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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:
devildeepbluesea · 07/01/2021 18:54

NSD yesterday, huzzah.

Just been out and spent about £50 in 2 shops, however that included about £5 for stuff for DF and £10 on urgently needed trainer socks and light hoodie for running (Lidl have a sports theme in the magical middle aisle). DF has also told me to get my next shop on his card as a thank you for doing his shopping so that was lovely.

ScarletPower · 07/01/2021 20:09

Hello all

I'm going great guns since my lightbulb moment on Boxing Day.

DS1 (the one who loaned me the money) did me a lovely spreadsheet that adds and subtracts for me, so I'm loving playing about with that.

I downloaded the Plum app - only had a vague idea of what it was all about but after just two weeks it's set aside £49 which I am coping without so I think I'll keep it running as my Christmas savings account with a target of £700.

I have a job in an office (although WFH) where there are two roles. I do one role and my boss asked if I will be trained up in the other role too so if my own role's overtime has dried up, but there is OT available in the other role, I can do that (woo). One or the other of us generally has a backlog.

I've just generally been careful about spending - asking myself if it is a need or a want.

I've been going to the supermarket just twice a week. Previously I'd either go once a week and overbuy and spend LOADS, or go every day and overspend and spend loads. I fill the fridge and snack box up once a week from The Company Shop and go to Aldi for meal stuff. I'm going to try and have two minced based meals a week as its so cheap.

I had a £10 refund from Vinted as the seller I bought my last item from couldn't be arsed to post it in time so I got an automatic refund (does anyone else use Vinted? I have had loads of lovely stuff over the last few months).

I cancelled Audible (£7.99) but then they wrote to me offering three months at £3.99 so I've re-signed up for that but I will cancel it once that is up. I've got quite a few books to get through so can always rejoin once I've finished them.

DS1 moves out next week so I'll lose his board money (£100) however hopefully I'll be spending less on food. It's gonna be strange buying and cooking for three of us, everything comes in 2's or 4's, not 3's.

ivykaty44 · 07/01/2021 20:27

It's gonna be strange buying and cooking for three of us, everything comes in 2's or 4's, not 3's.

Cook for 4 & freeze one portion each night, then after 3 weeks you’ll have a free week of frozen ready meals 🤣

Onwardsandupwardswego · 07/01/2021 20:30

I'll join as covid has scared me financially. I do have a partner but our finances are completely separate

ScarletPower · 07/01/2021 21:13

@ivykaty44 - Thats a great idea - I think I'll try that

Dontsayfuckorbugger · 07/01/2021 22:19

I need to be viscious with my spending as I really really need to pay my debt off.

However I am trying to start a new positive me and I will win the lottery this year .....just need to buy a ticket 😂

BettyBarton · 08/01/2021 08:53

Ashamed to say I haven't managed a full week. Bought £50 of underwear. It had been out of stock in December but came back into stock this week.... I was trying to tell myself it didn't count as January spending as I wanted it in December..... but i know it does count, and I know I don't NEED it.
Having said that, I am not using it as an excuse to give up completely on this No/ Low Spend thing..... Yes I've lapsed but it's straight back on the wagon and keep at it.

ivykaty44 · 08/01/2021 15:09

ok day 5 of isolation and ive succumbed to making a phonebook and although the phonebook was free it was £5.99 for postage, I did get it sent directly to the recipient and thought it was a good thing for me to do during this time and would be lovely treat for them during lockdown...

Friend brought me flowers, chocolate and 2 magazines which was lovely thought

AdoraBell · 08/01/2021 17:20

Only food necessary today, £6 odd in Sainsbury’s.

hannahbananananananana · 08/01/2021 19:21

Moving house in a couple of weeks and will have a bigger mortgage so want to stop being so frivolous with money.
I've decided no clothes for the whole year, I've loads for every season.

I waste too much money on take away coffee and take away food so meal planning and DH is great at making chinese meals at home

devildeepbluesea · 09/01/2021 07:25

@hannahbananananananana good luck with no clothes! Not sure I could manage that, even though I too have more than enough.

NSD yesterday, go me! So far this week £50, £50 left for the next 3 days. And DF is paying for my my top up shop tomorrow, I may actually go under my £100 goal.

Dontlickthetrolley · 09/01/2021 12:22

To the end of day 8, total spend for January 2021 is £19. £18 on storage boxes for the decorations (which I had planned to buy pre 1st Jan) and £1 on 20 icing bags, cause, well you never know Grin

I've not been in a food shop since 31st December but will need to Monday/Tuesday for milk, ham, bread and fruit/veg.

ivykaty44 · 09/01/2021 13:29

I succumbed again today - purchased a V shaped pillowcase, this finishes of the spare room. Which I have been sorting whilst at home.

No other spends today or any planned!

£3.45 pillow slip

AdoraBell · 09/01/2021 14:41

Nothing spent today.

I have more groceries coming tomorrow, that should be around £60.

hannahbananananananana · 09/01/2021 17:47

DH made salt and chilli king prawns which was tastier and healthier than a takeaway. And my mum picked up some kids clothes in the sale so thats saved me spending money

starpatch · 09/01/2021 17:57

Me too may be losing my job this week, vowing to just buy what we really need.

AdoraBell · 09/01/2021 18:07

Fingers crossed for your job starpatch

AreyouthereGoditsme · 09/01/2021 19:23

I tried to be really good in the supermarket today but did buy headphones for working at home again and a bag of sweets. I put the reduced towels back after I thought of you all and kept walking past the cosy lounge wear. Thank you, you saved me quite a bit today!

1950s1 · 09/01/2021 19:25

Imo it's a miserable way to live

ivykaty44 · 09/01/2021 21:26

@1950s1 I’d rather not rely on spending money not to be miserable. I enjoy other pursuits that keep me happy & contented

But your entitled to your opinion, have you tried it?

devildeepbluesea · 10/01/2021 06:54

star fingers crossed for your job.

@1950s1 thanks for that input 🙄

Another NSD for me yesterday (2 on the bounce!) but will need a few things today. Also someone is selling a bike with gears which would be suitable for DD as she really needs gears now. I will buy that if still available - £35, bargain.

sandgrown · 10/01/2021 07:51

@starpatch fingers crossed for your job. I had a lucky find yesterday. I sold some toys on Marketplace a couple of weeks ago and put the £10 in my purse. I haven’t used cash so it was a nice surprise to find it still there!

ivykaty44 · 10/01/2021 08:04

devildeepbluesea Hope you get the bike, I love cycling & it’s great for exercise as well as transport 🥰

devildeepbluesea · 10/01/2021 14:09

@ivykaty44 thanks - I did get it! It's a real bargain, lovely condition. I'm really chuffed.

And DF was as good as his word and paid for my shopping, so that was good too!

ivykaty44 · 10/01/2021 14:12

glad to hear you go the bike, hopefully your dc will get plenty of use out ion it as we go through the year into spring