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Original poster

Low Spend 2025

189 replies

YourLimeCat · 31/12/2024 15:47

Does anyone want to join me in a mutual support Low Spend year? I entered premature retirement this year at the age of 60 due to health issues and I will be living off a saved Civil Service pension for the next 7 years. Due to no rent or mortgage to pay its not too dire a situation but it would be good to have somewhere to share tips with fellow low spend attemptees.

OP posts:
May09Bump · 11/04/2025 12:10

MoistTowelette · 01/04/2025 22:27

For the first time in ages , we haven't maxed out the overdraft whilst waiting for payday (was Monday here too) and have managed to pay off some things too. We have actually started this month not in overdraft debt ....yah! It feels so good to be getting control. DH unexpectedly lost his job and fell into a deep depression, it has been hugely stressful.

I cancelled Amazon Prime and don't even miss it. Also cancelled quite a few other subscriptions that now seem so unnecessary. As a PP said, just going to rotate one tv/movie subscription and change when we get sick of it.

Other things that have helped-
*Go through a few months of spending and see where it is being wasted, for us it was the grocery bill, Amazon (me)...and DH smoking 🙄
*Switched from ASDA delivery to ALDI with a firm budget and a list/meal plan. Nothing is wasted. I have found I really enjoy cooking and challenging myself to use everything up
*I split the grocery budget into two shops a week. Not practical for everyone but it works for us as ALDI is quite close. Constant top ups and treats at the corner shop were costing us a fortune. I'm really strict about this and when something runs out between shops, it runs out
*More vegetarian and low cost meals - soups, baked potatoes, stews, chili bulked out with beans and lentils etc.
*Did a massive clean out of cupboards and took stock of what we actually had. I either started using it up or sold it. Finally admitted the treadmill I had to have has been nothing but a glorified clothes horse for quite a while. Donated a load of stuff also - it feels good to be free of clutter. The shed is no longer full of crap we never use
*A monthly plan and being prepared for a long month instead of relying on overdraft and eeking it out till payday. My budget is adjusted every month depending on what is coming up. I budget for every single thing
*DH has finally given up smoking after years of nagging. The savings have been enormous, once the current (and last) 0% store card debt is paid off (due soon), going to put this into savings or maybe overpay on the mortgage
*Getting the whole family on board. Once I wrote it all down DH finally admitted we couldn't afford him smoking and it was very unfair to the rest of us. I have been transparent with my children and they have been great. I have budgeted for pocket money (stops them asking for things and gives them some independence) and they know once it is gone, that is it so spend wisely. I really hope that they get some practical skills from this. I involve them in meal planning, shopping and cooking
*Be prepared. Making lunches for work, taking snacks or eating before we go out anywhere as a family. If we do splurge, it is planned for and really enjoyed. Next week as a holiday treat, we are off to see the Minecraft movie and have the McDonalds Minecraft meal deal. We are really looking forward to it. Some treats are important for it to be sustainable. DH and I have nice coffee at home so I cant justify Costa anymore. I have bought myself a small plunger for work
*Have an emergency contingency fund if you can. Something always comes up. I funded ours by selling stuff we didn't need. I feel much less stressed knowing it is there

*Only one card for the joint account so we keep each other accountable. I put £20 in the glovebox of the car for emergencies. Tap and pay is dangerous
*Accepting I can't just go into B&M Bargains for a look...EVER.

The first few months were hard as we all had to adjust our thinking but gets quite addictive once you start. I watched a lot of budgeting videos on You Tube/Tik Tok to get in the zone (e.g Dave Ramsey). I started small and one thing eventually led to another (and hoping this continues). I'm now looking at better internet deals and have opened up a separate savings account linked to our joint account. I have worked out what our bottom line is with essential monthly costs and plan to transfer any extra into there that can't be touched or if we do, has to be transferred in and really thought about. I'm also starting to think about side hustles but no idea what this could realistically be. What do other people do? It is amazing how much head space is freed up when you aren't constantly stressed about how you are going to get to the end of the month.

