No Spend, Two Weeks at a Time

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

So the first one to start on 6 January and end on 19 January.
I thought to avoid putting dates in the title that way we can do several through out the year.
The idea is no extra spend apart from essentials like food and bills. Even better if you can eat your freezer food and not spend on any fresh food. I’d love to know if anybody could manage this for two weeks.
Let’s support each other here and try and hold each other accountable. Share tips on how you manage no spend and for those who feel comfortable share how much your finances have improved in these two weeks.
I think that’s it?!? Add anything else I’be missed off

 

[charlied0106]

Sounds exactly what I need! I genuinely think I could do 2 weeks of zero spend INCLUDING food, as I have a freezer full of 'oh that'll be handy to have' food ie chicken chargrills, chicken kievs etc. And i could make do without cereal, portidge so wouldnt need milk. The only drawback is I won't be eating healthy and I'm on a health kick/weight loss mission from January 6th. So I'm going to allow some groceries but mainly use my freezer and cupboard, and definitely buy nothing ele.

Two weeks at a time. Let get that first one marked off!

 

[Aceofspades]

We have got this - thanks for creating this thread @OnlyHereForTheLolz - great idea. I’m in

 

[pinkmug]

Thanks for the thread!

My low spend/no spend goals:
- No dining out. It'll become a treat or saved for actually necessary times. Tea/coffee/drinks will be saved for meeting with friends.
- No cabs unless it's late (I don't like walking home in the dark), heavy load (big shopping, luggage etc.) or bad weather (during which you can't find a cab anyway). I had a dodgy knee for a while so I couldn't walk as much as I wanted. It's not so bad these days, so I'll go back to public transport and walking.
- No clothes shopping. Back to my old habit of "Unless it's a HELL YES it's a no". Thankfully I have all I need. If something needs to be replaced, I'll wait until February, unless it's an actual emergency.
- No cosmetics, except essentials. I just decluttered a bunch of stuff I haven't touched in years. I have my bare necessities, I'll use them up.
- No knick knack shopping. I'll need some home goods in the upcoming months, I want to make sure I'm getting the items I actually like and use. I won't be swayed by random knick knacks. Logging out of Amazon.
- No book shopping. I have so many waiting on multiple to-read shelves and I will actually try not buying anything new until June. I need to make a dent in my pile.
- No fantasy-self shopping. I won't buy random new hobby items on a whim, only to set them aside a couple weeks later. What I own is more than enough to keep me occupied and entertained.
- No stationery shopping. Self explaining, My desk is bursting as it is. No new notebooks, no pens, no pencils. I'll use up what I have.
- Reconsidering subscriptions. I'll see what I actually use and cancel the stuff I remember once in a blue moon.

I'll be starting a little early, I hope I'm not buying anything else until 2025 (except a small additional gift for mum). Good luck to all!

 

[Curiouscupcake]

Im in, not food wise although I could do with less ‘just pop in for bread and spend £30’ visits.

 

[Jellycat369]

Having been paid a whopping £270 for December (last bit of SMP and tax rebate), I'm definitely in. To be fair I don't really spend a whole lot, it's my OH that needs to just stop! Hopefully he can manage two weeks

 

[T-time]

I'm in too. I think I don't spend a lot but things like books, bags, bracelets and shoes add up. My house is too small to keep on hoarding stuff that I do not use. By now I can easily do ten in and 1 out. I would love to have core collections of things. Weed out the variations. Best thing to weed those out is to simply stop shopping. But if it is so simple, why do I always fail? I need help

My biggest weaknesses are shopping for doubles and sale shopping. But it's not a great deal to buy something for 50% off if it's a duplicate of something that I already own. How many leather coats, shoes and bags does one need? I still don't know the answer to that, but 5 off the same but only different in color should not be the answer

 

[charlied0106]

My main issue is nipping to SPAR of a Saturday morning cause I fancy a bacon roll. And come back with bacon, rolls, crisps, a pizza, a packet of biscuits and cat treats! This happens at least twice a week, so needs to stop.

I'm also guilty of getting a big shop at the beginning of the month with the intention of only getting fresh bread, milk etc every weekend for the following week. But instead I go to Tesco for said bread etc and see a fajita kit so get that, then I fancy a chicken pasta so get that, then I think Oh jam teacakes, so get them, then as its the weekend I treat myself to a big share bag of sensations.

So essentially I'm doing a big monthly shop, then 3 big weekly shops.

 

[Rfl2018]

I am in too! I really need to do a no spend year if I'm honest, but two weeks is a good place to start! My birthday is 25 Jan so that will have to be a special occasion, although we have a Mowgli voucher we could use!

 

[BettyBeau]

Sounds exactly what I need! I genuinely think I could do 2 weeks of zero spend INCLUDING food, as I have a freezer full of 'oh that'll be handy to have' food ie chicken chargrills, chicken kievs etc. And i could make do without cereal, portidge so wouldnt need milk. The only drawback is I won't be eating healthy and I'm on a health kick/weight loss mission from January 6th. So I'm going to allow some groceries but mainly use my freezer and cupboard, and definitely buy nothing ele.

