2023 - the year of no expenditure
Discussion
Nearly a third of the year has passed and I have made a conscious decision of not to spend apart from mandatory bills.
Like everyone else I would like new things -
the car isn't ULEZ compliant;
the telly is older than my teenage daughter);
go on a couple of holidays abroad;
maybe splash out on some "man maths" items
but at the moment my spidey-sense is telling me to hold off.
Are any others feeling the same?
Like everyone else I would like new things -
the car isn't ULEZ compliant;
the telly is older than my teenage daughter);
go on a couple of holidays abroad;
maybe splash out on some "man maths" items
but at the moment my spidey-sense is telling me to hold off.
Are any others feeling the same?
Nope quite the opposite, were making plans to do more stuff more holidays, more enjoyable fun stuff. There will be compromises along the way, trade off’s already traded down the main family car. Why have I been paying £0000’s every year on a fancy new car. I think what I’ve realised of late is life can be short, the kids are only young once.
That said I got my house in order early on, financially. Debt free, no mortgage, pensions taken care of etc So it’s also a bit of a relax everything’s going well/enjoy life stage. Maybe you’re just at the stage I was at a decade ago realising that you desire some financial freedom.
That said I got my house in order early on, financially. Debt free, no mortgage, pensions taken care of etc So it’s also a bit of a relax everything’s going well/enjoy life stage. Maybe you’re just at the stage I was at a decade ago realising that you desire some financial freedom.
Balanced approach here.
We're lucky enough not to be feeling the squeeze (at least not yet). I'm increasing mortgage over payments, still planning holidays, buying "stuff", doing necessary work to the house.
I am making a concerted effort to buy less crap, significantly reduce the amount of Amazon Prime deliveries...
I'm also lucky that I feel my job is as secure as any permanent role really ever is for the next couple of years, due to what I'm working on.
We're lucky enough not to be feeling the squeeze (at least not yet). I'm increasing mortgage over payments, still planning holidays, buying "stuff", doing necessary work to the house.
I am making a concerted effort to buy less crap, significantly reduce the amount of Amazon Prime deliveries...
I'm also lucky that I feel my job is as secure as any permanent role really ever is for the next couple of years, due to what I'm working on.
I've officially given up, there's no more costs that I can cut. So depressing that I'm now blowing my savings.
Stopped the packed lunches in a lonely office and now going out to cafes to be amongst people and workmates.
Blew a load on a brand new Ducati last week and now going out on blasts in the countryside going nowhere in particular. At least it's currently doing 50mpg but I'm am going through tanks and tanks of petrol.
Next I'm going to plan some proper holidays.
Savings were for a rainy day and retirement but seeing as I'll never afford to retire now might as well have fun whilst I'm still relatively healthy.
Fek em!!!
Stopped the packed lunches in a lonely office and now going out to cafes to be amongst people and workmates.
Blew a load on a brand new Ducati last week and now going out on blasts in the countryside going nowhere in particular. At least it's currently doing 50mpg but I'm am going through tanks and tanks of petrol.
Next I'm going to plan some proper holidays.
Savings were for a rainy day and retirement but seeing as I'll never afford to retire now might as well have fun whilst I'm still relatively healthy.
Fek em!!!
Balanced approach. May be leaning to spend heavy a bit too much this year though due to having a lot on.
Sticking money into pension, S&S ISA at planned level which I increase slightly.
Also going on a lovely family trip to some nice tropical places, as well as a few other trips with friends.
Life is for living and making memories.
Sticking money into pension, S&S ISA at planned level which I increase slightly.
Also going on a lovely family trip to some nice tropical places, as well as a few other trips with friends.
Life is for living and making memories.
croyde said:
Stopped the packed lunches in a lonely office and now going out to cafes to be amongst people and workmates.
It must be over 20 years ago now, but when I worked in an office, I worked out I spent around £5 a day on sandwiches at work. Hmm, I through, £5 a day, £25 a week, £100 a month, £1200 a year. Right, how much ?! I'm no doing that anymore, I'm going to make my own everyday from now on.That idea lasted about a week !!
Stopped the needless spending during the pandemic when I went from a nice salary to minimum wage zero hour contract gig. You soon realise most of the stuff we have accumulated we don't really need, it's just the billions spent on advertising conditioning us to thinking that we need it. Same with holidays and cars, brainwashed into thinking our self-worth to society is based on how many stars your Spanish hotel has or how new the reg plate on the car is.
