Buy Nothing for Six Months

jackieblack

good_advice wrote: »

I think spending no unnecessary money would be a lot harder with school age children.

Maybe it's just that the definition of 'necessary' might be slightly different?

good_advice

necessary = unavoidable,something essential.

families bring their children up how they see best. including me.
Mine went to all sorts of clubs and holidays.

Pocket money? I gave up with this as it did not seem to work for us. I just gave out money when they were going on trips with friends, school etc...

Spendless

Snowy_Owl wrote: »

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

LO= Little One ie a young child.

jackieblack wrote: »

Maybe it's just that the definition of 'necessary' might be slightly different?

I'm one who said it isn't for me due to reasons such as children. I'm an adult my clothes fit (bar losing/gaining weight). I can wear what's in my wardrobe for years before they drop to pieces. The same isn't true of growing children. You may have more luck sticking to no buying of children's clothes if you don't have a school age child (or if you home educate) and get by on hand me downs and places like freecycle but that's harder if you are buying specific school uniform especially if you have a Secondary school age child. The same is true of school supplies. I've never had to provide as much as a pencil for the Primary school years, that's not the case for yr7 onwards when they need specific stationery, calculators (make recommended by school as that's the one teacher will be using and showing kids how to) memory stick, art supplies. Amongst the stuff I've needed to buy for my 13yo this year is an art canvas and acrylic paints. I have neither hanging about my house, even if buying cheaply, which I did (I went to Home Bargains) there is still a cost to it, which wouldn't be there without children requiring these items. Transport costs too if your child doesn't live within walking distance of the school and school trips. Is it fair to deny a child a chance to go on a trip with friends because you are on a self imposed no-pend period rather than you genuinely can't afford it (which is a different matter).

Did anyone watch 'Something for Nothing' on tv last night (it was either Ch4 or 5 can't remember). Didn't see from the beginning.

good_advice

Morning Spendless. YES, I watched "Something for nothing". I was on Chanel 4, 8-9pm and said to be on again next Tuesday.

I watched it by having the tv on at the right time and looking to pick from the channels guide.

I sat and took some notes as they gave out lots of advice and web pages to look at.

Here are my notes =
Collages for free hair cuts and beauty (mine do charge a fee, not that I have ever been).

www.artlist.com for a free glass of wine and snacks wile admiring the paintings and art work.

Soft launch dinner = I was invited to one of these years ago for a newly opening Indian restaurant.
It is an invitation to sample food in newly opening restaurants and then you will hopefully spread how good their food is.

champagneforlife.com = ladies having x1 free glass.

www.swishing.co.uk = clothes swapping

Recommend doing competitions for 1 hour every day = I use to do this and should go back to it . I have won many things, but nothing large like tv, holidays .....

Pensioners free bus pass

101things to do in England
www.daysout.com

The guy also put on a free party in a community centre with donations of free samples of food from local food places and x2 free kegs of beer and other drinks.
My feelings was that it was all FREE because of the TV presence :0?

People could watch it on catch up? it was a good program.

FrooGal_2

good_advice wrote: »

The guy also put on a free party in a community centre with donations of free samples of food from local food places and x2 free kegs of beer and other drinks.
My feelings was that it was all FREE because of the TV presence :0?

Having tried to get donations for community events, this was my feeling as well.

There were some good ideas in it, but I didn't really see how it differed from C4's usual SuperScrimpers

good_advice

I remember a program about doing up homes for people and the tv guy had to source the items needed for free. I thought he only got the things because the shop would look good on TV.

jackieblack

Spendless wrote: »

