Thread moved from S&B **No Spend 2018, and this time I mean it!** Title edited by MNHQ

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

For financial reasons (I'm broke and have to save) I have made a deal with myself to stop my frivolous style and beauty spending for 2018.

I will only be purchasing necessities as they run out (like cleanser) or replacements for laddered tights etc. I will take myself off mailing lists so I'll have no idea when there are any offers or discounts.

I will use my imagination and pinterest to create looks and outfits without accumulating more stuff to clutter my room and my mind!

Is anyone inteseted in joining in?

Here's to a style and beauty debt free 2018

OP here. I tried to do it last year but because the 2017 thread was in S&B I couldn't help lurking on other threads and very quickly got sucked in to buying lots of lovely and unnecessary new clothes and shoes. Such a wonderful gang of enablers on S&B!

So, if everyone is ok with this, I am going to get this thread moved to a more appropriate board in a few weeks for the New Year. I'll start another thread in S&B to direct anyone who wants to continue to follow.

In order to succeed it needs to be moved away from here!

No spend going well - learned how to replace a zip in dc's otherwise perfect coat. Bought a few pairs of stripy socks in Uniqlo and two pairs of velvet leggings in the last 3 months. Trying hard not to replace my desire to buy clothes with spending on food and home stuff.

flo I am hoping to break the habit so I can get to a better level of obsession.

I know I can do it. I have never got into debt so I must have self control.
I want to be able to do it without avoiding shops.
I go out looking for something to buy rather than shopping when I need to.

I tried to do this last year and failed by about January 2nd. I am trying to clear things out and declutter, and have made good progress with this, so I feel frustrated with myself that I buy yet more stuff that I don't really need.
I think for me it's an addiction- I feel so excited when I order something new or go shopping to buy something but then want the next thing as soon as I have got it. I definitely do it to make myself feel better and it started when I went through a long stressful period when our baby was seriously ill for many months. I want to stop spending.
Good luck everyone.

I had a problem buying stuff for years things I never really needed but kept obsessing about. It wasn't healthy as soon as I got my purchase I lost interest and moved onto the next thing. A couple of years ago I set up an account for travel any money not spent on clothes went in there. It's amazing how much I was spending on crap. For the last six months I've been meditating and that's calmed my mind I don't have the urge to buy something right now. I now purchase better quality items which I know I will use. I read somewhere it takes twenty one days to break an addiction after that it gets easier.

I remain proud of myself that I didn't spend any money on Black Friday... although I'm debating some bits today... I don't need £60+ of stuff from Boots, do i?

I’m going to jump on board too - despite having bought way too much this year I hardly have any clothes (as in 1 jumper...2 pairs of jeans!) because I have a weird obsession with de-hoarding which sees most of my (crap) purchases being given away within 6 months.

I’m going to try no spend for 6 months and drop a bit of the excess weight I’ve put on this year too. This will open up my wardrobe choices a little and hopefully give my mind a bit of a reset on the shopping front.

I generally buy when I’m feeling bad about myself or lost in some way so I need to try addressing these feelings in a more constructive way.

I’ve also already done all my Christmas shopping so will extend the no spend to no twitching on unnecessary extra gifts which I was guilty of last year.

I need a no spend 2018. I buy too much fabric that I never use, pretty looking eye shadow palettes and nice lotion from an online service. I have enough of all of these for at least next year if not more.
I have 16 months until my rental contract ends and I don't want to renew so I need to clear my credit card and save my house deposit. Just need someone to motivate me!

No spend 2018 for me please too!

I do believe clothes are important: I had a very skint few years, then I worked and had excess income (but absolutely no time to shop) and left work in February to be a mature student.

spent a lot in 2017 getting my wardrobe up to scratch as I felt really "stuck in a rut" in terms of appearance.

My self esteem was ragged because I felt that (apart from work uniform and the odd "going out datey dress") I didn't have any nice day-to-day stuff. It was a bit "rollnecks from Lidl and mumboots" or "formal wear" and I felt really unconfident and frumpy and older than I am.

I find the "smartish casual classic" look a lot harder than "bombshell" (hourglass figure)

So I spent lots on ebay, primark, second hand, etc. And lots of "proper shoes I can walk in". I feel great now about how I look, but bank balance not so good.....

