Usually with me now is the time that I buckle down to a New Year New Challenge, and I guess in a way it could be called that this year.
But there is a big difference this year, I am not challenging myself to see how little I can spend and how long I can make things last, instead I am simply monitoring how long the money that I managed to save through table-top sales and Facebook Marketplace sales, and the bits and bobs of money that I have popped into my little box and my pottery drawer will last me over the coming weeks and hopefully months.
There are so many people on social media doing No Spend or Low Spend years that it has become a bit same old, same old. It seems that us long time bloggers have influenced the influencers to take up the baton and run with it ... making money for themselves in the process. Good luck to them!
Well I am happy to be out of the limelight, living slowly and simply in my little home and using my savings from the past year to fund this brand new year for as long as they can.
I don't want to buy any clothes, shoes or books in the year ahead as I really do feel that I have enough ... but if I need to I can and I will. I have food, toiletries and cleaning products that could easily last me a few months and although I wouldn't run my larder down to silly levels it would be nice to run it down to a level that means I don't have to catch flying jars of salad dressing as they fall out of the cupboard ... I actually missed that one and it landed with a crash and my Caesar dressing was no more.
I added up the money from my two little pots and emptied all the cash out of my handbag, and this is what it came to. I was surprised, pleasantly surprised, I had sort of expected it to be in the three hundreds or thereabouts.
Now usually I would be seeing how much this gives me per day, per week and per month ... and yes you know me so well I did have to work it out:
£1.62 per day
£11.38 per week
and
£49.35 per month.
Not a shabby amount at all and one that I don't doubt for a moment that I could manage on if I was just to use it for food. I've done it in the past, I once managed for almost a full year on one pound a day, before I ran out of steam, but not money!! Even with the rising prices that we are currently contending with here in the UK and in many countries of the world, I feel that I could just about do this, and if truth were told I am almost tempted to give it a go.
But I don't need to prove that I can to anyone, not even myself!
I also have a couple of coupons that I will be using to bolster out my cash, and I've just checked and I have Nectar points available too. I'm not adding them to my cash total as hopefully I will get a couple more over the course of the year, they will just be used up as and when they arrive and should help my money last a bit longer.
I found a couple of unusual 50p's in my little stash of coins.
... and I would rather pass them on in my spending and let someone else have the thrill of seeing an more unusual coin in their change.
So as it's no great challenge this year I have just put some of my cash into my handbag along with the coupons and I will spend as and when I need to, in any amount that I need to. All I will do, is perhaps count my money at the end of each month, monitor how it's going and write it in my diary ... just out of interest of course. 😉
Good luck to anyone that is Challenging themselves over the coming year and I wish you well with whatever you are doing. Leave a comment if you are blogging about a Challenge and I've no doubt whatsoever that me and my readers will come over and cheer you on.
New Years Resolutions - None
New Year Goals - to read more books, lose some weight ... and have fun.
Sue xx
But I don't need to prove that I can to anyone, not even myself!
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing that sentence which beautifully sums up lots of things which have been floating around in my head in a fuzzy, incomplete way.
Love and best wishes to all at the Lodge for a happy and healthy new year. xx
Giving ourselves permission to let go of a lot of things is a good feeling isn't it. xx
DeleteGood on you Sue, that's a great New Year's Not-Resolution! There is no pressure to 'keep up the Standards' or constantly outdo last year's effort. I'm now 70, and I've had to learn that I'm not 35 anymore! It's a lesson I've found really hard, but serious illness over the past 5 years, forcing me to retire, and has finally rubbed my nose in it until I've cottoned on! (Some of us are slow learners.) May 2023 be a year of quiet achievement, happiness and unexpected joys. Thank you for blogging, I do so enjoy reading your doings.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh yes when it comes to ourselves we can be very slow to learn or to act on things can't we. I love blogging, thank YOU for reading my ramblings. xx
DeleteHappy New Year, let’s hope it goes smoothly. I’m with you on the read more and loose some weight. I do hope to go to Aqua aerobics this year, will see if timing wise it works with looking after Dad, one can hope!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see how long your money lasts….
Wendy C- Bribie Is,Oz
It will be really fascinating to see how long it lasts, it's funny but it's made me think about how long other things last too. I was only in the bathroom the other day and wondered 'how long does each roll of paper last' ... I can see that I need to start making notes!!
DeleteHappy New Year. You have a good stash of cash to see the year in with, that's for sure. I have a resolution of sorts as I need to start clearing "stuff" - starting with the leather recliner chair which is taking up space in the Library and no longer suitable for Keith. Books too - time to start listing them on Ebay and hoping they find new homes.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and Keith too.
