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

I did exactly the same the other day Methenyouplus4. After seeing it styled online I suddenly decided that I needed a purple jumper to wear with a skirt I have! I don't know WTF I was thinking

Just wondering how everyone is gearing up and getting ready for the year ahead?

I keep thinking back to what another pp said above that it takes 21 days to break the addiction.

I gave up a 30-a-day Marlboro Light habit 14 years ago so this should be a walk in the park by comparison! From what I recall, at the time, I kept focusing on what I would gain from the freedom of not smoking rather than what I was giving up. It helped a lot.

I like the Pinterest idea methenyouplus

I’m definitely with you on this. My on line shopping addiction is getting out of control, a habit that has seriously run up my credit card. Most of the time the actual purchase & waiting for item IS actually better than getting it. I’m also a hoarder so running out of space for clothes. So I’m gona try to turn my fixation with shopping into clearing my credit card as fast as I can instead (this will still take a LOOONG time). I’m going to pull out all my clothes and try to downsize & get rid of all the dead wood. Ditto with hoard of beauty products - use up before replacing. In the time I read the first post on this thread to now I’ve bought TWO whistles coats from e bay....I NEED to change my ways lol 🤞🤞🤞

I have managed six weeks now, started on 1st November. I have so much stuff and think I could not spend for a year and not notice any difference.

I am only buying things I actually need, not because the shampoo is on BOGOF or something and it feels quite liberating. Hope I feel the same for the January sales!

Most of this year I allowed myself one new thing a month. It can be a really good thing, but needs to be just the one. Anything else is strictly need or replace. It has helped but I still have too much.

I could not bring myself to list what I own as others have done. It would read something like

Jumpers - 40
Work dresses - 10
Coats - 15

As a starter. Some things are up to 10 years old and I've always bought good quality so things last, but still.
Giving bits away to friends is helping. I've parted with some virtually unworn bits because I know they'll be appreciated.

We have moved three times internationally and each time have had to list all items for insurance purposes. The figures were amazing and wow does it all add up.

So embarrassing to admit to over 50 blouses or something equally ridiculous

I've seen a pair of boots I want need

I haven't been doing too bad until tonight.
I went to Sainburys, my nemesis.

I bought a fuschia pink, over sized, boiled wall edge to edge cardi.
A Missoni esque wrap cardi
A denim wrap skirt
Blush pink oversize cardi
Striped top with flare sleeves
grey sweatshirt with bell sleeves
long striped top.

All half price. How could I NOT?

I have told a few people about my possible plans for a no buy 2018. If I tell people I might have to do it.

I'm in, so much make up, samples and far too many clothes I've not even worn 😔

Hi great idea OP. Reality sunk in today when a colleague asked if i was a shopaholic. I cant resist a bargain even if i dont need it. I need to come off Instagram as it is my downfall. I will need a supportive thread

Hello all, how are you all getting on?

Since I first posted I have spent £18 (a pair of jeans from ebay). I am fine with this as it was very much a planned purchase and something I was aware I needed (I mentioned it in a list of items I needed for 2018 in a previous post).

I also had £50 spent on me but they are Christmas gifts from others (mum bought me snowboots but gave them to me in advance due to weather where we live). The other gift was not needed a friend was selling a gorgeous bag for £20 so asked husband for it as a christmas gift as couldn't justify money myself, defo didn't need another bag but it was really lovely and a bargain.

I have went through my cosmetics and got rid of some REALLY old stuff (13 year old eyeliner anyone . ItemsI have multiples of (e.g. foundation, eyeshadow pallettes etc) I have put away until I use up one at a time (only exception is lipsticks as I vary the shade). Feels so much better to have a simple collection of about 8 items that I could gravb and go if needed rather than rummaging through 4 highlighters (that in reality I might use a sweep of twice a month if doing full make-up to go out for a meal or whatever). Already I have nearly used up a tinted spf moisturiser which is great, rather than hopping between about 4 different ones for no particular reason.

I'm not doing too bad. Sent off for a fair few things in Nov but in the end only kept one dress which I wore for my works do and will def wear again - it's not Christmas-y. I really want to go to the sales after Xmas (it's traditional!) but I will have Xmas money to spend and I think last year I spent more on DD than myself. I'm aiming for a £50 per month spend rather than no spend.

I did buy a lip gloss the other week but it was only £5.50 and was to replace a more expensive one I've just finished and I bought 2 eyeshadow palettes but again they were cheap. The only high end makeup product I really cannot give up (and I have tried a lot of cheaper alternatives) is foundation and I need to get some pretty soon. Not sure if that counts as an essential replacement or not! In my mind it does!

Anj- personally I wouldn't count the foundation. A pair of black tights I have got a hole in, I'll replace them but won't include them (I only have a thin and a thick pair-so not an area I 'splurge' in). Whereas I currently have about 12 lip balms on the go!

Like you, I will be going to sales but with a small amount of gifted monet snd plan is to stick with items I need and buy good quality rather than be lured by things I don't need (another pair of heels/nail varnish etc).

Think I will struggle to avoid the online sales! There are a few items I've tried on in store that I'm hoping will be in the sale. Will get online for those as can't get into town till the 27th.

