Hello Dear Reader,
Here's some early morning motivation and ways of not spending money. Take your lunch and a flask to work - I take lunch and instant coffee and some milk. Invite friends over for something to eat - be inventive with what you have. Take spare tights to work - if the ones you wear snag then you won't need to go out and buy anything. Only go down the food aisles in the supermarket - can't buy what you don't look at.
Here's what I will be buying - food to cook myself e.g carrots. Here's what I won't be spending any money on: craft materials, fabric, eating out, clothes - not even from charity shops, nothing from ebay, no trips out - fuel costs, nothing for the house or garden!
Here's how I'm going to do it. I've left £48 in my account for extra food, such as fresh veg with a budget of £12 a week. I've made the usual mortgage payment and the rest of my salary has gone to the usual over payment. All bills and savings are found from DB's salary and there is no disposable income. I've spent too much over the last two months and I have to 'catch up' to get back to where we were. It's STOPTOBER!!!!!!!!
Over to you Dear Reader, be prepared and leave a comment every day that you don't spend any money. We can all cheer each other on and keep each other going. What are you saving for or paying off or over paying. It's not easy or even possible for some folk but share if you over paid a debt or your mortgage. That way, we can all celebrate together!
Until tonight,
Love Froogs
Thank you for all your inspirational posts. I got paid today and all money has been put away for essential purchases only - food, petrol, bills...My husband is ill and cannot work and I have just found out I am pregnant, so all money saved will be much welcome! Thank you again - Yasmin in Melbourne
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
DeleteYep Froogs. I'm with you on this. Saturday was my last big spend/treat day for a while. Everything is paid for the month and there's not much left so a spell without spending anywhere is just the thing. It's more fun if we can cheer eachother on.xx
ReplyDeleteHere's your whoop whoop as I cheer you on xxx
DeleteA no spend day here planned, well apart from a visit to the vets tonight with a poorly cat!
ReplyDeleteDear Froogs
ReplyDeletePlease count me in, I think this is a fantastic idea!
My husband received an unexpected tax bill over the weekend which has really set out finances into a spin so Stoptober couldn't be any more timely for us. Although the HMRC has given the option to spread the payment over the next year, I desperately want to clear the debt by January so we do not have the extra monthly out-going hanging over us.
Fingers crossed and good luck to everyone!
Diane
I am signing up although I may fall off the wagon around the 10th as it is my birthday and I'll be going to the Knitting & Stitching show at Ali Pali. However I will take my camera and take loads of pics of things for inspiration instead of spending. I bought a beautiful vintage black and gold Singer sewing machine cheaply last night on ebay as I wanted a good basic straight stitch machine. So I'll be spending October sewing my stash with it.
ReplyDeleteBTW Thanks for the advice re zero money. As you say it is getting the planning right. I'm going to go for it!
Linda xx
Happy sewing xx
DeleteCongratulations on the award. I will join in with Stoptober. We have overspent for the last couple of months and need to rein it in and save for car tax and the dreaded Christmas!! x
ReplyDeleteHi Froogs,
ReplyDeleteI am up for this! I wonder if you should devise a hashtag for twitter so we can all joinn in with our running totals? eg#FQstoptober? There are already the smoking campaigns on there but I think yours should be too. Sent the daughter at Uni £60 yesterday as I said I would go halves on her Fencing fees. Which also make her a member of the Gym which alone would be £20 - £30 a month but that was yesterday! Spent so far today - £0
I plan to use my spare cash at the end of the month putting it towards the car tax in June. already have £100 saved. Then it can be locked away till summer safe in the knowledge that I have it there. Good luck everyone. Tea tonight will be Corned beef hash using the leftovers from the lunch time butties!
done - I've been hashtagging all the blogs which are joing in, come and retweet with me xx
DeleteI have been doing! I love the way so many of us are joining in, and I'm visiting a lot of your commenter'ss blogs too! Made a new tweep on twitter via #FQstoptober too :-) I'm going to ring the Tax Office today as I think I'm paying too much. Fingers crossed for a refund,
DeleteNot a request for monies owing!! Rachel x
I am going to try and join in with the Stoptober. I have a seperate budget for Christmas and I have a set weekly budget for goceries and that will be it. No other shopping I promise (to myself)
ReplyDeleteCarolx
I would like to join stoptober please! I need to catch up from the summer tbh, I spent far too much on holiday which meant September I didn't save a penny (though didn't go overdrawn). I want to save an extra £100 in October to help catch up. I normally start thinking of Christmas in October but I'm going to leave that until 1st December now. A friend is coming over today and she wants to go shopping. I will find a free parking space just out of town. I DON'T NEED ANYTHING so no point in taking any cards or money.