Nothing high end really but it all added up (don't do things by halves ) so looking for a cheap 2018.

I've even got a few things I love but haven't actually worn yet, so want to get those into circulation! I found I was buying things then not really having the time to wear them/try them on before moving to obsessing over the next one.

Wanting to focus on more things like piano, meditation, pilates, learning to cook, housekeeping, and focussing on my career development

I don't want to end up all elegant Boden dresses with no solid domestic, intellectual, or financial life to match!

Going to grow my hair and watch my diet (cut down on coffee shop trips) and moisturise every day, keep my toenails painted, smile, have ironed things and style myself well every day.

For starters, NO XMAS JUMPER to be bought. Harumph.

Right. I think I'm going to jump on here too!

I feel like I'm spending like mad at the moment, what with Christmas shopping and Black Friday. I'm not overdoing it (yet!) and pleased with the bargains I've picked up but it occurred to me recently that when the season's over that I don't really need to buy anything else and will probably be quite relieved to stop bashing the bank account.

I've built up a decent basic wardrobe, for work/casual/formal and I now know what I like and what suits me and tend to stick to that. I mind less and less about wearing something again and again if it's something I like.

My weakness is TK Maxx - I work right beside one of these, plus a Next and Matalan in the retail park next door. It's too easy to spend lunchtimes browsing and I find it really hard to resist a bargain bag or coat and especially Converse trainers . I did recently ban myself from going in...until Christmas shopping forced me to source presents in there...

Anyway, I think I could do a no or at least low spend 2018. I would like to spend my lunchtimes going for a walk instead - i could listen to music or a podcast or take photos, which I love to do. I think that will really help as I don't really have much time for shopping during the rest of the week! Plus I will have to reluctantly unsubscribe from Mumsnet Swears By...

Aye, a "decent basic wardrobe" is the key I think yellowDahlia: I now have a wardrobe I like (which I can't say I did at this time last year)

so a no spend year isn't really an exercise in personal self-flagellation?

It's just avoiding shopping for that fantasy life/relationship. TK Maxx does indeed have some lovely stuff but I bought, like, a beautiful white vintagey swimsuit for a romantic country weekend away...

...when I was single?

when I was really skint a few years ago I'd tend to either look like a tramp or feel self conscious about being a bit flamboyantly "overdressed" (nothing wrong with wearing a fitted red polka dot dress to the library, but not really "me") because I didn't have any "nice everyday stuff" and it knocked my confidence.

I also have loads of accessories and things to play with creatively.

With you on the photos: I think I want to "create" not "consume" for the next couple of years? I want to up my game in terms of qualifications and finances and fitness and life skills (reserve the right to go all Paris Hilton in 2020 tho )

Aph - house deposit saving is my goal as well. I’m trying to think of each £100 or so not spent as a ‘brick in the wall’

£750 a month for 12 months is £10000 which is actually doable between me and my husband so that's the goal. Also tempted every time I look at something I might take that money and put it in savings instead. It's still spending in a way but I don't end up with yet more stuff I don't really need and I'll be one step closer to home ownership

I like that idea thoughtiwasapussycat - 'create not consume'.

As well as photography I also love gardening and find it easier to take the focus off shopping when I have other interests to pursue - eg I'd much rather spend time in my garden than in the shops or in front of a computer screen! So I'll try and tap into that when I feel tempted.

I bought nothing over the black Friday deals only because payday was after which I was pretty chuffed about. We have Christmas gift stalls start appearing at work at this time of year. Leather bags, jewellery stalls, smelly candles and the like, usually quite nice things. I managed to walk past and only look from afar. I know I would have been tempted if I went up close or picked something even if only to look.

I'm in! My father passed away a few days ago and in Jewish tradition, we don't wear new clothes during the mourning period - which is 12 months for a parent!
So although I'm not particularly religious, I've decided this is a good opportunity to go cold turkey for a while and get myself out of bad habits.
I will buy shoes (I really need a new pair of warm winter boots) and toiletries, but no clothes until November 2018.
In fact, I'm also going to try to use up all the cosmetics samples I have before buying any more.
I used to be so frugal and minimalist, but a major lifestyle change 5 years ago has knocked me completely off the wagon. Now is the time to pick myself up and find my self-discipline again!

