2020...My frugal year, for real this time

[NorthEndGal]

This year I really want to buckle down on wasteful spending, like grabbing a coffee instead of bring from home.
Buying a shirt for a night out, instead of raiding a friend's closet.
I know I said it last year, and fell off the frugal wagon a week later.😳

Anyone else looking to cut frivolous spending in 2020? Any tips for staying on track? I'm good at budgets and such, shit at willpower though...

I was doing so well...then Dh just got us a new puppy 🐶 I’m not sure if that counts

Being all serious now...

So far I’ve swapped our house insurance to another company saving nearly £30 per month for better cover. I can’t believe we had been paying £78 per month

I’ve resisted the sales (mostly) I did buy some new knickers from accessorise as they were £1.80 each and I desperately needed them but they came out of my spending money

I’ve given Dh and I spending money we have £30 each a week to buy what we want ^^ see above. So far I’ve only spent £5.80. Dh has topped up his work card for drinks and hasn’t spent anything else.

Actually having the cash in my purse make me think if I really need something. Do I need to buy that coffee?? Do I need that new eye liner when I have 3 at home unopened?? Is it really a bargain just because it’s reduced?? It’s certainly an eye opener for me.

I’ve also limited my fuel..I put in what I need for work and an extra £10...this is helping me not do wasteful journeys, I live in a beautiful area and can walk for miles without having to get in the car instead of driving somewhere to walk the dog.

I’m going to sit down this weekend and do a proper meal plan and try to get our food down to around £60 per week not sure it’s entirely possible but I’ve been spending around £600/800 per month and that’s just stupid.

I’ve swapped our credit card to a 0% and will be using all our spare money at the end of the month to make extra payments and it should be clear by May. Once that’s paid off I will be putting that money into a savings account.

I have a pile of bits for eBay when I get some £1 listings, I’ve also got 2 x bags for charity.

I’ve also not got any new shampoo/conditioner/body wash we have piles of it and I refuse to buy any until I run out.

I already do most of the things listed on this thread, but the idea of not popping in to the shop struck me as something I've never considered (I meal plan and have an online delivery so don't often run out)

Today a calamity has struck and I have run out of satsumas I prepped myself to leave a little earlier for work so I could pick up a bag (shopping doesn't come till Friday) and then stopped myself. While in the supermarket I would have inevitably bought something extra, and likely treated myself to a posh ready meal for lunch when I have a packed lunch already made

So I had a banana and an apple instead

TicTac I can recommend this conditioner bar www.babipur.co.uk/natural-toiletries-skincare/hair-body-bars/fragrance-free-solid-conditioner-bar.html (there's a few different fragrances if you look on the website). It's lasting ages, and makes my hair (greasy, wiry texture) silky smooth. We use shampoo from the same brand too, although I buy both direct through Facebook.

I fell off the wagon! Went into town with DH as he had vouchers to spend and ended buying myself cook books & some gym gear. £40 spent that I shouldn't have.

I am so weak!!!

But doing really well on the grocery and meal planning side of things. Realized we had a chicken in the fridge which was due to go off the following day so I cooked it last night...had to wait up until 11:30pm for it to finish cooking but will now do us for sandwiches. The old me would have just chucked it in the bin!