No Spend, Two Weeks at a Time

[Shimmering]

I own so much stuff. I'm making a conscious effort to use what I have instead of buying more. I'm always very tempted online, wanted to buy some kids vitamins being advertised to me on fb. I got all the way to the purchase screen and then closed the page. Went downstairs and i have literally 6 months supply of a multi vitamin for teens that I had forgotten all about. So now I'm making sure that's used.

Same for face masks I saw being recommended on here. I have a box of sheet masks and a tub of seaweed mask that I have never opened. So why would I buy more? Need to use up what I have first.

I have more than enough clothes. Make up. Perfume. Skin care. I really have no excuse for my level of spending.

 

[ItchOfTheWestCoast]

Put the money I haven't spent against my credit card balance. I feel like Martin Lewis.

 

[Beyondthebrink]

It's been quite a spendy month for me - I bought a puppy! (Worth every penny!) And needed to get everything for her plus sort vets/insurance etc.

BUT aiming for a less spendy February!

 

[Pinhead Larry]

I’m definitely in, we’re planning our wedding for next year so we really need to tighten our belts.

I found a group in my city called zero waste who redistribute almost expired food from supermarkets. All the stuff in the photo was free, and I’ve now got loads of leek and potato, and carrot and tomato soup in the freezer for lunches. I also bought a reduced chicken from the supermarket for a roast dinner yesterday and made a stock from the bones, and a curry from the meat. I then made a soup out of the leftover broccoli and some cream cheese that was going off in the fridge. I feel like even though we’re usually quite good and do an online shop, without temptations I can probably save us a fortune if I can keep up with things like this

 

[50degreesnorth]

Every time I finish a book from the Tower of Shame - I stick £5 in my savings account. The money spent on the book is already gone, so may as well turn it into a positive.

When I complete the Tower of Shame I shall buy a mansion.

 

[Curiouscupcake]

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

 

[T-time]

The concert was amazing. It was seated. It was the soundtrack to a movie the band made. It was eclectic. It was an experience other than standing in a crowd and watching a band play your favourite songs

In the end it did cost me more then expected but how it made me feel is something money can't buy. Glad I went but it also made me realize that the bar for a really good concert can be higher

 

[under the ivy]

Stopped myself going to Lidl after work because I only needed soy milk but would’ve bought stuff I didn’t need. Asked my boyfriend to get soy milk because he has self control and he walked in with just soy milk

 

[Chocolategoggler]

Think I might have a go at this. I've got things I've obviously bought in to make something, but never have.
I've also set up a recipe notebook (£5 from The Works or Card Factory - can't remember which) that is specially designed for writing down your favourite recipes. So in future if I like something I've made it goes in the book for posterity. Then hopefully I won't have jars/packets/tins of stuff I can't remember what I bought them for!

 

[or JusRollWithIt]

I’ve found that buying second hand through charity shops, in person not online, helps curb my impulse buying. I go in with items in mind that I need. A certain kind of lamp for a specific spot and purpose, for example. If I go in, look around and they don’t have it, oh well. The hunt continues. So many things eventually turn up if I’m willing to wait a while. And it turns out, so many of the things which I think are urgent purchases turn out not to be so urgent as I can go a few weeks or even months without until one turns up. Bonus is that it costs far less than new. It has helped me not buy things so impulsively, and make me think about what I really want and actually need. More intentional, I guess, rather than reactive to what’s being marketed to me. Didn’t happen overnight, it’s a gradual mindset shift but I’m sharing in case it may be the right solution for anyone here. It’s not for everyone because I know some don’t like second hand, or don’t have access locally, etc.

 

[HotesTilaire]

I feel like I’ve been spend spend spend the last day or two!
I did a review of my financed and moved some stuff around. I cancelled the cat’s monthly flea and worm subscription, and bought over a year’s worth of meds in bulk. That saves over £25 over a year. But it was upfront cost. Got another sub I’m changing to yearly lump sum payment, using my credit from my electricity account to cover that. Bought a birthday gift that’s on the credit card.

Next thing is to look at receipts from top up shops, and one off purchases to see where I’m splurging. Also need to get back on board with meal planning.

 

[HotesTilaire]

If you take pictures and have your receipt contact them through the app. They should give you the difference through gift card and normally a bit extra as a 'sorry'

It’s 40p!
anyway my bank has noticed I’m doing well!

 

[50degreesnorth]

I’ve done really well and haven’t purchased a single thing that wasn’t going to go on a plate.

Had an emotional moment yesterday (teenage children ) and immediately fired up Vinted to “treat myself”. Shut down the app without buying anything. Still not naked.

I’ve run out of moisturiser but before I buy new, I’ll use up all the samples/minis I got in advent calendars. I WFH so it doesn’t matter if the cream is a bit heavier than I’d ideally like for the day. Will just use them up before they go off.

 

[peachesandcreamz]

Last working day before payday for me today and I'm really please with myself that I have MONEY LEFT OVER at the end of the month!! Who knew that was even possible!

I haven't been doing a no-spend - more of a low-spend month. Still bought a couple of cheap bits on Vinted, a shower gel from Lush, and had a night out at the cinema with a friend last night. Largely cooked homemade and brought in meal preps to work.

Trying to find a good balance between saving and seeing friends / doing fun activities - along with "mini" shopping dopamine hits like a 50p vinyl from the charity shop!

 

[scannertd]

I thought that i had gotten away with a relatively ok spending Jan and then THE BIG BILL came yesterday.
I have older kids and believe me they can be pricey.
My middle lad is at Uni in Dublin, the fees are not bad compared to the uk and i thought that we had paid it all(no student loans available here in Ireland) but no.
He is repeating a year, the right thing for him, but we didnt know that it came with extra fees.
Anyways we have to pay 1273€ in the next 2 weeks otherwise he wont get his christmas exam results, which will give him anxiety which led him to have to repeat in the first place.
Luckily since i have been budgeting recently we have it covered.
Sorry for the rant, im just relieved i can do this.

 

[Closedeyes]

I’m in, I’m meeting a friend at the pub next week for tea but I’ll stick to a cheap drink and bowl of chips or similar.

Had a Saturday win today. My boy got back from his dad’s at 830, we pretty much headed straight out and went to the park, picked up a new book each in the charity shop (30p in total!!) and I used a Greggs voucher a friend got us for Christmas to grab lunch today. We’re now on opposite ends of the sofa with our books, he’s had a sausage roll for lunch and I’m going to warm my steak bake up. Total spend for today is 30p and I’m buzzing!!

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

If you fancy doing the next no spend, dates below then press the like button
12 - 25 May

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

So for those who want to do it according to the dates. It will be
10 - 23 March

I can’t participate this month as I’m away but wishing you all a lot of luck! I will be checking in

 

[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.

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

Next no spend will be 3 - 16 Feb

This had got all the votes. So pleased everybody did well