Your wise words...

VeggieCatLady

I am posting this because I would really appreciate a bit of help. My mum passed away suddenly earlier in the year and as I'm sure you can imagine, my life got turned upside down. I am grieving but starting to push on with life and get my moneysaving lifestyle back on track. I let myself have the odd treat to try and bring myself a bit of happiness, but now it's time to stop that. I have been reading a lot of threads here and would like to thank all of you because it has really helped motivate me.

I have decided to start off with a bit of cold turkey (ironically seeing as I am veggie!)and am having a no spend week. Today was my first day and it went well. I sorted my food cupboard out and spent a couple of hours cooking up food that needed using to make some meals for freezing.

Do you have any tips to help me stick to no spending for a week? Thanks:T

lisakay_2

so sorry for your loss xxx tips for not spending? don't go out if you're out and about take snacks/sandwiches of your own instead of buying while you're out. try to think of free activities, a trip to the library, a walk round the park(keeping an eye out for anything that could be foraged, of course), a visit to a neighbour/friend. plan your meals around what you already have in, using up the stuff with a short date on first. I'm sure you have already thought of most , if not all, of these already. If you normally go out for drinks at all, then invite everyone round to yours, byob;) xxx that'all i have right now but best of luck xx

Fruball

Hello :wave: So sorry to hear about your Mum... I lost my Dad in the summer and had a few other major life events (not good ones) so I know exactly how you feel.

What other things make you happy? Do you like crafting/reading etc? If you haven't already, why not join a library and try getting books you wouldn't usually get - you might find a new interest... If you aren't going out shopping you can spend the time sorting the house out for winter!!

THIS thread should keep you busy

Good luck with your NSW

VeggieCatLady

Thank you both :-) I'm also sorry to hear about your dad frugal.

I was literally just reading through the winter thread! It's very good. There are a few things I could be sorting out along those lines for sure. I could do with making a few of those fabric sausage things to stick by the bottom of doors but I can't think what they are called! Silly me! :-)

I live within walking distance of the town centre, so tend to go in quite a bit. I'll have to put a stop to that I think :-) I've also become quite a fan of the 'grabbit' thread which is great to save money on things but not so good if I don't need the things in the first place! :-)

After this week I intend to keep spending to a minimum and save all receipts to keep track of my spending.

meritaten

hun - Dont deny yourself a treat now and then! otherwise why on earth are you MSE? dont we do it so we can afford a little treat or luxury now and then?
it doesnt have to be expensive - but, life has to have some little moments of pleasure!

VeggieCatLady

I wil still give myself a treat now and then, but for that I have a stock of nice toiletries from Lush to use :-) I am reducing my spending because at the moment I can't afford to spend on things I don't need.

Today was my second day of not spending! All good :-)

lizzyb1812

Very sorry to hear about your loss. I'm glad that you feel able to move on a bit now.

Well done on day 2 of NSD. How to make it continue? Know what you've got. Every so often write down what's in the freezer, cupboards, etc. Collect all unused toiletries and cleaning supplies together, in separate boxes, and look in the boxes before buying new stuff (my boxes have at least a year's worth of cleaning stuff and probably more of toiletries :eek:) I've also got a box of "treat" stuff, like your Lush stuff, that I can treat myself with without spending anything.

Lots of us have lots more stuff than we think we have - just start to try to keep tabs on it and you'll be amazed how little you need to go out and buy. And if financial circumstances allow, start putting a bit of the money you would have spent on increasing amounts of food, toiletries etc towards something a bit bigger and more meaningful - I'm saving to get a decorator in to do my stairs and landing, a task I couldn't do myself without buying/hiring expensive equipment/breaking a leg!

VeggieCatLady

Thank you. You're totally right about knowing what I have. It's amazing how much stuff I have stored away in my cupboards! That's why I sorted out my food cupboard as well-now I can make use of what I have rather than buying things that duplicate what I already have. My cleaning cupboard is pretty packed full of cleaners, soaps etc and I have enough shower gels etc to last me a long time! I think my treat at the end of this week will be a lush bath bomb :-) I tend to stick to showers because of the water usage, so a nice hot bath will be a nice reward-especially now the weather is getting cold!

Sadly I cannot save at the moment. I am living off of savings due to not being able to work at the moment

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi, sounds like you have had a tough time this year so be kind to yourself. No reason not to have a treat now again so long as its not too extravagant. In fact little treats mean more when you are trying to be frugal.

For me writing it down stops me spending. I keep a spending diary and spreadsheets to keep track of my spending. This has made the world of difference for me because seeing it in black and white makes it more real. I dont really enjoy going to the shops any more because I know I cant afford anything so I dont bother!

Like you I am not working so I really try and use the time to be old style. Things like sorting out the clutter and ebaying, keeping proper financial records, mealplanning and cooking/baking, growing a few of my own veg and fruit etc all keeps me busy. Feeling bored and fed up can lead to more temptation to buy things.

Good luck with it!

VeggieCatLady

You are so right about little things meaning more when you are being frugal!

Yesterday I had to go into town to pick up my glasses (opticians originally got the prescription wrong so they put the right lenses in!). I thought I might be tempted to spend but I went straight to the library and had a good browse, taking out a few books as well. All in all it was a successful no spend day!

Today has gone well also. I've done a bit of cleaning, baking and sorting as well as taking my foster cats to get vaccinated and one neutered (paid for by the Charity).

Tomorrow will hopefully be ok as I have a medical appointment then I plan on having a restful day. :-)