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Original poster

No spend January 31 days...

648 replies

ivykaty44 · 24/12/2017 15:05

No spend January

Just the essential food with a meal plan for 31 days.

Fuel to a minimum

Withdraw the cash for food, essentials & cards go in the freezer

Anyone care to join me?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
drspouse · 04/01/2018 16:43

Bought different tights from Ebay to replace the ones that didn't arrive.
Also bought a roll to have with my soup at lunch, and some reduced sausage rolls (because DS asked to have them for his birthday party but the venue didn't do them) and tomatoes (because we've run out) for the DCs' tea.
Our tea is a freezer/cupboard special, as are most of our teas at the moment!

MessySurfaces · 04/01/2018 16:43

ESOD for me (essential spend only day- I love an acronym!)- I managed to put the money on the meter that didn't work yesterday, but that's it.

I keep thinking of things I NEEEEEEEED. Bet I don't after all by Feb!

drspouse · 04/01/2018 16:44

(I already know I'm going to buy something tomorrow, but it's to mend the DCs' book rack. And I'm going to the cinema but I have a refund voucher!).

FaithEverPresent · 04/01/2018 17:16

Me too Gah. Makes my No spending days feel like a big achievement! I have spent money today, planned though - the gift for the birthday party on Saturday. I’ll probably try to sneak a drink in to the soft play for the party (they are quiet strict!). I am keeping all my receipts and writing down my other expenses (online) so I can see my expenses. I’ve also been spring cleaning. I have seven bottles of shower gel in the bathroom! I wouldn’t never have declared myself a hoarder but now I’ve been tidying I’ve realised I certainly have been stocking up without checking what I’ve already got!

mamapants · 04/01/2018 18:23

NSD for me today and put Xmas money in the bank.

Microwaved111 · 04/01/2018 18:48

Today I had to go into work for a meeting (on mat leave atm) so £5 on the bus and to make having to go into work at rush hour and spend so long on the bus better I also spent £4 on an overpriced coffee Blush

Rainybohoho · 04/01/2018 19:43

£5 for school dinner money today and £4 for butter, salad, tomatoes and milk. But I have made some pastry for a quiche for tea tomorrow, so will use up some near date eggs and cream for that.

Also my new travel mug turned up (bought before the 31st!) and I can now take a lovely coffee with me on my way to work instead of buy one!

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 04/01/2018 19:55

Day 4 and I managed to get through another day with no spend - it was hard though 😳

OP posts:
Original poster
ivykaty44 · 04/01/2018 20:01

I’m doing cash only in February 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

OP posts:
Rainybohoho · 04/01/2018 20:18

Ivykaty44 I always struggle with cash only, but then get frustrated sometimes at how long it can take card transactions to appear on my account, meaning I lose track.

I’ve just got a Monzo card - when you spend the transaction shows up immediately! Its fantastic!

breadwidow · 04/01/2018 20:30

Been watching this thread and need to join you as along with Xmas spends we had to buy a new hob and pay for oven to be repaired over Xmas. My sons birthday is towards the end of the month & DH & I both have 2 nights our planned but apart from this we'll only spend on food essentials.

Yesterday managed a last day of the holidays trip to the science museum with no spend at all. Unfortunately I had to buy eggs, tea and Kitchen roll when we got home. First day back at work and NSD, brought own lunch in, rubbish weather helped as I didn't want to go out at lunchtime.

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 04/01/2018 20:41

Rainboho- I’m just going to get cash out each week and when it’s gone it’s gone - I’ll shall set a weekly amount of about £70 so enough to live on but if I splash out on coffee and cake then will have to cut back on something else

OP posts:
twinkledag · 04/01/2018 21:02

DH is telling me to keep all things I brought in the GAP sale for my birthday which is next week. That's not very helpful!

I had to have lunch out today with a client so that cost me £10.

Ghostonthedancefloor · 04/01/2018 21:09

Day 3 - £2 to dd from the tooth fairy!
Today - £0! Doing well...

However we are all still off work/school. When we all go back will be the challenge.

Anyone else paid weekly here? DH is the main earner but gets paid weekly. How do you manage it?

champagneplanet · 04/01/2018 21:36

Day 4 was supposed to be NSD. Did my KIT day and DH dropped me off so didn't have to pay to park, also took my lunch in Halo

However got home and DD1 was persecuting me to register her for the Sylvanian Families fan club she's been very patiently waiting to join, their website was down but now back on. I tried to do it in December but couldn't so in theory it was a kind of planned spend of £9.99.

Food shop tomorrow with DM, doing my list and meal plan now...

hollytom · 04/01/2018 22:12

My first NSD so that’s good not sure when my next will be...

AdoraBell · 04/01/2018 22:17

Can’t decide if I slipped up today, or if it was a Good Thing Blush anyway, £30 spent on 2 sets of make-up brushes to put away for next Christmas.

Other than that I paid £40 for Pilates. This is essential for my MH as well as physical.

Foureyedfox · 05/01/2018 00:13

I so need to catch up on all your posts.
I’ve managed to do ok, resisted a few temptationsSmile

Took £100 out on Wed, £60.70 food shop for week from Lidl, £6.90 school dinner money (short week)
Thurs £10 owed to friend, £14.50 ironing. I feel I should do this and save money but it’s worth it just now. Maybe that can be a saving goal for me.

So not much left of my £100, but I think I can stretch over the weekend without withdrawing any. Maybe a tad optimistic but we’ll see...

I’ll sort out my exact outgoings/budget for the rest of the month tomorrow.
Must say having cash instead of my debit card is working for me!

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 05/01/2018 07:08

I think cash in your purse means you can actual see how much money you have in your purse 👛
Whereas debit card you lose track and can easily over spend.

Going into day 5 and have lunch ready for work and hot drinks sorted.

I will do a food shop tonight, but I have cash in my purse which I withdrew last week, so will be using that to hopefully cover the food shop - but food is an essential so doesn’t count as spending. Those it will be good not to have used account for over 10 days apart from DDs and SOs 👌

OP posts:
FaithEverPresent · 05/01/2018 07:10

Adora I think it’s fine as long as you remember you’ve bought them!

PavlovaPlease · 05/01/2018 07:25

Day 4 had an unexpected grocery spend but still within the month's budget. Ended up stuck out at teatime with the dc - bought them yellow stickered supermarket picnic instead of a McDonald's. Of course we also added a few bits to the basket but all good offers and oj food that will be eaten. Need to spend less on food next week.

Rainboho · 05/01/2018 07:37

@ivykaty44 you misspelled my username but I love it Grin will be Rainboho from now on 😂

MsDeerheart · 05/01/2018 08:51

So another coffee £2.80 but I had a good catch up a friend and filled in a gap in my day - food shopping today - think I will get the cash out

MsDeerheart · 05/01/2018 08:55

Ghost meant to say I run our accounts with one for DD and SO and then one for incidental spending like food, kids stuff etc - you could try something like that? Bit of a pain to set up but helps keep track of things

drspouse · 05/01/2018 08:57

Could possibly have a NSD today! DH kindly got me something yesterday that I was going to get today, and no plans to go to the shops, just tidy the house with DD.

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