Thread moved from S&B **No Spend 2018, and this time I mean it!** Title edited by MNHQ

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

For financial reasons (I'm broke and have to save) I have made a deal with myself to stop my frivolous style and beauty spending for 2018.

I will only be purchasing necessities as they run out (like cleanser) or replacements for laddered tights etc. I will take myself off mailing lists so I'll have no idea when there are any offers or discounts.

I will use my imagination and pinterest to create looks and outfits without accumulating more stuff to clutter my room and my mind!

Is anyone inteseted in joining in?

Here's to a style and beauty debt free 2018

[FlouryBap]

Good luck! I did this a few years ago and it was fine. It was actually a relief to not look in shops and not fret I was missing bargains in the sales.

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Thank you FlouryBap. That sounds exactly like what I'm hoping for in 2018 (along with clearing my credit card)!

I have to admit my spending has been getting out of control this last year. It's been almost like an addiction (online shopping here), the thrill of seeing a photo of something styled beautifully, popping it into an imaginary basket, applying a promo code or discount (justifies it, even though I know I shouldn't), paying for it by card (no hard cash handed over) and then the anticipation of waiting for it to arrive. Sometimes it's a dud and other times it's love! But I often wonder whether I'd walk past most of my purchases if I actually saw them hanging on a rail in the shops

[TwinklyGiraffe]

I’m in!

Definitely spend too much and, like you, finances can’t justify it! I’m going to be permanently dropping to 3 days a week at work and need to stop frivolous spending.

You’ve perfectly described the shopping cycle for me! Thrill of finding something amazing, imagining how it’ll look and how it’ll be styled and then the excitement of waiting for it to be delivered. . Have never thought of it like that before!

Necessities only here!

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Great stuff, TwinklyGiraffe, let's do it! It's going to be a test for me but I'm hoping to enjoy the freedom it brings.

[LostInShoebiz]

Yes! Watching with interest and hopefully joining in as I desperately need this. I have a wedding to pay for, not my own.

I get a lot of free footwear from work and can't decide if that should stop in case it's a kind of 'gateway drug' to real shopping.

[hashtagelfie]

I’ll dip my toe in if that’s ok? I tried to do it this year and realised pmt was my spending trigger and I could be great 25 days of the month then 3 I went wild!! Then spring came and I gave up. So rather then doing a no spend year, I’m doing a no card spending - I’m only allowed to buy with cold hard cash. I think that will certainly stop many many purchases and my ever increasing credit card balance even though I promise every year this will be the year I pay it off

[CrabappleCake]

Noting down (app or notepad) everything SAnd B you spend was a great motivator for me. With no cheating.

I unsubscribed from stuff, sorted out what I had, and actually relief is the word.

Found something else to do a lunchtime which was my spending time and stopped browsing shopping sites.

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Please do join in, the more the merrier!

Sounds like the shoes aren't really freebies if the knock on effect is spending LostInSoebiz!

Nice to have a credi card clearing compadre hashtagelfie.

Now that it is properly cold where I live I am going to have a good look at my winter clothes over the coming weeks and set about thinking about how to tie them together into outfits for the coming months. Between pregnancy, weight gain and weight loss there is perfectly good stuff that I haven't worn in a few years.

[Alwaysreadyforablether]

Can I join in? I have just had a massive clear out and got rid of loads of clothes I never wear. The temptation is to rush out and replace them but I still have plenty and now I can actually see what I've got too.
I also have more than enough beauty products to last for a very long time. Might only need to replace essentials like eye make up remover. I have a large wicker basket in my bathroom which is full of products. I knew how bad it was when my partner, who wouldn't normally notice that kind of thing, commented on how much stuff I have

[Crackedbutstillshiny]

I'd like to join in as well. I have a giant fabric stash that I'm not using and I'm buying clothes as well! I need to stop spending money when I feel stressed or upset... I've got a massive amount of beauty goods as well and I've bought myself a no7 advent calendar

I like hashtag's plan of only spending with cash. It always hurts a little more more to pay with cash as well.

