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Original poster

No spend January

696 replies

ivykaty44 · 24/12/2021 21:06

anyone up for a no spend January?

just the normal utilities, food shopping and transport costs

then put the purse/wallet away and don't spend till February

a good way to rebalance the balance after xmas

OP posts:
Original poster
ivykaty44 · 31/12/2021 07:36

@TabithaTittlemouse Can you share any of the tips for having a goal of no spend for the month ☺️

OP posts:
AlexCabot · 31/12/2021 08:44

I'm aiming to be a bit more mindful with my spending.

I work in Lidl so you'd think that with my staff discount I'd have a really low grocery spend but actually I'm terrible for seeing the new, seasonal stuff and buying it at the end of my shift. My chest freezer literally looks like one at work, full of the lovely Christmas deluxe stuff!
So I'm going to be very strict with myself about putting my coat on and going straight out of the door when I finish if there's nothing that I actually NEED.

woodlandarchitect · 31/12/2021 08:47

I’ll join! I’ve already bought a bit between Christmas Day and today Blush

But I had a low spend December and the bank balance was surprisingly healthy! I also made £200 having a clear out.

But my hours have been reduced and January is going to hit us hard! Also we were paid on Christmas Eve so that pay has to last until the end of January Sad

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 31/12/2021 08:47

Sounds like you can eat from your freezer for January!!

OP posts:
TabithaTittlemouse · 31/12/2021 09:44

@ivykaty44 I mostly look each month at areas where I know spending is a problem (for me it’s second hand clothes and quick trips to the shop for milk etc). Then I vow to cut back on that area! I think for me it’s just being more mindful about where my money is going.

I also like having different accounts for different things, Christmas was already paid for from Christmas savings throughout the year, the dog had an expensive trip to the vets yesterday but the money was already there in my pet account!
I used to have debt and really struggle to get through to each pay day without using my overdraft but now I’m quite anal about savings first!

Creditcardshame · 31/12/2021 09:44

Joining!
We have a healthy income but somehow it just all.... goes!
I WFH so don't buy lunches, get one takeaway coffee/ hot chocolate for the DC a week (which is going) but it is things like cards and little gifts that eat into my money (my uncle died yesterday and I need to send a card and would ideally send some flowers to my aunt but 💰), school donations, their friends birthdays etc all seem to add up.

I have savings pots for things but raided them last year which has left me in a muddle.

Life has just become so expensive, hasn't it?
Looking at our DD's which are going out on Tuesday we are down about £80 a month on last year - just on energy and council tax.

Apple40 · 31/12/2021 11:52

Hi, I am in, I wfh so saving on buying lunches and travel/ car park charges. Need to do a food shop next week, but then planning on having a really low spend month, no take aways, etc.

I used to save all my change in jar pre covid and use on Christmas ( I was doing the 1p a day challenge and got half way through the £1 a day one) but as I never seem to use cash anymore only card I missed my savings jar this year.

Only expensive coming up is paying subs for guides and then monthly karate fees.

Apple40 · 31/12/2021 11:54

Oh and I also plan on more cafe trips out at weekends for cake etc going to take a flask of tea with us and snack from home. I realised during the first lock down I was spending between £60-£70 a month just on cake and tea out. It’s gradually crept back in so need to stop it and save that money again

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 31/12/2021 12:12

TabithaTittlemouse. I find January a good month to be thoughtful about spending and having a no spend month to neutralise habits very useful.

changing habits rather than going without is also useful, thinking about staying away from spending and taking part n other free activities

OP posts:
InvincibleInvisibility · 31/12/2021 15:05

Had to go to supermarket for 4 things. I came out with just those 4 things, one is the dessert for tonight - I resisted the really expensive one and got a perfectly nice one for a third of the price.

woodlandarchitect · 31/12/2021 15:26

Oh my gosh! Today we have spent

£3 something on a latte from Costa Blush
£9 on a specific maths book for DS

And had a plasterer come over to quote skimming over our artex ceilings which is likely £600 for the whole house! But will be a February job

Doublechins · 31/12/2021 15:53

Well today I've spent £4 on milk and a bottle of Dr Pepper. May make this my last bottle of Dr Pepper as just worked out that's £62 a month 😱