ReplyDeleteit's good to have a goal and you'll get there xx
DeleteHard to have a complete no-spend month, we need to buy things like milk, fresh fruit & veg, eggs, and either bread or flour in the food line; then washing powder and wash-up liquid; diesel for the car.
ReplyDeleteBe interesting to see just how little we can get by on though, by raiding the freezer and store cupboards, both are full at the moment and it's about time some of the older stuff was used up.
I'll try and leave a comment daily, either no-spend or what I've bought.
Not over-paying or saving for anything in particular, we like to travel, and what we manage to save on food and other esentials we can use to visit somewhere.
we all have to eat but I could half my shopping bill if I ate down the larder
DeleteGreat post Froogs. Support for each other always helps when the will power begins to flag.
ReplyDeleteI cooked your lovely bake well tart yesterday and it was scrummy! A real favourite with the whole family.
X x
I have been up since the crack of dawn prepping school work for the girls..got dinner in slow cooker..cut out lots of bits from old magazines for a collage we doing later..i have £10 in my purse for the weeks float..only need to buy milk,but thats tomorrow.I have already got 2 old bath towels cut up to make some wash mitts for everyone..doing some baking later when its quiet time and they are reading..
ReplyDeleteno spending today.
sara
wash mitts make showering quick and save on soap or gel - good for youxxx
DeleteOh, I was thinking about doing something like this! My food bill seems to be horrific at the moment and I appear to have picked up a mild addiction to buying fabric online ;o) good luck and I will at least try to keep up a little bit!
ReplyDeleteour food bill - plus all weekly shopping is now up to £65 on a bad week the prices are so high
DeleteI'm in, no non essential purchases will be made. I left my purse will all means of payment behind this morning.
ReplyDeleteToday, i have made bottom of the fridge soup- i saved Broccoli stalks, and carrot tops as well from yesterdays evening meal. I added some left over noodles-delicious and filling.
ReplyDeleteTonight's evening meal is toad in the hole, whilst that is cooking i am putting in the oven-some tray bakes, and some batch cooking of curries and apple crumbles( i have a large bag of free apples) I am also going to get started on making of Christmas cake-using what i have in the cupboards up. Will let you know how i get on with that(currently soaking up some bags of dried fruit i have-which was out of date, but i reckon will plump up nicely. Today's spend is mostly energy of the kitchen fuel variety-but hoping it pays dividends.
all very nutritious too xx
DeleteI am with you with two exceptions. I will do my usual grocery shop on the 15th. Eating down my stockpile always backfires on me. And my 6 yo has a birthday on the 17th so there will be a few gifts and his school snack that must be prepackaged.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, just following the plan we have set out will be an improvement. We are working on 13k in debt we have managed to accumulate. Mostly medical debt and some of the corresponding 'screw this' spending that comes from stress.
I'm in.
ReplyDeleteI stopped a lot of my shopping 5 years ago and it's been wonderful. My personal record is not leaving home and property for 10 days. I am at the point I don't like to shop at all and must force myself to food shop. I will send my husband because he only gets what is on the list. But I can do better and will. Stoptober here I come!
Nice one Froogs, I am joining in. I have a cupboard and freezer full of food and besides having to buy some top ups now and again and anything I can't avoid like a train ticket to get to work, or having to get some petrol (although I am trying to make 1 full tank last the month if possible) I will be trying to spend nothing else in October. No eating out, no clothes (easy cos I never do anyway) no luxery but unnecessary items. Nothing that I don't have to have simply to live.
ReplyDeleteI am in. We had a horrendously expensive year so far. New roof on the house and carport, repairs to the truck (our only vehicle for the forseeable future)and a few large purchases to replace broken household items that were beyond repair. I just paid the last installment on the roof, and the winter tires have been purchased. On the plus side we got several free loads of firewood so we are as ready as we will ever be for winter.
ReplyDeleteJust fresh items at the grocery store, and that will be it for this month.
I have failed already. My nephew is down from 2000 km away so we had a family outing today. His choice and I spent so much more than I should have. Then I have one child turn 21 on the tenth and another turns 16 on the same day. It won't be a cheap day either. Our domestic situation is complex and I am choosing to have a trip out for the important people to save arguments and stress. However I do have a plan. My income is spent on the household food and other day to day stuff. I calmly informed my mother that I am not spending so much on groceries. There are many things that have sat too long in the pantry so it is eat it down time. I figure I can recoup my big spends that way.
