adding up it becomes a fun game. Also, I recommend keeping note of your NSDs in your signature and adding on every time you have an NSD - it helps with accountability somehow, in my experience. Those things have helped me, anyway!

Thankyou
Declaring another NSD
Making it 4 :T

cathybird

Yay borollan!! :T:T Are you going to track it in your signature then? As in "Zero spend challenge: 4/15", and then update it every time you get another one. It helps me!