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Getting a grip! Welcome to the September No Spend/ Low Spend S&B challenge

171 replies

Laska42 · 31/08/2014 17:32

Welcome to the continuing NO Spend/ Low spend clothes challenge for September.

A huge Well Done to all who stayed with us for August. We had some great no spend results, even if we didn’t all make it, (Oops Laska Blush) but we all learnt what our triggers are and we all spent less.

So, a definite success; and now it’s time to sign up and pledge to get a grip in September.

And a big welcome to old and new S&B obsessed MNers - who just can’t stop buying it all - to join us in our quest to get a grip.

So, what’s it all about?

We all LOVE new clothes, but are short on the willpower to resist, and quite frankly its getting too much ..

We have wardrobes and chest of drawers utterly and totally rammed... a lot of us did make an effort to get rid of some of it last month, (though, come on, we probably do have more we can shift Wink).

We have piles of clothes and shoes we've even forgotten we have, (some with the labels’ still onBlush) .

And it’s a new season -Danger Time-.

But we want to get back into control and wear the lovely things we have and stop being a slave to every new catalogue, website and blog ..

We want to resist the sales and offers and we want our friends and neighbours to know us better than the postmen and the local couriers !

We know they want us to buy into their new lifestyle looks , but we are stronger than them.
-Throw out your catalogues as they arrive!
-Unsubscribe to online shops!

-And let’s get creative and stay stylish without spending even more £££s and without adding to the piles of unused stuff we already have...

So here we go again...

Some Rules
Either commit to No Spend or to a set budget.
Exceptions to No Spend are tights, underwear (knickers and bras) and to replace something that has Genuinely worn out.
Last month we decided that if we did get something then a One in One out policy was a good idea

Lets help each other kick this habit!

We know its hard and we will have to continue to be accountable to each other ..BUT WE CAN DO IT!

So Who's in again? Smile

OP posts:
cardamomginger · 06/09/2014 17:07

I've sold quite a bit on eBay. It can be a PITA, especially as sellers are very unprotected, but I've only had a few problems. There's an Ebay forum here, where there are lots of helpful people if you have some specific concerns.

ShoopShoop · 06/09/2014 19:27

Day 5 done and day 6 almost done with no spending. Diet going less well on the other hand. Drank my weight in beer last night which is not helping the clothes thing at all. If I get any bigger I will be forced to buy new stuff.....arghhhh!!

cardigal · 07/09/2014 09:36

Just bought my planned Elemis skincare purchase but nothing else :)

SofaCanary · 07/09/2014 10:44

Ooh, cheers for that cardamom didn't realise we had a special eBay bit here.

Thanks
MrPop · 07/09/2014 17:44

Still no spend but my resolve is being tested by the 20% off codes I keep reading about, specifically for clarks and M&S as I have a couple of things on my 'wish list' from there. M&S do regular codes though so I think I am going to hold out...fingers crossed Grin

cardamomginger · 07/09/2014 17:46

Slight waver today. Not clothes, but I did buy make up in Space NK and a copy of American Vogue. But it's my birthday today, and I'm having a crap day. And all I got was some chocolate from Poundland that I can't eat.

Apatite1 · 07/09/2014 17:53

Aw you're allowed on your birthday cardamom, happy birthday!

SofaCanary · 07/09/2014 17:59

Happy Birthday!

Can you drink Wine?

cardamomginger · 07/09/2014 17:59

Thank you Smile.

Pollywallywinkles · 07/09/2014 18:16

Happy birthday. You are most certainly allowed a treat on your birthday.

cardamomginger · 07/09/2014 18:37

Grin. So I'm still allowed on the thread then? Wink

autumnsmum · 07/09/2014 18:51

Birthdays are fine, have still managed no spend

MrPop · 07/09/2014 19:34

Happy birthday Cardamom

Pollywallywinkles · 07/09/2014 21:13

I bought some running shoes today, but as I have decided to start running after a break of many years I think that was allowed. I did manage to walk past clothes and shoe shops without a glance.

Laska42 · 07/09/2014 21:15

Happy birthday Cardamom Yep its allowed! Hope you had a great one!

I have been away this weekend and was given a pair of Jigsaw trousers (nearly new) by friend who has lost weight .. (so a gift with a bit of a sting in t e tail as I have GAINED weight! Sad ) Ah well... Also DH bought me some new cropped jeans as id managed to go away without packing any change of 'botton half' (duh!) .

Got home this evening and there is a parcel .. its boots ( but I don't remember ordering them , (which might be a bit worrying, am I spending in my sleep? .. I think it may be DH again.. will ask him when we next speak he is away all week)

OP posts:
ShoopShoop · 07/09/2014 21:52

Happy birthday Cardamom!!

Day 7 done....phew.

I'm finding the M&S 20% off and Boden 20% off very hard to resist at the moment.

cardamomginger · 07/09/2014 22:19

Thank everyone! Relieved my spending today is permissible and doesn't count Grin.

MrPop · 09/09/2014 07:58

Yesterday I was all ready to break my ban and get the boots I am interested in for 20% less. But then I spoke to myself sternly and thought of coming on here and decided to wait until the next round of 20% offs. So feeling pleased with myself today. Day 8 so far.

Everyone on the thread seems to be doing really well - so much so that I had to hunt for this thread on page 3 of s&b!

cardamomginger · 09/09/2014 08:58

Well done!

I did get mascara yesterday (but that was because they didn't have the one I wanted on Sunday, and we've already agreed that I was allowed to buy make-up on my birthday - and especially when my birthday was shit - and so it doesn't count....).

ShoopShoop · 10/09/2014 10:00

Erm....so I fell off the wagon yesterday. Blush. I spent 120 in Hobbs Outlet, but to be fair I was using a gift card my lovely DM got me for my birthday. So no "real" money was handed over. And I got 3 items, all greatly reduced. But I'm still kicking myself. Should have saved the spending for another time.....

dawndonnaagain · 10/09/2014 10:10

Okay. Managed not to buy the Boden duffle coat when it was 20% off. Will wait. Is it really only the 10th?
Smile

cardamomginger · 10/09/2014 10:28

Shoop - the doesn't count!

  1. It wasn't real money
  2. It was a birthday present (see my make-up buying exploits upthread that everyone said was allowed)
  3. It was a timely investment - who knows if the 3 items would still have been available in the the Outlet branch.
It absolutely doesn't count - you still occupy your place on the wagon!
CoconutAmericano · 10/09/2014 11:01

You are still on the wagon shoop because you didn't spend any money. And neither have i. In at least a month. That has to be a personal record for me. I am very proud of myself and totally determined to keep going until the end of the month.

I feel peace Smile

ShoopShoop · 10/09/2014 15:26

Thanks cardamom and coconut.....I feel absolved now. It's like coming to confessional Grin.

In other news, we've just booked our first holiday in 4 years. To a hot country. I do not even own a swimsuit any more. Not sure if I can fit into any summer dresses. Eek!! So excited, but also concerned about spending. Leaving on 1st October. Might have to make a small list of things to get and stick to that rigidly. Going up in the loft tonight to dig out proper summer gear and have a trying on session.

cardigal · 10/09/2014 18:02

Day 10 :)

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