No Spend January - Was it worth it? How much did you save?
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
- I run through our no spend month giving you the actual numbers.
Frugal Queen in France
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We are a British couple living in Brittany on a budget.
Frugal recipes, days out, home renovations and day to day making do in France.
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The way you are budgeting and planning for future needs is wise. In my former life as a banker I met so many people who had no budget and no plan. They ended up carrying high rate credit card bills because they used them in emergencies for things like car repairs and dental work. I don't break down my expenses the way you do, but I'm a firm believer in setting aside savings each month. When planned and unplanned expenses come up the funds are available to cover them. This video should be required watching for those just starting to work.
Your comment is very kind, I hope breaking down how much we save and what we save for is helpful
I agree. Thanks to this channel I saved 30% of my income this month and I didn’t have a no spend month. I try to do as many no spend days as I can though. This should be thought in schools. Thanks Jane and Mike.
@@Barneybudgets thanks very much
Great video Jane and Mike🙏 I didn't use my card in January just put money in jar to last and there some left over for Feb it's just so easy and your not over spending also have you thought about vegetable patch to grow your own veg am planning that for nxt couple of weeks 🙏 this will save alot and so much satisfied that you have grown your own veg 😘
@@joani2675 we may well have a garden in the future. We are buying and planting fruit trees first.
So amazed! I could only ‘find’ about $80 usd in my very tight budget. But, followed along with you, did some rather extreme frugal-izing and...saved $265.00 !!!! Totally amazed! Yay! I’m sticking with it! Thanks so much for your advice and encouragement! Here’s to a Frugal February!!
Wow! You did really well
I am now debt and mortgage free, grow over 80% of my own food, work from home so have zero travel to work costs, and the house is heated entirely by wood from the land.
How did I reach this position? Simply by doing two things. 1. I became frugal. I entirely followed the "Frugal Queen In France" method! * And equally necessary for me, I chose the path of deferred gratification and took on as much work as I could. I chose to work 7 days per week, up to 16 hours per day. YES, a whopping 112 hrs per week. It was a short term situation, but the only way I could achieve my dream. If anyone can focus on putting in more effort ; a short term situation for the longterm gain, then I would suggest they look at increasing their workload for a period of time too.
Well done Les. These short term sacrifices rarely hurt and we just put our shoulder to the wheel and keep going. Well done on the food growing.n
Congratulations
Congratulations knowing you own the roof over your head is the best feeling in the world. I feel that will a good panty I could easily last a couple of months without an income.
Congratulations!
@I Love Aviation darling, I don't have a husband. I am a very hard working woman who has raised my son to Post Doctoral level. I have never taken one single penny fron the state. I work for myself and run my own business. I work harder than most people would ever be prepared to . .. and I live simply and well, well, well below my means. I don't need to ve frugal. I choose to be. How about you?
Jane, I did a no-spend January and was shocked by how much I came to love the frugal/spending reset after the insanity of the holidays :). We saved over $1k this month (USD), didn't feel deprived, and still have tons of food in the pantry and freezer. Also, I finished sewing and knitting projects, started new projects, read a ton of library books, walked, explored, baked, cooked, and experimented in the kitchen. This is a long way of saying...thanks for the push! It was very needed and appreciated!
So glad to hear of your success
Thanks for dropping by and we love all your positive and encouraging comments. If you have any questions about our budget video about our no spend month, feel free to ask.
Hi. I just wanted to know what the Long term savings that you put aside are for exactly? I get the short term etc. Just curious as i have started to do it too. Thanks
Hi Jane and Mike. I am in the USA and because I have always lived a very frugal life it has allowed me to retire at 56 and spend my days with my beautiful granddaughter. Life is all choices, and I respect everyone’s choices, but I wouldn’t live any other way. I buy everything I need, making sure to buy the better quality items so they last longer but not purchasing anything I don’t need. I enjoy your videos so much. Thank you.
Thanks so much for sharing
We have just had to replace our washing machine and car exhaust on the first of February. Thank God we have savings.
Thank goodness indeed.
I find these types of your videos so motivating - you have really taught me how to live off a zero balance budget and my savings have dramatically increased as a result - I can’t thank you enough Jane xx
So pleased to hear that the budgeting videos help. Thanks for the feedback
Totally agree Joanne since finding Jane and Mike,s channel I have totally rearranged my budget and increased my savings. I am still tweaking the budget to get a better saving rate so it’s still a work in progress and I long for the next budget video to come out.
