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Original poster

Anyone want to join for a No spend January

835 replies

ivykaty44 · 18/11/2022 14:31

As done in other years, a no spend January

But also perhaps a budget cooking month, to really keep costs down

the idea is we only spend money on transport & food shopping - so those items don't count, but lets try and keep the shopping spends low

I shall be following the likes of cardiff mum and taming twins for budget ideas for food, especially using slow cooker and doubling up recipes.

I shall also be cooking some slow cooker recipes in January and doubling up, that way can cook for the first 2 weeks of January and freeze for the next two weeks

Purchasing birthday present for January on Black Friday next week, that way getting a good deal.

Its a reset on finances which will be especially needed in the household to curb some unnecessary spending and leave me with money in the bank on 31 January. I did this about 4 years ago and had an extra £110 in my account.

doing free things, , freecycle after Christmas, walks, cycling, library trips, free talks etc

Some take it into February

OP posts:
Probablymagrat · 15/12/2022 14:36

I'm in, looking at the bank account it had better be a no spend until the daffodils are up!

dexterslockedintheshedagain · 15/12/2022 16:21

Probablymagrat · 15/12/2022 14:36

I'm in, looking at the bank account it had better be a no spend until the daffodils are up!

😂😂😂 I know how you feel!

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 15/12/2022 16:48

I've already paid for my ticket but in Jan will need to pay for my train/food/drinks & my share of afternoon tea. I will be picking the cheapest thing on the menu food wise.
I have a couple of spare bank account, I transfer money into these for events coming up, so it doesn't all come out of the one months wages
Need to buy a birthday gift get in the sales between xmas and new year?

I also have a night out with friends planned which will be food and drinks locally. Last time this cost me £45 and we only went to the local pub (same place we are going this time) Again id put £45 away in a separate account ready to pay for this in January, most people will be fairly skint in January - you could suggest about having a kitty for drinks or getting bottles of wine which works out cheaper?

OP posts:
Theskyoutsideisblue · 16/12/2022 07:00

Looking at the smart meter yesterday I'd better join

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 16/12/2022 14:30

Looking at the smart meter yesterday I'd better join

its looking warmer next week, so hopefully that'll help - but the more the merrier

OP posts:
AuntieEntity · 17/12/2022 22:05

Yes, I'd like to join. I've had an awful year finances wise, and will be contacting Step Change in the new year, but in the first instance I need to get a handle on my spending. It's just me and DD and my food wastage is bloody awful.

MyBooksAndMyCats · 18/12/2022 09:07

I'd like to join.
I desperately need a new bed, mines broken and will break completely any day right now and is giving me incredibly bad insomnia. Blush I'd like to join to stop me spending on crap so I can finally save up if that's okay?

I've already started instead of buying books (my one true thing that I seem to have no limit on despite having over 150 books!) I've got myself a kindle with kindle unlimited free for 5 months so that's saved me around £60/70.
I'm also terrible I have a massive chest freezer that is full to the brim of random foods and I need to learn to use it up before buying more food!

Needarest22 · 18/12/2022 09:17

I'd like to join.
I desperately need a new bed, mines broken and will break completely any day right now and is giving me incredibly bad insomnia. Blush I'd like to join to stop me spending on crap so I can finally save up if that's okay?

Try pallets under your mattress

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 18/12/2022 10:53

Everyone is welcome, not long to go now. Any birthdays look in the xmas sales before January.

Meal plan around what you have int he freezer and xmas leftovers

see how many days you can go in a row without spending a penny

fuel/transport costs and supermarket food spend don't count - but trying to keep them as low as possible this year

button down the wallets

OP posts:
MyBooksAndMyCats · 18/12/2022 11:48

Needarest22 · 18/12/2022 09:17

I'd like to join.
I desperately need a new bed, mines broken and will break completely any day right now and is giving me incredibly bad insomnia. Blush I'd like to join to stop me spending on crap so I can finally save up if that's okay?

Try pallets under your mattress

I've got cardboard under it but the actual metal frame has broken so it's futile. Keeps dipping in the middle where the frame is sagging.Sad

MastieMum · 18/12/2022 19:39

MyBooksAndMyCats · 18/12/2022 11:48

I've got cardboard under it but the actual metal frame has broken so it's futile. Keeps dipping in the middle where the frame is sagging.Sad

Show quote history

Worth looking on freecycle and other no waste groups if you have one near you - bed frames regularly come up where I am.

frustratedashell · 18/12/2022 23:09

Agree about Freecycle, I've recently had a vacuum cleaner and a suitcase, both in great condition. I've also given stuff away on there.

MissVeronicaSpeedwell · 20/12/2022 23:31

I'd love to join - hoping to use the time between Christmas and New Year to do a good clearout at home, sort out budgeting, carry out some batch cooking etc!

