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LaurieFairyCake · 2022-12-30T19:33:16+00:00

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 [wink] 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 🤦&zwj;♀️ 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... [hmm][grin] So given my flawed premise anyone want to join me???

needastrongoneagain · 09/02/2023 08:46

Still here too. And doing okay actually! I'm about £500 in credit @Passthecake30 but I'm on a fixed tariff from when prices were low, so very aware my monthly payment will rocket in October. I don't know what's an acceptable credit amount, I think Martin Lewis said 2 months payments in credit starting in the winter not unreasonable.

Passthecake30 · 09/02/2023 08:52

@needastrongoneagain that’s interesting what the great ML states when the energy companies suggest much higher with their recommended monthly DDs! I think the reason for mine having crept up is that the £65 isn’t taken into consideration when they suggest a monthly amount.
Planning a NSD, and tricking the kids with fake mince (quorn!) from the freezer. Let’s see if I can get away with it 😀

bridgewateremma · 09/02/2023 23:16

needastrongoneagain · 09/02/2023 08:46

Still here too. And doing okay actually! I'm about £500 in credit @Passthecake30 but I'm on a fixed tariff from when prices were low, so very aware my monthly payment will rocket in October. I don't know what's an acceptable credit amount, I think Martin Lewis said 2 months payments in credit starting in the winter not unreasonable.

We are in a similar position @needastrongoneagain with £450 credit and our excellent fixed tariff sadly ends on 1/8/23 :-(. We have increased our payment anyway this winter and together with the £400 government payment, we have ended up with the credit noted above. However I feel we will need a decent credit going into next winter .

Tuesday and Wednesday were NSDs.

Today I was out for the afternoon and spent £4.00 on a handbag from a charity shop and £3.70 on a Costa coffee. I don't think I'll be buying another coffee again for a while - £3.70!!!!

Discretionary weekly spending total so far is £21.20.

bridgewateremma · 09/02/2023 23:18

Sorry that's incorrect above, I had copy, cut & pasted and not updated the figure. It should read...

Discretionary weekly spending total so far is £13.10.

Dexterslab · 10/02/2023 08:09

Still here and plodding on, not actually spent anything extra all week, have got a big Sainsbury’s shop coming later but topped up with medicine (everyone's been poorly so need to restock), shampoo and conditioner, a few cleaning bits etc. my husband works for them and gets 15% off on payday weekend so I always wait to get everything at ran extra discount. Most bits I buy are Aldi price match or on offer anyway so even bigger savings. Last weeks food shop was only £45 ish by shipping the freezer and cupboards so hoping the next few will be the same.

I've got a massage this morning but it's a gift voucher from Christmas, and then an meeting a friend for a cake and coffee so will be a bit of a spend but not bad after a whole week with nothing!

Keep losing on everyone, into half term next week so will be harder!

IncessantNameChanger · 10/02/2023 08:15

Can I join you? I'm trying hard to 1) save money and 2) create some space. First priority is not buying and clothes for anyone unless there is a dire need. I have 4 kids and I'm drowning in clothes. I have caved and bought one new bag ( that I don't really need)

clary · 10/02/2023 09:39

Hi all, thanks for swimsuit support! It’s not here yet as no one was in when Evri came grr.

Thrifty week with lunches from home and no coffee or other spends, except takeaway pizza £26 on weds but we were celebrating DD finally landing a job (she graduated last year but has been struggling with health so this is good news. It’s in a library which will suit her so well).

needastrongoneagain · 10/02/2023 16:48

Well done to your DD @clary!

Having a frugal few days and on track this month.

bridgewateremma · 10/02/2023 23:04

Yay for DD job @clary! That's great news!

I had a very spendy day today, am a bit cross with myself.

£6.00 on birthday gift for a party DD is going to next weekend
£3.99 on gift for friend's DD (from charity shop)
£9.75 on cake (don't ask)
£5.40 on coffees for my Mum and I at the garden centre

= £25.14

Discretionary weekly spending so far £38.24 :-(.

I am worried about school holidays next week too. Its very difficult to entertain 2 x teens and a 6 year old with no money.

Passthecake30 · 11/02/2023 17:09

Spendy day yesterday at the opticians, but I count that as essential.
Prices of things are getting ridiculous, can’t believe that the toothpaste we use has increased from £2.50 to £5… mouthwash the same.

