Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Cost of living

Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

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:
Original poster
Collision · 01/05/2011 10:58

why dont you do a pasta salad or something more interesting?

Is there a microwave at work?

What do you buy and how much does it cost at Greggs?

OP posts:
voodoomunkee · 01/05/2011 11:02

Yep microwave and sandwich toaster... oooo cheese toasties might suffice! Am not a big fan of jacket potatoes and its too nice to be messing on with soup at work! I have a lot of excuses as to why greggs is the answer. I can also do a tesco's lunch meal deal - £2 but thats a tenner a week... £40 a month MY GOD! How about if I have packed lunch 3 days and shop bought two? ease myself in gently? hehe

HauntedLittleLunatic · 01/05/2011 11:06

Right....I'm in. Have had a VERY frivolous month which i have justified with my bonus.

The dcs do however need some summer clothes, so I will think about what they need and make a specific list up front which I hope will be allowable.

I am going nowhere to spend money today, will post my 'allowable' list by the end of today.

HauntedLittleLunatic · 01/05/2011 11:08

Oh and hi-5 to lawrie again....I feel as though I am stalking you....and I didn't realise you ate a brownies helper...snap...I am barn owl.

bustersmummy · 01/05/2011 11:09

I have just tidied DD2's bedroom. Her wardrobe is full to bursting Grin

Mind you she gets loads of handmedowns.

From big sis and big sis's best pal plus another friend Grin

She definitely does not need clothes. Or shoes. Or bags. Grin

They were at a "do" last night and she needed a smart dress. I bought it in TKMaxx for ....... £4!!!

Original poster
Collision · 01/05/2011 11:35

Voodoo - beans on toast, cheese toasties, leftovers from last night's dinner. With a microwave you can basically have what you want.

I will allow you Wink 4 take your own lunches and one Greggs on Friday (if you dare!)

Haunted - Do the list for childrens' clothes and stick to it! do not buy 'cos it was cheap' and maybe dont take the children as they will pester you for 'stuff'!

Buster - well done. Be strong. They need NOTHING.

Grin

or maybe a

[cgrin] cos I am the Queen of Bossy Shopping thisMonth today!!

OP posts:
voodoomunkee · 01/05/2011 11:37

OOOO just been to the local sainburys, 1 whole chicken reduced to £3, pack chicken reduced £1.50, pack mince reduced £1.00, croissants 50p. Freezer alert! am worried that am starting to be very sad lol

Original poster
Collision · 01/05/2011 11:40

Voodoo - fab bargains! Do a roast today and you can have it reheated tomorrow Wink

OP posts:
shinyshoes · 01/05/2011 11:43

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. great idea
  1. Walk past the clothes section in Sainsbo and Tesco as you actually do not need anything. another great idea
  1. Get out all the odds and sods of toiletries that you have and use them up before you buy more. this so needs doing in my house
  1. Meal plan and use up most of what is in the freezer I need to do this too. count me in
Original poster
Collision · 01/05/2011 12:00

yay! More people!

OP posts:
voodoomunkee · 01/05/2011 12:13

Thanks Collision! Actually feeling rather virtuous about this :) Just want to work out now how people make a risotto out of the leftover chicken and I feel I may be turning over a new leaf :) lol. I like the rules btw

nannynick · 01/05/2011 12:17

Think I need to join. Credit card company wants £666.90 later this month and that's as long as I don't put any more on the card.

I have two new tires to get for the car... about 1000 miles left on them, so could hold off till towards end of the month with luck.

I intend to eat all the things in my freezer and in the cupboards. Surely I can just buy a few things to add to what I already have existing. There are tins in my cupboard that have not see the light of day for years!

gillybean2 · 01/05/2011 12:22

I do this most months anyhow. Don't have money for frippery (such as haircuts or clothes) much of the time.

Easily dooble. Not quite so fun when you do it year on year though.

nannynick · 01/05/2011 12:23

How about having chocolate (or anything else you especially like) as a reward for sticking to the budget each week. That way you can look forward to something if you stay on the budget.

Fuel - fill up at the Pay With Card pumps, then you can't get chocolate!

Adair · 01/05/2011 12:31

This may sound obvious but do an audit of your cupboards, fridge, freezer. Write down everything you have and stick it on the fridge. Cross off/add/write new list when necessary.

Adair · 01/05/2011 12:32

Voodoo, we are doing fajitas with our leftover chicken later this week...

bustersmummy · 01/05/2011 12:40

I just got told literally as I dished up the spag bol that DD1 (age 12) has decided she doesn't like pasta.

I think I will just strangle her Grin

twolittlemonkeys · 01/05/2011 12:44

I'd like to join you. Even the food shop I need to cut down as we seriously overspend if we shop whilst hungry or if DH is with me! The months when I do all the food shopping we spend less! We have no family birthdays and shouldn't need shoes, clothes or other things. I am going to meal plan every meal and use up random items lurking in my freezer before buying more food to put on top of them!

HauntedLittleLunatic · 01/05/2011 12:50

I know that the actual delivery charge costs but I find online shopping actually saves me money

a) because although I look at the special offers section the pictures of treats aren't as inviting as actual sight, smell or squish
b) I don't end up going around the clothes/toys/magazines/houshold etc.
c) when I get to the end and see the balance, realise I have "overspent" I can take things out of my basket.

Adair · 01/05/2011 13:12

Ocado and Asda both do free/cheap delivery for unpopular slots...

Jojocat · 01/05/2011 13:23

why not avoid using the car and save the money spent on petrol for other things.

nannynick · 01/05/2011 13:31

Avoiding car use can be hard if in a rural location. I've got a shop which is a mile away, I'm going to walk as I need some bleach and a tin of tomatoes (so I can make a sauce to go with the chicken in the freezer - think tomatoes would be cheapest sauce to make).

Original poster
Collision · 01/05/2011 13:34

Well done everyone!

Sounds like we are in the mindset!!

OP posts:
Meglet · 01/05/2011 13:35

I'm going to fail at this because I've asked for TK Maxx vouchers for my birthday and I want to stock up on summer clothes before they are all snapped up. Although this will mean I won't need anything else this summer.

To make up for it I will start checking out our Lidl to save money on the food shop.

So I'm sort of in but want to use my clothes vouchers up Blush. I'm definately clearing out my food and toiletries though.

Original poster
Collision · 01/05/2011 13:35

I think it is fine to have/buy chocolate at the supermarket.

It is more the purchases we make when we are out and about and nipping into Costa (with kids) and spending £17!! Shock on ruddy carrot cake and hot choc that we need to avoid!! DH-AreYouListening?

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread