No spending for a year ???

chevalier

Well done on taking control. It can be scary to do. I get you with the food stuff, you think but what if there's an emergency and we have no food at home.... Or is that just me lol. Anyway I hope all you spent today was the price of some coffees. Good luck
chev

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

I'm back........
........and I did ok!!!!
Well I was kindly treated to coffee & lunch by my DM so managed a no spend in that respect but I saw a shirt for DD2 that was perfect in the sale for a fiver so decided to use the £5 I had allocated for coffee for that instead.
The upshot being I did spend a fiver when I could have saved it but it was an amount I had already 'agreed with myself' to spend!!!
WOO HOO - what's happening to me!!! I'm actually getting the hang of this 'thinking through' spending, normally I would have blown at least £30 on very things I probably would 'like' but not 'need'
I'm very pleased with myself!!!
Thank you for popping in this afternoon chev & asparagus with your support, meal plans have been made using the contents of my cupboards, I'm sure i'll begin to sweat a bit as the cupboards become less cluttered as I too panic I would have enough in the case of an emergency (I thought that was just me!!)
Must get on with some [EMAIL="eb@ying"]eb@ying[/EMAIL] tonight!!
Lou xx

1974nicola

Well done Lou! I also was treated to lunch today. Nice. Bought a few birthday cards 3 for 2. I often overspend because I leave things to the last minute so I feel it was the right thing to do. Also bought a new diary. That is a must for me - busy life, crazy empty head.......

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

Hello lovely people, hope you are all having a great day
Nicola, hope you had a lovely lunch yesterday and well done on the card buying, similarly to you I always leave everything to the last minute (poor planning & vaguely knowing when friends/family birthdays etc are and in turn end up nearly missing them - note to self, start an occasion/birthday book to be ahead of the game) wish I was more like my DM in that respect (very organised!!) as she buys all of her cards in January for the whole year!!
Ooh that also reminds me, I had previously bought lots of cards that are dotted around in drawers and boxes in the attic, I remember lots are kids birthday cards that are no use to me now as DD's are older now, so again I must get them all together, sort out what I no longer need (give to friends with young children) and then I'm sure I'll rarely have to buy a card for the year!!!
Am I the only one who buys a card in advance, can't find it when I need it and then end up having to buy another.............
Diet plan has been absolutely shockingly rubbish today - very compulsive rather than steady and well thought out, I was giving myself until tomorrow until I started the plan 100% and subconsciously I think I must be stock piling for when the famine comes, lololol !!
Gotta pop off now, hope to pop back later
Lou xx

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

Woo hoo - food shopping came in at £54.50, skimming £20 off usual amount, didn't have to spend as much on petrol either, so a total of £35 that won't be added to the overdraft, yay!!

Back later!!:D

Lou xx

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

Good afternoon lovely people,


So, can I make £10 last until Friday???


That's the amount I currently have left from this week's allocated cash spends, if I can manage without spending any more over the week then it means more money not added to the overdraft (woo hoo!!)
I can't envisage any major spends this week but then the best laid plans and all that so will hope for the best!!
Anyway, back to today, as with most of us juggling work, children, friends, family and life , my time at home is at an absolute premium but I find myself with a couple of hours today with which I can get to grips with some house stuff, so (once I leave here...) I'm intending to hit the housework and hope there is a little bit of 'sorting' time left.
I've realised since beginning the diary It's not just about the debt, it's about peace of mind and clarity.
All too often my mind is overwhelmed with stress and worry about paying this and that, unexpected expenses cropping up, 'what if' this or that happens what will we do, to be able to think just about 'normal everyday' worries would be emotionally winning the lottery.
Also clutter, I need to shed the shroud of stuff, although as mentioned previously my house is very tidied and ordered on the surface behind cupboard doors, in drawers, attic etc lies a wealth of 'things', it's scary getting rid of possessions as I've attached such worth to things in the past, I've realised what I own doesn't define me but it's a huge emotional wrench.
I'm being shown a glimmer of clarity with every drawer or bag I sort & once it's all done I am NEVER going down the 'hoarding' road again, it's a too painful one!
Will report back later,
Lou xx

1974nicola

Sound similar to me no spending for a year. The constant cloudy thoughts and indecision because I am unsure if we can commit to a night out or new toaster because what will happen if......I think my husband doesn't get how it's been affecting my thinking. I'm trying to explain it to him just now. I'm going to use your phrase "emotionally winning the lottery" I think that sums it up precisely. This will be my year to win my own lottery.
Best of luck to us!

enthusiasticsaver

"Only buy essentials" is a great idea and another one is "research before you buy" so you know what you are getting is a good deal and also the time spent doing the research means you have had time to think about whether the item you are purchasing is "essential" or just "desirable".


Regarding your food cupboards, I actually like mine being half empty because I can then see what is in there and rarely have to throw away out of date food. Of course it does sometimes mean "creative food choices" I also refuse to buy a third item of something similar until one has been used up so I can get the idea of not buying peanut butter until all the honey or jam is gone. Two of one thing gives an alternative but three often means one is ignored and eventually ditched. It also reminds you not to buy something that hangs around for ages - cereal is a classic one of these.


Good luck on your challenge. Will pop in from time to time to see how you are getting on.

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

How can I nearly be Monday again!!! Boo!!
Nicola, I know exactly what you mean (in fact I refused an night out invitation on Saturday as I just couldn't justify any amount of money being added to the overdraft) it's hard to keep on track and have a life but this year I'm having to put my spending life on hold without my friends and family actually realising (as I find the whole situation quite embarrassing) inevitably close friends know we have scaled back lots but they don't really know the reasons behind it.
Enthusiastic saver, thank you for the great ideas, I completely agree about being able to see what you have in half filled cupboards, I'll let you know when I reach that point!!!
Well off to do the Sunday night jobs (school uniforms, packed lunches, work stuff etc)
Lou xx

asparagus1968

hi there, should practice what I preach- 3 jars of mint sauce in store here! What makes it worse is that I have mint growing in the garden , well, in summer I do.


just finished my sunday night jobs:)


tip of the day from me- I now make up 5 days worth of lunch rolls and freeze them, just take them out day by day, they are fully defrosted by lunchtime.I love not making packed lunches every day!


here's to a good week for us all x