No spend challenge

[23ASwanHill]

So, for next year's holiday, I am going to try and save as much as possible up front, rather than dipping into my meagre savings.

I do budget and manage to save a small amount each month, but was hoping to make more of an effort and create a separate savings pot.

I am ashamed to say that I spend too much on unnecessary stuff; books and magazines, stationery, wine, coffees on the go, treats here and there that soon add up. I also buy far too much food and have far too many toiletries, loads of make up and cupboards full of shoes, handbags and clothes.

The decluttering is another thread entirely, which I will deal with separately.

For the moment, I plan to use up the excess food and toiletries stash.

Would anyone like to join me, to share tips?

I have three opened boxes of breakfast cereal and will not be buying more until they are all used up.

Ditto the six bottles of hair shampoo, five shower gels, eight bars of soap, two drawers full of makeup and an undersink cupboard crammed full of cleaning products .

The only things I need to shop for are fresh bread, milk, fruit and veg, but will try and eke out my supplies until next weekend by doing a bit of meal planning to use everything up first.

I'm going to start by baking some bread and a rice dish for lunch with some of yesterday's leftovers. I have eggs and tinned tuna for lunches on other days and a couple of freezer meals from some batch cooking a couple of weeks ago.

Pears and nectarines in the fruit bowl are going in the fridge to make them last longer, to have with morning cereals.

I have a travel mug and eleven books at the side of the bed to start on, so no takeaway coffees or magazines for a while.

I don't want to go into specifics, but will give a rough estimate of savings made.

I know there are other threads on here in the same vein, but I did not want to hijack them.

Thanks for reading!

jazzy, welcome, I've never heard of the Monzo card, I assume it's a prepay card that you load up in advance. I was actually wondering whether I should withdraw cash every week as it seems more real than putting all spending on bank cards.

The summer holidays are quite a challenge Tired in more ways than one!

If you still have a local library, do they run any activities?

Do you have a craft stash at home? I've spent many an hour fashioning all sorts from cereal boxes and yogurt pots in my time!

What about free museums and parks? Or just picnic in the garden. That would be a frugal thing to do and something different.

I remember one particularly hot summer letting the kids use tea sets (real tea, milk, sugar, a few biscuits and tiny sandwiches) and having a teddy bears picnic in the garden. Also a bowl of soapy water to wash dolls' clothes and peg them out on a mini washing line!

Yes you just download the app and apply for it on there. I did start just having cash but like I said it's tricky as the only petrol station for miles round here is pay at the pump!

It's just a MasterCard that you can use like any other debit card but the app allows you to set budgets etc, I'd definitely give it a go, I am on maternity leave currently so already down £400 a month than what I'm used to, but I've been able to save £200 this month just by not allowing myself out of the weekly budget!

Thanks jazzy.

I am going to go through the last few months' bank statements to get some actual figures to work with. I'm guilty of spending whatever is in the account on occasion. I know I need to decide a set amount for savings then only have the remainder left to spend.

I was just looking in the cupboard where I keep the washing powder etc. I use Persil and the box size says it does 90 washes. I only use half the recommended dose so that means 180 washes to a box for me. I probably wash evey other day so approximately 180 times a year.

I have three boxes so I have enough Persil to last me until July 2021 - that is just so stupid!!!

Five, you win!

Whatever you do, don't be tempted to buy any more just because it's on offer .

Can I join? I've recently got a pay increase but have managed to end each month with less cash than before... I seem to have developed the attitude "I've got more money to spend so let's spend it!!"

I need to reduce my spending online and on little treats: coffees, breakfasts, books and stuff.

We're going on holiday in five weeks so I want to save as much as possible between now and then for spending money. I've got a cupboards & a freezer full of food and lots of cosmetics so in reality shouldn't need to spend much at all.

I've started my shopping list for the weekend.

There are surprisingly a couple of things on there that I have run out of. But I'm not buying anything to top up existing supplies, whether it's on offer or not.

I am within walking distance of Tesco and a short drive to Aldi, Morrisons and a 24 hour Asda. So even in an emergency, I can manage.

I also think that online supermarket shopping encourages you to buy more, with their minimum spend and pushing 3 for 2 offers. If you have a virtual trolley or basket, it's easy to do that. I used to get the same items every time, because they were on my favourites list and I was in a rush; another supermarket ploy.

I sometimes walk to the shops rather than drive, so I am limited to what I can carry (and hence spend). I understand this might not be possible for some, for a variety of reasons, but it keeps my spending in check.

Hello Girls, it's definitely doable with a little thought and discipline. And you have the perfect incentive.

I know exactly what you mean about the attitude of spending whatever is in the account.

Once I've gone through my online bank statements, I'm going to set a reasonable budget for essential food and a few treats. Will cut back on stockpiling supplies and unnecessary coffees, books and magazines.

Then I will transfer the savings for the month into a separate account as soon as my salary is paid, treating it just like another standing order. I figure if it's not in the main account, I won't be tempted.

