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Original poster

Who fancies a No Spend Day thread (like MSE forum's) ?

461 replies

OhDearNigel · 31/12/2012 13:27

I prefer MN to MSE but would like to do some NSDs in January. Anyone else interested in doing a support thread ? this is the idea

I have a shocking spending habit and i really, really need to curb it. So I am going to have a goal of 10 NSDs in January and aim to manage 3 in a row. That would be a massive achievement for me.

OP posts:
IamMummyhearmeROAR · 03/01/2013 16:43

I've had 2 nsds but did badly today. Our Boots had loads of half price stuff left so I got my sister's and a friend's birthday gift for later in the year and my dds 2 teacher Christmas gifts- nothing over £5. Also stocked up on half price toiletries that we're running low on. Got half price cards and wrap in Oxfam. So quite a day but its my only foray into the sales and I think it was pretty practical. We started off with a cinema trip but it was the early bird special lol

nkf · 03/01/2013 16:54

I've done one (yesterday.) Tomorrow will be one too. I am aiming to do one every other day.

snozzlemaid · 03/01/2013 16:59

I've now done my second NSD! Fingers crossed this continues.
2/10

lorisparkle · 03/01/2013 17:08

was doing really well. went to national trust property free because we have membership. dm bought me and boys lunch and boys bought themselves landscape trail with Christmas money. I resisted temptation to buy bits in the sale but then OJ way home bought oil for new sewing machine. I did resist all the goodies in hobbycraft though so a success all in all. still 1 out of 15 achieved though.

lorisparkle · 03/01/2013 17:09

meant 'on' the way home' of courseGrin

hurricanewyn · 03/01/2013 17:13

Second NSD here again. Tomorrow won't be as we need bits & pieces as well changing the stupid diary with missing months & extra other months. But I will be making a list. And sticking to it.

Saturday I'll be on a train all day & Sunday I'm going to a friends for lunch, so will keep out of the shops.

I might even exceed my target at this rate Grin

2/10

silverfrog · 03/01/2013 18:08

failed today, as expected, as had emergency dentist appt, so that's £70 gone (ouch) and more to come next week (even more ouch)

so still 1/10 for me

nkf · 03/01/2013 18:28

Can I ask - do people hope they can get through without spending. Or plan?

I've decided to have set days. I know that if I hope to get through I will weaken. And once I weaken, it will be all over.

hurricanewyn · 03/01/2013 18:38

I plan.

If I need something I see if IT'S can wait for a planned spending day to buy it. If so, great. If not, I try & bring forward a spending day.

I'm talking like I've loads of experience, but in my head that,s how it'll work.

My downfall is, needing a pint of milk but somehow ending up with £20 worth of other stuff. So if I avoid the shop it should help that.

ConfusedPixie · 03/01/2013 18:42

First NSD today Grin I didn't even spend money on my bosses behalf today Wink Took the charges to the park, then scootered down to sealife where the Merlin Passes got us all in for free. I even resisted buying myself lunch and a tea at the park.

nkf: I'm planning my spending days based on what bills I have coming and expenses. I have a few big expenses coming up (Ofsted, DofE, swimming lessons, etc) so am planning to sort those on the same days that I'll be shopping or doing other activities next week, and I also have to go to town and get a pair of hiking boots next weekend so will shop then too rather than leaving it for another day! More NSDs for me then!

silverfrog · 03/01/2013 18:42

I have no plan other than to stop the impulse, frivolous, unnecessary purchases.

so food/petrol/bills obv have to be paid, and thankfully I don't need to plan ahead/budget as to when these are done - I fill the car when it is empty, etc.

but I want to stop eg browsing the Book People sale and finding (yet) another book I need

and today, when I was mooching around the bookshop waiting for my prescription to be filled out, I resisted spending (even though today is already a 'fail' due to dentist/prescription)

really, I just need to be aware of how much I am frittering away, and this will help me with that

bigkidsdidit · 03/01/2013 18:46

Not sure if I've had one or not - I haven't spent anything but that's because DH did a wee top up shop. Does that count Confused

TinyDiamond · 03/01/2013 18:53

not NSD for me today as had to get some bits from co op and a birthday present. I was quite frugal though and exchanged some euros I had back to £11 so that mostly offset my spending. still 2/15

lorisparkle · 03/01/2013 19:02

I have definitely made a plan - whether it will work I don't know. the plan is get online shop delivered on Tues and Saturday. Tues is baby and toddlers so already a spending day. I have made a list of all items I usually buy so will do an audit before shopping. my biggest downfall is buying a sandwich when I work so I have bought some cup a soup. hopefully it will cut family budget but dh is a nightmare for spending.

androbbob · 03/01/2013 19:49

My plan is to stop the frivolous silly spends- you know the £2 here and £3.50 there. Over the month they could easily add up to £49 or £50 or even more. I will also be more organised with the food shop and meal plan first before doing my online shop.

