no spending for a year?

rubytuesday

Very interesting post Malory thank you.

Do you think their out look was affected by the Depression?

Bluemeanie_2

I encourage everyone to do a google search. I often search "free days out in Midlands" and get some interesting results. Most museums are free. There may be a few local ones about that you may have not noticed before. I completely agree though, they are not as good as London's though! Not as much going on! Do you have children? We go around various parks as the play equipment is different at everyone and take a packed lunch (we would eat regardless so do not count that as an expense). Do you like reading? Sad as it sounds I like to pass time in the local library. Taking in the atmosphere and browsing through random books/subjects I would ordinarily not look at.
One thing I enjoy doing with friends is playing board games at home! Love monoply and if you haven't already got it sure it can be invested in very cheaply 2nd hand.

Just a few suggestions for cheap stuff.

Bluemeanie_2

I am half joining for January, Feb and March.

By half joining, this is what I am cutting back on:

No takeaways
1 meal out a week
No clothes/shoes/bags at all.
Cinema only on Tues or Weds.
No Tesco meal deals every day. Packed lunches only.

For this main reason:

To plough off even more money off the mortgage while rate is still low.

I get Feb and March "Free" (you know what I mean) for water and council tax. So I will be OP this £150 extra rather than wasting it on junk.

rubytuesday

I am going to join for January too.

I had a mini spend of unneccassaries yesterday to get it out of my system of a cushion cover I've wanted for ages which was in the sale and some pretty towels.

I won't be giving up my meals out though but then I don't usually pay.

Ooh it will be so hard not rummaging in the Charity shop!

rubytuesday

On the subject of board games I bought balderdash for Christmas.

Ooh my goodness I have not laughed so much in ages!

Kerfuffle

Hi everybody,

Well I've done a very small shop today, I only had 7 items on the list and I came out with 8 items so there was an impulse buy, but it was food so I'm not feeling too much guilt.

I'm doing the 2012 Frugal Living Challenge so any groceries that I use that were purchased in 2011 I'm 'buying' back from myself and the money is going to help pay down my debt, but it also means that I'm keeping a better record of my 2012 spends. In doing all of this it's really making me think twice about what I think I need and what I already have hence only 7 items on my shopping list. (I say all this, bearing in mind it is only the 2nd Jan):rotfl:

For Christmas this year we bought the game 'Taboo', oh my goodness, the pressure to think quickly, :rotfl:(Me and my son did win though :T)

twirly09

I've subcribed to your thread this sounds intresting good luck¬¬

rubytuesday

Nearly gave in already tonight but resisted!

loobylou232

Love the sound of this and I desperately need to stamp dfown the consumer in me. I have done it before out of necessity but have gone back to work after 7 years as a housewife and have enjoyed having money again. Splurge over now though - give me strength y'all!

loobylou232

So how are we doing? I spent 67p today but tbh that wasn't necessary - crisps and water to bulk up lunch. I have to make sure i cover work snacks properly. I am really determined to knuckle down now!