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Massive win for me today. Went to 6 different shops to look for cotton kids jumpers (why are they all polyester/acrylic?) and didn’t buy a single thing for myself, despite all the sales. Before this thread/idea I would have probably spent a few hundred quid in the sales on shit I don’t need, and returned most but not all of it. Going to chuck some cash in my savings and celebrate this win by doing my nails whilst watching Below Deck.

marjorytrashheap said:

Love this thread! I hate shopping so I escape some of the traps other people are finding, but my problem is to wait till my clothes are literally rags and then panic-buy a load of crap online because I have a work do/fancy thing and have to look smart. Then I have to wear it because there's no time to get anything else, whether it fits or suits me or not. Or for e.g. I now have visible holes in the toes of both the boots I wear for work, so I've had to quickly buy whatever boots are left in my size that can do next day delivery because I've got a meeting, and I don't know if I like them. And the ones with holes in were bought under exactly the same circumstances a year ago, because the sole had fallen off the boots I was wearing till then. And I didn't like them either! They didn't fit properly and hurt to walk in. How do I get off this cycle of spending my money on crap I don't like? I can't "shop my closet" because there's no surprises in it, in fact there's almost nothing it it, because I don't clothes shop . And yet I have a stack of things by the bed to put on Vinted that don't fit or I can't stand. HALP.

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this sounds like a degree of self neglect (an issue which I relate hard to so sending so much love)

I’d say can off shopping online for a bit, it adds a layer of complication that you could do without. As shit as it is, I’d try and prioritise shopping IRL. It’s perfectly fine to stick to one store, Uni Qlo do really nice basics inexpensively and dare I say M&S isn’t bad at the moment either. There’s no shame in literally going in and buying an outfit off a mannequin either, I used to laugh at my (now) husband when he told me this but they’re decent outfits so why not? Dresses are fab for simplicity too, as you just bung one on and you’re done (also cheaper to build a wardrobe if you’re starting from scratch). Re shoes - poss unpopular opinion but Clark’s originals are brilliant (desert boots, wallabees, etc) - they’re comfy, nice quality especially for the okay-ish price, and come in lots of diff colours. Focus on just making everything incrementally better - you don’t need the perfect filled wardrobe straight away, just 2 go to outfits you love & a decent pair of shoes. You can slowly build up on this and find more and more that you like

Also remember that sales assistants can be amazingly helpful too. I finally admitted to myself I’ll never be pre pregnancy size and went into a Levi’s where everyone was under 25 and I thought they’d shun me like Quasimodo down from my bell tower but they were SO helpful I finally got some “nice” jeans post baby again.

I’m finding that focussing on big picture stuff is helping me be less spendy.

Would I rather buy this eyeliner or have another £30 to spend during my holiday?

Would I rather get my nails done or save that for a lovely day out?

If I avoid going to IKEA today I’ll have at least £50 extra in my bank account for necessities, and I won’t worry so much about having enough cash.

Since joining this thread I’m so much more mindful about what I buy. I went to an outlet shopping village last week and bought one top for my daughter and nothing else, that’s unheard of for me. It’s like once you realise you don’t need to keep buying things for the sake of it, you really can just stop.
You’re all amazing and together we’re all making progress in spending less in our own way, some of us have saved more than others but that doesn’t matter, every £ saved is a step towards financial freedom in the future.

This is such a great thread. I'm trying to be more mindful of my spending this year as I spend a lot on inconsequential stuff. I know exactly what I buy as I track everything on a spreadsheet but it doesn't stop me.

So far this month I've resisted buying new coats (I have plenty and definitely don't need any more) and handbags, which are quite the addiction. The other addiction is craft stuff, I have enough to open my own shop but that didn't stop me ordering more, £60 worth. It is my hobby though.

On the positive, over the last 3 years I've paid my mortgage off early and paid my car and bank loan off. I saved about 10k in interest paying the car loan off, I was really shocked how much of the loan was interest when I read the small print off. And I've saved £900 since the beginning of December, the goal is to try and save that much each month if possible.

