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Original poster

During May I will only spend money on food and petrol.

266 replies

Collision · 30/04/2011 20:54

I have decided that I spend far too much on silly bits and pieces and that after a while this really adds up.

The children do not need ANY clothes or shoes at all.

Neither do I. Or bags.

DH needs nothing.

So I have declared that May will be an eco month and i will only buy food and petrol. We are in school for the whole of the month so no trips out are necessary and if the weather is nice we can take our bikes out.

Anyone care to join me or make comments to support me!

OP posts:
LawrieMarlow · 13/05/2011 11:38

Well done on the Kindle fund :)

Carrotsandcelery · 13/05/2011 11:46

How much have you left to go angel? You must be very well on the way.

angel1976 · 13/05/2011 11:53

Thanks ladies! I am going to raise the whole amount of £111 by end of this month, I am determined. :) It's a bit of a treat for my DH but he's working so hard and he would love a Kindle for his commute but it's not something we want to splash on at this point of time (about to exchange and complete on a house!) so I don't feel that bad if I raise the money through things that are sitting around or I had already paid for. I've only got £32 left to go! (I've got a spreadsheet and all for this. SADDO Blush) A friend of mine owes me £25 for a sling I sold her but she hasn't paid me yet, she said next week and I hate asking people for money so fingers crossed she will give me the money next week... Grin

Carrotsandcelery · 13/05/2011 12:09

So, technically about £7 to go. You are so close already. How do you plan to raise the final £7 then?

angel1976 · 13/05/2011 13:11

Sell my body? Grin

Carrotsandcelery · 13/05/2011 13:24

To your dh? For £7? I am sure we can be more creative Grin

angel1976 · 13/05/2011 14:03

I have to say I am a bit gutted that stupid Tesco doesn't do amazon for their clubcard as I have lots of points there (we shop there more than Sainsburys...), that would definitely have made up the last £7. If we are moving soon, I will have to de-clutter and I do have boxes and boxes of the DC's toys and clothes to get rid of, just don't know how to start with those!!!! :)

Carrotsandcelery · 13/05/2011 14:21

Could you do a car boot sale? It would be the quickest and easiest way to do it, although I think the biggest returns would be on ebay.

Meglet · 13/05/2011 14:21

bookmarking... not doing that well. But I am using up toiletries!

Carrotsandcelery · 13/05/2011 14:24

The using up toiletries issue is one that was much needed in our house and it is making a difference, even though the toothpaste that I am using makes me sick every single night as it is soooooo disgusting.

I am not doing brilliantly either Meglet but it is still better than it would have been without joining the thread.

angel1976 · 13/05/2011 14:31

Yes, I think ebay is the way to go... I'm toying with the idea of using my DH's account... But first I have to psychologically let go of them... DS2's nursery almost lost this blue hoody that I have had for both DS1 and him and I was beside myself as it was one thing I told my friend I am so keeping for them as I have such good mental images of them in the same hoody... Thank goodness they found it. I have a long way t go, haven't I? Grin

I am too using all my toiletries before buying anything new... I have moisturisers coming out of my ears. I don't even buy those, it's all from Christmases ago!!!! Argh!!!!

LawrieMarlow · 13/05/2011 15:01

You can get Kindles in Tesco I discovered recently. Although it would pain me to use Clubcard vouchers at face value IYKWIM.

angel1976 · 13/05/2011 15:08

Really? Which Tescos? I'm off for a nosey... Not the one near me for sure! :)

angel1976 · 13/05/2011 15:12

Oh... You are right and I could order and collect. Yes, it would pain me to use them up for face value but if it's the last £7 I need... then it's worth it surely? I've already got £4.50 worth of vouchers and on the clubcard website, it says they are preparing my current statement, I am positive there will be more than £2.50 there to make up the rest! Fingers crossed! :)

LawrieMarlow · 13/05/2011 15:14

Here

You could use the amazon voucher you have for your DH to get/put towards some books. Is any of the rest of what you have got in amazon vouchers?

angel1976 · 13/05/2011 15:17

Oh buggery, I forgot I have £7.50 in amazon vouchers... :( Ok, must rethink! LOL... Wink Thanks Lawrie.

bustersmummy · 14/05/2011 19:51

Well, yesterday was a fail. Due to "complications" with the ex, I took the girls out to poundland and B&M bargains and they bought crap to make cards/presents with.