In the past, I've transferred any surplus at the end of the month, when I've spent most of it. Bad idea!

Oh, and I'll draw out cash for food shopping, see if that makes me more accountable!

Payday is this Friday, so I'll report back before then. I love a spreadsheet, I do, so may be a while .

23A - I am definitely not buying any more washing powder - well not until May 2021! I dare not even think about the dishwasher powder - that could last until 2025. I like the idea of a spreadsheet, it would be interesting to see just how little I could spend if I really really tried

So I had thought I would go shopping today but decided against that and just nipped to the fruit shop and bought lettuce, tomatoes, appleas and oranges and that was all I actually needed. If I had gone to the supermarket I would have spent 10 times that.

Girls - I have a Kindle and have bought so many books I need to live another 100 years to get through them all.

Interesting about the washing powder Five. I've just checked, as I have a small scoop for mine, and I'm using just under the recommended amount. Will adjust to a slightly smaller amount and see how it goes.

I use half the amount of fabric softener though. I kept a spare empty bottle, split the new bottle 50/50 and topped up with water. Still effective and quite thrifty .

Well done on resisting those extra purchases. It's far too easy.

I have lots of eggs to use up, so baking later .

I use half the recommended washing powder and about the same of soda crystals. My washer stays really clean - I do not use fabric conditioner.

Happy Baking!

Thanks Five, I do have some soda crystals. I use them to clean the machine when I remember. Never thought to put them in with the powder. I'll give it a try.

Lemon cake was lovely with a cup of tea. I use the 'bung everything in a bowl, mix it up, microwave for five minutes and sprinkle with icing sugar if I can be bothered' method. It's too hot to be using the oven in this weather.

Arghhh, unexpected visitors coming for lunch. £20 spent in the wee co-op! I was so pleased that my Iceland delivery came in at £50.51 which left me enough for soft play tomorrow (I'm looking after my nephew who has disabilities so easier to manage in an enclosed space or we would hit the park).

It's a beautiful day here after a bit of a mixed start to the week. Ds and I are planning a swim once the visitors go, not that they've arrived yet, and a BBQ for tea.

Tired, don't feel bad about that, life does get in the way of all our best intentions.

Enjoy your afternoon.

Curry here for tea, all with ingredients from the store cupboard and freezer.

On my shopping list for the weekend - milk, bread, battery for the smoke alarm and foil.

Started using less kitchen roll, have some e-cloths, which are better anyway.

Off to the coast on Saturday, so fish and chips and won't need to make a meal, win - win.

Will be back later with news of my spreadsheet .

So, I put all my figures into a spreadsheet and have moved £200 into savings up front.

I'm going to shop with cash this week and see how I get on. I'm hoping it will help me focus on essentials.

On the makeup and toiletries front, I have used up one shower gel, and will not be buying more to replace it, as there's loads in the cupboard already. I've also thrown away three skanky bottles of foundation that only had dregs in the bottom and must have been way out of date. Every little helps .

Well done - I am also on a using up, rather than 'spending up'. Finished a pack of make up remover wipes, a conditioner and a shower gel. Lots more to go so not replacing. I have been following a thread about people using soap in the shower and have been using one shower gel then a bar of soap. So should be ok for soap/shower gel for quite some time.

Thanks Five.

Great tip about the soap, I'll check that thread out. I've found out accidentally that Simple soap is amazing on my face. I was despairing of the heat when on holiday last year, and used it on my face as a last resort. My face felt so clean, so I ditched the micellar water and wipes I had been using. Just use them occasionally now, as, typically I have two full bottles unopened .

I need a quick top-up shop today, but have meal planned for the rest of the week, so that should be it .

Used up the dregs of yet another shower gel, will be moving on to the bar soap soon.

No coffees, magazines, books or other random purchases bought. To be fair, this hot weather helps, as I'm not tempted to 'go shopping' half as much; I'd rather sit in the garden with a glass of squash and plenty of ice.

Can I join? I spend far too much at work (think £8 per day, 5 days a week) so this week I am taking lunch to work.
I am a nightmare for just nipping to Tesco for milk and spending £15.
I am going away for a few days the week after next with dd and so far only have £100 spending money. So I need to rein it in and save at least another £100 before I go.
I only spent £2.20 yesterday. :)

Ooops, you are doing great!

It's far too easy to pay for the convenience of snack food and drinks. I used to tell myself I'd earned it, but that was only to justify what a waste of money it was. With a little thought and planning, the pounds soon mount up.

I did go out at the weekend (planned) and still have £40 left in my weekly kitty.

Good luck!

Morning everyone, checking in.

Still using up surplus toiletries and store cupboard and freezer stash. I'm trying hard not to build my stock back up though.

Carrying cash is helping. I'm going to check this month's bank statement later, payday is 20th of the month. Had a large spend on theatre tickets last week, but the budget is still healthy, I hope.