February is going to be a challenge though as I have to have dental treatment which will be expensive.

For info, I live alone (unless you count the cat), my family are all grown up and left home. I spend about £30 a week on food and don't use much fuel as I work from home.

What I love about cutting down unnecessary spending is the fact that you can still go out, book holidays, enjoy yourself etc but you actually have money leftover without feeling guilty because you haven’t been frittering it away. I have started a new job which is on an industrial estate with no shops around. This is amazing for me because my last job was opposite a retail park (Home Bargains my true weakness) and a 10 minute walk to the town centre. I would be spending my entire lunch breaks browsing shops that I just didn’t need to, spending £20/£30 a time. Even £10 at lunch adds up to £50 a week if you’re doing it daily. Now I don’t have that option it’s so much easier to control unnecessary spending

I really wanted 2 items from Charlotte Tilbury, they came to £56. I thought okay I'll treat myself, it's been a long week. But then I thought, let me just check Vinted. Got both items for £16.59 each, brand new and unopened. Saving of around £23 there #smallwins

Something that has helped me in the past is work out hourly rate if I’m paid work. And then seeing how many hours you would have to work (endure in my case) to buy something. So, we all differ of course, if you are on £25 an hour, you see a lipstick from Charlotte Tilbury at £25, it would be an hours wage. Ok once in a while but if you add up all your multiples of unused products, if you convert it to hours worked, you have spent weeks worth of work on things you don’t even use. That coat for £100, which you have never worn, 4 hours. Add that together with all the similar tops, another pair of trainers etc. The takeaways. If you equate it hours work, it pulls you up sharp. It is like dieting, how long would I have to exercise before I burn off this Mars Bar - how long?! I won’t bother. Same principle.

A few big wins for me this week:
Opening an ISA today as I was about to start paying tax on my savings for the first time in my life! A nice milestone.
bought a new dress yesterday and my OH is taking me out for a fancy dinner this weekend. I’ve sold loads on Vinted so using the money from that to pay for the dress so it’s completely guilt free. Plus, the Zara XL was too big so I’m now a Large in Zara for the first time in years! Money and weight loss wins rolled together

Been reflecting on my purchases the last few months and how hit and miss they’ve been.

Black crossbody bag from Oliver Bonas- hit
Cosy neutral coloured jumpers- hit
Skin & Me subscription- hit

and now the misses

Victoria Beckham eyeshadow that cost £33 and made my eyelids burn
L’occitane hand cream that smells nice but is shit at moisturising my hands
And the piece de resistance….

A bright purple fluffy cardigan that makes me look like an extra on the muppets. I spent £70 on it and look like a dufus. Will stick it on Vinted and I will be lucky to get £20 back…

What I’ve realised is that I change my mind or go off of colourful clothes quickly. Simple clothes/ basics are good for a long time. I’ll stick to them in future.

Sold a cardigan I regretted buying at a £50 loss on Vinted. Lesson learned there!!!

Also putting together a pile of stuff for the charity shop including books I won’t ever read etc. have also cleared out some visual clutter from the kitchen and bathroom- I swear that getting rid of stuff is more enjoyable than buying these days! I just feel so much lighter.

Just Eat & Amazon are starting to notice my absence! Progress.

Love this idea! I'm far too easily influenced wethwr it be a hair/face/body product, clothing... footwear is my biggest downfall! 🫠 I also read somewhere to wait 48 hours before purchasing and if your still thinking of it after this time, treat yourself!

I want to implement this mind set but I have a vinted account I'm very active on.

I love this thread and I've taken so many notes.
I'm really happy now I think I can actually contribute something!

I got a £50 John Lewis voucher for Christmas, which I could have spent many times over.
But this thread has stopped me - the amount of times I've added something to my basket and thought:"it's free!"
For something I really didn't need
And because of this thread... I've stopped.
I'm going to safe it and use it for something I need, rather than something I want.
And that'll mean a £50 saving!

