I am dreadful with money – just dreadful. I earn more than enough to live comfortably – given my super low rent/mortgage deal – but I always, always spend more each month than I earn. I’ve tried spending less on food, I’ve tried going out less, shopping for clothing less, but all to no avail. Small changes aren’t helping as I just find other ways to spend my cash. Frankly it is pathetic.
I really need taking in hand, and with no one to do that but me I just haven’t known where to start. Time for a spendervention.
After not even making it to the end of the month before scraping the bottom of my overdraft this time (thanks to an extravagant dress purchase – I’m a fool for a frock) I’ve decided that this week is a no spend week. i.e. I will buy nothing but essentials until payday. As such, I have been out and bought food for lunch for the week. A loaf of bread. I already have tins of fish and a slab of cheese at home so that is work lunches covered. I also have tons enough in the freezer to eek out for dinners for the week (two servings of pie, some chicken,a chickpea curry and one spag bol – oh the excitement!)
In addition I am not smoking or drinking until the weekend. Well, I can’t, I only have £5-odd. Yes, that pic at the top is my actual purse right this minute.
I know, a week sounds pretty lame. However we are about to enter the festive Season and even one as lacking in Christmas cheer as myself would like a roast and a bottle of bubbly on Turkey Day. Really, this week is a trial run for January 2013. My designated No Spend Month – or as my Ameri-pals call it, a “No Spender Bender”. I’ve decided, see, that 2013 is the year I “sort myself out.” Well, my finances at least – and hopefully with that other great things will follow.
I’ve taken some steps already which have been:
• Cancelling my gym membership
• Taking out a loan to pay off 2 of my credit cards thus reducing monthly repayments by half
• Switching gas and electricity suppliers (such a faff – almost done, now have to give them meter readings for the BILLIONTH time)
• Joining the local library – I’ll pick up my card and some books this week.
So this week I am going to be scraping by on the cash I have and spending my time thinking about:
• Why I shop – what does it give me? What am I rewarding myself for?
• What do I spend money on? Other than awe inspiring vintage dresses.
• What else can I do to save more cash?
• Are there any “luxuries” I cannot live without?
• What do I have that I can sell on eBay?
Ugh. It is going to be a tough week of self analysis – or, well – selfish analysis as heaven’s, I think I just realised how gluttonous and selfish my life really is.
Have any of you managed a no spend month?
Any frugal tips or tricks you can offer to make life a little less painful?
