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Original poster

Think I'm going to do no spend 2017 - anyone care to join me?

144 replies

Advice0nscarplease · 12/11/2016 16:09

I did no spend 2014 (ended up buying a couple of bits, mainly stuff I really needed for work as I have to dress smartly but generally stuck to it).

Anyway since then I've been a bit better with clothes shopping, thought more about what I actually need and what I'll actually wear eg I've stopped buying pretty dresses and high heels that I'll never wear as I'm mid-30s and no longer go out on the town.

I've also been keeping track of my spending as this year I've spent £100 per month on clothes and beauty. I've filled some gaps in my wardrobe and bought a few investment pieces (leather jacket, new winter boots) so I'm thinking I have what I need now and could probably do another no spend (or at least low spend) in 2017. Anyone else?

OP posts:
Bohemond · 30/11/2016 07:21

I'm in. No spending on clothes - I have loads. But I will allow myself some accessories in 2017. Many of my work clothes are 10 years old; good quality but since I'm now self employed I don't wear them much. Updating them with accessories should keep them going.

Definitely no spending on cosmetics, creams and smellies. I have a drawerful.

tonymac84 · 16/12/2016 14:52

@Advice0nscarplease this sounds like a really good idea. Always looking for ways to be frugal and cutting back on luxury items is a good starting point.

665TheNeighbourOfTheBeast · 16/12/2016 18:34

I think I would like to join. Can I join on a replacement only basis. So trying for only the used up, damaged or like for like replacement ?
I NEED to do this, caught myself looking at a "bargain" this morning that I really didn't need or even particularly want, how is that a bargain?

gincamelbak · 17/12/2016 09:47

I am interested in this but using it as inspiration to make clothes that need to be replaced rather than but them. I hate shopping and can't seem to find what I want in the shops. And I want to improve my sewing skills. So I will try a make not buy year.

QueenLizIII · 17/12/2016 17:22

God. I'm wearing boots i bought in 2013, a coat i bought in 2008, a dress from 2014.

If you have to consciously make yourself stop spending £100 a month every month on clothes I'm Shock

LazySusan11 · 18/12/2016 08:16

Another joining! We're hoping move move house next year so had a huge clear out last few weeks. The amount of stuff we have donated or chucked was ridiculous. I'm happy to steer clear of any shops next year!

tonymac84 · 19/12/2016 15:50

@LazySusan11 Good for you :)

Just make sure you put the saved money away or invest it into something. Far too easy to spend elsewhere without realising!

Flowerydems · 19/12/2016 15:57

I'll do low spend, we're saving for our house deposit. But I'm 38weeks so think no spend is off the cards seeing as I have no clothes, have weight to lose and baby is dd1 after 2 boys so I have nothing for her.

Low spend will be the way forward

Lonoxo · 19/12/2016 16:54

I'm in! No spend on clothes. I have been busy buying this year to fill gaps and create more options/get more value from my wardrobe. I've got my eye on a few things to buy once the price goes down then I'm unsubscribing from emails.

It doesn't apply to shoes or bags, mine wear out too quickly so a friend has suggested I buy more and rotate.

I'm also going to buy a sewing kit so I can do some minor repairs. Also going to pick up my knitting needles again.

FSVC · 19/12/2016 19:18

I might need to buy bras (they always seem to give up the ghost as a collective don't they?) but otherwise I'm up for trying this. Financial situation is going to be much tighter from now on and I really need to stop buying stuff on eBay that's a bit too small, I've got a wardrobe full of stuff to 'slim into'. I guess I just don't look, right?

MsBlazen · 20/12/2016 12:47

I'd like to join. I've been spending on average £250 on clothes a month Blush

It will be a low spend 2017 for me, as I will be replacing any worn out clothes. I've bought so many things this year that I haven't worn/ don't go with my wardrobe/ are terrible quality. Anything that I buy from now on, will be something that I will wear at least 30 times and won't need replacing within a year.

OldJoseph · 20/12/2016 12:59

QueenLiz This probably isn't the thread for you. In the same vein, as a person of a healthy BMI, I tend not to look at any weight loss threads. Of course I could go on and say

'Crumbs you lot just need to stop scoffing and get some exercise, I'm Shock at the amount you eat'

Easy access to relatively cheap clothes and beauty products in the West has an impact on the individual and the wider community in the same way access to cheap and unhealthy food does. There's nothing wrong with this thread where people are recognizing over consumption and having a plan on how to deal with it.

