Olly Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Now it's nearly the end of the year, I wonder how you have all got on with 'buy nothing new', or sticking to a budget? I decided not to set a specific budget, but that I would 'spend mindfully' i.e. think before I spent money this year. The biggest change has been that I take my own lunch to work most days now - ok not exactly earth-shattering, but it takes quite a bit of planning and organisation on my part! It's a huge saving though, and has been much better for my waistline. I cannot wean myself off my coffee habit although that would mean a big saving. I've only been clothes shopping twice, both times with some vouchers I earn over the year although I had to add a bit to that. I may have bought the odd top or item in a charity shop, but no big purchases and I haven't bought any new shoes all year - not one pair!I do badly need to update my underwear though! I had my mum's old sewing machine repaired instead of buying a new one, needless to say I haven't used it yet so I am glad I didn't splash out on a new fancy electric one. I have only bought second-hand books this year, through charity shops, Abe Books or the Book Exchange near Liverpool St Station - I buy a lot of books so this is quite significant, too. I have spent on some new things, mainly the beehive and the WIR, but they were budgeted for with savings, an insurance policy 'windfall' and other things. Hard to say how much I've saved overall, but I have reached a significant target on paying down my mortgage, which I'm very pleased about - I didn't think I'd get there till next year. How has everyone else got on? Has it changed the way you think, will you do it again next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Well, Olly, you sound as if you have made some good foundations there anyway, well done I think I have done quite badly with my trying to live on just £5,000. Next year I will follow your lead and spend mindfully, considering that something always comes up (just remembered that next year I need two chimneys lined, the other two capped and a woodburner installed ). I blew the budget a couple of months ago by deciding to clear out the loft and put flooring down, so I could store things up there. The loft is 14' wide by 28' long, you can stand up in 12'x14' of it and most of the rest is easily accessible for storage due to the steep angle of the roof. I ended up buying 30 square metres of tongue and groove flooring and lots of screws. I've also cut a new loft opening (going through a joist, a good job done if I say so myself ) of almost a metre square and have yet to construct a hatch to fit over it. It has taken every weekend for the past few months but is nearly finished, and was much cheaper than getting someone in to do the job, plus I found out loads about the construction of my house . The last 3.5' will be floored with s"Ooops, word censored!" wood and I still need to shovel out the old dirt off the lath and plaster between the joists, a really mucky job. Hence a spend of approx £350 on T&G flooring and screws, but found uses for some s"Ooops, word censored!" wood by lining the new opening with it. I've got a bag of 150 year old laths from making the loft hatch bigger and am saving these for kindling Just have to figure out if I can put insulation next to the roof now I have spent less in some ways though. I used to buy ridiculous amounts of items in Boots 75% off sale, this year I spent about a tenner, and all items have been given as gifts throughout the year. Today I splurged on the QVC TSV and my closest friends will all receive matching real pearl bracelets (approx £5.49) next year to match the earrings they had for birthdays in 2009 I've stopped buying books for the forseeable future (this is very hard, I love books), and use the internet for recipes and general DIY info. I've altered a few old skirts and a few I picked up from the 50p man in the market, to fashionable knee length ones, and picked up some coloured opaque tights from 99p stores and Ethel Austin, so I can still look respectable and young (ish ) for work. Phew, must try harder next year on food I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 I did reasonably well until June this year, when I bought a new camera bag without even thinking Then in September I decided it was Christmas time and bought lots of bits and pieces - but they were for other people! Magazines - have done really well. I get a subscription as a present every year, but have only bought one Practical poultry magazine (a weak moment ) and a Christmas food mag for ideas. I have saved a fortune on these alone. Books - a couple of books on Amazon as they were 'must haves' - I blame Mrs Frugal entirely, as she recommended them but otherwise all books from Green metropolis both bought and sold many! Clothes - needed a few polo shirts for my holiday and charity shops tend not to do so well with men's clothes in my experience. You are ok if you live in Hawaiian shirts and brown corduroy. A new trolley bag but that is allowed as it is for work! So, all in all not too bad I think. My bank account still doesn't look that healthy, but better than it would have done. Very impressed with the loft floor boarding Charlottechicken, do you travel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 I'm impressed, Charlottechicken! You are right, something always comes up and that's why I didn't set a budget, but I'm sure I have cut my spending just by stopping to think a bit. I know my limitations, minor DIY is ok but I wouldn't dare do something like you're describing in the loft, well done. Oh and by the way, those laths will burn brilliantly - my neighbour gave me a lot of old roofing battens, I put them at an angle and jumped on them to break them down to size, and have had several fires off them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Well, I started off the year trying to write down all my expenditures, which lasted until about March... Need to try a bit harder though. Generally I don't really buy full price clothes, usually from Outlet stores in Street as shopping is in a very bad state in Yeovil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Well done Christian as well What restraint, no magazines and books eh? (apart from a couple of vital ones of course ) Congratulations! Very impressed with the loft floor boarding Charlottechicken, do you travel? To near Thruxton, Hants, perchance? Olly, there's a good reason for you having an owl for an avatar isn't there I'm changing my sig to say 'spending mindfully in 2010' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 well, I did really well by my standards I have bought 1 pair of shoes I did a carboot sale and made £65 (I thought i'd made £50, but I found another £15 in another pocket, so im counting that aswell ) I did great with magazines, then I sort of fell off the band wagon Im buying a lot of crafty stuff, but that is technically for presents Ive stopped buying random cd's and dvd's Ive stopped dying my hair (growing grey gracefully ), new haircut costs £15 instead of £50 i will definitely carry this on next year, im going to cull my magazine habit. yay to money cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 I didn't try last year (well 2009) but you're beginning to inspire me for 2010....keep them coming! I too am v impressed with your loft-flooring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
