Since Saturday I have managed a total of 4/5 days as no spending days! Wow does it feel good. Correction, it feels great! I can’t quite put into words how good no spending days are for your soul. There is something incredibly warm, relaxing, mellowing about not spending. Firstly it means you haven’t increased your debt (if you have any!), it means you don’t see your hard earned money leaving your bank accounts, it means you’re avoiding the shops and rushing around to get petrol, milk, gifts for people, pay bills etc and finally it means that this downshifting and simplifying is working. I know that for many no spending days are hard, I’ve been there and I understand, when I first started I would lovingly and longingly look at the newsagents as I passed and would often wonder in just because I “needed” some gum and a drink of water or magazine. I used to justify it, thinking it was only a few pounds each day only it isn’t is it? Even if you only unnecessarily spend £3 each day on stuff, that is still over £1000 a year. That is a chance to make donations to charity, rent a cottage or stay on a working farm, take an extra couple of weeks off (unpaid) each summer to be with your friends or family.
I’m not averse to spending, I’m really not. In fact there are things I think we really should spend on, giving is one of them, having time out every single year with your family on a camping trip or a week at a cottage or a week by the sea is another, engaging in hobbies and interests and committing to your health are yet more examples. What I have a problem with is the unnecessary spending that does not help simplify our lives but in fact probably makes them far more complicated.
An example I’d like to share is a family who spends about £50 a week on magazines, candy, stickers, gum, crisps, a take away, a quick meal out at pizza hut on route home. With 2 busy jobs and 3 young children they feel that this spending is inevitable. This family also spends about £25 a week on unnecessary groceries – pop, pop tarts, those lunch box meals etc. Again, with 2 busy jobs and 3 young children they feel it is unavoidable. What I haven’t said about the family is despite good incomes they are currently putting their council tax and utility bills on credit card and only paying the minimum payment each month, occasionally they have to do the same for childcare. Now I sympathize, long time readers know that due to circumstances I found myself caring for children in my home 24/7 for almost a year. I remember being dog tired and in desperate need of a way to cut corners and not have to do dishes, yet again. But I think what we need to realize is that the unnecessary spending is adding to our debt, it is making our lives more stressful not less stressful, that the one hour less stress we have when we eat out creates a lot more then an hour of stress when you are adding to your debts. At the very least that family is adding £4000 a year from the unnecessary spending and £3000 from the bills on credit card to their debt, not including interest…the instant gratification of not having to cook, or buying your tired kids a few treats may help one night each week, but I’d bet the other six nights they are thinking about that debt.
Getting to a place where you can have no spending days isn’t always easy. It may mean you have to write out every single opportunity to may have to spend in a day and solution build around it. For example, I knew I went was most tempted to spend if I was thirsty, hungry or walking by a particular coffee shop, so I started taking water everywhere I went, packing snacks and taking a slightly different route away from that coffee shop. For busy families it may mean you have to start small and purchase a slow cooker (or get one on freecycle). You may need to start by making something in that slow cooker on the nights you know you’ll be rushed. The only way forward is to be realistic, start with giving yourself one day the first week, name it, circle it on the calender and stick to it. You will feel so proud of yourself. Once you’ve done that for two weeks, add in another day, maybe Tuesdays and Thursdays. Get your whole family committed. Again give yourself a couple of weeks and then makes it three days a week. I believe whether you are single, married, have no children or ten it is possible. It takes forward planning, creativity, determination, sacrifice, a good nights sleep and a desire to get in control of your finances and commit to a more simple life. I know you like I, will flourish with them!
On another note people are starting to ask me loads of questions so I’ve decided in the comment section or by email you are welcome to ask any question you wish and this weekend I’ll answer them. Now, if you start asking questions like where do you live, what is your phone number etc, I’ll probably not answer those ones. Just in case you are a stalker, like.
What about you, have you tried no spending days, have they worked?
p.s. my email is frugaltrenches AT yahoo. com
Hi,
After the holiday’s were over, I decided to have a no spend month in January. Of course, I am buying groceries and gas, but that’s it. You know what, it’s day 14-wow- and I have not gone out for coffee or out to dinner. With three kids at home, ages 15, 12 and 7, I thought it may be hard, but it is rather refreshing. My kids LOVE eating at home, where we can linger and talk and enjoy fresh meals that I made. We normally would go out for dinner or lunch at least 3 nights a week. I needed to go to Target yesterday for my sons friend’s birthday party gift (I used a gift card-hurray!) and I found myself looking at more stuff (on sale) that would just clutter my house and stress me out. I mean really how many pillows and candle holders can one girl have! Hurray for no spending! It feels great. Thank you for sharing! Have a great day.
