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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:
somersetmum · 30/04/2011 21:54

I would join but I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED to buy the Sunday papers with the Royal Wedding supplement tomorrow Blush

Original poster
Collision · 30/04/2011 21:59

You can buy the paper as it is a pre planned thought with a good reason for purchasing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Collision · 30/04/2011 21:59

Again leg wax is fine and hair cut is fine.

OP posts:
somersetmum · 30/04/2011 22:01

OK, thanks Collision - I'll join then :)

Original poster
Collision · 30/04/2011 22:02

Shall we come up with some rules?

  1. Do not bow to pressure from children that they neeeeeeed the latest magazine at £3 a pop or a lego man at £1.99 each.
  1. Walk past the clothes section in Sainsbo and Tesco as you actually do not need anything.
  1. Get out all the odds and sods of toiletries that you have and use them up before you buy more.
  1. Meal plan and use up most of what is in the freezer.
OP posts:
Adair · 30/04/2011 22:06
  1. Ask yourself if you have anything already, or could make/adapt what you are about to buy.
Original poster
Collision · 30/04/2011 22:23
  1. Take things out with you like drinks and fruit so the children cannot pester you for random bits of food!
OP posts:
Original poster
Collision · 30/04/2011 22:30

????

OP posts:
LawrieMarlow · 30/04/2011 22:48

I like the sound of this thread :)

I am however having a hair cut on Tuesday which I moved from Thursday so I could earn more money. I am also doing mystery shopping on Wednesday and on Friday where I need to spend money but will get this reimbursed so is not really spending in the true sense of the word.

Do need to buy train tickets so I can travel down to London to do work. This is also acceptable. It's all the little bits that add up (NB children have learned there is no point in asking for magazines as I always say no. Have however remembered I owe them pocket money for a few weeks Blush)

LawrieMarlow · 30/04/2011 22:49

Also I need newspaper(s) with Royal Wedding Stuff in tomorrow.

Original poster
Collision · 30/04/2011 22:51

All of that is fine Lawrie!

OP posts:
LawrieMarlow · 30/04/2011 22:59

Excellent Smile

Do we need to say if we have erred and strayed?

Have also remembered need to pay for Beavers and Rainbows and dancing. Oh and guitar. But they are in the budget already and are not instant purchases

Original poster
Collision · 01/05/2011 09:36

Maybe we should post what we spend money on other than food and petrol just so we can see for ourselves where the money goes!

I am having my eyebrows waxed and a spray tan next week but that is not an impulse purchase.

I am trying to avoid unneccessary impulse spending and taking drinks and snacks out with us if we go anywhere.

I-am-also-ageek-and-take-aflask-withme-for-coffee-forpicnics but it saves me around £10 a week! Grin

OP posts:
Adair · 01/05/2011 10:00

Am in East London and have Sunday Times and The Observer (was mistake with delivery... oops) with Royal Wedding bits which i can donate to anyone (will be done today).

LawrieMarlow · 01/05/2011 10:16

Which one has more pictures? am not really obsessed with Royal Wedding frippery [cgrin]

Adair · 01/05/2011 10:16

The Times. There is a special supplement.

Original poster
Collision · 01/05/2011 10:36

ooh tis like Freecycle on here now!! Grin

OP posts:
bustersmummy · 01/05/2011 10:39

I have to get my eyebrows done next week or I will look like Denis Healey

And I have to pay for my bike lessons or there isn't any point of getting a bike Grin

Oh and I forgot I've already booked a tattoo but it's only small and I NEED it

voodoomunkee · 01/05/2011 10:45

I want to join but I have already discovered that I have no money....Bugger. Therefore I am on a mission to try and take packed lunches to work (and avoid those that do a greggs run daily). Also I want to have enough money to go camping next month (pg with dc3 and feeling a bit :( atm so need something to look forward to!). Can I join? Can I?

Original poster
Collision · 01/05/2011 10:46

OK Buster you can have all that but only because you have not walked past the tattoo shop and thought, 'ooh I would like a tattoo.' It is already booked.

OP posts:
Original poster
Collision · 01/05/2011 10:47

Yes you can join voodoo. As you have no money this will be an easier assignment for you!!

Deffo say no to Greggs. That is an impulse moment and you do not need it if you have a packed lunch already.

OP posts:
bustersmummy · 01/05/2011 10:50

Tattoo parlour Grin

I've been working up to it for ages and I only want a tiny one and it's only £20 and I've paid a tenner deposit so I lose as much as I will pay if I don't go.

All the wee runs to the shop for bits and bobs are stopping.

Am not going to be tempted with lunch out, will make packed lunches even though I hate making them

Original poster
Collision · 01/05/2011 10:54

I hate making them too.

At the beginning of the Easter hols I did lovely picnics with cakes and fruit and different types of rolls and fillings.

At the end of the holidays I literally took a loaf of danish white sliced and jars of peanut butter, jam and choc spread! and crisps! That was it.

OP posts:
LawrieMarlow · 01/05/2011 10:55

I hate packed lunch making. Force myself to do it though.

voodoomunkee · 01/05/2011 10:56

I hate eating the packed lunch! Not that am bad at making them I just feel deprived of the nice things I could be having sob. I would love this to be down to pg but it isn't. It is ingrained. I hate it. Make it stop....

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