Thank you everyone for your power and your amazing motivation

I’ve only just found this thread and it’s what I need!! I am a serial spender trying to get better!! I’ve always had good jobs, I get paid well, but I always spend well. If I want something, I buy it, regardless if I need it or not. I’m a terrible hoarder!

I'm nearing 40, and since stopping drinking last year (I’m an alcoholic) I’ve realised how much I buy or do things to fill ‘a non existent hole’ in my life.
I have therapy to help fix me, but I’m now looking to set myself challenges to stop spending!!

I use Vinted for selling now, and my husband is aware of my finances so I can’t hide anything anymore.

I don’t have kids but I do run 2 cars myself. A sensible one and a weekend toy. I’d never be willing to give them up, it’s my hobby, but there are so many changes I can make in my life around that!! I do not need to be on first name terms with the Amazon delivery driver for one After having Prime since day one, I think that might be my first big change 🫣

I was scammed out of thousands of pounds this week by a trader. I am utterly distraught. Please don’t ever make the same mistake I did and ask their hourly rate before they start work and get a quote.

Prior to that I was in spendy mode. Was looking at insta too much and thinking I ‘needed’ new summer dresses and bits from the white company. Now I feel awfully guilty.

The events of this week have made me and my husband reevaluate our situation. We are thinking of moving house in order to release some cash and make our lives easier. This house seems riddled with problems and while there are good things about it we are thinking about moving to a cheaper area to lower our bills and release more cash back into our savings.

I’ve done a lot of cosmetic work on this house so it’s a shame. I completely made over both front and back gardens and recently painted the front door and put a gorgeous door knocker on it. This scam situation has made me reevaluate our situation though. We are a few thousand in debt and it really stresses me out. We can’t ever afford to go on holiday.

I just feel sick to my stomach right now.

Re: books, am thinking of rejoining the local library. I go for a walk most days past the library so could combine a visit there and get my steps in. Bonus is that I'd save money, as if the book I fancy is no good, I've lost nothing and can return it. I've wasted sooo much money in the past on buying books in the supermarket then end up giving them away to friends or charity shops.

Another day eating from the pantry stock … pasta puttanesca , and another day of walking on the beach without stopping off for a coffee afterwards. I’m finding I’ve got more time to concentrate on myself now I’ve stopped wasting an hour or so a day in cafes.

After the great pantry clear out, I’m starting on the linen cupboard tomorrow. I have a weakness for new bedding and lovely soft throws, but how much bedding can one couple need. Admittedly we have 3 guest rooms, but realistically I don’t need to purchase new sheets every time we have guests.

I got my dividends through from my shares in a bullion company today. More than I was expecting and I’d usually use that to treat myself but I put it straight into my business start-up fund instead. I get my keys in 3 weeks so every penny counts

furbabies said:

You guys have influenced me to be more proactive with my savings. I know I have an old, maybe inactive, ISA account I need to move and I have some building society savings that must have a shocking interest rate.

I'll be hitting up money saving expert after the 6th to move/ consolidate accounts and get my money to work for me!

Out of curiosity, and I appreciate this is a bit rude to ask, but do people having a savings goal and what defines that goal? I feel like I'm saving but I don't know what for. I feel like I have a good safety net if I was made redundant (which isn't going to happen as I've just done the redundancy dance and secured a role (albeit a lower paid role ). So what now?

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Not rude at all, no worries. If people talked more openly about money it would help all sorts of stuff. (A tangential form of money transparency, but my daughter recently asked a male colleague with an equivalent role if he minded letting her know his salary. He didn’t mind at all and as a result hers is now being reviewed considerably upwards. She works for a well known national company which has on the surface committed itself to righting the gender pay gap, and lack of financial transparency is one of the remaining stones under which gender disparity lurks.)

Anyway, back on track: I save because life is weird and saving helps me sleep at night. Savings make the comfiest pillow.