~Corinne
Corinne that is wonderful and exactly what I found!
I dont have no spend spend days exactly because I dont include petrol , planned grocery shopping or postage (for ebay etc) however I dont buy coffee, takeaway or ‘can you just pick me up some xxx on the way home’ shopping.
Saves money & time plus helps you to plan ahead. Win, win.
I read about your no spend day a few months back and started having them myself. I aim for 2 days each week.
It can be hard and does take some planning but it really is worth it. I am so proud of myself when I go a day without taking out my purse.
I also have one of my no spend days where I don’t use the car too.
Emma
I started out small as well, with my “No Spending T’s” (Tuesday’s & Thursday’s) – and they were a hit. For 2009, I have a goal of 100 no spend days. It’s hard, but like you said, it’s SO worth it!!
I haven’t formally implemented ‘no spend days’ into my life, but I have cut out the daily visit to the coffee cart. That was usually the only frivolous spending I was doing during the week.
I’m in the process of working on my budget for the year, and might have a look at implementing no spend days in our household.
I have “no spending” days all the time. I think it really helps me to avoid the shops all together. (Out of sight, out of mind really works here) Also, my commute to and from work on bike or public bus doesn’t allow me any “temptations”. If I were driving to and from work in a car it might be harder to resist stopping and browsing. I have gotten to the point where I don’t even enjoy shopping in many types of stores anymore-the crowds, the noises, the blaring advertisements, the bad music, etc really turns me off. Just like when I stopped watching TV, and got used to it, now I find TV loud and annoying and its easy to avoid it as much as possible.
I find that “no spending” days give me time to use and enjoy what I already have, to slow down and savor my spare time-making dinner, talking with my husband, reading a book, working on a sewing project, playing with the animals, going for a walk, visiting with neighbors, etc.
It also gives you time to plan your meals ahead, or other purchases, so when you do shop its as quick and efficient as possible.
Lizzie that sounds very sensible!
Emma you should be proud. Well done you!
Frugal Dreamer – 100 days is a great goal, I may decided to do something similar!
Livingmyrichlife – implementing them into your budget is a great idea!
Susan – what a wonderful comment, thanks for sharing. I agree completely!
Whenever I plan for a No Spend day I inevitably put off spending to the day before or after it. The grocery store is on my way home so I will often run in for one or two things which I need. I am disciplined enough to only grab what I need plus I don’t have to worry about food spoiling on a single person’s appetite.
I’ve just spent several days sorting out the “stuff” in a couple of rooms at home as my daughter is returning here to live. I cannot believe how much has been accumulated over 20+ years of living here. Firstly, being in has meant no trips to the shops and, seeing the sheer amount of “things” has put me off wanting to acquire more. I have got to the stage where I can admire something in the shop AND LEAVE IT THERE!
Well done again Frugal on your achievements and your brilliant posts xx
A great post! I stay home most of the time so no spending can be done.
I try to have at least 12 no spend days a month. I started small in September ( I think it was 4 days). It makes me plan almost everything in advance! Thanks to you and Canadian Saver I’ve implemented this into my life.
Cheers from the other side of the Atlantic.
Sam
I’ve been trying to have as many no spend days as I can get for about 4 years now… it really really has helped cut the corner store stops out of my budget and I plan most of my shopping days now. I figure I’ve saved thousands, so it definitely is worth it to me to track.
Way to go on the 4 nsd!
You’ve inspired me to start setting some downshifting goals. Thank you!! I’ve even decided to set up a blog/journal. It is exactly what I needed.
Well I haven’t spent a penny (my nana used that expression to go pee!!) since Sunday, so that is four days. Now I am going shopping for a couple of wants (Bad, bad, girl that I am) and a couple of needs (potatoes) today, so I am doing well this week. I shouldn’t be spending anything tomorrow, Saturday I will be grocery shopping, then hopefully I won’t be going out. So I will have managedd five days out of the seven this week, which isn’t bad.
Gill in Canada