ReplyDeleteDay 1 will be pretty easy for us. I don't have to leave the house and that always helps. Our savings for today will include a vegetarian meal for supper, baking bread for the week, and working on Christmas presents from supplies we have on hand.
ReplyDeleteI did a months shopping on Saturday. I have a months menus pinned on the fridge door, a full pantry, a freezer full of bulk cooked meals and have allowed £10 a week for milk and fresh fruit top ups. I was so glad to read your post today!! Day one and I was already wilting (embarrased to say it but it's true. Anyway I have been sorting things out and am now deeply engrossed in a needlepoint I've had on the go for a while, and am planning to cut patches for my long on-going quilt when MrT takes the dog for a walk later (patchwork pieces have a fatal fascination for our dog)
ReplyDeleteMany thanks once again. reading this has spurred me on.
Things have gone pretty well here for day one. On the 1st I usually do all my internet and basics buying but today I haven't. I did a proper stock take of things we're actually going to need and unsurprisingly there's hardly anything. Even the pet food I thought we were desperate for will almost certainly last the month.
ReplyDeleteI've needed a few things today but after having a hunt round the house have found some great substitutions. We'll be out of milk and breadmaking stuff tomorrow so we will be food shopping but I've dropped the budget down by £5 a week so we'll see how that goes.
HI Froogs.
ReplyDeleteI am in. ALl of Sept bills paid, $800 sent to savings as well.Topped off the car a few days early, did a light grocery shopping trip for supplies needed this week. Made a large pot of soup for work lunches.
This morning, all lunches packed for work/school. Breakfast was Spiced butternut squash-sweet potatoe (leftover sweet potato casserole used)-chocolate chip muffins, OJ, coffee/cocoa
Dinner will be oven baked (using table top convection oven)fish fillets, rice, salad, vegetable of some sort. Large pot of herbal tea to share afterwards.
After dinner, I have plans to bake 2 loaves of banana-pecan bread (old bananas need to go, nuts were free)
Before leaving for work, i made sure all lights were out (it was still dark!), the heat down to 60 (had it on for a few minutes to take the chill off), all blinds open for passive solar heating. Flannel sheets went onto the beds this weekend, along with additional blankets to keep warm and snuggly. I also broke out my "Fall flannel nightie"-a so worn out there is no nap left to the fabric except at the bottom nightgown. Perfect for these in between months before the real cold sets in. Eventually, the shoulders will rip and then I made dusting rags and I try to make a pillow case out of the bottom 1/2 of the nightgown. Making up the boys beds pn Sat, I smiled as I pulled out tehir flannel sheets, including 2 cases that both were former nighties now turned into pillow cases. LL Bean gets $40 for 2 cases, mine were free.
A no spend day here. : )
i love your blog CTmom and you are doing so well on your ownxxx there's a lot more positivity in your 'voice' xxx
DeleteThanks, Froogs. A SIGNIFICANT drop in stress and my blood pressure, now that I am on my own. ; )
DeleteOh yes - I have spent way too much in the last two months, also! So grateful for Stoptober! We are in the category of, "Just get by" this month. In November, we will breathe a little easier and not spend either!
ReplyDeleteI am also trying to bring in a bit of extra income by selling off craft books I haven't looked at through craigslist and my usual sewn items through etsy. Had to quit my job to care for my mum through her final illness with cancer. While I have been rich in time & love with my family, we've been stretched thin financially.
No money can replace the richness of being there to care for your mum - my love and prayers to you, mum and your family - all my love Froogs xxx
DeleteI did shop today but only because I was at work many more hours than I usually am last week that I did not shop. A plus is that i was spending Septembers money and still have enough left for fresh food top ups for all Stoptober. Woo Hoo, another extra payment to the mortgage account, 6 months should see it gone, all thanks to you.
ReplyDeleteI've fallen off the wagon BIG TIME. I have been debt free for several years but have still been saving every penny to enlarge the Pot. However last month I was so depressed with constantly budgeting and not having any treats or going anywhere that I went retail mad. Cashmere and Mulberry handbag... all meaningless stuff for a life I simply don't lead. I am 61 years although I still feel 30 and there I am playing lady bountiful trying to improve the retail sales index single handed.The bag is beautiful although it probably only used £5.00 of leatherto make and you can't take it out in the rain or brush it against course outer wear. The cashmere feels terrific but when will I wear it? I lost my friends years ago when I couldn't afford to meet them for coffee or lunch. It will take me a year to raise my savings total to what it was in August. BUT I WILL ACHIEVE THIS.Thanks Froogs and everyone for the motivation. I am typing this by candle light. We have masses of candles unused so I've put them to good use so that I don't swith on my Blackpool illuminations of downlighters.