My sister and I have agreed not to go to the Boxing Day sales this year (we normally go every year and spend £££) as we both have too much stuff and want to save money for fun experiences like holidays!

I am going to give myself £50 a month for both makeup/cosmetics and clothing. I will only buy things when I’ve totally run out (no more because it’s on offer!) and the only clothes I will buy will be if I need to replace items that are worn out (like tights, knickers etc).

I’ve also started making swaps from high end products to cheaper products and it’s working quite well!

Watching with interest.
I'm thinking of doing a one item per month thing, so I really have to carefully select and justify before buying. My aim is to save around £100 per month. No £ limit on the item, but my problem is quantity of items bought, not price.
Not quite ready to kick my shellac habit though, even though I just worked out it costs me around £500 per year

Making sure i dont lose the thread and ready to start 1st of Jan! My advents have topped me up on skincare, makeup and other random bits so i dont need to buy anything for a while. I do want to a look in/online at Boots on boxing day and Lush because its half price,my last splurge, and i dont want to feel im missing out
I have a plan in place for saving money too, (if i stick to it!) First week of the year ill put 50p away, the second week £1, the third £1.50 and so on.
I feel ready for it and cant wait to get going

I’m still going to do this, but I had to buy a fancy black suit for work last weekend. A tuxedo, my first! It felt pretty fab, and I am planning on wearing it a lot. However, most of the time I am rotating old staples.

Tempted to join in.

I did no spend a couple of years ago. I didn't last the whole year, but I drastically reduced my clothes spending. The following year I wrote down everything I spent on clothes, which was insightful! Think it was about £1000, although to be fair that included a couple of investment items like a new leather jacket and long winter boots which will both last years.

My weaknesses are eBay and TK Maxx. Unfortunately I work really close to a TK Maxx.

I love the thrill of a bargain. But as others have said, the thrill soon wears off. I was checking my bank statement the other day and it said TK Maxx £50 - I could not remember what I had bought - I buy an item, get about 2 minutes of excitement from it then forget about it

I need to realise that there will always be bargains, and I don't have to buy all the bargains in the world

I have already unsubscribed from all fashion emails, and I don't follow any fashion brands on social media. Any catalogues go straight into the recycling bin.

Goals for 2018 are to make the most of my existing wardrobe and vary what I wear more, make creative outfits from stuff I already have. I also think I'll write down what I buy again as that was an eye-opener.

Not sure I will do no spend, but I might limit myself to one item per month, or have a one-in-one-out policy where for every item I buy I have to give an item to charity or sell an item on eBay.

I'm going to join in too! I want to wear the clothes I own more creatively & save some cash. Also work my way through my stockpile of skin & beauty stuff. Will start on 1 Jan.

I have been pathetic.
I need to do something about my habits.
I am not sure starting in Jan is going to work. All the sales!
I can't avoid shops because I will be buying Christmas presents for family I see in January.
I don't want to set myself up to fail and give myself an excuse of sacking it off.
I might start 1st Feb.

How is everyone feeling about this post Christmas? I am starting now to avoid sales hoarding in anticipation of a “ban” since that’s not really in the spirit of the project!

I have been given Amazon vouchers for Xmas, usually I’d be straight online buying pointless fripperies but am going to keep them for a rainy day now. I did buy my FaceTheory Vit C serum (with vouchers) as I’m close to empty. My mother bought me my Clarins cleanser as a gift so that will save me replacing it for a few months. I did have to buy moisturiser as I ran out on Boxing Day so total cash spend is £19 so far.

Post Xmas is often a trigger for me as I usually clear out to make room for gifts then want to “replace” what I’ve chucked and also buy myself a few things to “make up for” items I would have liked but didn’t receive. Not this year!!

Hope everyone is staying strong in the sales :)

I went for a walk round the sales yesterday. I had popped into town to the bank and couldn’t resist a look in clothes shops.

But I kept telling myself I really don’t need anything. I managed to put a £29 top in Whistles back - I was only considering it because it’s cheap (for Whistles) not because I need it, or even especially liked it!

I managed to come away without buying anything (except for birthday gifts for a couple of relatives with January / February birthdays)

I had one last blast today and bought something in the sales, so at least there was 50% off (I am consoling myself with this feeble attempt for an excuse)!

I'll request that this thread be moved in time for the New Year (when no-spend 2018 kicks in) and will be back with a link.

Happy shopping until then everyone (although some seem to have already started)!

Hello
I am keen to do this. I was paid a week ago and have not spent a penny (except bills/fuel) so going to try and carry this on until the end of Jan. I thought I would do a break down of my finances below. I am a big saver already but hoping this might help me not fritter money away on pointless stuff I don't need . I will report back as often as I can.
I already have my Jan pay (got paid end of december) and so have transfered money to saving/paid bills so here's what went out and what I have left.

January 2018 pay = £1332
Mortgage/food = -£650
Credit card= -£150
Savings account = -£360
Gym membership = -£27
Phone bill = -£14
Fuel= - £50

Sooo I have £80 'disposable' left to do me until the end of Jan. £20 a week. I think I can do this. I won't spend any on food/coffees/clothes. Let's see if I can stick to this and spend as litttle/nothing if possible. Putting 360 straight to my savings is a great start 😁