Still spending on experiences but not wasting it on needless s
t. 7 year old TV, 3 year old phone and 8 year old car work fine, why waste your hard earnt on upgrading to the the latest models. Just because Apple, Samsung and VW have told me so? fk that.
Still spending on experiences but not wasting it on needless s
t. 7 year old TV, 3 year old phone and 8 year old car work fine, why waste your hard earnt on upgrading to the the latest models. Just because Apple, Samsung and VW have told me so? fk that. snuffy said:
croyde said:
Stopped the packed lunches in a lonely office and now going out to cafes to be amongst people and workmates.
It must be over 20 years ago now, but when I worked in an office, I worked out I spent around £5 a day on sandwiches at work. Hmm, I through, £5 a day, £25 a week, £100 a month, £1200 a year. Right, how much ?! I'm no doing that anymore, I'm going to make my own everyday from now on.That idea lasted about a week !!
Know that feeling. It was Covid that forced me into packed lunches. Cost a few pounds a week as opposed to at least £10 a day.
Then my over 60s Oyster card saved me another £10 a day but those savings have been more than swallowed up by mortgage and energy bill increases.
Really can't be arsed anymore. We only get one go at life
Mind you, my telly is 12 years old, my phone is 4 years old and not a high end model, my scooter is 14 years old and my newish car is a Dacia.
Holidays are cheap bedrooms somewhere warm and interesting for hiking, so I'm doing some of it right
Edited by croyde on Monday 24th April 11:58
I'm living this year exactly how I've lived the previous ten or so, not including the pandemic.
I realised a time ago that I was tipping the scales the wrong way on enjoying life vs planning for the future. I've over adjusted the other way on occasion but I try to find a middle ground.
No spend is not a middle ground.
I've the advantage that I hate clutter so I don't like accumulating "stuff". I do enjoy travelling, languages, cooking and a few sports that can get very spendy on equipment though if you're tempted. I still do all but spend less on them than I once would have except maybe the cooking.
Ten years ago (ish) I decided to make sure I save a certain amount for the future and stop worrying about the rest. I'm fortunate that I can do that and still spend on the other stuff. I'm not grateful every day but I am when I think about it, knowing it won't last forever is why I prioritise future savings but knowing it could end tomorrow is why I don't skimp on now.
If I'm in the office and people want to go for a sit down meal in town I'm happy to join them. I'm only there once a fortnight. I'll be paying for the enjoyment rather than the food in my head. Although if the food's good even better.
I realised a time ago that I was tipping the scales the wrong way on enjoying life vs planning for the future. I've over adjusted the other way on occasion but I try to find a middle ground.
No spend is not a middle ground.
I've the advantage that I hate clutter so I don't like accumulating "stuff". I do enjoy travelling, languages, cooking and a few sports that can get very spendy on equipment though if you're tempted. I still do all but spend less on them than I once would have except maybe the cooking.
Ten years ago (ish) I decided to make sure I save a certain amount for the future and stop worrying about the rest. I'm fortunate that I can do that and still spend on the other stuff. I'm not grateful every day but I am when I think about it, knowing it won't last forever is why I prioritise future savings but knowing it could end tomorrow is why I don't skimp on now.
If I'm in the office and people want to go for a sit down meal in town I'm happy to join them. I'm only there once a fortnight. I'll be paying for the enjoyment rather than the food in my head. Although if the food's good even better.
I'm in the 'spend a lot less' camp. Preparing for retirement in about 12 months from now. Figured I should practise living off what my investments/pensions will pay me each month. The rest of current salary goes into Isa & savings account
Going ok so far, but expecting to learn more through the year.
Going ok so far, but expecting to learn more through the year.
I seem to have spashed out quite a bit so far this year, already had two holidays, albeit 4 days each time but into Europe, and i'm away again in a couple of weeks with friends again into Europe, I then will have probably two further holidays this year taking me up to 5 in total which is a record for me.
I've done some man maths purchases on a couple of other things too, although by purchases haven't been overly extravagant, no cars, big electrical items etc.
I have also sold my second car due to lack of use so quite a saving there.
Definitely felt like everyone has had their hand in my pocket this month taking money out for various bills and keeping the kids hobbies going with club subscriptions, swimming lessons etc.
I feel i'll be trying to be much more frugal for the second 6 months of the year (family holidays aside).
I've done some man maths purchases on a couple of other things too, although by purchases haven't been overly extravagant, no cars, big electrical items etc.
I have also sold my second car due to lack of use so quite a saving there.
