Yesterday kicked off our latest no spend week. Earlier in the year we did a couple of no spend months. We only spent money on essentials such as food and petrol (plus the usual household bills, of course).
As well as being helpful for the bank balance, not buying anything is strangely liberating. Setting myself strict limits on what I can purchase takes away any temptations! There are no internal debates on whether I can afford something, I am just not buying it because I am on a no spend period. I get on with enjoying stuff that is free and using what I already have.
Why we need a no spend week
As we have had a lot of expense this month, a no spend week is a good idea and will take us up to pay day without going overdrawn or dipping into the reserves.
The rules are the same as for no spend months. We will only spend money on essentials. Next week we shouldn’t need to spend anything at all, not even on food. We have plenty in the cupboards that needs to be used so it will be an eat from the larder week. We have milk, bread, cat food, tea bags and petrol, as well as plenty of food in the fridge and freezer.
A day out for free to kick off no spend week
Yesterday we had a free day out in the sunshine, bar the cost of the petrol. We had to drop my daughter at a friend’s in Mistley for a barbecue, so we drove across to Wrabness after for a walk on the beach and a swim. The water was so calm, clear and warm, we could have been on the Mediterranean somewhere. The beach huts at Wrabness are rather luxurious – more like chalets than beach huts really and it looks as if people are allowed to sleep in them. I bet they cost an absolute fortune! But we took some drinks and snacks and spent no money at all. Days out don’t need to cost an arm and a leg, especially when the weather is so hot. We are very lucky to have so many beautiful coastal areas within half an hour’s drive.
Is anyone else on a no spend week (or month)? Do you do regular no spend days? How do you motivate yourself and what do you do to stop yourself spending?
Margaret Powling says
What a good idea this is, not to spend on non-essentials. It’s how people of my mother’s generation mainly lived. Somewhere, I still have her notebooks of weekly spending, things like coal, milk, butter, meat … you won’t find wet wipes, fizzy drinks, meals out, flowers, wine, magazines … money was for essentials in her day; it was hard earned and every penny was accounted for. I can’t say I mirror her exactly but I do know there are areas where I could save, but there again, there aren’t any pockets in a shroud. We have learned to ease up a bit in our later years, but it’s a habit that is good. By adopting this habit in our earlier years it has allowed us to have a fairly comfortable retirement. Sadly, this won’t be the case for many middle-aged people today.
Margaret P
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
How lovely to have her notebooks! They would be great to see
Gillian says
‘no pockets in a shroud’ – love that saying!
Tania says
I love Wrabness we often take the grandchildren through the woods onto the shoreline to play. We build role swings off the banks.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Sounds fab. We went back today. So lovely!
ilona says
I’m never sure why people call it a ‘no spend day’ a ‘no spend week’, or a ‘no spend month’. I take this to mean literally, no spending at all on anything. There should be a new name for it, like no buying anything that is not needed or necessary. Perhaps a ‘no spend on crap’. day. ;o) I noticed hunky hubby in the water, by the way. Tell him I want a full frontal next time.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Ooh Ilona, you are are awful, but I like you . It’s just a way to focus really. I never really over spend but I like saying sorry -it’s a no spend week or month. I do lots of no spend days anyway so never make a fuss about those
Francesca - From Pennies to Pounds says
I’m hosting a no spend week challenge over on my Instagram if you want to join in over there too 🙂 https://www.instagram.com/frompenniestopounds/
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
I have been following . Great minds!
Eloise at. thisissixty.blog says
We can never have a completely no spend day because we both think of the newspaper as an absolute necessity!
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
You have to have your simple pleasures. I never seem to have time to read one these days though
sue cuthbert says
The water looks a better colour at Wrabness than it does at Felixstowe, don’t know how that is since they are so close!
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Sue, it’s amazing! So clear and clean!