I managed to avoid buying anything on Black Friday despite the hundreds of emails I seemed to receive.
I've also decided on outfits for the two Christmas nights out I've got planned and they don't involve buying anything new. Which is definitely progress as the outfit I wore to last year's Christmas night out is hanging in the wardrobe and has never been worn since.
I did crack and order some stuff from the Body Shop when they had £25 off a £50 spend as well as 11% cash back through an offer at work. With stuff like that I always manage to persuade myself it's too good a deal to miss even though I know it will come round again.

I just came on to wish you all well. It's so worth doing! I did this in 2016. Not a complete no spend. I reviewed my bank statements from 2015. Posted the truly sickening amount that I spent on clothes, which I could not afford, I was nursing a credit card balance. Ashamed, I continued to grapple for a while to not go into shops or on line and thought a lot with the others on my thread about why this was. They were a tremendous help to me. I did a massive wardrobe cleanse. It took most of the year. I was pleased by the end of the year, the sense of control I got from it, the knowledge that I can rely on myself and trust myself. This year I have started a cash isa and have a couple of grand in it, which I'm not saving the purpose of buying anything, but just because savings is a smart thing to have. I also can now go one line thinking I'd like a little "retail therapy" but as I know I need nothing I end up googling other things. I now only shop on purpose for a recognised need. I love everything, it fits, it's suits me or I like wearing it, it's in good condition, etc., and all my clothes fit in two drawers and a wardrobe with the only bits in storage being seasonal. I am actually happier. I have a truly healthy bank balance. My wardrobe makes sense . I wish you all well!

Can I join in? I have been quite good this year, then fell off the wagon 3 months ago and have been terrible with buying loads to make up for it. Then feel like shit because I have spent money.

I don't have DC but do have 2 horses and 5 dogs - they cost enough money without me buying more rubbish for them!

Black Friday I was quite good as I mostly brought Christmas gifts. I did buy a pair of boots I've been wanting for ages as they were half price but I have given them to my OH to wrap for my Christmas present.

I am going to set myself a budget each month for 2018 as think that will stop the frantic spending when I have a bit extra money/ feel stressed or down.

dudsville what an inspirational story I'm glad things worked well for you.

FFS I have just ordered two pairs of pyjamas online and I definitely do not need new pyjamas. What is wrong with me!

Alwaysreadyforablether Send them back!

Hello, another one to the party here.

I have previously done a huge cull and all clothes fit in a wardrobe and two drawers.

I buy mostly ebay (for environmental reasons but also, as previous person said, because it allows me to afford much higher quality for my money). My problem is that whereas oncentre I would search (for example) 'grey cashmere jumper' for something I specifically needed to fill a gap in my wardrobe, I have started just searching things like Hobbs/Whistles (etc) / used/ ending soonest snd consequently ended up buying 'bargains' that are actually just random items I don't need.

In reality, what I will need to see me though 2018 would be:

×2 flat, comfortable shoes that are suitable for work.
1 plain boyfriend cardigan
X2 pairs of jeans

My tendency is to buy for the 'fun' times (e.g. meals out with friends) when in reality that is probably one night per month and I already have plenty to wear for such occasions. Instead, I need some jeans that aren't so tight they leave red gash marks on my skin and same applies for uncomfortable footwear.

I go away with my mum in the New Year and will allow myself to buy something then if I see something that really caches my eye, but other than that, aiming for no more than £300 all year (inclubbing basics mentioned) and make-up etc. I already have more than enough of this. I won't be including what I class as essential items such as deodorant /shampoo/toothpaste etc as just spend a couple of £ on each item so no risk of splurging.

Actually, one idea I have found in the past is to search pintrest for items I already have in my wardrobe (e.g. suede skirt/ grey jumper or whatever) and get ideas of fresh ways to wear them. This has been a fun way to play with items I already have and use them in ways I wouldn't have usually (casual t-shirt with leather pencil skirt/ denim shirt under a jumper etc). Only thing to be wary of is that you focus on what you already have and don't use it as a trigger to send you off on a hunt for a new X to go with what you already have.