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Original poster

No spend/ minimal spend 2021

181 replies

SWLondonTown · 15/12/2020 19:32

Anyone thinking of doing something similar?

I want to try to dramatically reduce spending next year and buy less stuff, as don’t really need anything and what I do need (will need clothes for biggest boy etc) try to get second hand.
Step one - unsubscribe to all selling emails coming in!

OP posts:
mootime · 03/01/2021 21:35

New to this thread but trying to massively reduce spending this year. I seem to plough through money without a thought.
I've not managed any totally no spend days so far as typically there have been some bits that were really needed. Two kids wellies disintegrated, food top up, etc.
But I'm on a mission and I've definitely spent less that I normally would have in the last week.

freakyfairy · 03/01/2021 23:09

@mootime essential spending is essential. A no spend day for me could include my grocery shop...so just no unnecessary spending as such. Welcome!!

Oversize · 04/01/2021 07:26

Grocery shopping was the only spend yesterday and I managed to convince myself that I didn't need a firestick for the TV while our rooms are changed about because there's work on the house. I'll use an HDMI cable I already have and my laptop. £30 'saved.
Massively busy day on Saturday moving 3 rooms so I sent DC out to get fish and chips. How do they cost £15.60 for 2 fish and chips these days??? Lesson learned.Smile

devildeepbluesea · 04/01/2021 07:35

I'm in, I overspent at Christmas and need to build up reserves once that's paid off (2 months max).

I've cancelled Prime and a fitness app, but I'm keeping Audible, Britbox and Netflix.

Fuel and shopping yesterday but £27 in Aldi included some yarn for making gloves etc, £1.99. Total spent £47.

No need for spending now for a good few days.

AreyouthereGoditsme · 04/01/2021 08:19

I need to join. I didn't think I spend very much but considering only food shops are open here, I've spent £60 on virtual events over the last two days and £11 this morning on a kindle book I've been keen to read for a while so treated myself.
I won't count food shopping but the clothes, books, towels etc I also buy while I'm there aren't allowed. Thank you for making me accountable.

sandgrown · 04/01/2021 08:42

Please can I join recently split with “D”P who is being an arse about the house so paying solicitor for no gain really. Got credit card debt I need to clear . 18 year old DS lost his part time job so I am subsidising him as well as I can’t leave him with no spending money at all. I have been selling stuff just to pay the bills and virtually all the furniture in our new home is donated/ second hand. I just need a small financial cushion .

clipclop2 · 04/01/2021 08:49

Day 4 of no spend. Nearly went on amazon yesterday but checked myself and stopped! Small grocery shop yesterday of yellow sticker stuff. Back at work today so need to resist buying when tired.

Inthetropics · 04/01/2021 14:02

Hi! Can i join? I did a No Spend year 9 years ago and it was great. I want to do this again for 2021 both to save money and also to be more contented with what i have. Will be doing it as a personal project so DP is not necessarily on board (haven't even mentioned it to her yet).

My rules:

  • I'm allowed to buy presents to other people
  • Can have meals/coffee out
  • Can't buy anything for myself
  • Won't buy anything for the home but won't intervene when DP does
  • Can accept gifts
  • Can replace basic toiletries when i've used up what i have
  • Can buy a winter coat come winter as i really reaaally need one. (Live in Brazil, so it's summer now).
Inthetropics · 04/01/2021 14:03

Forgot this

  • Groceries, fuel for my car, medication and other basic expenses are Ok.
ivykaty44 · 04/01/2021 17:58

@Inthetropics, in the UK shops are shut, coffee is takeaway only so no real point and pubs and restaurants are shut so can't eat a meal out.

The no spend is usually just essentials only, bills, fuel, food etc

but obviously with shops and restaurants shut its easier as nowhere to go and nowhere to spend

ivykaty44 · 04/01/2021 17:59

that should say many areas of the uk - not all

fortheloveofdinos · 04/01/2021 18:06

£17.87 in my bank account and it's only the 4th... more bills to come out still, don't panic I can use that £2 I have in my savings for next Christmas account 😬 hmmmm

Still tempted to buy some educational to help my DS, this is why I haven't any money. I'm weak. Stop me now.

Inthetropics · 04/01/2021 18:19

[quote ivykaty44]@Inthetropics, in the UK shops are shut, coffee is takeaway only so no real point and pubs and restaurants are shut so can't eat a meal out.

