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Original poster

Lowest spend ever 2018!

21 replies

Beltane18 · 19/12/2017 11:48

hi all
wondering if anyone is with me on this
I would like to save as much as possible next in year in advance of going freelance in my work - eek!

Obviously I have to buy food and other essentials. But apart from that I am wanting to be as no-spend as possible. This is going to mean using up stuff in the cupboards, freezer, trying to get books only from library (that will be hard). Also it will mean batch cooking and absolutely not a spoonful of food going in the bin but saved for later.

I don't tend to get tempted much by random stuff or eating out - but in order not to fall out with friends I will of course have to spend a little!

but stuff that sometimes tempts me - stationery in bookshops usually - all of that has to be a no. Rabbit holes on Etsy resulting in more pictures that I haven't got walls for - no.

I'm just going to have to enjoy browsing!

anyone with me? hoping it won't just be tumbleweed.....

OP posts:

Lillylollylandy · 19/12/2017 16:16

Sounds good! Why not come and join us on the Frugaleers thread, over in credit crunch? We’re all on the same mission!

Original poster

Beltane18 · 19/12/2017 18:20

oh thanks Lilly - for some reason I didn't see that!

OP posts:

Original poster

Beltane18 · 19/12/2017 18:25

oh hang on
I've just been there and it doesn't look very frugal?

OP posts:

cherrycola2004 · 19/12/2017 18:39

I've started to try doing this and plan to more so in the new year. Got a small amount on credit card to pay off plus want to save for new carpets

Original poster

Beltane18 · 19/12/2017 19:47

great cherrycola

I was thinking we could list the things we wanted to buy but didn't

I have had a slightly bizarre combo for dinner because I am going to use all the veg!! I need to be careful with that, and salads - there seems to always be some that gets chucked out.

I am already resisting sale adverts with boots at 50% off. I have lovely walking boots, okayish general boots and a couple of pairs of trainers. So I have no need for new boots!

OP posts:

thenewaveragebear1983 · 19/12/2017 20:51

I'm sort of in- I need to stop spending/wasting so much money on small purchases. I don't work and have a small amount of money for my 'personal spending' which I seem to get through like water sometimes. I'd like to live purely on cash and be able to save some money too by not frittering it away so much.

Original poster

Beltane18 · 19/12/2017 21:32

This is the worst time of year for me to be at risk of buying nonsense. I get really bad SAD and Xmas makes me feel worse. I've removed saved credit card details from a couple of websites so I can't buy without going off to get the card, which means I have to stop and think. I'm also going read all the books I already have and watch DVDs. I've still got True Detective to watch, I think someone bought me that two years ago!!

I've put a column in my spreadsheet for the things I wanted to buy but didn't so I can see what I've saved.

OP posts:

thenewaveragebear1983 · 19/12/2017 21:37

Gosh I need to do that, (take card details off) can it be done with PayPal do you know?

SleepingBooty · 19/12/2017 21:51

I'm planning an essentials only 2018. I started researching the shit out of minimalism a few years back and it has stuck with me to only own items that are useful or spark joy. Shopping is not a pastime and marketing no longer works on me. I need to clear out a lot of things I'm struggling to let go of next year which will help in the no spending.

Original poster

Beltane18 · 19/12/2017 21:58

Averagebear, I don't know if it works with PayPal I'm afraid.

Minimalism, yes, I have to say I can see the benefits. I see "no spend" as paying myself instead of someone else! No point earning it and then handing it over.

I saw an awful statistic on how little we use what we buy. I've sorted the minimal wardrobe, have some nice Gap shirts I might eBay. There's tags in and I hate ironing, not sure why I bought them.

OP posts:

thenewaveragebear1983 · 19/12/2017 22:16

I have contemplated just closing my PayPal account anyway. It can't hurt, and like you say, reduces the impulse easy spending.

Original poster

Beltane18 · 21/12/2017 10:10

I nearly popped into the supermarket on the way home from work yesterday. It was late, so it would have been a good time to go, but then I thought, you know what, you don't actually NEED anything.

OP posts:

SageYourResoluteOracle · 23/12/2017 22:35

Can I play?

I'm a dreadful fritterer and whilst DH and I have no debt, we've got very little in the way of savings. We spend a fair amount on socialising, entertaining and with him being ill this year, a fair amount has gone on petrol, hospital parking, easy food (normally batch cook and add lentils to everything...), service washes at the launderette, getting a bag of ironing done etc etc. You get the picture but we've kind of spent money to survive and ease stress. I've also had a bit of a 'fuck it- life's too short' attitude this year due to what's been going on for my husband and a lot of money has slipped through my fingers in my quest to live life to the full but it's not really the answer, is it?

Then my accountant ballsed up my tax return (self-employed). I have been under the impression for a few months that HMRC owed me (I paid on account last year) but the accounts had an error which was fortunately spotted before being finalised. So I had to find an unexpected £2000... we now owe DD's savings account £1500!! Gah! It'll work itself out as DH has just started a new job after temping for a while but what we need is a safety net. I'm self employed (see above for dull tax return saga) so pay is variable in terms of amount and timing.

I only said to DH this morning that I'm planning on buying NO clothes this year with the exception perhaps of new knickers as needed and I also have a big birthday this year so would like a party frock. I'd like to make a trip abroad to see a friend and to have a family holiday plus a birthday party. I don't want to buy stuff though.

I'm also driving half way to the station and parking for free then walking. I need to have a think about other things though.

ginorwine · 27/12/2017 13:41

Sleeping beauty
Your post about ads etc don't affect you now sounds really interesting . I have got to that point too in a way - I used to have a shopping addiction and now I see that I thought assistants weee ' lovely ' etc whereas now it's just about getting you to part with money . It's like I want to spend well for me not to line someone's pockets ! Any mimilis web sites you wd recommend ? I'd be really interested . Thanks .

SleepingBooty · 28/12/2017 19:42

Hi Ginorwine, here's my two fav blogs:
becoming minimalist
Zen Habits
There's also:
www.theminimalists.com
bemorewithless.com

IKWYM about advertising. I make it my mission to not be a marketing statistic.

dementedma · 28/12/2017 19:49

trying to be more frugal and less wasteful here too, for both financial and environmental reasons. I tend to mostly buy clothes from ebay or charity shops anyway so don't spend much there. Our roof needs significant repair work this year and i am going to have to save up for it somehow...

brizzledrizzle · 29/12/2017 21:15

Can I join?

I've made a start by deleting my Amazon wishlist

DonutDiv · 29/12/2017 22:12

Its a good idea to unsubscribe from retail emails as well.

I now get about 10-15 emails a week.
In total.

One I keep - every few weeks from a holiday resort - incentive to save to actually go there.

happytobemrsg · 29/12/2017 22:23

Can I please join? I left my job at the end of Nov to be a SAHM to DS. I have a personal allowance which seem to vanishes 3 days after I get it. I got a nice tax rebate & im worried I'll spend it on crap I don't need.

brizzledrizzle · 29/12/2017 22:25

I have a gmail account which I use whenever I have to sign up to a website and all advertising and junk goes there. I never check it so I'm not tempted/bothered by spam. That helps stop responding to any adverts.

I've just switched off ereader-IQ notifications.

happytobemrsg · 29/12/2017 22:50

Good idea about the separate email @brizzledrizzle

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