Thank~you Jane, 💰, So inspirational, 🤞💗
I've had no spend days, weeks, months and years. Now I've "graduated" to a no spend rest of my life. I'm getting used to it.
I hope that works for you
I love how you keep your budgeting simple. So many budgeting channels seem to over complicate things. Thank you for sharing this with your viewers.
You’re welcome and we do this so people can see a zero balance budget
I enjoy plain and simple budgets. I’m a pen and paper girl. I agree so many other channels are very complicated. The one I find very difficult is the Budget by Pay cheque by the budget mom. Seems lot of people use it by too complicated for me
I have $9.44 left from my $80 food budget in my No Spend January. I will be rolling it into next month and doing a No Spend February. I had a fun time watching videos from you, Tess, Shoestring Jane, Claire and Jo. My biggest takeaway is that there is absolutely no lack. I'm not suffering in any way, shape or form. The stigma of frugality being hard, dull and full of lack has been broken. It's the opposite. I have become more creative and learning how to stretch my food, collecting ideas from watching your videos and teaching myself new skills. Onward to No Spend January 💗
We didn’t lack anything either
Fabulous month . You came into my life at the right time . I started watching at the beginning of January did a no buy now I’m
Doing a no buy Feb … we saved over $3000 Australian just by not spending money on anything that wasn’t budgeted for . We ate well , and are so proud of our achievements. It was easier than we thought it would be … we have a goal to buy a house and need a huge deposit. So it will be a no buy year I think but that’s ok to have savings in the bank , emergency fund and a deposit . Fingers crossed 🤞. Thank you again xxx
Good luck, we did no buy years, we look back and the rewards cancel out any hardships
About why us retirees continue saving ... in 2021 my 24 year-old car died on me ...But my son’s car also quit working and would you believe it my daughter ’s car also needed major repairs which were more than the car’s worth . Since I save I could buy a car for me and help my children buy more reliable cars than they would have been able to . That is money well spent in my opinion . So I’ll continue saving
Exactly Mattie, we all have to keep saving
Interesting plan .oved it
Thank you so much I found your channel by chance and subscribed am so glad I did it has really motivated me to start being frugal I always thought being frugal was being stingy and mean with money I have found a book and started listing all my debts nearly fell over 😀 but felt so much better after paying my monthly payments knowing that hopefully soon I will be in a better place now that I will be learning through your channel how to cope
You will keep get the Nusha, you’ve made a great start.
Can I add another reason to be frugal? I'm in my late sixties and have a reasonable fixed income but I hadn't reckoned on having to pay for help in the house and garden for jobs that I could have done easily and safely myself just a few years ago.
Good point Lin
My husband died three years ago so I have had to budget for things like car repairs and yard mowing that he always did. I tried the first year to do the mowing, but I found it was just too much for a 72 year old womsn to mow two acres each week. Thankfully I have wonderful, kind teen agers who do the mowing for me for less than half what it would cost from someone else. How blessed I am. I am still able to keep up with the garden, since I don't grow very much anymore. So I do understand how such unexpected additional expenses force a person to be more frugal in other areas. Thanks for the reminder about these kinds of things that can increase the need for frugality. Diane in NC
@@janeknight3597 I am quite happy to do without the odd treat if it means I can afford a bit of help in the house or garden. It makes sense to save money of you know what you are saving it for.
@@jimmiepatrum I'm sorry that you have found yourself alone. Tough times. My husband had a stroke about 6 years ago which has left him with limited mobility, lack of sight, poor balance and limited memory. None of us see this happening to us do we? One minute, life is great and we are enjoying our retirement together and then....!
I had commented last year that I bought myself a budget book and I set off to track all my spending, etc. It did not last very long though as my cat has been ill all last year and I payed an absolute fortune in veterinary bills (I live in a very expensive city). Thankfully she is beginning to stabilize, so I am hopeful that in 2022 I will be more successful. I am still working full time, but will be retiring in the next year to two years, and am very aware that I need to learn the skills you are teaching and fast! or I will be in deep trouble (unfortunately, my natural tendency is to be a liberal spender... a tendency that is very hard to curb) . I have taken screen shots of your figures and will dust off my budget book and begin anew. Thank-you for the inspiration and for teaching us these vital skills. I so appreciate it, Jane.
