NO SPEND 23

[LaurieFairyCake]

I'm going HARD CORE. There's already a no spend January - I want to go ALL THE FUCKING WAY as far as possible

And I want to take YOU down with me

I confess it's easier for me as I am literally drowning in stuff even now. I've lost 6 stone in weight and I've got rid of 15 black full bags of clothes in last six months so I'm on a roll.

I also work all the fucking time so I have about 50 books to read and all the tv I want to watch. And I can't be arsed doing anything to my house so that's out.

I also want to do this for the environment - I already buy second hand as much as possible as I'm obsessed with EBay - but I could still do with buying much less

I've no idea what the rules could be, let's decide that if I get anyone on board.

My own thoughts are to get as FAR as possible.

I have bought a jumper in the sales already I don't need 🤦‍♀️ which is what kicked this off in my mind today - yadda yadda half price blah blah but I have 20 jumpers! And I had drunk half a bottle of port last night when I purchased it online...

So given my flawed premise anyone want to join me???

Ooosh, that is hardcore! What are you allowed to spend on? I've got 4 year old DD so it's virtually impossible to go completely no-spend, but I admire you for going for it!

Bossing it, OP 😁I can't join you fully in the flesh, as it were, but I'll be there in spirit!

I also have a million books, I have Prime and a cosy house, and hardly buy clothes anyway. My biggest weakness is eating/drinking out but semi-dry January and No Spend January should help there at least...

I'll be interested to see how you get on!

There are some really interesting articles written by people who have done no-spend years. As above, I have a family so don't think it's too practical for me (DD changes clothes sizes every few months 🤣), but I am planning to do a severely reduced spend year!

I'm interested in joining in with something - totally overspending this last 6m - who can not have with rising costs? Have sent retired DH back to work and still additional income less than the increase in mortgage payments and energy bills! Let me be clear: we are very fortunate not to be making more stark choices - multiple income household and can afford luxuries like holidays and school fees but we are feeling the stretch none the less. Also, we plan a significant house renovation in 2023 and need to a) save as much as possible towards it and b) get rid of as much stuff as possible to avoid storing unnecessarily. So I'm thinking cutting non essential spend and off setting selling income against the spend that is difficult to avoid eg clothes for teens, some hosting (cheaper than going out), enjoying some holidays this year that we've already paid for/paid deposit for? I'm already eyeing up things in the freezer to turn into meals for January and things in the bath room that have been rejected by tees but can keep me going without buying more.

I'm up for this. I have £9k debt to try and pay off in the next 18m and need to throw absolutely everything I have at it. Unlike the OP, there's lots of things I need/want, but I can wait!

Like PP, one of my main weaknesses is going out to eat - meeting friends for breakfast or lunch. Another weakness is supermarkets - nice food, extras, household items, clothes, toys, books.

I don't drink so that should be easy enough but I like to eat! I am going to start eating well too but need to stop buying too-expensive-but-healthy food and choose the cheaper options/stop being in constant treat myself mode!

I start today (easy as I'm not going anywhere) and will post here daily if I can to help accountability. Good luck all!

Im joining ! Have 7 k of debt which I want to get rid of in 2023 !

I'm joining too. For me it will be not buying things I don't need. I lost a lot of weight last year and bought new clothes for summer. I have 2 holidays next year (which kinda defeats the purpose of no spending but both we booked March and April) so I don't need anything new for them. I got some absolutely gorgeous Christmas presents which will see me through. I will still spend on eating out as while we don't do it often, it's something we really enjoy and we don't often go places that cost a lot. So really all I'm planning on buying is essentials like toothpaste etc . I'm also going to really try and cut down on the amount of money we spend on food. My diet also starts on the 1st so that will go hand in hand.

I'm in. I need to clear my 1.5k credit card asap. My problem is the little things - eating out, meeting a friend for coffee, Amazon purchases that I think I need. Also travel. London is really expensive to get around sometimes so I'm going to allow more time and try to use more buses etc. Locally I always walk as I don't have a car.

Haha, constant treat yourself mode sounds like me this past few months!

I'm in! Always looking at ways to spend less/save money.
I need to get new glasses soon and also want to buy some bits for the living (we had new flooring and settee last month so could do with new rug, photo frames, etc).

Things we do need to buy soon: new uniform for 3 year old as she's outgrown hers since September!! Plus swimming stuff for UK holiday in March and I need new foundation (I use Lily and Lolo due to sensitive skin).