ReplyDeleteoh pammy woo! I'm going to come round and make you take the bag and receipt back to the shop and get a refund - if you don't i shall smack the back of your legs with my mum's tea towel! or when they cut off the leccy, you'll have to wear the handbag as a hat and make knickers from the cashmere xxx love froogs xxx
DeleteSo far no spend. In fact almost in fear of spending as I feel you might pop around and slap me for being wasteful which is actually very good!
ReplyDeleteWell the weekly shop has been purchased so the spending stops now. I promise not to go into a charity shop, newsagent or craftshop. The only purchases I need to make this month are my weekly food shop and petrol. I promise to make a weekly meal plan and a shopping list so that I am not tempted to buy unnecessary items. I feel really enthused and up for the challenge. Good luck everyone. xxx
ReplyDeletekeep promising to yourself and remind yourself that we all have to be careful with money xx
DeleteCount me in too!! I plan to only spend on petrol, milk and cat food and I'll work my way through my well stocked cupboards and freezer. Even if I do "fall of the wagon" the focus on 31 no-spend days simply HAS to be a winner :-) Think the meals may get a bit "creative" closer to the end of the month...
ReplyDeletehello lovvie - glad you're enjoying the bag xx
DeleteGenius idea, thanks for the support. I am following Stoptober zero spend today, homemade soup, bread and cake for lunch, partner spent on petrol but this is an essential purchase. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI would love to join in this one, its time I got strict with myself over spending. I do have a lot to pay out over the next few days but it has already been saved for, plus a 5day break which is paid for and spending money is being earned with extra shifts at work.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to everyone who joins your fab challenge x
Great idea, I'm going to do my best to do this too. Today I've paid bills, paid off a big chunk of my credit card, bought a textbook I needed and did a massive grocery shop to stockpile non-perishables for the next couple of months. I'm terrible for frittering money away and by the looks of my husbands's work situation things are going to get much tighter around here, so I really need to kick the habit for good.
ReplyDeletewell done on paying off a chunk of credit card, now focus on saving money so you can pay off a a chunk more. Whilst you're at it, cut them all up and burn the bits xxx
DeleteWell, I had planned for today to be a NSD but spent the morning in A&E with DH after he'd been having chest pains all weekend - so ECG, blood tests and XRay for him today and £3.40 on parking and £7.65(?) on prescription angina spay from hospital - unavoidable spends, though. (I could have parked quite a way away for free, but didn't want to drop him off and then walk back to him later and he was advised not to drive anywhere or walk too far before the tests)
ReplyDeleteI do need milk and some f&v shopping this week. Spends are planned to be minimal on items such as that - most foodstuffs will be from cupboards/ fridge/ freezer, where supplies are plantiful, to say the least! :)
Hello there! That is a really good idea, I'll definitely try to join in- I talked about not spending if I can on Friday and I like the idea of trying to do with it food items too! Great challenge! It's really nice to 'meet' you through the blog links! :-)
ReplyDeleteYay im in.... have spent a bit on Christmas this month but have nearly finished buyin for that anyway .... spent £90 on pay day in foodwhich is alot for our family of 3 (altho im eating for two again lol ) but when i looked at what we bought, there wer at least 3weeks of nutrional dinners and probably anothet 10days worth in the cupboards for me and my son as we arent fussy. eaters like my partner is. I will stil need milkcheese and fruit and veg but no more than a tenner a week shud do it
ReplyDeleteWe are in. Thank you for providing so much inspiration. I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby and I have set up a 10 year plan last year and we also pick one bill and pay extra each week on it on some weeks that was only $5.00 others up to $20.00. Doing this we just paid one bill off 5 months early now it's on to the next! :) also for Christmas this year it's all made by hand everyone is getting baskets with soap, lip gloss, crochet dish cloths, hand cream and body butter. Most ingredients I already have on hand just need a few more baskets.
ReplyDeleteJust completed a FULL stock take at home and have done some meal planning. Really love it when I come and see you here and find that you've reminded us yet again how satisfying the benefits of being frugal are! We had more food in than we thought, and I am going to make it my challenge not to do a 'big food shop' until the middle of October at least, with the exception of any fresh items we need.
ReplyDeleteThanks Froogs! x