You’re welcome and thanks for watching
Well done on a successful January! 45% is impressive.
Thanks, we have some low income bare bones month when we can’t make any long term savings or have any discretionary spending
My personal no spend January goal was not to buy anything for my hobby this month! I know I spend too much on it usually but I was determined! Perhaps it’s only a small amount in the large scheme of things but it meant a lot to me and I feel good about it! Now to apply this principle for further months as every little helps! Thank you for a helpful and well explained video!
Good for you. I made the decision a few years ago to stop buying new quilting fabric and use what I have. Although I never say never, I have bought fabric such as pillow cases from charity shops but I don’t go out buying fabric in any amount that I used to do.?
Your videos are really Jane. You explain everything so clearly. Since I’ve started watching your channel I have set up a sinking fund, LTS and meal plan every week. I finally feel that I know where my money goes. Your enthusiasm for frugal living and all of the tips you share help me to stay on track. Thank you.
Thank you Wendy, I really appreciate the feedback.
Meant to say your videos are really helpful! Missed a word out!
Helpful! Thank you! Aiming for February no spend month.
I wish you well
My partner and I did "the no spend and pantry challenge" with you! We are working our way to being debt free and we were able to pay off an entire credit card $1k worth with the money we saved by not spending on extras and minimal groceries. We appreciate the inspiration!
Thanks for the feedback
You Truly Are the Queen Jane! Hats off to you+Michael! Ever-Inspiring,I certainly remain in Awe of how Clever+Wise you both are as you walk confidently through these turbulent times! It's about Planning ,Planning,Planning right?I would really like to see your channell shared every year in Every United States High School.This is Every Day Preperation for Life! Living a Decent, Sensible Life!
Thanks, how kindb
I grew up learning to budget with my mother. We were very poor but we worked hard and budgeted. This helped me with college, work, savings and owning my own home as I now do. As my my mother did. It’s the best feeling to know that it’s mine. Goals are obtainable when you have a plan. I really enjoy all your vids. Finance, food and cooking, quilting, shopping, projects and your home. You and Mike do a good job!
Thanks Katherine and thanks for sharing
You explain it so well, Thankyou. You’re right about sinking funds. One year my home insurance went from £400 ish per year to over £1100 because we’d had a claim. There was no way I could pay it so had to pay monthly. Normally I’d have had a few for that but to be fair to my insurance company they waivered it. But it was so stressful. So basically my monthly payments doubled. If I had sinking funds I would have avoided the tears and the stress.
Thanks for sharing
We had to spend $500 on each child for school uniforms. $500x2. One started high school. Could not get second hand as the school has introduced a new uniform for the new kids. So sad as my $500 only got the summer uniform. I was offered the whole uniform for free from a friend ,winter and summer in good condition but not allowed to wear it. The other child has grown and her uniform is relatively newly introduced so no second hand available. Also two new laptops for school. Nothing fancy but absolutely necessary. 2x $700.
Total$2400 and there was nothing I could do about it. Good news is that we did budget for it.
Just feels such a waste of money.
I love these challenges, I'm saving for a piece of furniture. Retired and reset my spending several times a year.
Great to hear Annette
We saved $800 for the month of January and we are rolling onto February as well. I buy most of our meat on Managers special and we need to eat it before there is freezer burn.
Well done Michelle, wrap meat tightly as it helps to store it
Fantastic as always!
I have never done a no spend month, but it does make sense to do it in January because of all the holiday spending we do in October, November, and December. We do have sinking funds and do set money aside every month for vacations or as you call it, holiday. We also have an emergency fund and long term savings. We will be retiring in the next few years and will receive government pensions, social security and we have been investing in 403B accounts as well. I wish I was more disciplined with my budget the way you and Mike are. It's a work in progress and watching videos like yours gives me encouragement. I try to surround myself with like minded people but my family circle are spenders. We are very thankful that our children are frugal.
You sound like you’re doing well, thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing and the encouragement.
You are so welcome
Very clear. Thank you.
No spending at all this week - not even on food! So my totals for the whole month are £30 on groceries and £6 on a trip to a local bar - I'm quite pleased with that as my monthly budget is £90 for groceries and £80 for personal/fun spending. Do I now have a Frugal February or a Frivolous February? 🤔
We have spending to do but it’s well planned.
Frugal Mr B £ 36 is so very good
Stick to frugal February and reap the savings.
@@patmartin9727 Good suggestion for Mr. B!
