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No Spend September

196 replies

StellaCruella · 11/08/2024 15:40

Hi all
We have around £6.5k debt that I am determined to pay off as quickly as possible so we can start to build some meaningful savings.
To kick start this, I am planning a no spend September.
Anyone with me?

OP posts:
AutumnJoys · 06/09/2024 20:37

Phew, made it today. Will definitely not make it tomorrow as off to a craft fair!

StellaCruella · 07/09/2024 09:17

Well. Turns out I forgot to cancel my toilet roll subscription and so I’m £44 down. At least I now have enough loo roll to last into 2025, and it is now cancelled!

Then yesterday I got a driving fine - bloody yellow box grid!! So that’s another £65 down.

To be fair, I had the £747 stashed in a separate account to save this month so at least neither of those expenses have put me more in debt. It just means that my saving pot is now £646.

I am absolutely treating myself to a pumpkin spiced latte today, but aside from that - staying strong!

OP posts:
oObyeOo · 07/09/2024 09:20

UmbrellaEllaEllaElla · 06/09/2024 19:02

@ooObyeOo that's amazing! Congratulations and well done. 💜💜💜

I spent £2.50 today so am pretty happy with that!

I tried to be good as gold in the week as the weekends are my vice 😣

olivecapes · 07/09/2024 09:41

I was on holiday until Tues so not including that (although did manage to stick to budget on holiday for once!)

Since then I've done pretty well, everything I've needed to buy has been pre planned and expected, only blip was a £5 candle from Asda on Weds but I had told myself if I saw this particular candle again I'd buy it so wasn't exactly impulsive!

HappyDane · 07/09/2024 10:29

I've decided on a no-spend September too, after August ended up very spendy (but worth it as I picked up some absolute bargains which will be forever purchases).

Luckily there's nothing I need to buy this month.

One week down...three to go.

Blending123 · 07/09/2024 21:22

@StellaCruella - sorry to hear about parking fine - it's so strange but whenever I start working out my finances there always seems to be unplanned things coming out of nowhere to hit me. But the good side of it is that at least you were organised enough that you could deal with it without going into debt.

This month has been over the top spendy for me- but it does genuinely feel like I actually need everything though.

One example I gave was my son using a broken lamp from the living room for several years. Well I've always accounted for his football fees etc, but somehow, between myself and my ex, we completely failed to get him any new football kit, and this week I was really embarrassed as he was running around in his only pair of shorts I remember buying 3 years ago- now they're absolutely tiny on him. So today I did a big shop of sportswear for him including training tops etc. for my house and his dads house.

So I've spent a lot, but I do feel most things have been overdue. I also got myself some work dresses, because again, I'm just wearing a random collection of clothes to work, and I thought I'd be more put together with some well-fitting dresses.

In terms of things I'm not spending on - food and drink and entertainment. I'm really good with my work lunches now- that's always been a massive fail for me, but now I'm in a good routine.
At home I'm trying to keep things as quiet as possible, so no big trips tearing around. Tomorrow's activity is going to the woods.

I haven't quite itemised this month's spending, so I haven't got a specific target in mind. But overall I genuinely don't feel bad about anything I've bought.

AutumnJoys · 09/09/2024 16:40

Bought catnip and treats for the dogs today, which I don't count as I don't count food for us or the animals in my NSDs.

Otherwise nothing else. Phew!

StellaCruella · 09/09/2024 18:26

@Blending123 thank you!

I’ve got 2 weeks to go until pay day. I’ve paid off £713.19 worth of debt this month and have £500 in savings which I’m trying to make sure stays there. I’ve then got £140 to last me until the 25th for groceries and we have food for this week up until Friday. Feeling good!

OP posts:
SlinkyDog1 · 09/09/2024 19:08

Wow @StellaCruella that’s an fantastic amount of money to repay and a really good savings amount too, well done 👏
I’m still plodding along with my packed lunches and taking my own cereal into work which I’m pleased about. I”m looking at things that are free this month and I’m going to use the free Vue tickets that come with being a Sky customer so I’ll be treating myself to a film without splashing the cash.

And I searched around for better gas and electricity deals too so another saving that way.