The no spend is usually just essentials only, bills, fuel, food etc

but obviously with shops and restaurants shut its easier as nowhere to go and nowhere to spend[/quote]
I have family in the UK, so i know shops and restaurants are closed almost everywhere. Here in Brazil many places are still open, though. Restaurants have very few tables, masks are mandatory (even for small children) and schools are closed.

But... is it ok for me to be a part if my rules include the possibility of me going for the odd meal/coffee out? If what i'm doing is not a good fit for this thread, please let me know! Wink

devildeepbluesea · 04/01/2021 20:52

I bit the bullet and cancelled Netflix this evening. I just don't use it very much, I have Britbox which has fast become a necessity, and iPlayer and they will do until next Christmas and all the festive films.

No spending today. Hurrah!

greendress789 · 04/01/2021 20:54

Please can I join? I want to do this for 2021. First rule for our house is to only supermarket shop once every Saturday.

I will go back and read the whole thread.

freakyfairy · 04/01/2021 21:09

Welcome @greendress789 and @Inthetropics

Another no spend day here too...but I have run out of milk so tomorrow I will buy milk 🤣🤣 unless I find a random cow in the field next door...🤣🤣joke

Whererainfalls · 04/01/2021 21:49

Hi, I'd like to join too please. My spending has git completely out if control recently and this month is going to be particularly hard, as I wrote a lot of cheques in Dec that will be cashed this month.
So, essential spending only, and using up what's in the freezer too.

Dontlickthetrolley · 04/01/2021 22:10

Day 4 spend = 0
I still need to buy some storage boxes for my Christmas decorations, not sure that will even be possible now

autumnhare · 04/01/2021 22:30

Had my lowest spend day so far - 59p at the supermarket on a pepper and onion. Went straight in and out for what I wanted, normally I'd get a basket and add extras on a whim.

Hoping for my first NSD tomorrow. I think it dawned on me today how very few of my days are NSD, I always seem to be buying bits here and there even if it's just something small but it all adds up.

devildeepbluesea · 06/01/2021 11:27

Morning all. Treated DD (and myself!) to Macdonald's last night, £7.53.

In total Wed - Tue last week I spent £97, including all food and fuel. I'm pleased with that, aiming for £100 per week.

Going to try for a NSD today but I do need some bits and bobs - will try to hold out til tomorrow.

autumnhare · 06/01/2021 12:13

Had a NSD yesterday which was good. Have had to order some pencils, colouring pencils and notebooks for home learning today though but we will definitely be needing those and get the use from them.

Hope everyone is keeping safe and getting on ok.

ivykaty44 · 06/01/2021 12:19

well Ive now paid for some food shopping £18 ( had spent two lots of £5 on top up shops rather than a big shop) but am in isolation so not going out, dd 2 has tested positive and ive had a test this morning.

Ive not spent any money on anything but food and my fuel will stay in the tank until a week on Friday (10 days Isolation will be up and return to work if not positive myself by then)

so 6 days no spend
£28 on food
£0 fuel

freakyfairy · 06/01/2021 13:31

So yesterday I spent 50 on more food shopping (topped up on tin Toms, soy etc ) and some meats for the freezer as we are busy all weekend and into next week. Should'nt need any shopping until late next week though. That's it!👍

Oversize · 06/01/2021 14:29

I had a balls up earlier this week. The builders started and to be more covid safe I set them up with their own tea/coffee making stuff in the laundry room so that was my (cheap old plastic) kettle gone. OK I need a new one so I went to the Argos website and got suckered by questions asking us this kettle plastic. Oh yes, plastic is bad. I need a metal one at more than twice the price. And come to think of it only 2 of the 4 toaster slices is working so while I'm here I'll get a matching toaster. £64 when I could have used the half working toaster and bought a kettle for pennies.

Note to self - don't tell DC to get some groceries in Sainsbury's while he's fetching the Argos stuff! Rookie error!Confused

I redeemed myself later by not buying a Firestick - the hdmi cable will do to stream from my laptop to the TV until it can go back in the room with the aerial point. I also returned 2 things to Amazon so that's 30 quid saved.

ivykaty44 · 07/01/2021 07:01

Day 7 and no spend

£6 on fruit shopping yesterday, neighbour was going to So grabbed the chance.

£34 total on food
£0 fuel

Got a food delivery slot booked for Monday night

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