This is a bit unpolished because I am determined to keep my new years resolution...I am going to start a blog.
Starting from February I'm not going to buy anything for the rest of the year.
Are there any exceptions?
I will buy:
And that's it, nothing else.
Will I go out? Have takeaways? Go on holiday?
Yes.
As for the rest...what do I actually need?
I'm 32, I moved out for uni at 19 then back to my moms sofa until I got a place with my partner at 25. At this point I more than have the necessities.
I have way too many clothes, just so many. There's a second hand shop near me that has a 50p rail and another with a £1 rail. Almost everything I have comes from there, along with a bunch of sheets, blankets and bits of pretty fabric.
I've got 10 bars of soap, 2 old soap and glory gift sets and the bunch of random shower gels and lotions a family accumulates.
I've got star drops and lots bottles of zoflora under the sink, polish and shoe polish.
I can borrow tools and DVDs from friends
I have a local library, a bunch of books and audio books I've yet to enjoy and board games
We have games consoles and Netflix
I have a sewing machine, paints, wool, fabric scraps, patterns, a dremel, jigsaw, beads and thread.
What about free stuff?
I am still going to get freebies that may be useful, I enter contests as a hobby so I'll keep that up and if I see a freebie online I can use then I'll get it.
Won't this lead to a miserable life?
Well I sure hope not, I don't need to do this...I want to and I think that's the difference.
I grew up poor and make do and mend was drummed into me at a young age. My family was weird but they were creative and it's something I've carried with me.
We made do because we had to and it wasn't great. Now I have resources, I'm not well off by any means, just a working class woman with a long term boyfriend and a mortgage but it's so much more than I ever thought I'd have. I don't think not spending has to be a miserable existence.
We host board game nights, D&D evenings with friends.
My boyfriend and I have movie nights, sing song evenings, DIY days and go out bike rides, picnics and walks in the wood.
What does your boyfriend think about this?
He doesn't mind, he can buy himself what ever he wants I have no intention of making him deprive himself of anything. We've been together 13 years now and known each other for 18 years. If anything the chance that I might reduce some of the clutter is probably a relief.
Is your house just an impassible mass of boxes?
Not really, we have a spare room which I am attempting to turn into a craft room so most of my craft supplies are stored in an old dresser up there.
So I'm going to blog my year, my health, my job hunt, my no spend resolution, my thoughts, my history and the results of my last challenge to myself (be completely open about my
health at work for 7 months).
Starting from February I'm not going to buy anything for the rest of the year.
Are there any exceptions?
I will buy:
- Food
- Shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, Toothpaste, Toilet roll, hair dye.
- Anything I need to repair the house (washers, sealant etc.)
- Anything that will help me manage my health (Joint supports, medication, splints etc.)
- If anything I need breaks, my laptop, my phone, washing machine I'll replace it
And that's it, nothing else.
Will I go out? Have takeaways? Go on holiday?
Yes.
- I do attend the cinemas with my boyfriend and friends about maybe 10 times a year and I'll continue to do that.
- I don't have takeaways in general but we do have board game nights with our friends or family and I sometimes eat a take away with the group.
- Same with meals out to celebrate family events or Birthdays.
- If my partner and I have to go out to do some chore or other we get a McDonalds as a treat
- We are planning a holiday somewhere in the UK with family, I won't buy anything while there or for the holiday but will likely eat out, buy snacks and pay for admission to gardens/museums/attractions, chip in for petrol and parking.
- We have tickets to Eddie Izzard in September already paid for so that will be a fun day out.
- I can't drive so I'll pay for bus/train when I need to for doctors appointments etc.
- I will budget for 11 days out (that require paid admission) over the next 11 months
As for the rest...what do I actually need?
I'm 32, I moved out for uni at 19 then back to my moms sofa until I got a place with my partner at 25. At this point I more than have the necessities.
I have way too many clothes, just so many. There's a second hand shop near me that has a 50p rail and another with a £1 rail. Almost everything I have comes from there, along with a bunch of sheets, blankets and bits of pretty fabric.
I've got 10 bars of soap, 2 old soap and glory gift sets and the bunch of random shower gels and lotions a family accumulates.
I've got star drops and lots bottles of zoflora under the sink, polish and shoe polish.
I can borrow tools and DVDs from friends
I have a local library, a bunch of books and audio books I've yet to enjoy and board games
We have games consoles and Netflix
I have a sewing machine, paints, wool, fabric scraps, patterns, a dremel, jigsaw, beads and thread.
What about free stuff?
I am still going to get freebies that may be useful, I enter contests as a hobby so I'll keep that up and if I see a freebie online I can use then I'll get it.
Won't this lead to a miserable life?
Well I sure hope not, I don't need to do this...I want to and I think that's the difference.
I grew up poor and make do and mend was drummed into me at a young age. My family was weird but they were creative and it's something I've carried with me.
We made do because we had to and it wasn't great. Now I have resources, I'm not well off by any means, just a working class woman with a long term boyfriend and a mortgage but it's so much more than I ever thought I'd have. I don't think not spending has to be a miserable existence.
We host board game nights, D&D evenings with friends.
My boyfriend and I have movie nights, sing song evenings, DIY days and go out bike rides, picnics and walks in the wood.
What does your boyfriend think about this?
He doesn't mind, he can buy himself what ever he wants I have no intention of making him deprive himself of anything. We've been together 13 years now and known each other for 18 years. If anything the chance that I might reduce some of the clutter is probably a relief.
Is your house just an impassible mass of boxes?
Not really, we have a spare room which I am attempting to turn into a craft room so most of my craft supplies are stored in an old dresser up there.
So I'm going to blog my year, my health, my job hunt, my no spend resolution, my thoughts, my history and the results of my last challenge to myself (be completely open about my
health at work for 7 months).
Comments
Post a Comment