No Spend 19 - join us!

[NoSpend19]

Hi all

So yet another name change for the No Spend 19 thread some of us have been discussing (not a TAAT - juts a spin off)

The aim is to reduce the unnecessary spending on "stuff". We're almost at the end of the year and so 2019 is a good time to start.

It would be great if as many people as possible thought it was feasible for them so there are no hard and fast rules but to give you an idea my rules are as follows:

Food and drink purchases are permitted (although personally I will also be trying to grow as much as possible myself, reduce air miles and reduce single use plastics in the food we buy. In addition I will be avoiding being tempted to pay extra for brands. Meals out and takeaways are also on our no spend list)

Essential household products and toiletries are permitted. So it is ok to buy washing powder but personally I will be avoiding buying six different types of stain remover, fabric conditioner, ironing water and all the other stuff we are told we need to do to clean a load of washing . Likewise we will be buying soap, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo as essentials but will not be buying hair masks, face masks, make up, face cream, serums, body sprays, nail varnish, showergels, body scrubs etc. Perfectly acceptable to use up everything you have though.

essential clothing etc is permitted. DH and I won't be buying anything unless absolutely unavoidable but DC are growing and will need shoes, trousers etc. We will aim to keep this to a minimum though.

Fuel and other travel costs are permitted

Normal household bills are permitted of course

stuff is not permitted. So toys, books (library is fine), magazines, CDs, DVDs, random household items like cushions, candles, stationery etc are all on the aim not to buy list. This Christmas will be prior to the experiment starting but we are already asking for experience presents for the DC eg cinema tickets.

We are just feeling a bit like consumerism has gone mad and so we think we can probably do this. In our household it is me, DH DS1 (13) and DS2 (11, nearly 12). Anyone up for joining? We start at the beginning of 2019

Disclaimer: before we decided to do this we had already booked and paid for our holiday for next year. It is a bit of a cheat but I don't want to delay this just because we'd already done that.

I may need significant to get me through

I spent no pounds today.

Great thread. I'm in. My rules will be similar to OP. I have enough clothes, even underwear, to last. Essential clothes only for dc and try to obtain second hand if possible. Occasional take aways allowed. Eating out socially is allowed as I rarely see friends, so I can't turn down or be fussy with the few friends I have. I've agreed with my extended family, no gifts for Christmas or birthdays. DH won't do the same but fair enough, that's his business I suppose.

I'll try to just borrow anything I need. I've already borrowed some dresses from my sister for all my Christmas/new year events. I was saying in another thread that things are just so cheap now, it's easier to just buy say a tool or kitchen item for £10 instead of making the effort to borrow it. But the advantage of borrowing is that the item won't be hanging around to clog up your house forever.

Joining!

I will only allow myself to buy work clothing (I start working this year!) and essentials this year. No treating myself to a nice dress that will end up unused, or used once. Or shoes that look pretty but hurt my feet, etc.

I’m in.

My biggest issue is buying clothes. I think that because I only buy second hand it’s ok. It’s not when you buy lots!

I also need to get better at meal planning so will take out a set amount for the week for food. If I have left over food money I can use it for lunch out although I doubt I will!

In 2018 I tracked my spends so this year is a good year to stop spending.

I do have a honeymoon to book though!

Hi all

Good luck for day 2. We didn't spend anything yesterday (but that's hardly a challenge since nothing was open!). Instead DH and I cleared out our bedroom. Aaagh! The amount of stuff we have shoved in cupboards is crazy. I embarrassed myself by opening a box of 90s clothing and immediately putting some of it back into circulation since its fashionable again! But at least that means I have "new" stuff to wear which hasn't cost me a penny. Currently sitting here in a stretchy velvet evening dress from the early 90s which is now a (rather posh) nightie! . Make do and mend..

