No Spend January

I’m doing my own version of No Spend January - NO extra-curricular spending!

No clothes shopping, no lunches/dinners out, no new books, no donating to charities, no online shopping, staying out of malls, no events, no extra “snacks/sweets” when grocery shopping, no personal or pet grooming, no new TV streaming’….. no extra-extra anything!
No Fun! 🙁

But when I see how much $money$ I’ve saved by the end of January, I may adopt a whole new regime.😃 (Keeping household humming with proper food, gasoline for car, paying monthly bills, you know… the vitals.)
This is a good thing!
USA Gundy

Am I misunderstanding something- are some posters actually implying that any 'savings made in this way are only morally justified if they are then donated to charity?

Brilliant idea. I am trying to use up stuff in freezer and food cupboard too.

I have often been able to spend less than half my usual monthly housekeeping money in January because there are things that need to be eaten up in the freezer and on the pantry shelves.

I am banking on doing the same this year, as there is a lot in the freezer that needs to be eaten either this month or next, as it has been there for over a year now.

So it is possible to save money this way.

Obviously an emptied freezer needs to be re-filled, but no-one is saying you have to fill it entirely in one go, are they?

Yes, but not worked. Got some new tools for the garden and finally got me a shallow cast iron casserole. £35 from Charlie's. I cook on my MF stove and my other cast iron stuff isn't the right size for steaks and chops! Or a fried egg!

Very good point.

"Mell967"
Actually I was just wondering do you walk past the homeless woman on the street proud that you don't intend spending anything in January? To set out with the mindset of I'm not spending anything this month is a luxury many in this country can ill afford,as they are impoverished and don't have the means to stock up a freezer to see them through the week never mind a month. Maybe I'm wrong and of course the money you've saved will go to Charity in which case well done.

Really what?

Germanshepherdsmum

Total nonsense. Fresh fruit and veg, eggs, milk? And I’m assuming you don’t have a pet or feed the birds.

Really? 🙄

Yes, doing my best, makes thd restof the year easier budget-wise. Absolute essentials only.

No spend January is a time when people cut down on unnecessary spending to recoup some of the money spent on Christmas. It’s up to the individual to decide what is unnecessary for them. This could mean no takeaways food or coffees, no unnecessary clothes spending, expensive trips etc. but does allow for necessary food, birthday presents, fuel, repairs etc. I have quite a lot of food in the house at present, fresh, frozen and store cupboard and enjoy planning meals around this so food doesn’t get wasted it also means that as result we try recipes we haven’t had before. Many become new family favourites. I also have lots of toiletries ( many given as gifts) a large wool stash (if you are a knitter you will understand) and hundreds of books. Most have been given to me new or second hand or have come from charity shops. I then have the books that are still waiting for me on my kindle and the fantastic resources available in my local library. Throw in all the things that are available for free such as walking in the countryside and trips using your bus pass and the list becomes endless. I do love spending on little treats but I also enjoy the challenge of seeing how I can save money also.

Go for it! Every time we have to go away for DH's work we live off whatever is in the fridge, freezer and pantry for the last month. Fresh veg... we use frozen so it isn't a problem for us. Tinned fruit if we have any. Creative meals can be surprising and tasty.

All the best!

I suspect that apart from buying milk, I could quite easily go without spending on food for most of the month by using up what is in my fridge-freezer, the chest freezer and the cupboards.

Even though I wont be doing it (though I am trying to slowly use up what is in there while it is still edible), that actually sounds like quite a good idea to me, Mel1967. Good for you!

Unfortunately, there are many non-food things that I am still having to fork out on, and even if I could delay most of those for a month, I would only be delaying the inevitable, the most recent of those being a new vac.

I think it’s a great and interesting idea and if I lived alone, (husband plus three adult children plus four dogs!) I’d certainly give it a go. Good luck and do let us know how you get on.

Does No Spend January really mean, not even on fresh food?
I thought it meant, no discretionary spending e.g. new clothes, eating out, cinema etc.
I sort of get it, but wouldn't stick rigidly to No Spend.

No. I've not tried this. I've been to the cinema twice and by the end of the month the theatre three times. I lived in poverty as a child and in heavy debt most of my life until I retired and cleared it all. I won't be sitting counting what I haven't spent and miss out on wonderful experiences. I really don't see the point.

It seems like a good idea but it would never work in here. We love fresh fruit and vegetables and I never over stock the fridge, freezer or cupboards. We could die tomorrow and who would get the food?

I think it's a good idea to clear out your cupboards and freezer every now and again. It's so easy to buy special offers and put them away but never use them.
I'd rather like a fresh start and, like Mel967, am trying to use up my existing stocks at the moment. Howeve I will be buying milk, eggs, bread and the normal perishables.
After that I've decided not to buy any of those "3 for 2" or similar offers unless they're things that I use every week.

crazyH

I feel so guilty after reading 👆- I’ve just bought a lovely new leather handbag for daily use. I’ve been using the current bag for well over 2 years, day-in and day-out. So ‘Twas time for a change.

Only two years? That makes it still new in my book! 😂

That would be impossible for me because I shop for next Christmas and birthdays cards gift std etc when shops want rid of them lol I’ve few suitcases to store them in done it for years saved me a fortune when you going to buy them anyway

Absolutely - made a veggie soup last night - plenty for the whole week - only thing I buy is fresh bread - don’t like and can’t eat supermarket trash bread !

We don't spend much as a matter of course apart from utilities and food but I can't imagine spending nothing at all. But good luck to you Op if you want to give it a go.

I have given up. Car tax due 1 Jan - £695 for 12 months (yes I know I could get a smaller car with lower emissions but I like what I have so bite the increasingly expensive bullet each year). Dog needed repeat prescription for her thyroid medication this week (but she’s worth every penny and more so not complaining). My electric toothbrush packed up - but prices have gone down a lot and the sales were on. Water bill paid. Paper bill delivered with papers this morning. Electricity bill will land towards the end of the month. No spend January? Perhaps February will be a little gentler …

If you can do it... sounds like a good idea.. I need to have a good look through my freezer.. too much stuff

Dont think there are " rights and wrongs " about this . I have a lot of meat and fish in my freezer, which I will try to use in Jan, as bought extra food for Christmas guests who had to cancel due to illness but will still have to / want to buy fresh vegetables, fruit, yoghurt, bread and milk . I do have quite a bit in my cupboards but if we eat all the contents of the freezer and empty the cupboards I will just end up with a big grocery bill in Feb , when I need to restock . We also have a pet and buy the food monthly and if I purchase again on the 28/1 or the 1/2 , it's still costing me the same so I am not gaining anything.