DeleteI was amazed that I have almost £600, it shows that selling so many 'no longer needed' things really makes a difference. I don't use Ebay at all now, I went on to get a value for the coins and was tempted for a minute then I realised that with the fees and postage it just wouldn't be worth it. I use Facebook Marketplace instead now.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteNo resolutions or challenges here either - just need a quiet life please
Thank you, a nice quiet life sounds just perfect. Here's to a whole new year of quietness and simplicity. xx
DeleteA Happy New Year to you. This might seem at odds with what I have been blogging about in the past, but I am now in a much better place and need to start spending. I have no wish to amass large amounts of money, and I don't need anything personally, so it seems the house might benefit from a few updates.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Ilona. That sounds like a wonderful plan for the coming year for you. Being able to spend on things to make life easier and happier is a wonderful side effect from years of frugal and sensible living. xx
DeleteThis is lovely! Thanks, Sue. I'm doing a low spend, no spend through January and maybe longer. I've never been a trend setter so the fact that is it old hat is irrelevant. I NEED to do it for reasons unconnected with shortage of funds.
ReplyDeleteYour diary looks as if it is exactly the same as mine. Sainsbury's? I can't exactly remember.
No resolutions though, just continuing to focus on the positive and enjoy my life.
xx
Yes, Sainsbury's. I was buying an A5 diary for Alan and my Mum and spotted this one, so I thought why not. I've not even opened it yet though!!
DeleteWell done Sue in challenging yourself in a different way this year. Since the pandemic started in 2020 we seldom have cash in the house so miss the amounts we used to save. For my health’s sake, I need to shift the two stone I accumulated during lockdown and this will be my main goal this year. I also intend to really declutter stuff which is making my brain too full and causing me to be demotivated about my creativity. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI think we are all that used to using cards now, and indeed some shops have only quite recently gone back to accepting cash, that having change to pop into pots has become a much rarer thing. I need to shift two stone too, but one stone will make me happy to be going on with.
DeleteHappy New Year Sue! Your challenges over the years have inspired many of us to do our own so totally get why you don't need to challenge yourself this year. Although I'm willing to bet you'll find a mini challenge along the way!! ;-) I'm starting my second year of a 4 year challenge so it's just more of the same for me this year xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. Stop trying to tempt me to a challenge you dreadful woman ... haha!! I'll support you in yours instead, you did brilliantly over 2022 and I'm sure you will do even better this year.
DeleteHappy New Year, Sue! No resolutions here, either (although I will try to jot something/anything in my 2023 diary each day, even when February has gone . . . )
ReplyDeleteBecause I have weekly grocery deliveries and rarely go out, I don't handle much cash, just keep a little around to pay for odd jobs done. But (BRAINWAVE) at last I've realised I don't need grocery orders every week as long as I organise the freezer contents. (This means I don't have to order £40 minimum groceries every week in order to avoid the £7 delivery charge.)
I'm bad ... I've not even opened my diary yet!!
DeleteI rarely use cash either so I was amazed to have all this in the house, it shows how selling things has quickly accumulated it. Saving a £7 delivery charge every other week is a really good saving and means you will be able to buy £7 worth of extra food when you do shop. Isn't it funny how it takes us a while for something that is so simple to register. It's the sort of thing I do all the time.
Happy new year to you! no resolutions for me either this year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. That sounds just perfect!
DeleteHappy New Year to you! I love your attitude about not having to prove anything. I've had similar thoughts lately, as social media can make you lose your mind trying to prove you are worthy of all sorts of things. I did enjoy reading about your cash, as I love budgeting, so anytime I see a post about money or savings, I am intrigued. The only thing I save here at home is my change (coins) and at the end of the year I take them to the bank and put them through the coin machine, which spits out a receipt to take to the teller. I've gotten back well over $100.00 most years and use it for cash in my wallet. I think I will spend some time looking through your past challenges and budgeting categories for some inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
DeleteSocial media is proving to be a very critical space at the moment, I find myself pulling back from a lot of it when I see people being so mean to others that are doing their best. When I spend money I will share what I spend it on ... it will be interesting to see when the first spend will be.
No resolutions here either but I am doing a low spend/no spend month on groceries again this year to aid the emergency fund. We do, however, need to have some fun this year. We have both felt very down at times over the last year.
ReplyDeleteYou have a reasonable amount of cash there Sue. It will be interesting to see what you buy! 😊👍
Having some fun sounds like a really good idea. Things don't have to cost a lot and if you search out vouchers or good deals you should be able to do things even cheaper ... and we do know that you are the voucher (and canned peaches) queen!
DeleteI was in bed by 10 and asleep soon after but heard some neighbours fireworks going off at 11:45!! No resolutions here or challenges. Like you I think the bet way of being careful with money and saving is to deal in cash. If you haven't got it in your purse, you can't spend it. Its been the best thing I ever did and hated it when shops wanted cards during the pandemic.
ReplyDeleteI woke briefly when I heard the fireworks going on outside in town, and I remember thinking how well they were doing considering it was also absolutely throwing it down with rain at the time ... then I must have fell asleep immediately.
DeleteIt altered so much when shops went over to just card transactions didn't it. Thank goodness most of them are now taking cash again.