I'd like to join. Here are my rules:

• no clothes, shoes, accessories (except tights/socks) as they require replacing
• no books, real, kindle or audible, unless it is a book group choice. (It will be really interesting to see how many years my current stash will last)
• no toiletries, except replacement of my current basics
• no stationery
• take coffee and water to work

Meanwhile I plan to declutter like a fiend. I've been watching the new Marie Kondo programme on Netflix and am inspired to start....

I really would urge people to get the free library apps which allow you to read ebooks and listen to audio books and read online magazines for free. It means everyone can keep reading lots of new books but avoid buying more and more "stuff". Authors still benefit from library loans.

Takes five minutes to set up.

Completely agree nospend2019 and if you have any probs pop in to the library and the staff will help you set it up etc.

Do try and visit the library too though- it’s difficult times for lots of councils and if people aren’t coming through the door it can be difficult to justify keeping them open .

Yesterdays spends: £15 on a hangover KFC and hospital visiting car park

Todays spends: £40 Tesco food shop, £55 on fuel that will last the rest of the month.

Tomorrow and Friday SHOULD be no spend days.

Please may I join? After the excesses of Christmas and feeling the same concerns about consumerism and waste, but also wanting the family to focus on experiences rather than things. I’ll not make any hard and fast rules but dh and I were discussing that any purchases should either be useful, necessary or bring us joy (or all three)!
My highest priority is to cut down on my ridiculous take away coffee habit: it’s bad for the environment, bad for my health and bad for the pennies! I also want to make sure all toiletries in the house are used before replacements are bought.
Spends today: £2 parking at a local country park and £60 weekly shop at Aldi; so far so good!

Today I spent a total of £1.10 on two mugs of tea at work. You can get free tea from the Klix machine but it's really horrible! So my trade off is that if I take my lunch in from home I can have a decent cup of tea.

day 2 - no spend.

DH bought me a bunch of flowers because its our wedding anniversary. Massive fail on day 2 (but I can't really be annoyed at that!)

NSD
Purse left at home

Today I spent 50p on a banana. I'm so annoyed! I have bananas at home but I forgot to pack one to have in my porridge at work. I was going to try and just have plain porridge, but I caved and went and spent 50p at the staff canteen.
Still, that brings my total spend for the year so far to 50p.

Actually, that's a massive lie. I also spent £203 on January's school dinners and breakfast/after-school club.
Essential spending though, not exactly frippery!

Tues - NSD
Weds - £18 on Thai takeaway (but I've already decided we will continue with a weekly takeaway, with the view to making it fortnightly soon once we're not so incredibly busy)

Thanks for the library tip, I keep meaning to sign up to the ebooks.

NSD today & yesterday. Hoping for same tomorrow

NSD today. Yesterday I did spend money - but on a birthday present for my mother, so I think that is allowed :)

Nsd for yesterday and today.
I even walked past the wine aisle!

NSD today, did have a little browse around the shops, but didn't buy anything. I've found some nice loafers that I would like for work, i want to replace my current ballet flats as they aren't supportive enough, new shoes are on my allowed purchases list but feels wrong to spend so early in the challenge!

Got a free take-away coffee and used my re-usable cup. I'm not giving up take-away coffee completely, but decided I'm only allowed one if I've got my re-usable cup on me, which I think will reduce the amount significantly.

I need to know about the library apps. I thought audio books were subscription x

I’ve just signed up to my library. Thank you

I was thinking about my spending triggers before I started this. One of them is my daily commute as I'm sitting on the train for 35 minutes and always have my phone with me so it's too easy to browse.
So I downloaded some books and will take my iPad with me to read instead of shopping.
I've also signed up for my local library - you need to sign up online first and then you get access to e-books so I'm just waiting for my access to come through.

Went to Tesco in lunch break yesterday bought lunch,nothing else.That has never happened before.Also talked to work friends about us all bringing lunch instead of buying and they all seemed like they were grateful I had brought the subject up.seems I’m not the only one trying to cut down on unnecessary spending.