Not Buying It- A Consumer Holiday 2016

dND

tooties wrote: »

I think i spent money every single day in January,

February is a new leaf for me

here goes

As the saying goes, "sh!te happens!" :rotfl: Sometimes 'things' just happen like that tooties. What I find I have to do then is tell myself to not use it as an excuse to spend even more :eek: If I've had a big spend month, I now like to go over just what I have spent and see if any of it was really unnecessary and see how to modify my spending in the future.

Currently started a spend month - all will be revealed next month as I don't broadcast future plans on social media (sorry but just don't trust it) But it is all on considered spends

Future learn and Corsera are both great - I got most of the way through my courses last year but then spring/summer kicked in and I just didn't have the time to spare It is another want to add to the list for when I return to the UK

Good luck in February to all shipmates :beer:

Aril

Day 33/366 Spent today on three more tickets for the mobile cinema as I want to see The Lady in the Van.This time I bought direct though so didn't incur a booking fee woohoo! Beyond that a day off spent with a chum walking her dog in the woods and enjoying the sunshine and chat. I've made a pan of dal this evening accompanied by some naan bread which I bought reduced and froze. 2 between three of us are ample.
Arilx

blackcatsx2

Today I emptied my £1 saving pot and bagged up the contents ready to bank. There was £250 in there! Previously I would have spent this money on all sorts of treats for myself on the basis that it was some sort of personal bonus money. This year, I genuinely can't think of anything I need or even anything I want (cos needs and wants are different I've learned from the lovely people on this thread).
So I will bank the money and move it to my savings. This is such a change of behaviour for me and all inspired by Not Buying It!

eandjsmum

well done blackcatsx2

Not spending today was going food shopping but don't think it would be a good idea to go out with a cough. I'll see what tomorrow brings.

RicardaRacoon

Evening everyone

I've spent some money yesterday on a set of interchangable knitting needles as I needed sizes I don't have yet. But I see it as an investment as I know I will get so much use out of it.
Got a lovely ball of white Rowan yarn from a friend on Sunday which she bought for a project but found that it isn't elastic enough. It will now be turned into a knitted sheep and then go back to her for her kids.

blackcats well done on resisting the temptation to spend the money. Maybe you will be happy that you put it aside as you will be able to use it for a need or a wish that is better than small stuff that gets easily forgotten.

Lyn, did your mortgage-appointment was sucessful?

Savingpennies, I know the temptation of cheap stuff and I guess they know that they can make money out of that temptation....

I have a huge pan of pumpkin soup on the hob which I just cooked up, had on a simmer for 10 min and then switched the hob off, lid on the pan and let it stand there until things are completely through and ready to blizz. Now just need to finish it off and have lunch for tomorrow ready plus a couple of servings for the freezer.
Also already cooked potatos and leek for tomorrows dinner so that all I have to do is pack it into the ofen with some cheese, milk and an egg as something inspired by WWII homity pie.

have a nice evening everyone

wildthing01

Hello all, not posted for a day or two as been v busy/knackered etc, but am feeling a bit less on a downer today, so am back in the swing!

Asda customer service have got back to me (surprisingly quickly) about my complaint regarding them charging 50% more for a girls' stationery set than for the identical (apart from colour) boys' version (complaint was along the lines of sexist pricing) and their response was positive on two fronts: 1. they are looking into why the products are different prices, and they cannot see why they should be - although what's the betting they come back with some carp like 'pink plastic is more expensive to make than blue' or similar....
2. they are very kindly refunding me the difference I paid for the girls' sets, via gift card - very pleased as I did not ask for this and did not complain to get a refund, more to highlight the breach to the Equality Act (I'm an Equality and Diversity Lead at work, among many other things!). It's only £1.50, so not a massive amount, but it's the principle and I'm pleased they've acknowledged it.

Today DH came home from work with four boxes of dishwasher tabs, given away free to staff as they have refurbed the kitchen - not sure why this means they need to get rid of lots of dishwasher tabs, but hey-ho! Also massive bottle of rinse aid, but need to work out where that goes - have never used it before!

Have also today managed to get about £60 'worth' of essentials from boots for about £30 (I use the term 'worth' advisedly - I don't actually think it was worth any more than the £30 I paid) using a combination of 3 for 2s, manufacturers coupons, 10% contact lens scheme discount and some apparently random price reductions, plus also double points. All stuff I use every day, so worth buying in bulk to get the 3 for 2s.

Also used some points to get tub of melon chunks for brekkie which ended up being lunch too. Luckily my meeting this pm had lots of biscuits, else would have collapsed! So only 1 of my 5 a day today.

Lyn, I didn't know men's razors were cheaper - I've not used women's razors for years, since I ran out one day and used DH's and discovered his was far smoother and kinder to my skin - I have to buy my own men's ones now as he hates me blunting his with leg hairs though!!!!!

Thanks all for the advice re cars, esp Firesidemaid and Lyn. I can tell DH would like a cool car (currently has an old skoda), but I need to make sure he considers all options. I have a lease car through work (as an 'essential' car user) and it works out great for me - mostly because someone else has to remember to sort out all the boring tax, insurance etc, plus we get a nice car big enough for family holidays etc for a subsidized price. We have been looking at lease car options but I like the idea of a cost per annum calculation..... Here's hoping it gets through the MOT though!!!

Thriftyjeans, I too love your quote and will think of it every time I go to buy something. This is kind of why I've kicked up a fuss with asda - I haven't the time or energy for a political career, but I feel the need to do what I can on a very small scale to try and right some wrongs and change some very tiny bits of the world!

wildthing01

Just had to post as am watching SuperShoppers on catch up and horrified by the utter rubbish companies are pulling to get us to Buy It. There's an item on all the fake pseudo-science and 'fake' branding (large anonymous conglomerates buying the rights to famous brand names to put on products that have nothing to do with that brand in real life - I never knew this happened till recently) to try and sell hairdryers - people are paying for hair dryers with tiny scraps of diamond in, in the belief that they make your hair shinier by ionising it. A scientist has just explained why this is not actually possible and any tiny effects would only last during the actual blow-dry.

tatabubbly

Day for housework today, and eating B/L/D out of stores!

Won't be spending till Friday hopefully as me and OH are taking ourselves out for a long and leisurely lunch in a local hotel. OH is doing well at his new job and wanted to celebrate so I thought I'd let him. He's working so hard and I know it's for the both of us so it is appreciated.

Other than that, had a bad night sleep to be woken by neighbors dogs having a barking competition outside. Glad I don't have to venture into town as I honestly don't have the energy.

[Deleted User]

blackcatsx2 well done on resisting spending.Its just a case of adjusting ideas to suit yourself really.Think how well you have done as you say yourself you would probably have blown it all.:):):)

Third NSD for me today as DD is off so I am indoors just pottering around today,the weather is looking a bit grim and I have nothing to buy anyway.
I have a couple of leeks to use up so soup making looks a distinct possibility.

Going to sort out my tinned stuff today and may make a veggie curry with some of them I have some dented tins of chickpeas and tomatoes that cost me pennies back before Christmas so they will get used

well done everyone on of all of your efforts.

GrannyKate

Fell off the wagon slightly this morning but not too badly. New cardigan/jacket for interview Friday - will team with existing items from KMd wardrobe. Confidence boost really. In Debs sale so 20% off. Also got slacks in m&s sale using Christmas gift voucher. Outfit for GS birthday next month and couple of other small clothing bits for GCs. Replaced small Pyrex measuring mug which got broken last week. We do use this one a lot.

There are some bits to go from wardrobe which I have not worn in last 6 months.