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 31/12/2021 17:23

I had to go to the supermarket this afternoon, cleaning stuff and pizza, its my 2nd pop in this week and a total of £20 for a weeks shopping isn't so bad

have made two large batches of soup of soup to last the weekend and still have leftover ham, smoked salmon and vegetables, cheese. so it will be well into next week before a return to the supermarket. im thinking, ham egg and chips, smoke salmon pasta, smoked salmon omelettes, broccoli and blue cheese soup. I also have pesto and vegetables to make another pasta dish, so may get through till Wednesday, or and sausages and bacon in the freezer.

OP posts:
chimichangaz · 31/12/2021 17:27

I've been to ikea today.....spent a lot but it was stuff I was planning to get anyway. Balanced out (a little bit) by managing to hit marks and Spencer's at mark down time so bought some ready meals for the freezer. My sister is staying over tonight and has brought a bottle of Prosecco and I've bought us one of the better ready meals from Tesco. Will truly be glad to begin 2022 with a fresh start in many areas 🥂

TabithaTittlemouse · 31/12/2021 17:31

We are still eating left overs (I currently look like a block of cheese!) but I will need to go shopping on Tuesday.
I’ve made a list of ingredients that we already have or have part of so meal planning was easy. I budget £100 a week for food but I think I can get what I need for half of that this week.

Creditcardshame · 31/12/2021 17:39

Nothing spent today. Used our national trust membership to have a nice walk. Took a packed lunch and hot chocolate in a thermos.

We had thought about going to a forest about an hour away but the parking would have been £6 plus the petrol.

Will do this more often!

Creditcardshame · 31/12/2021 17:40

We are planning our meals and food shop for the next week. We have an online delivery booked for Tuesday - I think avoiding the physical shop will save us loads.

coodawoodashooda · 31/12/2021 17:40

@Fuuuuuckit

I'm in.

DS has started an apprenticeship so tax credits, Child allowance and CMS have dropped, energy bill is doubling and I've spent more than I've saved up for on Xmas.

Need a proper shake-up of my finances. Thanks for starting the thread OP.

That will be tough.
TabithaTittlemouse · 31/12/2021 18:15

@Creditcardshame

We are planning our meals and food shop for the next week. We have an online delivery booked for Tuesday - I think avoiding the physical shop will save us loads.
I’m the opposite! If I could order online from Lidl I would be okay. I’m quite good at sticking to my list though!
Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 31/12/2021 18:17

I'm joining for a low spend January. DH gently pointed out today that I've been spending quite a bit recently so I feel guilty and need to stop. Browsing online in the evenings for clothes, shoes I really don't need. I have so many already.

I'm hoping it will be successful because I did a food shop today and have full freezer and cupboards. I have an electric car and a bike so won't need fuel. No birthdays to budget for. I have mountains of toiletries and makeup to get through. Pet food is topped up. DD will need new school shoes but I've got sports direct vouchers to spend for those

I'm logging my daily spends (hopefully no spends, mostly!) Here on this thread. Good luck everyone.

Creditcardshame · 31/12/2021 18:26

@TabithaTittlemouse oh no! I have never tried Lidl. Is Aldi similar? We have one of those reasonably nearby. Do they really save you that much money?

ruthydoodles24f · 31/12/2021 18:32

I'm in

coodawoodashooda · 31/12/2021 18:42

[quote Creditcardshame]@TabithaTittlemouse oh no! I have never tried Lidl. Is Aldi similar? We have one of those reasonably nearby. Do they really save you that much money?[/quote]
If you have a decent store cupboard of anything a bit unusual and can avoid tesco or asda then it definitely saves you money.

coodawoodashooda · 31/12/2021 18:45

Does anyone know of a free app to monitor your money without having to input wages or other private details?

InvincibleInvisibility · 31/12/2021 18:58

I don't think around what I already have in the kitchen. I went shopping earlier for tonight and a meal I batch cook for the DC to eat in the week. Then later I realized I hadn't even thought about this weekend and I'd have to find an open supermarket tomorrow...then I stopped myself. I can easily rustle up meals from the fridge/cupboard/freezer.