I'm one who said it isn't for me due to reasons such as children. I'm an adult my clothes fit (bar losing/gaining weight). I can wear what's in my wardrobe for years before they drop to pieces. The same isn't true of growing children. You may have more luck sticking to no buying of children's clothes if you don't have a school age child (or if you home educate) and get by on hand me downs and places like freecycle but that's harder if you are buying specific school uniform especially if you have a Secondary school age child. The same is true of school supplies. I've never had to provide as much as a pencil for the Primary school years, that's not the case for yr7 onwards when they need specific stationery, calculators (make recommended by school as that's the one teacher will be using and showing kids how to) memory stick, art supplies. Amongst the stuff I've needed to buy for my 13yo this year is an art canvas and acrylic paints. I have neither hanging about my house, even if buying cheaply, which I did (I went to Home Bargains) there is still a cost to it, which wouldn't be there without children requiring these items. Transport costs too if your child doesn't live within walking distance of the school and school trips. Is it fair to deny a child a chance to go on a trip with friends because you are on a self imposed no-pend period rather than you genuinely can't afford it (which is a different matter).

I quite agree
As a parent, I would consider clothes and shoes for growing children and any school related expenses as essential.
Hence the slightly different definition of 'essential expenditure' to someone without children

good_advice

What little things is every one doing today?

So far I have printed off a £1 voucher for Clover spread from facebook - came in my email account

Looked @ all freebie sites that I use

£3 voucher from Co-op membership v postie

washing on line and my hair dried with out dryer help, so electric saving

Checked bedrooms after people go out and unplug, electric saving.

Put another FREE book on kindle, recommended one.

Said No to some guy knocking on the door touting for Zenith windows.

Whats for dinner - using stuff from freezer and fridge = grilled burgers in rolls with salad tonight.

Used a freebie toothpaste this morning and the shampoo and conditioner bottle 300ml cost me just 16p that I used today. The shampoo 2 in 1 was half price and then used a £1 off voucher so ended up paying just 16p. Thea was a couple of weeks age so offer has gone now.

Used a money back voucher last night in Tesco for £1.16 off next shopping bill. I love my vouchers

Spendless

I started watching Something for Nothing around the time he was getting the free sip of champagne. I also wondered about the amount of stuff he got for the party. There were more drinks there than just the beer from the brewery and more food than the pizza.

We have recently started going to a local micro brewerys 'open days' Though not free I had 3 halfs of cider (2 rhubarb) and a glass of wine, husband had 4 real ales, it cost under £20 and I've never known us drunk so cheaply. Makes you wonder [STRIKE]how much water is added [/STRIKE]why you don't get drink as quick in the pub. We staggered home, munched a take away and collapsed to bed, telling teen to sort himself out.

Husband did ask owner about buying barrels but he said he was restricted by what and when he could sell due to licensing laws but to keep a look out on his facebook page.


Happy to share what freebies and money off items I've got today even though as said I'm not joining in.

I picked up some travel samples of toothpaste from dentis gave them to Mr S for his washkit when he works away o/night. Also a mini soap they were giving away in a shopping mall, I refused them trying to do my nails and flog me stuff and got asked 'so you are just taking the free sample'. That'll be a yes. :rotfl:

Ordered some funfair vouchers using T*sco clubcard for daughter and her friend when DD goes on hol with mate first week of school hols (I'm working f-time that week, so it's free childcare for me too -though I'll contribute to her costs.:T)

I buy a voucher book for my area each year (my hints to receive it as a pressie didn't work ). It costs me £20 but in it are loads of bogof deals and money off specific to my area (we are poorly served by groupon), so yesterday me and a friend had a buffet breakfast which included all drinks, we had 2 lattes each for £8.25 total due to a bogof deal. I've just been through it again as me and dh have been sorting out hol childcare and there's vouchers in there for a free nights camping at a pitch not far from home and a free watersports session and game of blowling so will be making use of these during summer hols.

Thistle-down

Rode my bike to the bank rather than paying £1.40 to park.

Bought lemons at the market so I didn't have to venture into the supermarket.

Resisted buying anything in the Holland & Barret sale.

Stayed out of the charity shops. I have enough clothes. I don't need another bargain.

Rummaged through my music drawer and found that I have enough guitar strings to last me at least 6 months, if not longer. They are not all my current favourite brand but will do just fine.

Leftovers for dinner tonight.

Felt smug at all my non-spending. :beer: