Not Buying It- A Consumer Holiday 2016

mavvymoo

Afternoon Shipmates

I am still aboard and not needing that life belt yet

Clothes are my weakness and I can very proudly say I spent nothing on any kind of clothes,shoes,boots last month.

I am enjoying the challenge to be honest and reading all your posts helps so much :T I have money still left in my purse that I drew out in mid Jan which is unheard of for me Its addictive and I am only buying what I need and thinking about that !

Mav x

ThriftyJeans

Hi everyone, well here we are the start of another NBI month, can't believe how quickly January went!
Last month I did pretty well, most days were NSD, however I went up to Cheshire Oaks with the boyfriend yesterday and bought a few things in the Superdry shop. It's an outlet shop so prices are considerably less than the RRP and I had some money left over from Christmas which I was saving for when I went up there, so technically I didn't spend money from my monthly budget. Still felt guilty spending it, I think I just don't like parting with money!
Made herb crusted Pollock with sweet potato fries the other day, tasted all the better knowing it was all ingredients that I had in the house. Looking forward to seeing what other things I can make. Oooh which reminds me, my work is having a potluck supper next week and we all have to bring a dish, does anyone have any frugal recipes/ideas on what I could take?

Saw a quote this morning and thought it was pertinent to this thread:
" Everytime you spend money you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want." - Anna Lappe.

Lou :-)

savingpennies

chirpycheap wrote: »

Great to read everyone's comments. It really keeps me motivated.
A pretty productive day today.
I sorted out my jewellery and have put a lot into a bag for the charity shop. It was virtually unwearable as it was all a big tangled mess.Is jewellery actually alive? How does it tie itself in knots in my jewellery box? After untangling it all I put up a couple of hooks to hang the long necklaces on and put the more delicate necklaces into little voile bags that I acquired several centuries ago and had up until today failed to find a use for!

This morning I made a vegetable stew using up some mushrooms and peppers and beans which I will just 'ting' at teatime. There will be enough to feed the freezer too. I seem to have a custard mountain so we will be having bananas and custard for dessert for the forseeable future!

I started my very first online course today (Literature and mental well being) with Future Learn. I read about these free online courses in last years NBI thread but I can't for the life of me remember who it was that mentioned Future Learn but if you are reading this thank you. I am absolutely loving waking up my tired old brain and doing something different with my time.

Snap, I've signed up for the same one. I love futurelearn and have done a few of their courses and all for free. The trouble is there are lots of interesting ones and it's difficult to choose which ones not to do!

I did go out spending today in £land but not on anything impulsive: two black currant bushes and some potato growing sacks. I do find £land a dangerous place to go. I think 'oh it's only a pound' and get to the till and suddenly that's £20 gone. Today I had a good look round for future reference (dog chews, shower gel, disinfectant) to compare prices and then just bought what I wanted.

bexster1975

Hello all.

I did mention future learn last year, so it may or may not have been me!

I am currently starting week five of managing your money ( guide to investments) but have done liads of their courses.

Hope everyone is well and NBI!

Bexster

Aril

Day 32/366 I've done several of the Futurelearn courses- they're a great idea aren't they! I've managed another NSD today. Last week's rummagings in the cupboard yielded a huge bag of crystallised ginger and a tin of veg soup that I bought accidentally ages ago. To fill the oven I made a batch of ginger rock buns [just replaced the usual quantity of dried fruit with the same amount of ginger] and a mushroom toad in the hole with the soup used as gravy. Have been to another local cafe today [going out for coffee with friends or family is one thing I really do enjoy] but dear chum paid this time as we take it in turns. We discovered today that they do a cracking good deal on coffee and cake after 2pm. We swapped a load of mags which have been passed on to us by other people and made plans to do some more walks together. Mr GBT and I have been for a walk tonight- good free exercise. Arilx

mirry

Here I am again, reporting in for duty:D

Well what a busy month January was, I made every effort not to spend lots on our food shop, spending £25 a week instead of the usual £90 for four adults and 1 fur baby.
Luckily I had two freezers full of YS food and a nectar card with £20 on it which helped a lot.

We also had some spends,
We had to visit my daughters chosen future uni, and had to stay in a hotel for the night which I booked on quidco for £49 and then realised I had £29 to claim back so grabbed that
We had a meal out £40, petrol there and back £60 :eek:

We also booked two camping holidays for the year paying deposits on both £80.

But no silly spends, totally in control and it feels good

tooties

I think i spent money every single day in January,

February is a new leaf for me

here goes

Lynplatinum

Ahoy there!

chirpycheap - what an excellent idea for those little bags!! I have some which are so pretty I have been loathe to part with and was thinking of them for regifting - but most of my friends are now at the stage where they want consumable presents which dont fit into them - now I have a use for them!! :A
Thrifty Jeans - love that quote!
Tooties - Enstien said 'He who never made a mistake never made anything' Climb back on board the good ship NBI for inspiration and help. My biggest tip for NSDs is to only put x amount each week in a purse. Everytime you want to spend look in - have you got enough to get to the end of the week??? I carry my card with me AND NEVER USE it but its there for emergencies only but in the days before I was strong enough I used carry an emergency tenner instead!

Well, I did go food shopping today and came out of L!dil with 2 full bags having spent the princely sum of £7.53 :j This will keep me going for about 2 weeks!! Why did I used to spend about £50 a week and never have' anything in the house to eat'???? Always cooked from scratch but kept to recipes instead of adapting to what I had in!

In the NBI spirit today have been trawling round my mortgage companies to find out that some are no longer lending and others want min salary of £25,000 to consider any changes!!! One more to go and we will see what I can do there tomorrow (have 2 buy to let mortgages on my tenanted houses - it doesnt make me a fortune as there seems to be an endless stream of repairs!! But it allows me to work only 4-6 hours most days i.e. be semi retired
Am planning to tackle Bt tomorrow as well! Wish me joy!
Nite all

firesidemaid

Lyn P - also really enjoyed that film 'Now You See Me'


Chirpy Cheap (and others) thanks for the FutureLearn tip


WildThing - re. cars, investigate ALL options...leasing isn't for me as we have pets (usually a no no etc) and I do a lot of miles for which you have to pay more for...


As regards buying a new car, I don't always think they are a bad deal - it depends how much you pay in the first place. I always imagine a car lasting 10 years and divide the cost by 10 to give a cost per annum. I bought my car for 7k new, but couldn't have got a 1 yo car for £6,300 or a 2 yo one for £5,600, so am happy with my deal.


Also factor in freebies such as roadside assistance, insurance, servicing deals and the cost of road tax varies widely.

firesidemaid

I know we are NBI, but for all those who might spend at Sainsbobs Fri-Sun, they are doing a nectar points giveaway (min 200 points upwards) on a £10 spend, including petrol.


NO limits on visits etc, but some exclusions on the usual purchases and sbobs locals, centrals & certain petrol stations.


https://livewellforless.sainsburys.co.uk/swipe-and-win-terms-and-conditions/