Two weeks at a time. Let get that first one marked off!

I did a big food shop of essentials like loo roll but also got frozen fruit and veg as I’m also on a health kick

 

[charlied0106]

I did a big food shop of essentials like loo roll but also got frozen fruit and veg as I’m also on a health kick

I've deduced food shopping is definitely my weak spot. I've got a delivery coming on 5th, and I'm going to try and buy nothing else till at least 20th.

 

[bcfc999]

I'm in, need to do some life admin including thinking about areas I want to spend less! One easy area is lunches when in the office - could easily make a healthier and more fulfilling lunch at home to bring in than the shite I buy.

 

[Ilaariaa]

I'm starting my No Spend on the 2nd week of January because from the 1st to the 6th I'll be on a short holiday with my boyfriend, so I'll definitely be spending money.
I also have 1000 euros in gift cards that I got as a Christmas bonus from my job to spend before December 2025 so I think I won't count those towards the No Spend.
I definitely want to improve in the takeout and vending machine department. I order takeout about twice a month but it's too much.

 

[eppingforestbambi]

Im in, not food wise although I could do with less ‘just pop in for bread and spend £30’ visits.

Literally my life. I pop in for eggs and bananas, and come out with an orchid and sourdough and discounted creme brûlées

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

Literally my life. I pop in for eggs and bananas, and come out with an orchid and sourdough and discounted creme brûlées

Same, the most random stuff because it has a yellow sticker

 

[T-time]

Same, the most random stuff because it has a yellow sticker

That sale sticker haunts me. It always feels like a great deal and here we are. Food that isn't what I really like and even more pounds to shed

 

[Curiouscupcake]

Literally my life. I pop in for eggs and bananas, and come out with an orchid and sourdough and discounted creme brûlées

Not depriving my partner of luxuries but it’s when I say please stop and buy a loaf on the way home and he comes in with bottles of prime, beer, a fancy pizza etc. doesn’t get it when I am not impressed… not helping my budget! I have to admit we do subscribe to a food service (trying to remain semi vague!) but I find it does help me add variety to our meals and takes some of the burden of constantly making decisions away from the daily grind of making dinner so it’s worth it for now. Only so many times I can rotate nuggets and chips, chilli, sausages etc.

I haven’t set any rules yet as we are currently away and my brain can’t function regarding the new year yet but I will. I’m also getting all my spends out the way before it starts

 

[Rfl2018]

Just had the January payday panic, then remembered it's no spend so felt slightly better

 

[T-time]

A couple off days ago I thought that a short no spend would be great. I thought it was better to start on Monday, fresh start of the week and all. Just yesterday I was typing on how quick I fall for duplicates and sales. That was yesterday

This is today. Instead of remembering that I am doing a no buy, I somehow ended up online shopping. Instead of thinking about all the other motorcycle jackets I own, I literally thought "was €260 is now €60, there is only one left, THERE IS ONLY ONE LEFT AND IT'S MY SIZE". And I clicked it home

I just remembered that I was on a no buy when I opened Tattle. And all my other perfecto motorcycle jackets are smooth and coloured. This is a black cowhide one. I already lack the backbone to send it back. And it's not even in yet

This is how I always mess up. I have a budget for clothes so I won't go hungry. Bills are paid. But I also dragged something that I don't really need into my house. That is so unnecessary. But if it's so unnecessary, why can't I stop shopping?

I'm not a shopping addict, I swear. But I do lack impulse control. Working on it with my therapist but nevertheless it scares me how quick I buy things when I'm tired. Why is my default for killing time online shopping? I know myself better than thinking I can click everything into my basket and leave it there. I'm a see it, want it, get it type. I really, really need to quit that!

 

[BettyBeau]

A couple off days ago I thought that a short no spend would be great. I thought it was better to start on Monday, fresh start of the week and all. Just yesterday I was typing on how quick I fall for duplicates and sales. That was yesterday

This is today. Instead of remembering that I am doing a no buy, I somehow ended up online shopping. Instead of thinking about all the other motorcycle jackets I own, I literally thought "was €260 is now €60, there is only one left, THERE IS ONLY ONE LEFT AND IT'S MY SIZE". And I clicked it home

I just remembered that I was on a no buy when I opened Tattle. And all my other perfecto motorcycle jackets are smooth and coloured. This is a black cowhide one. I already lack the backbone to send it back. And it's not even in yet

This is how I always mess up. I have a budget for clothes so I won't go hungry. Bills are paid. But I also dragged something that I don't really need into my house. That is so unnecessary. But if it's so unnecessary, why can't I stop shopping?

I'm not a shopping addict, I swear. But I do lack impulse control. Working on it with my therapist but nevertheless it scares me how quick I buy things when I'm tired. Why is my default for killing time online shopping? I know myself better than thinking I can click everything into my basket and leave it there. I'm a see it, want it, get it type. I really, really need to quit that!

When I do this I make myself sell something’s on Vinted till I’ve made the money back don’t be to hard on yourself