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???

@clary you have mentioned the swimsuit a couple of times, when are you next going swimming, whats wrong with your current one? Can we talk you away from wanting one? Do you have a bikini lying in a drawer that you could wear instead? I don't know if you would wear a 2nd hand one but charity shops often have them (even though that is technically spending)

ah sorry to go on about the swimming! I swim 3-4 x a week and a cossie usually lasts about 9 months. I usually buy Speedo for the shape (big boobs) and endurance. I have 2-3 discarded ones in the blanket box and looked at them yesterday, but they are worse than the current one lol (they start to go in various places and become see through or worn). I do have a new one but it’s not big enough (put on weight and it’s all on top lolol). Current one is ok, just a bit saggy. No chance on eBay or charity shop sadly. Bikini errr no I don’t think so.

Re Costa cards - this is the second one I’ve got in the last 12 months I’d say, so yes, keep an eye on your emails. Also Friday offers just now - last week was buy a coffee on Friday, get a free one! I do love a loyalty app 😀

No don't apologise! I'm vicariously not spending on a swimsuit via you! Every day you don't buy one is a NSD for the others on this thread too ;)

Even swimming a lot, thats not long for a swimsuit to last, especially a good brand like Speedo. Might be worth emailing their customer service to see what they say.

Or layer up two threadbare costumes...

Thanks @clary, I'm usually really frugal re buying coffees out (i.e. pretty much never), so I'm actually trying to treat myself now and then. I realise that this is against the ethos of this thread 😳.

There's a Costa at my work, so the Friday thing sounds good, thanks.

I bet Vinted would have Speedo swimsuits, and you can search 'new with tags' if you wanted. Probably get one for a bargain when you do decide to buy 😊

I promise you, speak to a swimmer, a year is very good going for a swimming costume. I spend about three hours in the pool (chlorinated water) each week.

I've looked on ebay and Vinted and there isn;t anything just now but it is a good shout. Meanwhile I can continue with mine, just it's a bit grim hahaha

Gah, I wrote a massive reply, then lost it, how annoying!! I've started using the app as Chrome on my 'phone doesn't seem to like long threads. Let's see how much I can remember...

So I spent £11.45 today on 3 x books for the 3 of the children's birthday parties I have coming up. I'll wrap up each book with paper I already have together with a packet of sweets each (will buy from food shop budget) and DD will make the cards & I have colourful envelopes. I think that's pretty good going for 3 x gifts! However I am still counting this as a NSD (NSD#10) as I have made £15-£18 from matched betting today, yahoo, so cost to me is £0.

I also normally buy DD a snack after her gymnastics class on a Saturday morning and somehow she was distracted so I got away with this!

End of week 2 review:-

• £3.99 on flowers when visiting a friend
• £0.49 on a purse for DD

= £4.49 spent and 6 x NSDs!

January total spend so far = £11.08

• 10 x NSDs

I do, however, have a few spendy things coming up:-

• Starbucks visit with eldest DD post exams
• Burns event (meal, £15 plus tips & BYOB)
• Weekend away to visit a friend

I do feel like a bit of a fraud here saying NSDs as I'm still in Asda most days spending money on food, clothes, household items so most days are not strictly NSDs, however the reason I'm here is to significantly cut back on my personal spending so it makes sense in my head!

Another £40 on food, that included £5-6 snacks for the cinema. Used tesco club cards towards seeing the film. Also spent £50 on Dominos (using an offer code) but got loads left over for tomorrow lunch. Spendy day but in my defence we’ve had the flu/chest infection bug in our house for the last 7 weeks and Xmas was pretty dire.
received £1.88 for selling something for £2.99 on eBay. Wondering whether to try vinted in future, do more people look there these days?

I forgot to mention what I DIDN’T spend yesterday. Firstly, I got an email telling me I could get a free gift if I spent a certain amount on something, I didn’t need the gift, didn’t need anything, but spent lots of time on that website almost having a spend up until reality hit. Saved myself at least £30. I must unsubscribe from more emails.

Well done @Passthecake30!

Well done! I went onto money saving expert to research something and almost bought a bargain they were sharing... then I didn't

Excellent @Passthecake30 . I put the Net a Porter Advent Calendar in my basket, it's half price, then I added a code which took it to £115 (from 260). Then I decided i did not need ut, had two lovely Acs, and plenty if stash to use.

Swam today with slightly less tatty costume which may last the month lol.

Thanks Ladies, I think when we have spendy days it’s good to realise it could’ve been a whole lot worse!
Planning a NSD today, half price chicken for dinner, bought after Boxing Day when Asda were clearing their shelves.

Yay for less tatty costume @clary! However I am of the opinion that if its something you need (as oppose to want) and will help your health, fitness and mental health, then it might be worth the investment? I'm not trying to enable, but I also want you to be healthy & happy as well as money-saving!

I did the same @Passthecake30 and @CrapBucket! I was lured into the Emma Bridgewater sale and want so much! But managed to close the window and promise myself and Emma Bridgewater treat in 18m time (when hopefully my debt - the reason I am doing this - will be paid/very nearly paid off).

@bridgewateremma with your user name, they should be sending you freebies nevermind the sale ;

Good luck with becoming free of debt. It will feel amazing 👏

Haha, if only @CrapBucket!

Okay - failed yesterday because I bought manure for roses. Not exactly a mega luxury spend but it does mean they will look lush in the summer.

Food shop for the week.

I can't do NSD everyday but this is making me more careful re spending which is great. So takeaway coffee, cabs, takeaway, nice extras, this is all zero

£3 on a coffee today bringing this months total spend £46 so far

Im not counting food or petrol.

Ooh. Can I join? I’m on No Spend Jan thread but I’m now keen to do all year.
I’m so tired of worrying about money and then making myself happy by spending small amounts which end up as big amounts and then cause anxiety and credit card and overdraft stress.
I’m actually really stunned by how much I’ve not spent so far since Jan 2 when I started. Our month starts mid month so I’ve only begun Jan/Feb and the freedom in my head already is incredible.
So after the already significant impact of no spend Jan, I’m game for no spend 2023.
I’ve done this before and the financial impact was really incredible.

Also I’ve been listing lots on Vinted this week and have made £137 so far! It’s so easy to use and I still have so much to list. I’d definitely recommend trying it.

I've just been to the shops and bought a £1 greetings card so I could have free parking. Apart from that I just browsed and decided I didn't need any of the things I picked up!

38 pence. On very cheap shampoo!

£25 accessible taxi fare that is unavoidable.

£9 Oat milk x 6 Amazon. The cheapest place by far, the next cheapest is Ocado at £1.80 per carton, but it's circa £2 in most supermarkets, including Lidl etc.

I don't know how we managed it but we've had a no spend weekend. Haven't even done any food shopping. Had a walk both days. Building up to do a 20 mile walk in the next few months. So that's cheap entertainment or punishment i can't decide which😅