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Original poster

No Spend 19 - join us!

772 replies

NoSpend19 · 08/11/2018 10:06

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 Hmm. 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 Gin to get me through Grin

OP posts:
Littlechocola · 05/02/2019 12:34

Hound, that sounds amazing! Money well spent! Bargain with dinner included as well!

BettySundaes · 05/02/2019 14:36

Hound, that tickets sounds like money well spent, especially when you meet likeminded people on the same journey - bet its given you lots of inspiration for February and onwards.

Giggage · 05/02/2019 16:23

Hounds glad to hear you enjoyed your night out. This is proof that we need to enjoy ourselves more. Put money towards that and not live a miserable life while cutting our spending.

Another NSD today. Wonder if I can do the same for tomorrow too?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Christmas
HoundOfTheBasketballs · 05/02/2019 22:08

Sounds like the camper is definitely an investment for the whole family grannycake. You sound like very cool grandparents. Or "well lit" as my DS would say! Confused

I've spent £21.62 on food shopping. This should see us through until Friday hopefully.

Giggage · 06/02/2019 19:52

NSD, 3rd in a row.

HoundOfTheBasketballs · 06/02/2019 20:32

Well done giggage!

I have also managed an NSD, my first in a row! Grin

Giggage · 06/02/2019 21:00

It's a start!! Small victories and all that

Littlechocola · 06/02/2019 22:07

£40 on food.

Jambalaya76 · 06/02/2019 22:33

NSD Smile

Clutterfreeintraining · 06/02/2019 23:32

£4 business expense today

£3 on milk and biscuits to take to my hobby group yesterday + £5.90 business expense

Hoping for a full NSD tomorrow

grannycake · 07/02/2019 09:31

I have spent £350 Shock on clothes and shoes but my MIL paid for them as she wanted to thank me for some stuff I have been doing for her so still NSD from our own money. It's great to see so many NSD on here

Justanotheruser01 · 07/02/2019 13:52

Just checking in with my new username- imaginatively I was justanotherchristmasuser01
Still haven't managed a no spend day this month - low spend days and only food and stuff but not a no spend day yet haven't spent today yet so hopefully!

Clutterfreeintraining · 07/02/2019 17:20

Grannycake - ooh, what did you get? That was kind of your MIL and lovely that she appreciates what you do for her.

Justanother - nice new name Grin

I failed at my NSD...decided to get petrol at the same time as dropping off two eBay parcels. My eBay sales are up to £162.50 since Sunday and I'm delighted to have removed two largish items from my house.

I did decline an invitation to go for a panini at lunchtime. I would have had to have it as a takeaway anyway (had three preschoolers to juggle!!) and today is a Fast Day so was quite easy to say no.

I've got the day off tomorrow and am going to take my aunt to meet my dmum and go for a coffee but hoping that will be my only spend.

Justanotheruser01 · 07/02/2019 17:38

@Clutterfreeintraining
To me though you've has a nsd fuel is an essential and you've probably saved money getting it then rather than driving back to get it another day.

Clutterfreeintraining · 07/02/2019 17:45

Hmm, I like your logic Grin

grannycake · 07/02/2019 18:01

Clutter. I have an expensive Hush habit. I got denim shorts, a summer dress, a skirt, some white trainers, a linen top, some chinos, couple of T shirts and a couple of camis. I don't need anything else for the summer. My MIL is lovely. She is 90 and has been in residential care for the past year as her medical/mobility problems meant it wasn't safe for her to be on her own. It's taken a while to adjust but she looks much healthier and happier now. My DH does the day to day stuff as he works in the town she is. I only deal with all the finances, selling her house, buying her clothes, sorting out her benefit entitlement (or trying to 5/6 month wait for the care portion of her disability pension ). But she wanted to give us all something - me and my DH and her 4 GC

Giggage · 07/02/2019 18:30

NSD today.

Was tempted to give in to a craving for Mac Donald's chips but resisted because I was in the wrong lane in a traffic jam

Littlechocola · 07/02/2019 18:52

Granny- that’s so lovely.

NSD

HoundOfTheBasketballs · 07/02/2019 20:21

Well done on accidentally deliberately avoiding the drive-thru giggage Grin
And well done littlechocola on another NSD.
What a lovely thing for your MIL to do for you and all your family grannycake. You're going to look stunning, dressed up in your new clothes in your new camper this summer!
Good work with the eBay selling clutterfree, you're inspiring me to have a rummage around and see if I can find some things to sell.

I failed at a NSD today. It was going so well. I'd been in London all day for work and had avoided countless Prets! And then I got home and I've bought a bracelet off an advert on Instagram for £13! You can have them customs engraved with a positive mantra. Mine will say, "brave, strong, independent." I used to say it to myself every morning in the mirror in the difficult times after I'd chucked DS dad out. Hopefully it won't be too crap for £13 and I'll actually want to wear it!! Blush

Clutterfreeintraining · 07/02/2019 20:29

Aw, granny, that sounds like a difficult time for her but glad she's settling into her new home/routine.

Giggage - well done for resisted the mcds urge!!
Littlechocola - yay for NSD!!

grannycake · 08/02/2019 05:27

Hound you'll be brave, strong and independent even if the bracelets crap but I;m sure it will be fine
Giggage good for you resisting the call of the burger.
Happy no spending everyone - I'll be doing the weekly shop today so about to write list

Giggage · 08/02/2019 06:56

Hound, I remember saying something like that for a while too during my low years. Hope it helps you remember that you very much are strong, independent and fabulous. (I know that wasn't quite it, but it's still good and makes me think of a flamboyant drag queen with an attitude.)

Giggage · 08/02/2019 06:58

Not that I thought no you're.....

Oh sod it, you know what Im trying to say.

ITS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING PEOPLE!

Clutterfreeintraining · 08/02/2019 07:54

Hounds - your bracelet sounds like a positive purchase - a visual reminder could be helpful until your mantra becomes deep rooted again!!

I'd definitely recommend rummaging for potential eBay goodies. I usually only list clothes if I can get at least £10 to make it worth the effort. Also, I only list things with a fixed price and put them on for a month at a time.

Giggage · 08/02/2019 14:10

Decided on a takeaway for tea later. Only myself and D's in tonight

Been paid some maintenance by ex (for once) so that gone straight onto a credit card, as an which extra payment. I'm hoping to clear it by the end of April.