Nervous of my own challenge - reduce or stop spending!

LilacLillie

Well it is done, over, dusted....................thank goodness!
I am slightly dissappointed with myself that I couldn't manage a 'No spend month', in retrospect it was a bit of an unrealistic challenge for someone like me.

I was very shocked & unhappy with myself last night, while adding up my spend for the whole month.
I was hoping for a £5-£10 a week, veering more towards the £5 mark.
It just goes to show how easy it is for money to add up (surprisingly when you spend rather than save!).

I spent £43.07 :eek:
What on earth on???????????????????????? (Approved food Saturday night £19 odd )

I have never as an adult spent so little for so long.
I had 12 NSD's.

Last February I spent on various things (excluding bills, toiletries, household products) £978.28 AND that was as a money saver!! I thought I did so well then , had 7 NSD's.
The year before was almost double, and also aready a MSE.

So the outcome of my challenge is: Its surprising how much we can spend without realising.

I have had to 'think' about every penny I passed on.

I haven't enjoyed it, although had a pleasant month of 'things to do', not sat at home having to really worry about money.

Have received mixed reactions about why I felt I needed to do it, but also had lots of support.

I enjoyed very much challenging myself, much to my surprise, so March is going to be my month of 'The Store Cupboard challenge', then April is my 'Vegie month' challenge.
All normal stuff for some people but for me its really a BIG deal.

Faredeewell February.......................I am richer and wiser...............I hope

LL

SmlSave

Well done!

taplady

LL - well done!:T you're right - we do spend more money than we think we do and its only when we note where every penny goes that we realise!

topsyturphy

Well Done:T, thats a brilliant amount for a month. I dread to think how much I spend each month on the little bits and extra's that I buy. I have bee taking note each month for groceries but think I now need to include other things.

Caterina

Happy Start-Spending-Again-Day!:T:T:T

Really well done you! Instead of feeling irritated that you spent all of £43 in a month (ohhh dear, £3 over budget, tut-tut :rotfl:), I think you should really congratulate yourself and give yourself a (small) treat!

I could never do what you have done, I would be a disaster from day 1!

Purpleclutterbuck

You spent how much????? nah! your joking only £43???? I'm just soooo impressed even if you didn't enjoy the challenge I think that it shows great resolve (especially when an idiot like me offers you money to buy a cup of tea what was I thinking -oops) and now you're going to do "The Store Cupboard Challenge" :cool: - best of luck and now I'm off to carry on with my "Space"* challenge -see- you inspired me! thankyou so much
*Sort Purge Allocate Containerise Equalize- look at it, maybe throw it out, find it a home, and don't clutter up again!

B-J-D

wow well done!!
just joined this site and read your diary from stat to finish and want to say thank you!!!
i blew my old car up at the weekend and went to get a "new to me one"... on finance....yesterday but had a rethink...
after reading this im going to do the same as you then at the end of march i should be able to afford one, without borrowing any money!
THANK YOU

frizz2

Hi Everyone,

I am trying really hard to live within my means and save some money. I am trying to stop unnecessary spending and instead of buying... use what I have, recycle and mend.
I am going to stop buying new clothes and limit myself to Jumble Sale buys.
My goal is to pay off my overdraft and start saving!

Thanks for reading
FRIZZ:)

angelavdavis

Good luck Frizz.

I suggest you might have a go at a storecupboard challenge - I am sure you will be welcome on the March challenge if you pop over and join them. I found it really useful when I first started my MSE ways.

valk_scot

One way to stop unnecessary spending is stop going to the shops as much. Make a list and try to do one grocery shop per week, with a maximum of one top up shop if really necessary. Never go browsing round the shopping centre, go and just buy the item(s) you came for and leave.