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Original poster

Does anyone want to join me on cutting down on spending for the sake of spending?

20 replies

TitsalinaBumSquash · 24/09/2010 11:27

My names TitsalinaBumSquash and i am a Spendaholic... Grin

Seriously though, i have had a look through my last few months Bank Statements and realised i could have a lot more money if i didn't spend it willy nilly on things i don't need.
I do things like go to Tesco for a loaf of Bread and spend £70 on things because there a 'bargain' it really has to stop, in all i have spent nearly £600 in Tesco each month all in little bits and bobs.
I'm the same in cheap shops, poundland and Primark, because everything is cheap i end up buying stuff because its there it all adds up very quickly.

So Anyway i am hoping to start being a bit more of a responsible shopper and really thinking about what i buy.

Does anyone want to join me?

OP posts:
notobvious · 24/09/2010 16:51

Yes, this is a good idea - I have decided not to buy anthing when I think about it but to wait a week and I'm already £166 better off in 4 weeks. With me it is clothes that I think I really want/love and then end up not being worn at all. The lovely red shoes I was so desperate for 2 years ago still have not been worn and are my reminder item when I feel weak about it.

notobvious · 26/09/2010 16:23

Does no one want to join us? This weekend I resisted a cashmere top on ebay, the co;ntents of the White Compay catalogue with 20% off - very difficult that one - and an Aladin food jar. Also decided there was no point in paying £1.59 for special big pasta when the ordinary 75p stuff would ake the recipe just the same, if a little less pretty.

Has anyone else resisted temptation?

Original poster
TitsalinaBumSquash · 26/09/2010 20:38

I have been doing ok, i haven't splurged, i went to Tesco to get Juice and Milk and Bread and i only came out with those 3 things. It doesn't sound like a big deal but it was for me, i have a genuine compulsion to buy things!

We have been out today and didn't buy anything we didn't need and we have had a lovely weekend.
Usually we spent £££ at weekend on fark all.

OP posts:
LittleCheesyPineappleOne · 26/09/2010 20:44

On a blog I used to read (name escapes me) the blogger aimed to have one No-Spend day a week. Absolutely nothing apart from whichever DDs were coming out of her account. She gradually increased those and now I think she has something amazing like 20+ No-Spend days a month. It gradually taught her to get organised, eg with food shopping, menu planning, packed lunches etc, but starting small and working her way up really worked. She has saved a fortune,

Meglet · 26/09/2010 20:45

I will join you. I want to cut back over the next 2 months so my finances are in tip top condition for the New Year.

My plan is to de-junk and de-clutter and not replace it with more crap. And use up all the packets / bottles and potions that are taking up space.

My weaknesses are odds and sods in Primark, nice food in sainsburys and toiletries in Boots when I'm feeling fed up.

I shop on line which helps but still need to pop to the supermarket a couple of times a week for fresh milk / veg / chocolate.

OutOutLetItAllOut · 29/09/2010 15:58

i wanna join.
i htouhgt i was the only food shop addict in the world!!

dilemma456 · 29/09/2010 22:14

Can I join too please? I'm terrible for buying things I don't need, especially food. I actually went through my freezer and wrote down the contents earlier, think i could feed a small country for a couple of days.

I have been trying recently but it would be lovely to have people to try with.

My slip up today was a packet of doritos and some dip. Both were reduced but I didn't need them

OutOutLetItAllOut · 30/09/2010 07:51

well i done a food shop online yesterday, and made sure i got the main stuff for 14 meals. along with loo rolls, washing powder, and a load of otehr suff, i spend 130!!!
i am going to try and keep to only 20 a week more on fresh bits. and yes i know that is still nearly 90 a week, it is FAR better than the past few months!

sarah293 · 30/09/2010 08:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bacon · 01/10/2010 16:12

Get a DD set up and transfer a lump sum monthly to a saving account. Believe it or not it builds up quick and you'll have less monthly disposable income. ONce you've got this nice sum building you feel as though you want to build it further and its security.

Secondly, only take cash, leave wallet at home - no chance of spending.

I do one shop a week plus a tiny shop for the weekend. I plan meals and do list. I do spend a lot of money on food but its a necessity. I only pop into town once a week as I dont have the time to wonder about all day. I am alway under pressure to rush in do chores and get home.

Perhaps an interest or hobby will make yr life more fulfilled and not put so much emphasis on spending. Perhaps a sport to focus yr mind?

There is no art in spending anyone can do it. Investing for security (even with the interest rates) is worth its weight in gold.

dilemma456 · 01/10/2010 21:40

I had a no spending day today.

I need to go shopping tomorrow as we've run out of bread and are very low on milk, fruit, pasta, eggs, veg and washing powder. However, that is all I intend to buy as its all we need. If there are any good reductions on meat I may buy some for the freezer but only if.

We're going swimming and to church this weekend as nice free activities (our area is runing a swim for free scheme)

dilemma456 · 02/10/2010 16:55

I actually got only what was on my list (plus some double cream which I'd forgotten I needed). We spent 19.01 all together including some reduced mince and I'm hoping not to need more than another 15.00 for the rest of the week as we're going to dig into our freezer

Holymoly321 · 02/10/2010 17:06

I feel your pain. I menu plan and only buy what I need unless its a BOGOF of say cheese o butter or something that we use a lot of. I am still overdrawn each month. I don'y buy clothes or makeup or have lunches out etc, so I really can't understand where it all goes

littlebylittle · 04/10/2010 10:25

Please can i join in too? Trying really hard but dd's birthday threw me off wagon. Going to write everything down and do cash not card. Will be good!

dilemma456 · 05/10/2010 10:27

My DD's birthday is coming up shortly. I've put some extra aside for her birthday party but I'm worried I'm going to end up spending too much. Its so easy to do so

dilemma456 · 07/10/2010 11:41

How are you all getting on? I've spent £29.89 since Saturday including £10 on a birthday present for DD's friend.

I'm trying to be good. I'm staying out of the shops, making lists when I do go in, taking packed lunches and writing down what I spend. Yesterday while buying birthday present I resisted the temptation to look at the reduced shelves which are often full of tempting thngs i don't actually need

Starting to run low even on food in the freezer now so will need to stock up at the weekend

dikkertjedap · 11/10/2010 21:39

I would like to join too. Spend too much money on clothes, toys, etc. for dd. Also, need to improve food shopping. Currently spend approx £100 on food/cleaners/kitchen paper etc. I would love to get this down to £50-£60.

Itsjustafleshwound · 11/10/2010 21:43

Can I join??

I fall into the trap of buying because it is a bargain or cheap - not because I need it.

flapinko · 12/10/2010 18:42

Can I join too? Have a serious secret clothes shopping habit and end up wasting money on rubbish that I don't really need. I need help. Like the idea of a no-spend day.

onadietcokebreak · 13/10/2010 21:52

Can I join too....

My Goal is to go a week within buying drinks outside the home. Have got a flask from Asda!

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