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Original poster

March no spend ...

220 replies

Peachsnowpop · 26/02/2018 06:56

Who's in for March ?

I have to pay a £450 credit card bill and want to put £800 in to savings. This is going to make things extremely tight. But ! With budgeting and NSDs I hope I can achieve it. Good luck to everyone else for March

OP posts:
HampsteadHeathen · 02/03/2018 18:24

My spending for the day has taken a sudden turn for the worse. DD needs new pens for school £22.75 Amazon!

Pinkbendyman · 02/03/2018 19:02

I'm making a list of things I can sell on FB or eBay too!

Original poster
Peachsnowpop · 02/03/2018 20:02

H spent £12 at the shop tonight, hmmm not happy. Big shop coming tomorrow to cover us for the week, I don't wanna step a foot in a supermarket for a week after the shop arrives, id rarther starve!

OP posts:
Original poster
Peachsnowpop · 02/03/2018 20:31

Next week I have to buy mothers day gifts, but I've cancelled my music lesson, I'm not going out unless it's work or the gym and I will take home made lunches to work

OP posts:
NickyNackyNoodleNoo · 02/03/2018 21:18

NSD Grin

FoolandFitz · 03/03/2018 11:49

Goodness hampsted that's rather a lot!

NSD yesterday and today: 3 NSD out of 3 days so far

happytobemrsg · 03/03/2018 11:54

Wish I could join you this month but I have a hair appointment on the 10th. Maybe April

HampsteadHeathen · 03/03/2018 12:03

Fool yes I thought so, but she needs some now and she mentioned at the same time that she will need some black ones for her exams so I thought I might as well just get them all now. They should keep her going for six months!

I was just thinking that today might be a NSD (on the basis that I feel ill and I'm still in bed) but realised that technically it isn't as DD has her tutor which is £30.

I'm not sure if I'll ever have a NSD! I don't do a big shop as I find it easier to buy things as I need them. I don't have a car any more and don't really like online grocery shopping.

GottadoitGottadoit · 03/03/2018 12:03

Well I nearly did what I do EVERY month, which is sign up to one of these threads and then slink away when I totally blow the budget.

So on Thursday I spent just over £50 on food. Stocking up cos of the snow. If I can manage to spend nothing till Tuesday then the damage won’t be too bad, but normally I’m like a dieter who throws in the towel after binging on chocs!

Gah81 · 03/03/2018 12:16

Huge blowout yesterday on food, wine and friends. But on track for a NSD today and also tomorrow. Off on a business trip for next week so food etc. will be on expenses and should have a few more NSDs.

I don't worry too much about the odd blowout or slip-up. For me this thread is about mindful spending and the knowledge that I have to confess my non-essential spends (which acts as a deterrent) but also celebrate any NSDs (which acts as an incentive!).

MessySurfaces · 03/03/2018 12:25

Right, back in the saddle after a very spendiferous month last month. I'm giving myself the weekend "off" as we've a birthday in the household, and then I'm going to give myself £20 silly money for the month. (I did January really strictly and I haven't the chops for another full month with truly £0 spending just yet. But I'm hoping I get really into it and end up with one!

Nicpem1982 · 03/03/2018 12:27

Walked to the shops today as bus pass ran out it took dd 45 mins as parts of the route covered in depth snow, so ended up spending 9.00 on a sledge and ended up trekking her home with the weeks shopping in a ruck sack dd had fun tho

MessySurfaces · 03/03/2018 14:45

And the sledge surely counted as an essential in the circumstances? Sounds ace!

PirateYellowbelly · 03/03/2018 15:40

Not doing well so far this March!! Only 1 NSD on Thursday. Yesterday ended up popping to Waitrose to get something for dinner but a few sneaky extras crept into the basket. Felt the need to treat myself after a stressful week. Today had lunch out £20, coffees £10, bought new bin and toilet roll holder for downstairs loo £30, and more chocolate than strictly necessary! Also needed cards and wrapping paper for parties that DS is going to. Need to get back to being strict on ourselves!

Nicpem1982 · 03/03/2018 16:17

Messy - I suppose it was essential in the circumstances Smile should be a nsd tomorrow although we're out for lunch its budgeted for from house hold expenditure so none of my spends money will go

FoolandFitz · 03/03/2018 18:10

hampstead I am also in bed ill. Luckily DS's tutor cancelled so that's saved me 30 quid. I wouldn't count the 30 quid anyway, as it's a planned expense.

Do anyway of you have YNAB? It's a great tool for budgetting and keeping control of your spends.

I also wouldn't worry too much about not having enough NSD or blow outs gah - the beauty of this thread is that it does make one think about spending habits.

HampsteadHeathen · 03/03/2018 20:36

Fool hope you feel better soon, I think I'm a bit better than I was but I didn't go out today.

I use YNAB and it has really helped me feel in control of my finances. I just need to make sure that I stay on top of it as if I get behind I find it hard to catch up. I've allocated all the income for this month with a good amount going to savings, so hopefully I will stick to the plan for this month.

Nicpem1982 · 04/03/2018 07:13

What is YNAB?

Sorry new to this

Chimichangaz · 04/03/2018 07:14

My only NSD so far this month was Friday as I was basically confined to the house. Shopping at Aldi yesterday but only £36 spent including £6 on some baskets for my dressing table (which I'd been looking at buying anyway, at greater cost on Amazon). £10 at the butchers which makes it around £40 on shopping - a huge improvement to my spend prior to Feb and the start of my monitoring. Out at the theatre today but then hoping for NSD for the majority of the week.

Those of you worrying about blowouts and not having enough NSD - don't. This (for me anyway, like someone else said) is more about mindful spending. It will make a difference, keep at it!

mamapants · 04/03/2018 07:33

I'm back here for march too.
Thurs and Fri were no spend days. Spent £37 in supermarket yesterday on food.
Managed nice day out in the snow so free for rest of day.
Not sure what to do today.

Nicpem1982 · 04/03/2018 08:45

Am going to the city today with a very specific pre budgeted list of things for dd

My aim - STICK TO THE LIST

Chimi- I found you said about blow outs very useful as although I've had a few spends I'm really considering my purchasing more before getting my card out

Strawberrythief87 · 04/03/2018 09:53

Managed Tues, Weds, Thurs, Friday as no spending on nonessentials (partly as didnt leave the house from Weds evening to Saturday lunch) so quite happy with that as a start and hoping today will be nsd too. Yesterday wasn't a nsd here as I ventured out of the house for the first time since Weds. We went to a local cafe and I spent £12 on drinks, very very nice cake and some fancy bread to take home

Gah81 · 04/03/2018 09:57

NSD yesterday. Hoping for another one today!

Pinkbendyman · 04/03/2018 11:12

Aldi £64.68 (food for the week)
Homebargains £16.66 (toiletries and cleaning products)
Card Factory £5.47 (Mother’s Day)

Only extra spend this week will be £30.00 for petrol 😀

Mimosa1 · 04/03/2018 11:21

Marking my place. Keen to join as I've had an unexpected reduction in childcare bills and I'm determined to save the difference and not fritter it away

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