Went shopping today with DD2 - turns out I lied, all her jeans were up her leg and she's off on a school trip on Wednesday so she got two pairs of jeans and some new pants.

Oh and we had take away Blush but DD1's at a birthday party

angel1976 · 14/05/2011 20:01

Oh busters Repent and you shall be forgiven! :)

Haven't been a great start to the weekend for me either. DH has been working long hours lately so I booked him and DS1 to go see The Tiger who came to tea at the local theatre tomorrow so that was £20. Also did some 'top up' shopping today that included two boxes of chocolates and card for my really good friend who had a birthday yesterday for £25. I was very restrained actually! And tomorrow night, I'm going out with her and two other friends for dinner to celebrate but we are going to the local Thai which is excellent and eat all you can buffet so at least I know how much I will be spending! Grin

bustersmummy · 14/05/2011 20:04

Well, the budget for birthday presents is usually £10 a go, and we didn't spend that and DD2 has been amused all afternoon cutting and sticking and stuff Grin

And the takeaway was lovely and worth it lol

Carrotsandcelery · 14/05/2011 20:11

I only spent in Tesco today on the shopping for the week. Unfortunately I took dh with me and various things popped into the trolley that were not food related.

On the other hand, ds has a birthday party tomorrow and we have a very lovely gift in the present box that is perfect for the occasion - that is the second time this month the present box has been used successfully - and at no extra cost.

Meglet · 14/05/2011 20:14

No spend day!!! Grin

Morning was spent at home then we went for a walk in the afternoon. We had all the food we needed so no need to go anywhere near a shop.

This thread is certainly focussing (sp?)me to not fritter and only get things we need. Have got quotes for Cam belt for car and new mantlepiece shelf. Also made enquiries about leaving current fixed rate mortgage and starting newer one at lower rate to save a few ££ over the next few years. They've all been on my to-do list for months.

HauntedLittleLunatic · 15/05/2011 10:50

Hi,

It's been a few days since I checked in. I don't think I have sinned much since. Only food here...no takeaways. Oh yes there was...I spent more than my alolocated £2 for lunch at uni on Friday...had to buy a cup of fresh squeezed orange juice to cure my bottle of wine induced medical issues from teh night before.

I also had a night out Friday night, as was someones leaving do. Had to pay for bus fair and a couple of drinks.

But I did my "weekly" shop yesterday and I spent a third of what I normally do Shock. Don't know how I managed that....actually I do. DDs have just started free school meals so we are not eating full meals during the week and therefore the freezer is full so I only really needed a few bits - mostly fresh fruit/veg/bread/milk etc. That and the fact that they will be at XPs for 2 extra meals this week. I will need to buy more fresh produce at the end of the week though.

I am looking forward to my credit card statement at the end of the month.

Original poster
Collision · 15/05/2011 13:30

I am really pleased with myself since I started the thread.

There has been no random spending at all.

I did take ds1 to Morrisons for coffee but ds2 was at a friend's house and it was pre planned so not random!

Have just done normal food shopping with a list and meals planned so not spent wildly.

We did book Horrible History tickets for June but again, not randomly.

No tshirts or makeup in the trolley. Am using up what we have before we buy more.

The children are on board with it too and know not to ask for bits and pieces.

Well done Me and You!!!!!!!!!!

OP posts:
angel1976 · 15/05/2011 13:52

Collision Well done for getting your DCs on board, that must be hard.

Haunted I know what you mean. I went to the shop yesterday and also spent only a third of what I usually spend but I am determined to use up what I can from the freezer before I buy any more meat. So hardly bought any of that, just 'top up' stuff like milk and fruit.

I had to pend £5 today as we have lost the measuring tape in our house and we were going to see the new house we are buying and the whole point was to do some measuring! Well, got one for a fiver, bargain and promptly left it in the house before we left! Argh, argh, argh! Oh well, hope the one in our house will turn up somewhat and I don't think we will need to do any measuring till we move...

Dropped DH and DS1 off at theatre with a packed lunch.

Now at home, DS2 is napping and don't think we will be going out to spend any money till I am out for dinner with my friends tonight.

It's 15 May, ladies! Halfway there and well done all so far. I definitely have done a lot less impulse spending since I joined this thread!

HauntedLittleLunatic · 15/05/2011 19:22

Forgive me collision for I have sinned...

Am stood waiting for Chinese take-awaying...but considered it fully first...