I think your New Year goals are spot on and probably could apply to most of us!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
Alison in Wales x
I think the 'have fun' is vitally important this year. We should all do that for sure. Happy New Year.
DeleteHappy New Year, Sue! Wishing you good health, fun adventures, and happy times in 2023.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, the same for you too. xx
DeleteHappy New Year to you! Diversity Built Britain, that's a wonderful message - I've never seen that coin before!
ReplyDeleteAs a self-confessed hedonist I shall continue living life as I always have done - like every day is my last!
2023 has started well, submitting a shedload of festival applications, not getting dressed till 11.30, skipping food for a liquid lunch in the pub and buying yet another dress I don't need, bring on the next 365 days! xxx
It's a REALLY good message isn't it, I'd never seen it before either.
DeleteI love the way you live your life, it's you to a tee, as is mine to me. Retail potential, a liquid lunch and a new dress sounds like a perfect way to start a new year. Happy New Year to you and Lord Jon. xx
I think that being frugal is the sensible way to live, and I like that doing so leaves me with the money to do things and go places etc. You have elevated frugalism to an art form, believe me, and it is amazing to see what you come up with. I am glad that we are also getting to see you reap a few rewards of sensible living.
ReplyDeleteBeing frugal for a good reason and not out of stinginess is brilliant isn't it, and it's the frugal ones amongst us that reap the rewards and deserve them so much. Being able to do it in our own way is special too.
DeleteHappy New Year Sue - Hope you manage to fulfil your goals - that is a nice tidy sum you accumulated there in cash. I never spend cash these days so don't get change - my only cash in my purse is a £1 coin for the Sainsbury's trolley and an emergency £10 note. I use my debit card for everything and always get a receipt, much to the shops annoyance now - but I enter the receipts onto my Microsoft Money program so I can run an accurate report at the end of each week and see where all my money goes. All I know at the moment is that our pension money does not go very far - drastic measures are needed! Happy New Year x
ReplyDeleteI have barely spent cash this year either, and the pound in my coat pocket is an old one ... we were palmed off with about six of the blighters at the first table-top sale we did so we use them for trolley tokens.
DeleteYou've just reminded me ... I have a folded £10 note in my phone case. It's there in case we need an emergency cup of coffee while we're out with the dogs, I think it was used twice and replaced over the last year. I will leave it there for just such an emergency and not add it to the cash stash.
I'll have to get into the habit of getting receipts again too, but I'll stick them into my new diary to keep tabs on any spending.
Happy New Year. xx
I just try not to spend more on the Credit Card than my budget says until the next 31 days allow. I must try and 'sell' stuff rather than just give it away! All the very best to you for 2023.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I ever did was to pay off my credit cards in full and then get rid of all but one of them. Now I just have to pay off Decembers balance with my December wages that are in the bank, and then see how low I can keep the totals. I want to save as much of my earnings as possible next year.
DeleteIt is a bit more effort to sell rather than give things away isn't it, but I've found this year that things I advertised for free on Olio weren't picked up or wanted, but when I listed the same items on FB Marketplace for a fiver they were snapped up straight away. All the best. xx
I like your no pressure approach to the coming year. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteA 'no pressure year' sounds good doesn't it. :-)
DeleteWe had planned to save for a whole year by putting my husband's pension away every month by standing order thus living on mine and a couple of small private pensions, this was to be our only fixed plan but those mice and men came knocking at the weekend so that plan has flown out of the window. It really doesn't matter as there are more important things that take priority, our elderly Cocker Spaniel is now totally blind, the vet confirmed this , she keeps getting bouts of tummy trouble so has been put on a very expensive special diet and she needs medication for her eyes which is also expensive but she is happy in herself, still loves her food, walks and cuddles so change of plan. Instead of putting a set amount in savings we will see what is left at the end of each month and pop that into savings, no pressure and it will be for just the one year as we are 66 and 70, no debts or mortgage so what are we saving for ? I had already decided a while ago that if I don't set myself goals, I can't be disappointed when I don't reach them, the weight is coming off and I am not aiming to be a certain weight or size , I will know when I am happy with my body and have reaped the health benefits. So 2023 will be more chilled ( we hope ) as there are always things over which we have no control but we will deal with them and carry on. x
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a perfect reworking of your plan. Being able to adapt to new needs and circumstances is the main things isn't it, and having the financial ability to do that due to previous careful spending is the best. Our families, and the furry kids do have top priority when it comes to spending the money. I love your relaxed approach to things, it suits you. xx
DeleteI have never done a no spend/low spend challenge, and really this year isn't much different. What I am trying is to make it a full year without buying anything new for myself. I am not going to count in the gift cards I got for Christmas, and will try and figure out ways to use up what I have (which is a great deal). I am also going to try and cut some of our spending just a tad as we haven't done that in awhile.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
That all sounds really good, it's good to keep our finger on the pulse of what we are up to isn't it, but never so tight as to restrict the flow.
Delete