No Spend October Challenge, sorry September

[chocolate choux]

Is anyone planning to do a low spend rather than a complete no spend? September has been bad for me, partially emotional spending and partially buying stuff I’ve needed/wanted for a while or finding a really good offer (30% cashback at Matalan yesterday and daughter needed pyjamas so obviously I had to spend £50 )

Anyway, I feel like completely depriving myself just makes me rebel so I’m going to write up some rules for a low spend month and factor in a limited amount of small treats so I don’t lose motivation. Hopefully will be able to stick to it and continue on into November at least Daughters birthday is in November and then it’s obviously Christmas but I’m going to try to keep spending relatively low on both

 

[realhousewivewannabe]

Here is the thread for No Spend October 2020 Challenge.

 

[Trixabellee9393]

I’m defo joining in on this I’m so so bad with money! I’m an emotional spender too and will just blow £20/£30 randomly to make myself feel better for a few moments then regret and guilt come after thinking I didn’t even need it! Think I’m going to be low spending till jan! Xx

A good trick I sometimes do to myself is pretend I genuinely haven’t got the money as if I’m trying to just survive and make ends meet! Literally pretend to not have extra money and just set myself a budget and pretend that’s it! X

Although I haven’t really got the money anyway it all goes on my overdraft I’m an idiot

 

[chocolate choux]

Can you literally not spend anything???

The idea is to buy only essentials - so food, bills, rent, basic toiletries, that sort of thing. Nothing that you could live without. I plan to do a low spend which means having a strict, limited budget to buy non-essentials, and aiming for a certain amount of no spend days

 

[rainbowlemon]

Even though I created this thread, I have to admit- I kinda have failed
I met up with a friend I’ve not seen in 7 months and treated myself to lunch, some make up and a couple of food items for future dinners/lunches/cupboard and then booked myself a dental hygienist appointment (But it felt so good for my MH and Wellbeing to be out the house) so I may just try again tomorrow

You only fail if you quit hun. Do the best you can every day and that's it. Nothing more and nothing less. I still spend a lot of money on therapy sessions whilst it may be seen as an indulgence for someone else.

I also had lunch with a friend today.

A dental appointment isn't a waste spend in my book and every one needs to eat!

 

[WilmaHun]

I'd love to participate in this but we have a Greggs 2 doors down from our office which I have to walk past every day and I have no will power

 

[realhousewivewannabe]

Even though I created this thread, I have to admit- I kinda have failed
I met up with a friend I’ve not seen in 7 months and treated myself to lunch, some make up and a couple of food items for future dinners/lunches/cupboard and then booked myself a dental hygienist appointment (But it felt so good for my MH and Wellbeing to be out the house) so I may just try again tomorrow

 

[JD-Morgan]

I just bought 2 new sofas on Saturday and am getting 3 internal doors in October, doors are a necessity as one door is missing in the house and the other 2 don’t fit the door frames, so surely they’re a necessity

 

[prinnygrace]

I need to try this. Spent a lot in September and finished it off this morning with an Apple Watch I have 2 birthdays in October but I’m going to not buy anything for myself besides essentials.
I saved so much during lockdown, I need to get back to that!!

 

[MalletsMallet]

Definitely up for this.
A friend of mine used to draw out £10 a week for all fun spending. If he didn't spend it that week, it rolled into the next and so on. It's definitely something you'd do with kids but sometimes, even as adults, it's the basic things that can work best!

There's some good articles on saving that are a bit tongue in cheek but might help!

Can you 5:2 your finances? Part 1 - Magenta Financial Planning

Could a financial diet be just what we need to curb excess spending? Does the 5:2 diet work just as well for our finances as our waistline? Find out more!

magentafp.com

Can you 5:2 your finances? Part 2 - Magenta Financial Planning

Could a financial diet be just what we need to curb excess spending? Following on from our first blog, we look at more popular diet plans and give them the financial spin.

magentafp.com

Also some handy hints on getting kids to save-

Spend, Save, Share- help your child learn healthy financial habits today!

When we become parents, we often think of the things we’d like to pass down to our children. Will they have Dad’s hair colour, Granddad’s love of nature or maybe Mum’s artistic flair? How many of us place positive financial behaviours at the top of that list?When it comes to fostering a positive...

magentafp.com

And a spending planner and Christmas planner

**Free Christmas Spending Planner**

Our Free Christmas Budget Planner is designed to save you from seasonal spending stress.November is here. With Christmas being but a whisper away, many of our minds are occupied with plans for parties and presents. The festivities can, for many, be a cause for financial concern. Unplanned for...

magentafp.com

Really hope they're useful. Twas my bag writing such articles in a former life so there's no ulterior motive in sharing them- just hope they're helpful

 

[coconochanel]

I need to do this as I failed the September one BADLY! I do have a Birthday in Oct but apart from that I will only be buying essentials does that include xmas gifts?

 

[Onecandream]

I’m doing a house renovation (on a budget) so will need to spend but I’ll join in so I don’t spend any unbudgeted money on crap I don’t need!

 

[under the ivy]

I’m up for it! Can certainly do spend no days now that I’m WFH again after a 2 week return

 

[chocolate choux]

Day 1 - failed (bought £20 of unnecessary items )
Day 2 - passed
Day 3 - passed

Current struggle: not spending money on activities for toddler (most of the free things we do are outside and the weather hasn’t been good)

Not sure how well I’ll do as the month goes on but this is definitely inspiring me to write up a detailed budget as it’s highlighting things that are worth (and not worth) spending money on!

 

[Trixabellee9393]

October is going well, so far I only have three transactions on my bank although I had to renew my car insurance and had a £20 fee as I changed providers but mindset is going good any one got any frugal money saving tips!!?? Xx

 

[Scorpihoe]

Sadly I have a lot of birthdays in October (including my own!) so I can’t participate. I might try and do as many no spend days in between them, to help ease the burden

 

[Skiddidlydaddle]

Well, I did well in September until the 17th. Then spent as normal. Whhyyy?? I must do better this month. Sadly, I have had an unexpected expense as I walked into a wardrobe in the dark, my glasses flew off and one of the arms smashed off. Any glasses wearers with a strong script will know the expense I am experiencing with regard to new lenses and glasses.

Good luck to everyone as usual! It should be so simple to not buy stuff but it's not..

Even though I created this thread, I have to admit- I kinda have failed
I met up with a friend I’ve not seen in 7 months and treated myself to lunch, some make up and a couple of food items for future dinners/lunches/cupboard and then booked myself a dental hygienist appointment (But it felt so good for my MH and Wellbeing to be out the house) so I may just try again tomorrow

Apart from the makeup this all sounds fine! We've all got to eat, have healthy gums and teeth and see friends!

 

[Skiddidlydaddle]

I'm doing alright. Plodding on.... Mostly no spend days happening.

 

[Web30]

I’m defo joining in on this I’m so so bad with money! I’m an emotional spender too and will just blow £20/£30 randomly to make myself feel better for a few moments then regret and guilt come after thinking I didn’t even need it! Think I’m going to be low spending till jan! Xx

A good trick I sometimes do to myself is pretend I genuinely haven’t got the money as if I’m trying to just survive and make ends meet! Literally pretend to not have extra money and just set myself a budget and pretend that’s it! X

Although I haven’t really got the money anyway it all goes on my overdraft I’m an idiot

I do this. Move so much in to a separate account so my card account is super low.

 

[JNRS90]

I forgot all about this after the financial shit show that was September! I’ve already had my hair cut (but it hadn’t been done since February) and bought a bra so I’m not doing great!