Back in September last year, I attempted ‘No Spend September’ & failed miserably but what it did do was that it really made me really think about what I was spending money on & how most of it was completely pointless.
I’ve decided, a year (& a month) on, to take on the challenge again but this time with a slight twist. This will give Mr THTMM (who’s doing it too) & I a bit of a boost just before Christmas.
Our main outgoings are food/drink (so this should help our waistlines too, we go out for lunches with friends a lot & are suckers for a takeaway), homeware (I’ve got an issue guys, if someone knows an interiors anonymous support group then please sign me up) & just ‘popping’ into places like Home Bargains where you go in for soap & come out with half the contents of the shop.
The rules are relatively simple; no spending on anything that isn’t essential. But what exactly classes as essential because I’ve been known to class candles as an ‘investment’ & talk my way out of buying £200 artificial flowers.
Essentials are –
- Mortgage/rent – for us this is £720 PCM
- Bills/utilities – for us this is around £350 PCM
- Grocery shopping – for us this is around £320 PCM. NO sneaking in clothes/magazines/homeware though!! Food only.
- Petrol – for us this is around £50 PCM
- Nursery fee’s – for us this is around £150 PCM
- Other – Sky/Netflix/life insurance etc – for us this is around £60 PCM
My one twist this year to this challenge (mainly because I was completely miserable at the concept of not being able to buy ANYTHING & I may NEED some fresh blooms & some white mini pumpkins which only cost a few £££ but are, as part of the challenge, off limits as Autumn decor probably isn’t an ‘essential’ booooo) is that you can spend….as long as you earn it from selling things around your home.
So, this will also encourage decluttering. No cupboard, drawer or wardrobe shall be left untouched by the end of October when we’re all feeling desperate & needing a bit of retail therapy. Old clothes that are too small should be whacked on Ebay, unwanted toys on Gumtree & the odd car boot sale shall be held.
Our houses will be empty & our bank accounts full…just in time for Christmas when we’ll all be poor again & our houses will be full of tat.
Are you going to take on the challenge with me? Let me know how you’re doing & if you succeed by hash tagging #THTMMnospendchallenge
Love,
I really want to do this, but I’m scared of it ? What about half term?! Is soft play essential? We’re spending ours in Cornwall, can I have a cream tea?!
Use it as a good excuse to sell all your unwanted bits to fund cream tea 😉 x
Omg I definitely need to take you up on this challenge. My house is busting at the seams with clothes and toys. I’ve just recently reduced my hours at work so I’m trying to watch my spending as I’m the queen of pointless feel good purchases.
Count me in xxx
After a spring and summer (okay, entire adult life but this one has been a particularly spendy year) of blowing a fortune on ‘big’ – as well as small things for the house, I needed to give my purse and nerves a detox so I’m just completing my own no-spend September. I’d thought I dreamed up the concept but now that I’ve read this blog post am thinking I read about it somewhere and subconsciously remembered that it’s what I should be doing once autumn hit. 🙂
Anyway, I’ve actually really enjoyed it. I knew I would. Not shopping has given me the gift of time, it’s amazing how much more of it I have on my hands when I don’t plan in going to shops. Even better, it’s great to get home at the end of the day just me and my handbag – all calm and tidy, no shopping bags to dump in the porch full of shit I have to then remove from bags and put away. Liberating! May do a no-spend October with you too – although I am running out of makeup and candles so might be a bit less strict. 🙂
Yes! I really need to do this and knowing someone else is doing it will help as I am pretty competitive!
Good luck Charlotte!
I’m going to do it too! I’ve already sorted through my girls wardrobes, now to put it all on fb and eBay! Having a costa and a dominoes in close proximity is my downfall! Will be avoiding them the best I can lol xx
What a brilliant idea …… even a coffee out costs a fortune Iv already cut that out and I’m putting it in a jar.
I’m doing it too and it’s really making me think about what I’m buying. I nearly bought a couple of books at Tesco yesterday (it only would have been £5) but I stopped myself and have ordered them from the library instead. Cinema with the kids and other outings have been replaced with using our national trust membership and our annual pass to the local farm (with a picnic) I’m also getting my coffee fix from Waitrose for free when I buy milk. It’s hard work but I’m relishing the challenge! Good luck all!
So want to.do.tjis but its my sons 16th Birthday and have no pressies yet.
Can you please do a post on selling items…I have four pairs of curtains two of which have matching double bed throws and two matching cushions. They were all made to order, fully lined…hubby has had them on gumtree and although people have looked there has been no offers… tips on what photos to post, how much to expect…etc would be greatly appreciated. Going good on no spend so far but would really like treats and right now that it s not happening. Thank you in advance xx
I appear to have failed miserably all ready … however, in my defence, I’ve only just caught up with your blog and spotted this so will join in from today … phew my son’s 18th this week but all sorted … just got to figure how to get round hubby’s birthday at the end of October …… Even if it just makes me think of what I spend and what on it’ll be time well invested ….. Good luck everyone x