I really really need to pay off my debts so I can save to buy a house. I'm 41 and still renting 🙈. I can't go no spend completely though as I'm in a choir and have drum lessons. But I'm up for a no unnecessary/extra spending. Last year I went on holiday and to two festivals so I'd like to have a calmed down year and pay off stuff.

Definitely in!! There’s lots I’d like to do this year (new settee/shed/a holiday) but we’ve decided instead to try and save like crazy, even the teens are wanting to! I’m including children’s clothes/hair bobbles/art stuff as necessities as well as food & fuel, but being mindful when I do need to buy them.

Joining please. Have some debt to clear and want to start better habits. Weaknesses are clothes for both me and DC, and back to work soon so will need go be organised about lunches etc. Great thread.

My partner wants to do the whole year. I am going to try as much as possible. I impulsively spend (suspected adhd) and have just bought a load of stuff in the Zara sale and realised I actually already own two of the items!!

I plan to save this money to pay off my debts.

I don’t need clothes, I don’t need makeup or even probably toiletries. I have more than enough of everything. I have one weekend holiday booked and usually do a week away all inclusive but not sure if I want to book that or save the money. If I do go then I certainly do not need any clothes for it.

it’s going to be so so hard for me but I really want to try and take control of my impulsive spending.

I also need to try and sell some clothing rather than taking them all to the Salvation Army bin as I could do with the money.

I'm looking to only buy essentials - and to be realistic about what's essential and what isn't!

If I do need something I'd like to try to buy it second hand before buying new.

Like others, I've had some lovely Christmas presents and have plenty of DVDs, CDs, books, craft stuff, games etc to keep me going. I'm also hoping to declutter as I go along!

I will be getting birthday money at some point - so I reserve the right to treat myself then! (Or I might save it...).

I’ve actually already started taking money left out of the bank at the end of each month, and put it under my mattress! It might feel silly, but it really helps not spend it frivolously the next month, and you see the concrete evidence of your hard work saving.

Fabulous!

1. So let's all decide for ourselves what our goals are

1. Post daily accountability

So me is:

1. Goal - Buy no clothes/accessories/toiletries

1. Not bought any today (and will Chuck Brora sale catalogue which has just arrived without looking at it)

Following with great interest. Aiming for just January, can't do all year as really need to do a lot of home improvements.
I'm good at decluttering but still seem to have a pantry & freezer full of stuff I could definitely use to plan a few weeks worth of meals so my main aim is no supermarket spending.
I definitely have enough clothes & do NOT need to buy anymore.
Planning a quiet January 'in'. Got loads of books to read, like to go on runs but that's free & enough snacks to last all month left over from Christmas.

1. Don’t buy food outside weekly shop. Don’t window shop online!!
2. I’ve just cancelled Amazon, I was mainly thinking it worth it for fast delivery, music and also unlimited books but I’m now back to weekly library visits and love them; delivery is often much slower nowadays too so cancelling is much better. Wish me luck telling the teens about the music though 😆.

I'll start off because I desperately need a new cooker, (and I want a rangemaster, which I admit isn't a need) and a new kitchen... everything is overflowing, even my pantry cupboard, think I can survive on £20-30 a week for food (milk, bread, veg and cheese ) for the 3 of us whilst I use it all up! Have 3 new bottles of gin for Christmas

Does it count if dp pays?

Great thread op.

I want to try to cut down. Ds2 at uni is a drain on my finances, as is dd at home and not really working (long story).

My aim for Jan-Feb is no spend on clothes or make up and skincare (have LOTS) and trying really hard to take lunch to work and if I join the stroll to Tesco, not buying a meal deal there.

I'd like to spend more mindfully this year.

I'm trying to declutter, so the opposite side of the coin has to be bringing less stuff into my small house

One thing I've decided to do is that I am not allowed to buy anything from Amazon unless I have earned an Amazon voucher somewhere. I do Branded Surveys and YouGov for example, both of which can have their rewards paid out as Amazon vouchers. I want to buy a Neal's Yard facial scrub which I love but I have to earn it with my points!

No clothes...underwear allowed as there's nothing worse than bras when the wires have gone!
No new make up or skincare as I have loads to use up
Also no clothes for my youngest DD as she's got loads and has all of my eldests that I've saved
No starting Xmas shopping before after youngest DDs October birthday as it makes me overspend

Oh also no more books. I've got loads I've not read & often get given them from my mum so must stay strong
I've actually started a birthday wish list and there's 2 books on there already. My birthday isn't until June. Usually I'd just buy them but holding firm so when people ask what I want I can actually have an answer.