Solasum · 20/12/2016 13:05

I will join too. I have lots of nice clothes, but never wear most of them as they need ironing or are at the back of the wardrobe.

May start by extravagant use of wash and iron service to get everything wearable at least. Blush

Solasum · 20/12/2016 13:06

So impressed by the making your own replacement clothes idea!

pasturesgreen · 25/12/2016 20:07

Trying to resist the online sales...There are a couple of bits I've seen that I'm planning to get, but they're going to wait until I get to the shops.

The fact I didn't buy them straight away at full price when I saw them earlier in the month is a small victory in itself. Baby steps and all that...Xmas Grin

BunnyDog · 28/12/2016 17:43

I will do this. I have started this year by trying not to buy toiletries, make up and clothes. But it turned in to a charity shop obsession! I ended up buying a lot from charity shops including random things that didn't work - but at least the mistakes were not expensive ones, and I wrote it off as a charity donation. I want to actually wear everything in my wardrobe. If I am in doubt about the item I read a tip to wear it once for a day and if doesn't feel great get rid. Whats the point in having all this stuff in your cupboards if you don't use them? I still have a lifetime supply of shampoo and lipstick/lipbalm/lipgloss to work through.

ShoopShoop · 28/12/2016 22:23

I'm in too if it's still ok to join. I have so many clothes in a variety of sizes. I'd like to lose some weight this year too, which will open up a whole new section of wardrobe to explore!!

I'm aiming to plan my work outfits for the week on a Sunday so I put more thought into what I wear, rather than just wearing the same things over again as they're at the top of the ironing pile!

I'll need to replace a few bits like bras along the way, plus a few holiday clothes in July, but I'm aiming for as little as possible.

AteRiri · 28/12/2016 22:25

I'll do this. I'll only buy essentials but anything just "want", I hope I won't be tempted.

Bought so much already!

SuckingEggs · 29/12/2016 00:24

Oh, I didn't succeed this year but will go for a low spend '17. I shopped better this year - quality, not quantity.

ProjectGainsborough · 29/12/2016 01:45

I'm in. I started addressing my shopping habits this year, but I've still got a way to go.

I get a kick out of making things in my wardrobe work in new ways, so I'll focus my energy on that - project 333 style!

BradleyPooper · 29/12/2016 02:03

Just spent a large amount on sephora and trying to lose weight this year. Will buy no clothes in 2017 unless they are 2 sizes or more less than my current size.

I have mountains of cosmetics and toiletries, nothing will be bought until that runs out. I must have 40 lipsticks, a dozen perfumes, I really don't need any more. I have an auto ship on home hair color so will keep that (am 90% grey but not ready to face that yet), cut my own hair and do my own nails so that's already under control and no spend. I will keep up with my monthly trips to my brow threading guru who is better than a facelift, can't live without her.

Could be fun, couldn't it? Confused

AyeAyeFishyPie · 29/12/2016 10:22

I'm in - saving for a house so will do cosmetics and clothes. A few bigger purchases this year so I definitely spent more than 500 - that's a lot for me but I got a ski jacket and good quality long boots as well as a Hobbs suit for that. I can't see any gaps in my wardrobe so should be OK for a year. Gulp....

humanfemale · 29/12/2016 15:23

I'm also in. I've got so many clothes that are basically all slight variations of the same thing (black / charcoal dresses) so plenty of scope for using up my wardrobe. Lots of jewellery, accessories and shoes that I love. Have enough makeup to last at least 6 months and will replace the bare minimum as I need to. Have also downloaded a spending app and after just a week of recording am already appalled at the amount I spend on clothes for me and the kids (always telling myself this is necessary when it just isn't usually) but mostly overspending on supermarket shopping, due to lack of planning and shopping every day / impulse buying.

Got a long way to go, but we're saving to move house in 18 months so need to get focussed and saving!

pasturesgreen · 03/01/2017 08:45

So, three days into the new year and my noble intentions have already gone spectacularly out the window, as I bought a navy jacket in Hobbs for £55 and a coat in LK Bennett, vastly reduced to £160.

Both are things that I'll wear to work, so I feel somewhat less guilty, but still...ugh! Xmas Blush

I need a kick up the bum to get back on track!

squiz81 · 03/01/2017 16:02

pasturesgreen I've been struggling too. No purchases yet but I have found myself browsing on line Blush

I have decided I want braces for my teeth. I think I shall use them as the motivation to spend no other money.