NursieBernard · 10/09/2024 08:43

@StellaCruella that's an amazing amount of money to pay off in one month.

So far this month, my month runs 28th-27th, I have spent £573 on non fixed spending.This does include spending whilst we were away for 5 days at the end of the summer holidays. I have budgeted for spends of around £400 (fixed and non fixed) but only have £97 in my current account. I will have to dip into savings but I will only do this when absolutely necessary. Ideally I'll reduce the budgeted spends so only minimal savings will be used.

Debt wise it will just be reduced by the minimum payments, debts all 0% interest, but my main goal is not to increase it.

I'm planning NSD's for the next 4 days and minimal spends at the weekend.

Hope everyone has a great day.

AutumnJoys · 10/09/2024 16:59

Well done @StellaCruella that's a great dent in the debt.

I got a crazily expensive drink from Starbucks today. It was delicious but I should have saved both the calories and the fiver and had a NSD!

HappyDane · 10/09/2024 17:07

That's fab progress @StellaCruella!

Another NSD for me.

UmbrellaEllaEllaElla · 10/09/2024 17:07

A NSD for me too. 🥰

JingsMahBucket · 12/09/2024 10:44

Monday and Wednesday were NSDs for me but I ventured out to a coworking space on Tuesday and bought breakfast and lunch out plus the bus there and back. That came to about £34 for the day.

UmbrellaEllaEllaElla · 12/09/2024 10:45

JingsMahBucket · 12/09/2024 10:44

Monday and Wednesday were NSDs for me but I ventured out to a coworking space on Tuesday and bought breakfast and lunch out plus the bus there and back. That came to about £34 for the day.

Well done! That sounds like a really lovely day.

HappyDane · 12/09/2024 10:46

All NSDs so far. But I am on a serious fantasy eBay watchlist exercise as we speak!

OKbutwhyplease · 12/09/2024 13:33

Just a little check in from me

Week two passed - still having the odd thing here and there and spending too much money on coffee but managed to save some of my weekly spending money which is a good thing.

Good luck for the rest of the month!

JingsMahBucket · 12/09/2024 16:04

@UmbrellaEllaEllaElla thank you! I was kind of shocked when I added everything up so your post has lightened me up a bit.

Today is another NSD for me.

oObyeOo · 13/09/2024 04:50

A couple of spends for me this week. Our car broke down so I had to spend £40 on oil and lunch from a garage. I bought a coffee too!

Bought my dd a Halloween costume from Vinted for. Fiver.

UmbrellaEllaEllaElla · 13/09/2024 15:27

Was tempted to get a coffee out today (wfh) which would be about £3.50. Then got the urge to treat myself to lunch as its a Friday. But I've not done either. And instead I've made £60 on Vinted!

oObyeOo · 13/09/2024 18:15

UmbrellaEllaEllaElla · 13/09/2024 15:27

Was tempted to get a coffee out today (wfh) which would be about £3.50. Then got the urge to treat myself to lunch as its a Friday. But I've not done either. And instead I've made £60 on Vinted!

Fantastic!! Well done x

oObyeOo · 13/09/2024 18:18

Working Week 2 over and I’ve spend approx £40 on stuff I didn’t need… but it included a Christmas present for dd, so seeing it as future saving 😅… and £20 on stuff I needed but didn’t plan for.

Not bad really ☺️

HappyDane · 13/09/2024 20:03

Today I resisted buying a book which was down from £20 to £2, because although I liked the sound of it, and £2 isn't much at all, it wasn't on my wish list of books and I won't miss having it. That £2 is some way towards the book I really do want to buy. So I'll save it instead. Another NSD, yay!

@UmbrellaEllaEllaElla that's great! Do I remember you from the Hush/Toastie/WIWT threads (several years ago now) or have I got myself confused?

HappyDane · 14/09/2024 09:20

It's quarter past nine in the morning and already I've broken the no-spend. Oops. But I made a special exception because I found something I've wanted reduced from £70 to £10, so I bought two lots and saved myself £120. Hopefully it's not a mistake on the website!

OKbutwhyplease · 14/09/2024 09:38

I've refused a Saturday morning trip for coffee with my husband today! We've had a couple of teas at home. It'll be a low spend day today as need to pick something up for our tea.

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