Today was a planned spend day as needed petrol and to get a present for a party dd is going to at the weekend. Already had a card.

Tomorrow is bacon butty day in work but that is my only planned spend. Hoping for NSD for Sat and then Tuesday. Like the suggestion of putting money in a jar for the odd pint of milk so spend is one day money put in jar. Will do this for milk and footie training fees for rest of month.

Also liking the sealed pot mentioned on MSE where you put money you didnt spend away and then leave until Christmas before breaking the pot open. Could pay for Christmas that way!!

WiseKneeHair · 03/01/2013 20:10

First NSD for me. Grin
Although I have been browsing the Amazon and John Lewis websites.
Must resist.
Aiming for another tomorrow, but will need petrol, milk and bread on Saturday.
Answering some of the posts ( on phone, so can't remember who)
I sort of have a plan i.e. get milk and petrol on the same day. I already meal plan and get an Internet shop on a Tuesday, so I know that will never be a NSD.
Yes, I also have a bad Internet shopping habit. I have the Amazon and EBay apps on my phone and its too easy to click and spend.
I have wondered the same about if DH buys something household/ grocery wise and unfortunately, I think I will have to include it. I'll have to make sure he only buys groceries on approved days.

Bullets · 03/01/2013 20:39

NSD here today! We had some of DS's friends and mums over this morning and I used up the last of the Xmas chocolate biscuits on them, then SIL and DNiece popped in this afternoon for an hour.

Tea was leftover bolognaise from yesterday made into lasagne, Tesco finest roast potatoes out the freezer (leftover from Xmas too!) with ice cream and sprinkles for pudding. DH declared he'd "have gladly paid for all that in a restaurant"!!!

Working tmrw and need my pastry and hot choc fix at 11am so won't have another NSD until next week.

Hoping to make Tuesday and Thursdays our regular NSDs. Used to get our weekly online shop delivered Thursdays but switched to sundays before Xmas and it's working much better, plus means Thurs can be NSD Grin

Bullets · 03/01/2013 20:44

Also used up bread and milk today that I'd frozen in our chest freezer in the garage (again for Christmas!). Definitely going to stock up the freezer again on spending days to stop the inevitable last minue dashes to the corner shop for DS's milk before bedtime, and getting caught out by the "minimum £5 spend" for using a card to pay.

I'm also going to see if toddlers will let me pay for a whole term / half term upfront next week. I never have £1.50 in change so end up taking out a tenner then frittering it away on crap before the following week!

Bullets · 03/01/2013 20:47

AND just remembered I bought all the birthday cards for the next two months last weekend when I was in town! It's like I knew this thread was coming!!!

Crikeyblimey · 03/01/2013 21:00

Ooooh! I'll join in.

1st and 2nd were NSDs today I've done the online shop. Tomorrow should be another nsd. Sat won't as we are out with friend's for friend's birthday. Sunday will be.

My downfall will be next week as I'm back at work and am too lazy to make my lunch so usually buy a sandwich. I really need to make an effort and hopefully this thread will spur me on.

We have a strict budget atm as trying to save so I have already stopped most unnecessary spending.

Good luck all.

paneer · 03/01/2013 21:16

I have done 3 NSD in a row!! I am very impressed with myself.

However, need to take some bits back to the shops tomorrow, so will be fighting off the temptation.

I have some alcohol left over from NYE, wonder if the supermarket will take it back...

FleeBee · 03/01/2013 21:20

I've done rubbish today. But have booked DC2's birthday party & wangled 2 free places. Still 1/10. Still time to improve

BuffyFairyTopsTheTree · 03/01/2013 21:22

I've only just seen this thread, can I join?

We fritter away so much, I really need to take control of our spending and this should help stop the non essential stuff. Yy to popping in for bread or milk and spending £20 Blush

No NSD so far. Aiming for the first on Sat.

BuffyFairyTopsTheTree · 03/01/2013 21:23

Sorry, should add I'll aim for 10.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 03/01/2013 21:33

I kind of have a plan.

I want weekly shop day to be the main spending day, so if I find myself think DD needs tights or whatever halfway through the week I have to wait until the main day to buy them - to help me decide if we could do without and to save on busfares.
with 1 midweek day allowed to do a top up shop for bread/milk/fruit but STICK TO THE LIST.
and one emergency midweek day if something comes up that really can't wait until the main shop. Or for DH and I to do something social if budget allows.

Paying in advance for babygroup is a good idea.

Bills again today so by my rules I am still 1/10 - feel like I'm doing well in terms of attitude change though.

Have got hold of a load of holiday brochures and am sticking pictures up all over the place as motivation! We will not fritter away our holiday!