Definitely felt like everyone has had their hand in my pocket this month taking money out for various bills and keeping the kids hobbies going with club subscriptions, swimming lessons etc.
I feel i'll be trying to be much more frugal for the second 6 months of the year (family holidays aside).
Jamescrs said:
I seem to have spashed out quite a bit so far this year, already had two holidays, albeit 4 days each time but into Europe, and i'm away again in a couple of weeks with friends again into Europe, I then will have probably two further holidays this year taking me up to 5 in total which is a record for me.
I've done some man maths purchases on a couple of other things too, although by purchases haven't been overly extravagant, no cars, big electrical items etc.
I have also sold my second car due to lack of use so quite a saving there.
Definitely felt like everyone has had their hand in my pocket this month taking money out for various bills and keeping the kids hobbies going with club subscriptions, swimming lessons etc.
I feel i'll be trying to be much more frugal for the second 6 months of the year (family holidays aside).
Sometimes it's not about the cost, it's whether you're in control of the cost.I've done some man maths purchases on a couple of other things too, although by purchases haven't been overly extravagant, no cars, big electrical items etc.
I have also sold my second car due to lack of use so quite a saving there.
Definitely felt like everyone has had their hand in my pocket this month taking money out for various bills and keeping the kids hobbies going with club subscriptions, swimming lessons etc.
I feel i'll be trying to be much more frugal for the second 6 months of the year (family holidays aside).
We can be our own worst enemy in both spending or saving too much, and changing bewteen the two is often the hardest. Sometimes the change is enforced, normally through overspending, the savers often aren't and arguably they never fully enjoy their spoils, ie they never forced to spend it.
I have a frugal gene, and try and keep an eye on being too tight, but the economic situation right now isn't helping me be 'spendy'.
I generally now spend cheaply on me (facebook marketplace bargain hunts!) so I don't have to be tight when it comes to me and wife as a couple.
We are in a decent financial position really I just don't like spending more than I earn for too long, regardless of time of life and savings. Easy to spend harder to earn back, it's all a balance, just one that's sometimes hard to strike.
I have a frugal gene, and try and keep an eye on being too tight, but the economic situation right now isn't helping me be 'spendy'.
I generally now spend cheaply on me (facebook marketplace bargain hunts!) so I don't have to be tight when it comes to me and wife as a couple.
We are in a decent financial position really I just don't like spending more than I earn for too long, regardless of time of life and savings. Easy to spend harder to earn back, it's all a balance, just one that's sometimes hard to strike.
Greenmantle said:
Nearly a third of the year has passed and I have made a conscious decision of not to spend apart from mandatory bills.
Like everyone else I would like new things -
the car isn't ULEZ compliant;
the telly is older than my teenage daughter);
go on a couple of holidays abroad;
maybe splash out on some "man maths" items
but at the moment my spidey-sense is telling me to hold off.
Are any others feeling the same?
I did this a few years ago, but more for hippy reasons!Like everyone else I would like new things -
the car isn't ULEZ compliant;
the telly is older than my teenage daughter);
go on a couple of holidays abroad;
maybe splash out on some "man maths" items
but at the moment my spidey-sense is telling me to hold off.
Are any others feeling the same?
Around 10 years ago I had a career change and did a PhD. Going from a salary to practically zero meant being more frugal. I've managed to avoid lifestyle creep since.
Then a few years ago I did a year without any material purchases, and anything material I did need came from charity shops. My distinction was that I was free to spend on experiences. So a new TV was out, but an app to learn Spanish or a weekend away mountain biking with mates was in!
Sounds cheesy, but it really emphasised to me how spending on a new/TV/game/car/shoes/latest shiny thing etc etc makes little change to happiness, but spending on memories does!
Something I have been doing the last year or so is repairing stuff that breaks.
If you have time most stuff can be fixed. Normally if something breaks and its £50 or £100 I just replace it but now if I can repair for say £10 or less then I just do that.
This year fixed my coffee machine, neato robovac and a karcher vac for pretty much nothing.
Yes its time but to replace all 3 of those items is probably not far off £1000.
I spent a few tens of pounds. The neato needed a new mobo so that was the hardest to repair and took me a couple of days.
If you have time most stuff can be fixed. Normally if something breaks and its £50 or £100 I just replace it but now if I can repair for say £10 or less then I just do that.
This year fixed my coffee machine, neato robovac and a karcher vac for pretty much nothing.
Yes its time but to replace all 3 of those items is probably not far off £1000.
I spent a few tens of pounds. The neato needed a new mobo so that was the hardest to repair and took me a couple of days.
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