Thank you Jane for your great videos. They continue to inspire me. Although I had a large fall off the wagon incident, i managed to spend about 350 less this month. I had one day in the whole month where i spent money that was not bills, rent, groceries gas, or savings. I am planning on doing a spend free February too. I have been working crazy amounts of overtime for a long time now and am looking forward to a little vacation in March.
Jane throughly enjoyed your video! We save also per month even though we are retired and have no debt we are in our seventies and with no big health problems but we don't know what is around the bend in that area of our life! We save for the unknowns not always for the knowns. Looking forward to your next video!
Thanks Karen, glad to hear from you
My husband and I are 84 and 80 and we are having to hire help to do the ordinary things we always did ourselves - like yardwork, and deep housecleaning. We are also having heavy medical bills that we never expected. Thank goodness we always saved - and continue to do. No spend January was fun! We saved about $200. Love your channel.
The curse of your medical system with those bills.
I intended to try no spend month this month . Then wham £800 medical bill followed by double whammy £220 vets bill . Yes Murphy certainly knocked at my door this month. But I'm absolutely determined to budget more and hopefully give myself peace of mind by building up a buffer pot for emergencies etc. Thankyou for the great videos Jane and Mike and well done on your no spend month!
Well done and thank you
Another great video.
Thanks very much
I apreciate your video, all the explanations and the encouragement. This is great content.
Thanks for watching
As ever, thank you for your total honesty. No doubt at all it’s worth the short term pain of a NSM!
You’re welcome, I always worry about upsetting someone when we share our budget. We know there’s families out there is very difficult circumstances.
Thank you for the ideas and tips £135.00 saved next is a pantry challange. I love a challange. This is making me think when shopping do i just want it or do i need the item. Thankyou jane for the encouragment.
Thanks for your feedback
Thank you for the results video. I have turned my adult daughter onto your channel. It has been a tremendous help to her and her fiance as they are just starting their financial journey together:)
You’re welcome and thanks for watching and encouraging others to watch
An informative video, thank you Jane and Mike. 😀
Hi Jane
Great video. I miss January but I’ll start on February. Thank you for your great ideas. I love your videos.
Thanks Rosa, good luck with the budgeting.
Not easy for me but I need to be more discipline and take baby steps. Have a lovely day.
Since finding you here in RUclips land I have made a budget, figured out how many extra hours I need to pick up at work. It has been challenging for sure. Had some tentative plans for my personal January challenge, well some of that got blown out of the water. Our vehicle needed some TLC (new battery) and the dog tore his ACL so are having a few extra expenses for him. Fortunately with having the budget in place I had picked up extra hours on top of what was needed, so most of his expenses are paid for. Yeahhh!!!! That was a huge relief when I figured things out. Unfortunately I'll be missing about 30 hrs. on this coming pay, but should be able to make it up quickly. I'm planning on doing my January challenge in February and maybe into March, we'll see how it goes.
You sound very in control of your finances
@@FrugalQueeninFrance Thank you Jane, I'm getting there. I still have a long road to travel to get rid of the debt, but I'm doing what I can each month.
I so enjoy your videos. Great work on the no-spending!👍
Good video. I wish kids could be taught at least the basics at home or school. I remember being taught at home and in school but kids today are not prepared for life. Some will learn on their own and some will not. I know of some who took many years to dig out of debt losing all that time to save for their future. Once your up in years working becomes harder to keep yourself above water. Your financial breakdown is a good model to follow.
Thanks Shiva
I want to do a bare bones budget year starting January first. I will only buy essentials (basic foods, kids’ clothes, cheaper toiletries and cheaper cleaning products) and presents for immediate family members and nieces.
And I’m on disability benefits and I need to save too!
You're Videos are helping so much. Motivating me to Go on.👍
Tomorrow I will Look,and Count how January was. I know I had a few hundred Euros less,because I was ill in Dezember.
So That I can save the next Month👍.
Jane and Michael,thank you for helping me stay strong👍👍
Thank you Marianne, keep going, you’re doing great.
Thank you, once again, for an encouraging and informative video. I always look forward to your videos.
You’re welcome and thanks for watching
Thank you so much for posting these videos. You have no idea how they have helped me. I am so grateful that you have shared your wisdom and experience.
You’re welcome, we hope to encourage
Fantastic video as always, keeps me motivated to keep trying to save ,thank you .
