Buy Nothing for Six Months

Thistle-down

I'm going to do it as well. I'm looking forward to this challenge!

Thriftygifty

I've just stupidly quit one of my main clients and after having a brief panic attack need to knuckle down until I get myself sorted. Need more clients I can do at home and planning on having children in the next couple of yrs so need to save save save. So I will join you . No more Costa coffees for me!! Good luck everyone

norabatty_2

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd let you know how things are going. I decided last wednesday to start the challenge. I went and put £8,000 of my savings on to the mortgage yesterday and set up a regular overpayment of £220 each month. The aim is to keep my savings stable at £28,000 over the next 6 months (excluding payments for tuition fees) while keeping up this overpayment, which means I'll need to spend approx £720 less each month (we seem to eat up about £500 of savings each month). My first task is to keep the grocery bill as low as possible. I spent the grand total of £17.17 in Mr S last Wednesday. I walked into town yesterday with LO (see, it's free to walk! and healthier too!) and checked how much points we had on my and DH's Boots cards - over £35! Have decided to buy all toiletries from Boots until all of these points have been used up. Next I went to Home Bargains and picked up 2 bags of pasta (500g each for 45p) for 90p. Then popped into Icel@and as they had a poster adverstising 2 ltrs of milk for 85p. So picked up 2 x 2 ltrs. They also had a deal on 2 loaves of premium branded bread for £1.50! Usually have to pay about £2.00 - £2.50 for this. So overall, my trip into town yesterday cost £4.10. Had to bring LO into doctors today and there was a market on in town so picked up 4 apples and 3 bananas for £1.80. This purchase of fruit has delayed my weekly shop by 2 days! :T

The task is going well enough at the moment and I'm enjoying not spending money. I saw a deal yesterday in town on a facial for £25 that I thought would be nice but quickly said no to myself and moved on.

Mistral001

I have just seen this post and I honestly thought that the OP meant being totally self-sufficent and buying nothing at all for the next six months. I wonder has anybody here ever done that. It probably is one of those 60/70's things that people used to talk about and a few would do, but it seems to have died out as even a concept.

good_advice

I walked into town today and saved £3 on buss fare there and back. It takes me about 1/2 hour to walk.
I had a few errands to do. Wondered around some shops = window shopping. Spent £0.
Picked up my FREE Sprite 500ml. with a coupon I printed off the computer this morning. The Sprite was £1.25.

Went to Iceland - had to spend £1 to use my Bonus card to print off "Summer savings vouchers". I wanted the vouchers in my hand before a big shop. Vouchers x3 with diffrent dates are £3, £3 and £4.

Washing goes on line every day, I rarely use the dryer.

My children are adults so spend there own wages. I think spending no unnecessary money would be a lot harder with school age children.

Going out is walk the dog.
I read free kindle books and also read a lot on this forum.

good_advice

Mistral001 wrote: »

I have just seen this post and I honestly thought that the OP meant being totally self-sufficient and buying nothing at all for the next six months. I wonder has anybody here ever done that. It probably is one of those 60/70's things that people used to talk about and a few would do, but it seems to have died out as even a concept.

I do not think care full food shopping and house hold bills is included?
I am using up the toiletries I have. I apply for freebies as they come up. It helps.

FrooGal_2

Mistral001 - I interpreted the OP as buying nothing more than essentials, rather than complete self sufficiency.

My personal challenge is to try not to buy anything new and to try and 'make do and mend' as much as possible (I've made myself some rules that I will share when I get the chance). Started yesterday, today was the first real challenge with a trip in to town - but I got my old sandals fixed, giving them at least another summer out and about, a new battery in my watch (which is something new, I guess, but an old battery would be a bit of a false economy...) and a GOSH baby and child care book for free. I also walked in to town and only got the bus back. Feeling good!

Thistle-down

FrooGal wrote: »

Mistral001 - I interpreted the OP as buying nothing more than essentials, rather than complete self sufficiency.

Me too.

FrooGal wrote: »

My personal challenge is to try not to buy anything new and to try and 'make do and mend' as much as possible

This is what I am doing as well. I'd love to see your rules!

Today I went to work and came home. No spending at all

Snowy_Owl

Norabatty - what's LO??? Sorry but just not come across that one before!!

I'm trying this concept def with toiletries - for me they are a major treat - I love my baths!!! I had a n-spa party here last August so stocked up and am still using up the products. (I "earned" about 30pounds of treats on top of what I spent). I'm a teacher and I got some nice handwash & bubble bath as presents. ( before anyone brings this up - all my children got a book from me as a present for Christmas out of my own pocket so it does work both ways - 28 presents does mount up but used cashback etc to help!). Class rewards at end of this term out of own pocket if needed (- sports session ( v sporty class), film with snacks provided by me (popcorn, juice). They have been earning peebles since Christmas for this)

Clothes - only go for necessities when REALLLLLLLLY necessary

Food - am trying to eat out of the freezer and will only buy the veg needed. Menu planning really helps.

Use freebies and coupons to help eek things out.

During hols, I will be using coupons and deals for eating out when occasion arises and arranging lunches here / at friends. Also looking out free / low cost places to visit. We should be able to get house-DIY started properly this summer but looking at maybe at least 1 day/afternoon out on a budget for my own sanity.

Will be watching thread with interest!!!!!!

FrooGal_2

Okay my 'rules' (more like guidelines) I can buy new food, utilities (though our leccy and gas come from a 'renewable' company) etc. We will also need to buy just a couple of new things for the womb baby at some point, but a lot we are getting secondhand. Other things I can buy 'new'

• Toiletries and cleaning products – only to be purchased when they have run out, though I am going to try and make my own and/ or responsibly source them.
• Consumables for upcycling and ‘making do’ – I don’t have an unlimited stock pile of supplies to make repairs and recycle items with. So some new items will need to be purchased. For example this week to get started I have bought some dye to revitalise some old shoes, some waterproofing for our raincoats, a watch battery, and taken a pair of sandals to the cobblers for repairing.
• Consumables for craft – where I can’t find items secondhand (charity shops are often fabulous for these), I am going to let myself buy new (and needed) craft supplies. Crafting and making is a great creative outlet for me and I can’t see me being a very happy bunny without it.
• Underwear – for obvious reasons, though I will try and seek out more ethical sources.

I think this could be fun