I have a question. When you have a NSD - No Spend Day - what exactly do you mean by that? Is it a day when you don't spend a single penny on anything whatsoever, or is it a day when you can buy, say toilet roll or bread but not a magazine or a mascara? Some blogs I read say they have had a 'No Personal Spend Day'....I guess they can still buy family food or pay a gas bill. And that's another thing. If a NSD for you means no spending at all, does that also mean you had no direct debits going out for bills too? Today I have direct debits leaving our account for water, gas and TV license AND I will spend a few quid on vitamins. Are they personal spending, because I wouldn't die without them but I have taken them for years? Would that make it a NSD for me?
I guess most people would say that a NSD can be whatever you want it to be but I'm interested in what you guys use as a guideline.
I use it for a day when nothing leaves my purse- not for buying food or carbooting or anything else. Last month I had chimney repairs, dental treatment, a new car battery, a new wiper blade for the car, emergency chocolate supplies for KL after her friend died- for me those all counted as spends as I physically handed over cash/ debit card just like I do for shopping and carbooting. I don't include direct debits as I never actually see the money for those and I don't feel like I'm handing money over!
ReplyDeleteI would keep it as a day to spend nothing at all. If I have to pay some bills, that's something else, since I cannot really choose to pay or not, it just has to be paid in time.
ReplyDeleteFor me, No spend days are where I do not spend any money at all. I include days where I pay bills, get groceries or put gas in the car as spend days but since my bills are simple this keeps my spend days to a minimal of days.
ReplyDeleteHi a no spend day for me is not spending anything at all ie bread, milk etc( do not manage many!). I do not count direct debits etc coming out as the way I see it there is always something coming out. It is possible to have a few no spend days, but more often than not mine seem to be low spend days where I need milk or bread or have run out of food items. I think low spend covers just your needs. have you managed No spend days?, I think it is quite hard sometimes & you have to try & be focused. I am working on it! x
ReplyDeletelove your blog x
For me it means when you buy nothing at all
ReplyDeleteA NSD for me is when I spend nothing at all. All my direct debits are taken care of on the 1st of the month through a feeder account, those are essential payments and not counted as the spendable household budget. Hope that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteA no spend day for me is no misc/personal spending. So no spending on wants! All budgeted bills don't count - even grocery (as long as it's within budget)
ReplyDeleteFor me a NSD is when I spend nothing on food, personal items, petrol, magazines etc. I do not include direct debit payments as these are payments that have to be paid and are accounted for and this is money I cannot dip into.
ReplyDeleteForgot to say, thank you so much for the lovely comment on how you enjoyed my old blog.
ReplyDeleteKaren
I think it depends on the frugalista but, generally, not buying anything that isn't an absolutely necessity. There's no point turning off the electricity and freezing but you might unplug anything that isn't essential and do without it for 24 hours.
ReplyDeleteI've just discovered Jeff Yeager who does a "Fiscal Fast" a few times a year to encourage using up what we already have and to help focus on saving money.
http://blog.aarp.org/2012/01/17/diary-of-a-fiscal-fasting/
I was very interested to read through all these comments. Good post!!! It seems everyone does have different guidelines.
ReplyDeleteI'm along the same lines as most of your commentors. No Spend means no money left my hands (or wallet, or house). Payments to water, electric, mortgage, ect; clearing the bank don't cancel a no spend. But toilet paper, vitamins, milk: those are all "spending."
Just when I think I'm getting somewhere with my frugal quest, I realize I know nothing. NSD! What a great concept. I'm going to incorporate that into my weeks somehow. I think it will be a day when I do not physically spend any money. Bills are all paid out of the account on the 1st and the 15th (don't ask!) so any other day is up for a no spend. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteI am to spend nothing but I do not count direct debits going out of my bank account - wish I could do more of these x
ReplyDelete