no spending for a year?

Penelope_Penguin

As this isn't an Old Style topic, I'll move it ot the Budgetting Board

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[Deleted User]

I don't buy cd's as I haven't the time to listen to them I also don't bother with DVDs for the same reason I am pretty good with my food budget and although I budget for £100.00 per month 9 times out of 10 I have cash left over which goes into my holiday fund.I don't smoke and rarely drink.My evenings are usually spent knitting ,reading ,listening to the wireless or watching t.v. My DD treats me to theatre tickets for my birthday as a rule, and I have a cinema's exhibitors ticket which means if I go to the cinema (not often nowadays as too many rubbishy films are on ) I split a ticket with my friend as I get two tickets for the price of one.I lead a very busy life with my grandsons as I am their main carer before and after school In fact my eldest DGS phoned yesterday and asked if I was interested in an Ipad an unwanted present that his pal had been given for £300.00.I said not much point as I really haven;'t got the time to use one .My days are far too busy to sit playing games as such (although I do play with the boys after school)So if it was just social spending I think I could probably do it .Library books are free along with swimming (for me as I am a pensioner )A walk in the park costs nothing, and is one of my favourite occupations ,even if the weather is cold I am wrapped up warm and take a flask with me .Its possible to have quite a bit of fun in life without having to spend a great deal, I certainly do.But of course I look after my four young grandsons and they are extremely entertaining

YORKSHIRELASS

I also think this is an interesting idea, not only from a financial perspective but also from the point of just living a simpler life. I bet we could all learn something by doing it for a few months.

Because of our financial situation we have given up buying books/magazines/cds/dvds/alcohol/new clothes and have done without these things for the past year. We never go out unless its a Christmas or Birthday treat.

We do allow a small amount in our budget for treats though and do have very basic camping holidays. Our treats are much simpler now though and much more appreciated because they arent as extravagant. Even a bag of Doritos and Dips to share on a Saturday night or a bar of chocolate feels like a luxury and thats actually quite nice.

katieowl_2

7_week_wonder wrote: »

This is another book on the subject that is worth a read. I got it a couple of years back and re read it from time to time. I'll be interested to hear back from people if they give it a go.

Oooh that is one I haven't read! *adds to wishlist*

I can recommend both The Moneyless man, and How I lived a year on just a pound a day as good reads...there is something to be taken from both, although the reasons for their experiments were different. But for goodness sake - not worth £££s - especially to one of the already frugal gang who hang out on these boards, there won't be much Kath does that you haven't already thought of. Also Kath and Mark both single, which must make it one hell of a lot easier IMHO. I can't imagine how you would manage not to spend anything with kiddlywinks in tow.

I did say that my new years resolution was that I wasn't going to buy any more books until I've worked through my unread stash...that probably wouldn't be a year, as I do read a lot, but I'd imagine I'd get to the summer? (I'm already hatching a plan that might involve a kindle ) DD's resolution is not to buy any more clothes for a year...and I'd HATE to de-rail that!

Kate

adamc260

sam.4000 wrote: »

The book is a small fortune for a mere £302.91
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lived-Year-Just-Pound-Day-Kelly-Kath-/140656138107?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item20bfc2577b

Or for £200
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Lived-Year-Just-Pound/dp/1906593124/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325197348&sr=1-1

Now we know how she lived on £1 a day, she sold her books for £300

spookybuffy

i went out to asda's today where they have a load of chocolate on sale. selection boxes for £1 - £1.50, coins 55p, mini santas 25p, boxes of chocolates £1, chocolate balls 25p and popped into thorntons and they had 4 chocolate lolly's for £1. spent about £10 and i checked the dates. plus i still have alot of christmas lush left over, which some have 2013 dates on them. so through out the year my two young monkeys have still got chocolate. mummy wont but they will

now im writting down all the dates so i can arrange them for when they come out of the locked away cupboard.

off topic, how do you change your signature on here?

determined_new_ms

very inspiring idea. I'd love to say I could do it but probably wouldn't be able to! I'm planning a month of not spending anything from Sunday, but have been looking into free entertainment, I couldn't do nothing the temptation to spend would be too great

Derivative

It depends what you mean by 'spending'.
If you mean living in the wilderness and hunting as you can't pay rent or utility bills then probably not.

If you include food, rent, utilities, work expenses such as public transport or car/petrol, it becomes a lot easier.

Once you start to include things like Sky as one poster has, it's pretty much trivial, surely. What are you spending your money on? In the last two months, all I've bought that was non 'essential' by that criteria is presents for the family.

spookybuffy

The rules i made for myself so far!

---

1. only purchase REGULAR grocery items and household supplies.
2. still pay for medical and dental items if needed.
3. have an allowance of £2 month spending money for gifts. That will cover any extra supplies needed to make, or obtain second-hand the gifts. if you dont spend it one month then yourl have £4 next month o spend on gifts.
4. have £10 month allowance to spend per child for school related purchases/books/fundraisers, etc. Remenber school pta try to get you to pay for everything they do. Dont feel bad if you say NO once and a while or if theres a money box give a couple of coppers.
5. walk! dont take a bus. its healther! lose calores and not your coins!
6. Money for the ‘unexpected’ happenings. e.g washing marshine bracking down, fine but dont buy a lush one or buy second-hand.
7. fixed living expenses WILL still be paid for.
8. pay off debt whenever I deem reasonable.
9. I must track my progress, IT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD SEEING THE ££££ GO UP.
10. All decisions based around money will be based on logic, and not emotion.
11. Think about what you want to spend the money on. write it in your purse and around the house in places so your always reminded why your doing this. in this it be easyer to say no.
12. DONT BUY books! you can rent them or go to my local free book shop or read them free online.

rubytuesday

7_week_wonder wrote: »

This is another book on the subject that is worth a read. I got it a couple of years back and re read it from time to time. I'll be interested to hear back from people if they give it a go.

Ooh I looked at one but the reviews weren't so good so I got the other one.

Perhaps I should try get it from the library - thanks.