DH is feeling better and has some interviews lined up, fingers crossed. I will never ever go back to frittering money away though. Perspective is everything x

DH may be eligible for some help from GP / NHS to help quit smoking - may be best too if he's suffered from depression.

Your major win is getting everyone on board with saving / planning!

May09Bump · 11/04/2025 15:29

40weeksmummy · 01/04/2025 07:09

Cancelled TV licence too and surprisingly get refund for almost £90!!! I didn't know it's even possible-friend told me to apply online. Did massive order from Iceland and filled freezer.

Show quote history

Fantastic re refund and stocking up with it :) Mine was due for renewal, so no refund for me.

ElizaBalfour · 13/04/2025 23:25

Spendy weekend for me as we were away for another of the DC's sports activities - our kitchen is finally finished <cheers silently> but DP's mate has left it in an utter mess, and with the best will in the world we won't have time to clean and tidy it before the Easter weekend. Probably means another week of meals scraped together from the freezer rather than doing a proper shop and restocking the fridge!

moimichme · 05/05/2025 19:10

I hope you're enjoying your new kitchen now @ElizaBalfour! It sounds like a big job.

Checking back in to say my conference week was spendy, but very nice to see old friends and new. We ate some meals in the AirBnB, which helped with costs, and walked everywhere, just about.

Keeping to budget is going pretty well, with few extras, but later this month will be a challenge because we're going away for the next long weekend with old friends who out-earn us by quite a lot. So their idea of a good restaurant and ours don't entirely match. But I'm trying to focus on it being good to see them all and catch up, rather than ££ which come and go over time.

I suspect part of the issue is I'm feeling quite skint because we have bought the flights to the U.S. and that was a lot for us to spend at one time. It'll be really nice to see family this summer though, so worth it despite the expense.

Also trying to pay down debt, with an aim of knocking one out completely by the end of 2026. Super motivated right now seeing thhe total balance decrease, but I need to remain disciplined for the long haul. Without making us all miserable, since I'm the higher earner.

Hope everyone is well and keeping on track!

ElizaBalfour · 05/05/2025 23:36

Do you know @moimichme, our kitchen shouldn't have been a big job, it's a tiny kitchen and there wasn't a huge amount of work required - DP thought it would take two days, maybe three to allow for anything unforeseen. Well, by day TWELVE we had to tell his mate that we were utterly fed up and he'd need to go!! He didn't do a great job but has already been back to DP asking for other work 'to tide him over' till he gets paid work again - DP (foolishly!) paid him up front to do some work on the driveway - again, he's done half and just left the rest, won't tell us when he'll be back to finish. Aaarrrgghhhhh! And then he wonders why he can't hold down a full time proper job and is always skint...

Apologies, rant over!! The kitchen is pretty much clean, could do with one last going over to get rid of the last bits of grime but that will probably never happen but it is at least restocked after a big Lidl trip today. I'm really trying to cook better meals at home and save us some £££ on meals out; DP loves a big cooked lunch or dinner though and pulls a massive face when given something like soup and a sandwich. My aim is though to save money to put towards a workout app, this is my year of getting fit!!

Oh dear, it's tricky when your finances don't quite match your friends'! Could you suggest something like a set menu or Groupon voucher? Or would your friends not understand the need to save some money?!

worldwidetravel2017 · 06/05/2025 11:11

We just got an over 2k fertility bill - lucky that a pathway / ins my partner has with his work will pay it

moimichme · 27/05/2025 19:30

That's good if your husband's insurance will cover that cost, @worldwidetravel2017 and good luck.

@ElizaBalfour that sounds tricky with your friend doing the repairs. I hope it's all mostly sorted out by now and that your DH has learned his lesson about allowing his friend to do more work for you!

We're back from our mini holiday weekend break and it could have been worse. Spent more than anticipated between us, but DH chipped in and overall it wasn't too outrageous. We did eat at the AirBnB when we could, which helped. And it was very nice to see all of them again.

