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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
madamefraser · 18/01/2018 22:15

Polly me neither got to get to 24th. Have food and kids have Christmas money so they don't need anything...no plans for weekend apart from seeing local friends, worried we will need some more food but trying to eek it out....

PollyShelbyLifeCoachServices · 19/01/2018 12:18

Pulls up a chair with Gah and Madam as we wait patiently for paydayGrin.....im the same got the food and gas, kids don't need anything (this week, school love creating new "must haves" for the twins most weeks) so library / chill sat, long dog walk on beach in bobble hats / flask of hot choc Sunday...training day Monday then back to work Tuesday... NSD!👊🏼

FaithEverPresent · 19/01/2018 13:10

Ooh I resisted a Spend today. I am having some counselling, it’s in a centre within a shopping centre. I didn’t need anything but I was twitching to shop! Made it out without spending after all!

MessySurfaces · 19/01/2018 13:26

Well done faith!
Was heading for a true NSD, but had to pay for a school trip, pah. I'm counting that as essential!

madamefraser · 19/01/2018 14:32

Am so happy with this thread ...otherwise I'd have thought sod it and gone very overdrawn....I will definitely be doing no spend Feb!

madamefraser · 19/01/2018 14:33

Faith I would say school trip essential , if you can manage. I count all the kids things essentials apart from new clothes every five seconds ! I am spending money on pet food today and that's it.

madamefraser · 19/01/2018 15:52

Opps I meant Messy

PirateYellowbelly · 19/01/2018 17:55

DH and I have both managed NSDs all week. Going out tomorrow but am being treated by a friend so should involve minimal spending. Need to buy a birthday card and nothing else!

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 19/01/2018 18:25

I have a selection of birthday cards in a draw - I collect when I see at good price and keep stamps on my purse. Have a look on line to purchase nice cards

OP posts:
AdoraBell · 19/01/2018 18:33

Slipped up today. Was in town for something else and popped into Boots. They had 70% off the last of the Christmas gift sets, so 2 Soap & Glory sets for £12 instead of £40. One DD likes their stuff and one for a present for a friend.

hollytom · 19/01/2018 19:02

Going out for a pub meal tonight so not a NSD but won’t cost much. I would rather see my friend than say no.

Gah81 · 19/01/2018 19:15

Would also be up for a no-spend Feb. Keen to increase the amount I save each month :)

AdoraBell · 19/01/2018 19:22

I’ll sign up for No Spend Feb 👍

mamapants · 19/01/2018 19:52

I'm keen for a no spend Feb too.
Will have recovered from Xmas this month but am spending on DS birthday present, birthday party and car so need to keep going.
Need to save enough to book a holiday next.

Equimum · 19/01/2018 20:02

Failed today. I took DS2 to the Waitrose cafe for a treat after viewing a nursery. I suppose it was better than it could have been, as it only cost me £1.80 for a coffee and piece of cake, thanks to the Waitrose Card. Also free parking. Then bought a multipack of Pom Bears while older DS was at a class as I forgot to take a snack with me.

We’re planning a NS weekend, though, so hopefully can pull it off.

PirateYellowbelly · 19/01/2018 20:09

I also need a no/low spend Feb. Too many outgoings including a fence to repair, a new dishwasher required and an increase in energy bills. Need to reign in everything else!

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 20/01/2018 07:58

Having done a NS January I now know how much money I need for essentials- food shopping and fuel.

So February is going to be a cash month
Withdraw the cash each Friday and once it’s gone it gone I have to wait till next Friday to withdraw further funds

So a coffee with friend is fine - but I then have to cut back on the shopping. Etc etc

I’m going to do £70 cash each week & see how much is left over

If you spend on card then you have to deduct that amount from the following week.....😳

OP posts:
Original poster
ivykaty44 · 20/01/2018 08:03

Found this yesterday and it is really useful tool. Fill in all the data about your bills - doesn’t matter if it’s weekly or monthly or quarterly.

Then it gives you a chart at the end and you can change it to weekly or even daily amounts but then you can download the spread sheets ( you may need to enable) and it gives you monthly amounts for everything
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/budget-planner

OP posts:
PirateYellowbelly · 20/01/2018 08:54

Already NOT a NSD! DS's tooth has just come out so need to find tooth fairy money!

totallyLosingIt · 20/01/2018 08:59

I saw this thread early January, but had already stared spending so decided to go for a no spend Feb. Oddly looking forward to it. Will join a thread about it if one appears!

drspouse · 20/01/2018 13:55

NSD yesterday, just food today except for a) coffee while DS in his dancing class b) some curtain rings if I can find them and c) library fines Blush

madamefraser · 20/01/2018 17:18

Managed a NSD today! Hurrah !

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 20/01/2018 17:30

I’ve done the rest of my food shopping and therefore had another NSD

I checked my bank balance and it’s looking remarkably healthy after Decembers haemorrhage 🤗

OP posts:
AdoraBell · 20/01/2018 17:32

Just food shopping today, oh and a copy of The Big Issue which was £3.

Tomorrow will be an NSD.

mamapants · 20/01/2018 18:18

Spent £7 in morrisons getting some ingredients for dinner and pudding and nothing else spent.
Also discovered yesterday that I've accidentally got overlapping house insurance so should be getting a refund on that next week. So am very glad I was keeping a close eye on my online banking or could have missed it.