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

Another NSD although lots of looking at holiday outfits.
I’ve sorted a bag of clothes for a friend who sells them on and takes a small fee. I get rid of clothes that I no longer need and get some money for them without the hassle of doing it myself! Whatever I make will be my holiday clothes budget.

Just noticed a selling fee promo on eBay so that's spurred me into action and have now listed three coats that I no longer wear.

Welcome to the thread @Designerenvy. Good luck reducing your spending and living a bit more mindfully. As you can probably see, we have mixed results here!!
But it's still early in the year and I reckon we'll have it licked by December!
It's not just random online impulse purchases then clutterfree. Hopefully you'll be able to reduce it right down for the rest of the month, bar any emergencies.
Well done giggage and littlechocola on the NSDs.
Sounds like you were hit by a moment of weakness grannycake!! I hope they were good magazines though!

I want to ask you all about whether I should spend some money or not. There is a talk being held about half an hour away from where I live, on a subject that really interests me. However, it's £25 a ticket. Normally I wouldn't even consider it, however since I split with my boyfriend I'm worrying about filling the evenings when DS is with his dad (we have 50/50 care). Can I justify spending this money, plus the cost of petrol/parking? I don't want to sit around at home moping, but I also don't want to start spending loads of money I don't have on going out when it's not really necessary. I'm a bit conflicted!

Thanks houndofthebasketball for the warm welcome. New year resolution ( stared 2 weeks ago) is to reduce spending, clear some debts and get saving.
Seems Impossible at time with huge bills coming in the door regularly but I'm determined this time !
I'm no money expert but for what it's worth, I would go to that lecture if it interests you.
I've passed on a few things like that and I usually end up regretting it. If you can work it into your budget go, sounds like you need the distraction also, and its not like you're spending it on rubbish ..... this sounds like a good thing. Sorry to hear about your breakup

@HoundOfTheBasketballs
I think personally you should treat yourself a little a break up is a hard time so something to look forward to would be good for you.
No spend day turned into £3.55 costa £17 Chinese takeaway.
Must. Try. Harder.

Welcome, Designer. Good luck with your challenge!!

Hounds, I agree, you should definitely go. I imagine those opportunities don't come up often.

Thanks Clutter x

Hounds if you can afford it then go to the event. I don't begrudge spending on experiences - it's the unnecessary stuff that's such a waste

I agree with granny
Its not about being frugal to the point of misery but not frittering/wasting money.
My aim was to build an emergency pot and then move onto building longer term savings.
All through being mindful about what I spend and I dont feel my lifestyle has suffered.
Plan your ticket into your budget.
I avoid the word "treat" for spending as its easy to get hooked into the "deserve it" mentality and before long its slipping through your fingers again.
I treat myself to peace and quiet,a hot bath,a walk etc

Thanks everyone! In that case I'm hoping for a NSD today, apart from £25 on my ticket!
Have a great Sunday all.

Good for you hound, that's great.
I must get petrol later € 20 ( that's all I afford today) , it'll get me through til the middle of the week .
Heading out with the kids to visit my Mum and collect DH from airport. DS has smyths voucher he's dying to spend, so must pop by there.
Hoping to just pick up cakes to bring to Mum and the petrol will be the only spends ....fingers crossed .

Oh deffinately experiences if can be afforded are worth the splash out, we loosely estimated today we save £30 a week just by stopping in at the weekend and not using fuel/oh I'm thirsty let's pick a drink up expences when out for the sake of it plus more from not being tempted in the shops.

Christmas, I agree, weekends are a killer on the impulsive spends ! Proud of myself this weekend. Just got the petrol and the cakes for visiting Mum. ... happy out !

I find it the little consequential spends that really add up.
Still haven't managed my first no spend day of Feb but did only spend £2 50 today and didn't use my car so not too bad.
Looking at flights to Dublin - travel my major expensive area!

Go and enjoy yourself hound! What is the talk about?
Accidentally spent £34 on honeymoon clothes! Dh pointed out that that would be one pair of shorts for him but was 6 items for me as it’s all second hand.

6 items of clothing for £34, that's fab, can't go wrong .

Cooking freezer suprise for tea in a bid to avoid asda - how is everybody doing today?

Hi justanother also cooked from the freezer today( minted lamb chops).Still taking lunch to work,still putting into savings most days.

NSD. Started in a new department so had to bring lunch with me.

Am about to make tea and tomorrow's lunch so will be on track for a NSD for tomorrow as well.

After Saturdays big spend back to NSD today (and yesterday). Hoping to get until Friday without spending any money. We'll see

How's the campervan going granny?

Nsd

Hi everyone.
Thank you all for convincing me going to the talk this evening was a good idea.
It was on "reducing waste toward a zero waste lifestyle."
It was brilliant. It's part of a personal development networking group. I was surrounded by so many kind, friendly and welcoming people. It was just what I needed.
I've spent 79p on a bag of oats, £10.10 on a train ticket and £5.75 on a glass of wine at the talk. My ticket included a meal as well, which was a really nice surprise.
Off to bed happy now.

Giggage It's great and it will be better when I don't spend the first half four arguing with DH how the heating system works (hint I've read the manual not just randomly pressing buttons). We took the GC out for the afternoon on Saturday - bike rides and then back to van for beans on toast and cake. Much excitement
Hound I'm so pleased you had a good time and met some lovely people
Well done everyone else - have a lovely mindful February

@HoundOfTheBasketballs
So glad you had a good evening there's nothing nicer than that lovely glowy feeling after doing something you've really enjoyed