Hoping for no spend days until payday on Friday this week. Hard because it's half term, but with the slightly rubbish weather we can stay in and play games, make a fort with the couch cushions and so on. And maybe see a friend on Friday to play in the park or soft play.

Good luck everyone.

jennylamb1 · 30/05/2025 09:33

Anybody got any recommendations for how to keep vet bills down, our cat has just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and we’re wondering if long term online vet pills would be cheaper.

moimichme · 06/06/2025 06:32

@jennylamb1 Do you have pet insurance that you can use to claim back some of the cost? I don't think it covers preexisting conditions though, so no point looking now (for the hyperthyroidism anyway). Hopefully someone will be able to help re: online medicine - I don't have any experience of that, unfortunately.

I'm doing all right so far this month, with 3/5 no spend days. I'm sure that ratio will change, but it feels good and is helpful to keep costs down as we gear up for the summer holidays in a few weeks and our trip to see U.S. family.

Hope everyone else is having success with their money goals! Good luck!

ElizaBalfour · 08/06/2025 23:57

@moimichme I'm not doing so well this month, have had a dreadful flu bug but of course no respite from the DC - DP (who goes into man flu overdrive at the slightest hint of a sniffle) is always mysteriously deaf to my coughing Hmm plus we've had three big family birthdays to buy for - between those and having to grab whatever shopping I can when I'm feeling up to it, June is proving a tough month!

@jennylamb1 no experience with dog vet bills here I'm afraid, but you could try looking at/ asking on the MSE Pets forum as people there may have some good ideas?

Pets & pet care

Categories - For MoneySaving questions about taking care of your cat, dog, parrot or other animal companion, including vet fees and pet insurance.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/pets-pet-care

moimichme · 17/06/2025 06:30

Sorry to hear you've been suffering from flu and couldn't rest more while recovering @ElizaBalfour - I hope you're feeling much better now.

Our holiday planning needs to be made 'real' soon, but will be fine with the saving I've been focused on so far this year. We also need to organise cat feeding. Looking forward to seeing family though and having a break from a tough and busy period at work.

The thread is very quiet, but I'm wishing you all well and hoping you're on track with your financial goals!

ElizaBalfour · 18/06/2025 09:39

Much better thank you @moimichme although very hot - it's due to hit 30 here by the weekend - 20 is usually my absolute maximum for still being able to enjoy the weather Grin
We have two cats but thankfully DP's friend round the corner is happy to pop in every day and feed them if we go away. I'd love to get a dog but part of what puts me off would be finding someone to look after it for holidays etc!

Urrrgghh, I will definitely be continuing with low spend July as it's looking like I'll be made redundant Sad I've been at my job almost 4 years (I think they're trying to get it wrapped up before I hit 4 years!) but the company has already made a few redundancies, and as I'm only part time I think I would be an 'easy win' - someone else will just have to absorb my hours. My car is 12 years old now and fairly reliable <touches wood madly> but has needed a major service and new tyres recently, I'd rather not rely on it for regular transport but may have to. Plus I'm due an eye test and am sure I'll need new glasses, which are usually £££ as I have a high prescription. It's all gone a bit to shit recently...!

moimichme · 07/07/2025 18:48

Oh no, @ElizaBalfour that's really not what you want! Especially after 4 years there. Do you work in a field/role where it'd be easy (ish) to find something new? I hope so. Thinking of you and hoping things aren't as bad as initially feared. 🙏

We've been through several redundancy rounds lately at my work and I'm not sure how I've held on thus far, but grateful (in spite of the uncertainty, which is also quite stressful in its own way). It's very specialised so I'd have a hard time finding something equivalent quickly. Must update my CV in any case - doesn't hurt to have it ready!

Our big U.S. trip is in about 2.5 weeks. Looking forward to it, mostly, but aware that it'll be a lot of spending so I'm trying to be careful now.

Good luck to all on the frugal train.

worldwidetravel2017 · 07/07/2025 19:45

Ive been selling old things on ebay and vinted

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