I very rarely have a NSD as I have to buy fresh bread (and other bits) regularly for packed lunches, but it's something to aim for...

@AuntieEntity could you contact Stepchange (or similar) before Christmas, to get the ball rolling? I say this as someone who dealt with £25K of debt via CAP Money - who were great, by the way - and as soon as I contacted them and handed everything over, it was a massive weight off my mind. It might help you to enjoy Christmas more if you know everything's definitely getting sorted out in the New Year?

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 20/12/2022 23:38

I very rarely have a NSD as I have to buy fresh bread (and other bits) regularly for packed lunches, but it's something to aim for...

canyou but part baked baguettes for packed lunches? I buy the dinner roll size, or get a bread machine from freecycle or market place to make fresh bread the easy way

OP posts:
PurplePositivity · 20/12/2022 23:41

This thread is just what I need, please can I join in?

I do sadly keep a spending log and there are a few NSDs but not many, I need to reign it in and think about what I actually need.

AutisticLegoLover · 21/12/2022 00:20

I should try keeping a spending log. I think I would be horrified if I'd done so the past couple of months. I've overspent considerably on the family this Christmas but I enjoy treating them and have cut back on other things to do so. I'll start the spending log on the 1st January and see how well I do. Da has his birthday in January but I think I've already said that I've got all his presents so I just need his card and cake ingredients although I usually have most of those in stock anyway. He needs new school
shoes as does Dd. Those are essential. Other than that I don't think there will be any purchases necessary apart from food so it's just the bills, food, shoes.

PollyEsther · 21/12/2022 14:38

Room for a late joiner? We desperately need to reign things in from January-April as have huge car repair bills to pay off, and a holiday booked that we need to pay for. It's our first holiday abroad, ever. We definitely won't be able to afford it again next year at the rate things are going so I'm desperate not to cancel!

We use a credit card for day to day spending, but clear in full each month. Now have several other cards to their limits thanks to the cards too. We need to start chipping away at them sooner rather than later.

DH was paid today, and I receive a student loan payment early January. I've already paid all the school trip/music lesson/childcare/dinner money etc bills for next month.

Our Christmas food shop is being paid predominently with Nectar points which we save up all year. Have just renewed pet and home insurane and managed to maintain last year's prices which is a relief. No Birthdays in the family until March so safe there for a few weeks.

May need to top up the uniform slightly in the sales though, which is so frustrating only one term into the year!

Original poster
ivykaty44 · 21/12/2022 15:01

PollyEsther. room for everyone on the no spending thread. We are now counting down the days

I get two more paydays before xmas and ive only got a supermarket shop to do, so I might even get out of 2022 with a few £ in the bank to start the new year - here's hoping!

At least the 1st of January is a Sunday - so easy to not spend! Then onto a Monday back to work special - sandwich made and purse at the bottom of my bag..

OP posts:
JamSandle · 21/12/2022 15:02

Had pay day today. Chucked most into savings/rent and have given myself a small budget for food and any emergencies that may come up.

Jan I have two things planned that have already been paid for.

frustratedashell · 21/12/2022 19:20

I've been keeping a record of my spending to help me budget. It really does open your eyes! I recommend doing it

BadShepherd · 21/12/2022 19:28

I’d like to join please. I need some big-ticket items, not just random shopping binges.

ReggaeRocks · 21/12/2022 20:37

Well, I’ve planned ahead and already bought the one thing I actually definitely wanted in January - a toasting fork!! I’ve got a stove-top kettle so with the fork too, I can give the kids a nice after school snack of tea and toast or crumpets without spending on electricity.
I’m going to be going to the library weekly in January to avoid buying books, and doing a picnic from home for our weekly date (we normally have a fish supper & nice walk).
How’s everyone feeling? Not too overspent I hope.

needastrongoneagain · 21/12/2022 20:44

Are spends spends in January if you buy wrapping paper, cards and pressies in the sales? 🤣

AutisticLegoLover · 21/12/2022 21:17

Does anyone use a particular diary for spending or just a regular notebook?

LilyGlobe · 21/12/2022 21:45

I will join. I am horrified by how much I spent this year, I need to stop. I’ve bought a ridiculous amount of clothes this past year and just frittered money on not a lot.

Food shopping is around £120 a week, I aim to get this below £80. I buy too many snacks and I would prefer to make homemade flapjacks and biscuits for packed lunches rather than buy them. I don’t buy coffee or lunches out so that’s all included.

We do eat out once or twice a week, which I’ve said I want to stop and DH agrees. I’m cutting out alcohol which will help with food shop costs as well.

I have no birthdays or events to pay for in January so it does seem an excellent time to reset.

I’d like to save £6k by the end of 2023, this will be quite a challenge as my mortgage, etc take a huge chunk of my salary…but I like a challenge!Grin