[Alwaysreadyforablether]

cracked I can totally relate to shopping when stressed or upset - it's totally my thing too. I need to find something else to do - a hot bath or something (use up some of that product stash at the same time!)

[VivaVegas]

Very very tempted!

[CoolCarrie]

Room for another one? Definitely need to stop buying clothes, handbags and makeup I've got enough stuff to stock a shop!

[applesandpears33]

I'm in. I've been trying to do low spend for a couple of years now. I think I've bought 11 items of clothing and shoes/boots in 2017. I'm finding I don't wear out clothes very quickly! The spending has been displaced though and I've been buying more homewares instead.

[Oly5]

I’m pregnant at the mo and so haven’t shopped for months. Beforehand, I was a borderline addict.
I can tell you all that it’s just a habit. If you can get out of even having a LOOK at websites etc or going into shops, the feeling goes and life is much, much better. I have so much more time in my hands now for other things.
In my case, there’s been no point in looking because nothing fits apart from mat clothes. But the not looking and wondering has really killed my desire for more clothes I don’t actually need.
Best of luck!

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

So much of what everyone is posting feels and sounds familiar

I've used online shopping to fill some emotional void. I don't know, I think I've been fooling myself that it would make me feel better, but it hasn't really! There have been weeks where I've shopped like a blogger, but I'm not one and have never had a freebie or garments sent to me to try out!

I don't want to be on firstname terms with couriers anymore

I'd rather interact with my loved ones more, read some of the books stacking up on my bedside locker, declutter, go for walks etc than scour websites for clothes that I don't really need.

It's so nice to read supportive posts from those who have already done it. Thanks

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

In

Actually, I very very rarely buy online . I do browse online then I go out to the shop to buy it IRL. And often when I see it, I don't buy it.

I do lists of what I want/need.

Last month I got a few things.
Uniqlo Merinio and Uniqlo Cotton Cashmere
M&S jeggings
M&S chelsea boots (good source of non leather shoes)
Some long sleeved tops from Matalan and my Christmas jumper.

And yesterday the M&S leopard coat

I write everything I buy (clothes/toiletries except toothpaste) in a small diary to keep track.

My weakness is jumpers but that won't be a problem till next September.

I should try a spending diary for my 15yo DD

[Uumellmahaye]

@MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff - any chance you can change things so you don’t have to wear tights? Last year my work went to casual dress only and it’s been brilliant - no need for tights as I wear jeans, tshirts and fleeces. The savings have been immense. I now just own a few pairs of velvet opaque tights for winter to wear with dresses and boots.

[stevie69]

I'd rather interact with my loved ones more, read some of the books stacking up on my bedside locker, declutter, go for walks etc than scour websites for clothes that I don't really need.

Ooooh, yes. So would I. That sounds absolutely lovely. I have stuff; WAY too much stuff Please may I join in too? I'm going to put my savings towards taking a year off work to go back to university and do my Masters

Good luck everyone

[ToothTrauma]

I’m in! Skincare and makeup are my weaknesses. I’ve a huge hoard and it needs using up instead of constantly buying new stuff!

[HolgerDanske]

2017 was supposed to be no-spend for me. Instead I've spent a fuckload.

2018 I am going to have to rein it in or I will be in trouble!

Sigh. Why wasn't I a trust fund baby?!

[mowglik]

I’m in! I did this last year and gave myself a limit of £50 a month spend. Meant to do it for 6 months and managed it for 5 so I was quite pleased with that. I’ll do the same in 2018 as well.

I could never do no spend personally I’d just buy something and feel like I’d failed and then give up... fatalistic, me? Never!

Will do the same as you OP, after the Xmas sales, unsubscribe from newsletters, and try and find creative ways to use what I have

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Great! Brilliant to see more joining in.

Confession time - I'm expecting a parcel to arrive today. After this week is over I will be making an early start. I'm not waiting until 2018 (can't afford not to). The only people getting more clothes or shoes for the remainder of 2017 in this house will be my DC's!