Taking the kids to my mums over half term, some spends needed but will do my best to keep them low (and visit the discount stores down there to see if they stock toothpaste/mouthwash cheaper!)

grannycake · 12/02/2023 05:47

NSD yesterday and same planned for today

clary · 12/02/2023 18:27

Well done all., I have had a spendy weekend as took DD for Costa yesterday (one free drink) and then we also went to Greggs for lunch today! oops!

Am trying out an old method of £xx per week on random spends tho - will see how we go. The £xx is £20 which feels OK as we ease away from January.

Oh - I also had to sub uni DS2 £100 for his "expensive weekend" Still, I give him a certain number of lump sums a year along with a regular weekly payment to bring his loan up to full level so I guess this is one of those.

Dexterslab · 13/02/2023 19:42

Half term day 1, spent £5.20 on parking at a local country park, we were there nearly 6 hours with friends and took a picnic and a coffee so happy with that!

bridgewateremma · 14/02/2023 11:48

@Dexterslab, well done on low spend day, but I can't get over the cost of that parking, that would make me so cross! I HATE paying for parking, particularly at an attraction!

I'm a couple of days late with my weekly review (Sunday - Saturday):-

End of week 6 review:-

£3.50 on jigsaw mat
£1.90 on toy for DD
£4.00 second hand handbag
£3.70 takeout coffee
£6.00 gift for DD friend's party
£3.99 second hand gift for friend's DD
£9.75 cakes
£5.40 coffees for Mum & I

= £38.24 spent and 3 x NSDs

February total spend @ end of week 6 = £59.44 + 6 x NSDs

So far in week 7:-

Sunday 12th NSD#27
Monday 13th £8.98 T K Maxx (£4.99 on gift for DD1's friend's 16th + £3.99 on face wash for me)
= £8.98 spent so far + 1 x NSD

It's been a spendy time recently with more to come I suspect with the schools off for another week and a weekend away for me in 10 days time. I will try to reign it in but its so hard with 3 kids and a busy life. I am keeping up with my debt repayment plan though and I have DEFINITELY cut back so I suppose that's good. There's more I could change/cut back on though and little spends I am justifying to myself are creeping in. For example, yesterday at T K Maxx, I did need face wash, but in reality could have used soap bars I already own and did have something in mind at home for DD's friend. I wish spending money didn't give me such a buzz!

I am planning a super frugal March! I might set myself a strict budget for the month.

How is everyone doing?

Cottagecheeseisnotcheese · 14/02/2023 12:23

@bridgewateremma if you are in it for long haul with debt repayments etc, you need a little treat money but put it into your budget each month maybe have it in cash, or in a separate account
if you already know your income for March decide in advance how it will be divided
a) for food etc( supermarket) b) is fixed bills and direct debits rent utilities etc c) minimum card repayments d) for transport e) child care dinner money school uniform essential clothes f) anything due in march birthdays MOT insurance, g) subscriptions h) how much extra is going to debt j) treats discretionary spending ( you need to decide if this includes clothes makeup hair dressers etc or whether you set yourself a fixed annual amount as a separate category k) savings for emergencies christmas holidays
if anything left over is it going to h or k
when you have finished income should = a+b+c ....+k

Dexterslab · 14/02/2023 14:04

bridgewateremma · 14/02/2023 11:48

@Dexterslab, well done on low spend day, but I can't get over the cost of that parking, that would make me so cross! I HATE paying for parking, particularly at an attraction!

I'm a couple of days late with my weekly review (Sunday - Saturday):-

End of week 6 review:-

£3.50 on jigsaw mat
£1.90 on toy for DD
£4.00 second hand handbag
£3.70 takeout coffee
£6.00 gift for DD friend's party
£3.99 second hand gift for friend's DD
£9.75 cakes
£5.40 coffees for Mum & I

= £38.24 spent and 3 x NSDs

February total spend @ end of week 6 = £59.44 + 6 x NSDs

So far in week 7:-

Sunday 12th NSD#27
Monday 13th £8.98 T K Maxx (£4.99 on gift for DD1's friend's 16th + £3.99 on face wash for me)
= £8.98 spent so far + 1 x NSD

It's been a spendy time recently with more to come I suspect with the schools off for another week and a weekend away for me in 10 days time. I will try to reign it in but its so hard with 3 kids and a busy life. I am keeping up with my debt repayment plan though and I have DEFINITELY cut back so I suppose that's good. There's more I could change/cut back on though and little spends I am justifying to myself are creeping in. For example, yesterday at T K Maxx, I did need face wash, but in reality could have used soap bars I already own and did have something in mind at home for DD's friend. I wish spending money didn't give me such a buzz!

I am planning a super frugal March! I might set myself a strict budget for the month.

How is everyone doing?

Thanks, we live in the south east and parking can be expensive at places like this, it is annoying! We have plenty of free parks and play areas but this is a lovely one with lots to explore and a play trail so I didn't mind too much as we spent the whole day there!

Dexterslab · 14/02/2023 14:07

Today has been expensive but I knew it would be!
£45 foot appointment for my son (once a year, he has probation and is hyper mobile so needs yearly check ups)

Straight to specialist shoe shop for new shoes for them both, £109 in total! It is the one area I spend money on, most of their clothes are second hand but I must lion after their feet with my son's issues and I trust the ladies there completely, they've sent me away before when they don't need new shoes so I always go there.

I had pre booked climbing wall activity on a two for one offer a few weeks ago and we had 45 minutes to spare so we had a treat Costa with my Christmas voucher so technically no spend! I took sone chocolate biscuits as a treat and their lunchboxes to eat before and after climbing as it was over lunchtime. Home now for free play and no more money spending!

CrapBucket · 14/02/2023 19:22

I've had a NSD (so far) - nearly paid for parking but decided to park further away and walk to where I was going, there was a handy free car park which was good.

bridgewateremma · 16/02/2023 17:47

That's the kind of chat I'm here for @CrapBucket! Well done on the super frugal behaviour! I am considering plucking my own eyebrows this weekend, which I haven't done for approx. 20 years, saving myself £10 or so on waxing or threading. And I might also wash my car myself again, saving me £8 at the car wash.

Thanks for the input @Cottagecheeseisnotcheese! Everyone is doing this challenge differently and due to my circumstances and what I want to achieve, I am not counting food/clothes or indeed any joint/household spending (although I am trying to make cuts here too). When I note my spending on this thread, it is discretionary spending only so effectively from my 'treat' budget. Any spending I do (and I do need to do some as I'm in this for 2023 and some of 2024) has a direct impact on my monthly debt repayments where I am aiming to repay £500 per month. I'm aware that when I note low weekly spending or no spend days it may seem disingenuous as I may actually have bought diesel or some kids' clothes or food (most days) that day but it is my discretionary spending budget that debt repayments come from and what I really wanted to tackle and drastically reduce to allow large lump sum debt repayments.

Tuesday 14th NSD#28
Wednesday 15th NSD#29
Thursday 16th NSD#30

How is everyone doing this week?

clary · 16/02/2023 20:34

Not too bad this week; taken lunch every day, only takeaway coffee was tonight but got extra Sbx points too.

Also bought 2 x book club books, but secondhand, and a third effort at the swimming costume to fit me which was £££ but needed.

Cottagecheeseisnotcheese · 16/02/2023 20:56

@bridgewateremma brilliant I understand hope you achieve your goal, every day is a small victory

Anonymously2 · 17/02/2023 12:37

Can I join. An expensive start to the year, a long term savings goal and fed up of unnecessary "stuff".

xogossipgirlxo · 17/02/2023 13:21

Hello, can I join please?
I've been reading this thread, but never participated. I feel like I need more motivation with food shopping. This month wasn't great, we spent quite a lot, but to be honest I've had loooong time where I didn't buy anything for the house and it just piled on. So we spent £110 in Ikea + £20 on amazon for coat rack this month, also our food bill is higher than I was expecting and it's only 17th of February. The shopping I've done+food in the freezer and cupboard should be OK if I stretch it, but I definitely need to be more careful in March. My 30th birthday was this month too, so I didn't really want to feel deprived of little treats etc. I am expecting my first baby in July, so I'm focusing on saving for baby stuff and maternity leave. I don't have problem with buying second hand for myself or switching to cheaper make up etc., so luckily I don't spend £££ there.

grannycake · 17/02/2023 14:21

I'd also like to join. We've got a major spend on a house rejig going on but I'm very aware that since we've retired we are not really adding to our savings.

I need to make every penny work to make sure we can still travel while we are fit and able to do so

bridgewateremma · 17/02/2023 18:50

Welcome to @grannycake, @xogossipgirlxo and @Anonymously2 and anyone else I've forgotten, all are more than welcome!

I spent £15 at the jewellers today to get 3 x charms for my bracelet repaired & the bracelet & charms cleaned. This price seems more than reasonable and having it fixed and cleaned up has given me immeasurable happiness. Apart from that I worked this morning then went to a friend's this afternoon (took some nice unopened biscuits from home) with DD2.

We might go on a wee family day out tomorrow but DD1 (15) is being horrible so I'm not sure.