Thanks very much
We have had a no-spend month because of you. Thank you! Enjoy your recipes, too.
45% is fantastic Jane!
It’s a good buffer for bare bones months
Oh my goodness we actually saved £443 how amazing is that! Thanks so much for your weekly motivation. Really appreciate it
That’s amazing! Well done
We get £400 less than you per month and we manage to save £200 per month easily It can be done if you want to
Good to hear that
Very encouraging Jane and Mike, thanks for sharing your strategies
Thanks Shirley
This is fantastic!
I did a no spend January this month also.
I found myself several times...having to check myself and remind myself of no spend January.
I saved a good amount.
Well done for sticking with it
Thank you... watching you has given me so much inspiration. So much so, that with our new reset my husband and I will be in a much better place going into this year.
Good for you Jean.
Great video, I saved so much this month by doing no spend january, and sticking to my budget, have a great week!
Congratulations
Sharing your budget is very helpful. It shows all the things we should be thinking about and I never did. My no spend January enabled me to pay all my regular bills in full and put extra on credit card debt. I am doing a Frugal February similar to no spend January except some things need fixing/replacing. Researching ways to repair things I already own and need and/or use regularly. I have two left thumbs so this should prove interesting. I am also looking to replace a couple of items but will look at second hand and may have to budget for and replace in a few months down the road when there is enough saved to pay cash. Thanks again Jane and Mike for your hard work.
You’re doing well and we’re happy to help
Hi Jane and Michael, thanks for a great video! Yes, we have had several no spend months in a row. Nothing to buy. No need to spend. Lucky us, I guess. Thank you again for a very good video!
It has helped. I never heard of a no spend month and has made me mindful of everything I spend or not spend. I’m saving all of my receipts, which in the past wasn’t able to do so thank you for sharing your personal finances with us. ❤️
Thanks Maria, I’m glad it’s helping you,
I truly love your property.
Thanks very much
Soooo helpful Jane & Mike👍🏴
Happy to help
Great video as usual ! I didn't know about your January no spent challenge but almost achieve it. The most of my spent went for fixed house charges and saving. I even added more in my savings after getting my salary.
During 15 years I had a big mortgage for my house, and lost few jobs or had short terms contracts. In France, with these contracts, you get 10% of your gain as precariousness indemnity, and I always saved them : lI wanted to be able to buy a washing machine if mine broke, or a small car. So, when people wonder why I didn't use for holidays, I kept saying "I live on my own income, can't get other credit for a car I mine breaks". And with house equipment, we all know that there break down all together. :)))
Yes ! Last year , Spring was a spendy time for me. Things just kept coming up, but I had the savings to pay for them. I'm hoping this year will be a much less spendy year. Well done Jane and Michael. tfs 🥰❄☃☔🏜💗✝🔆
That sounds like our last year too, we had savings to get us through
Hello. I am hoping you will teach me some new tricks. Great video thanks for sharing. New friend here.
Thanks so much for watching
Thank you for a well thought out and explained budget plan. It is very helpful for me to see your breakdown and then personalize for my income. It is very much appreciated.
Have a great week!
Happy to help
Our budget consists of: 28% Mortgage Payment for future. (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance}. We are mortgage and debt free.
20% Savings Long Term. 30% Everything else. 22% Short term savings. We have 4 different accounts for each category.
I have picked February as my no spend month since my monthly income is the same and there are fewer days in February then any other month of the year. January is my catch up on bills month for those bills that got lost in the mail.
Good luck with your no spend month
Hi Jane and Mike thank you for a great video explaining your no spend January it is absolutely brilliant 👏 😀.
We do not do a no spend month but do a very low spend month every 2 months but will try 1 no spend month in March after very low spend February. I never compare our pensions to anyone else's no point but I love getting new ideas on how to do things a bit differently and you have given us so many great ones thank you. The aim of the no spend month in March is for a weeks holiday sometime this year. Nothing ventured nothing gained!!!!!
Thanks again A.
Thanks very much for watching and your feedback
Great video as always. I've had what you call sinking funds for some time savings accounts for Christmas/ holidays/ car
I've also got one that I'm trying to put more in as I have a goal i want to get it to.
I've managed to get my food bill down by £10 a week thanks to you. So thank you, its all a learning process however this year will be tough for us all.
Plus I turned down drinks at work again and felt bad however I just can't do it.
Well done on your strength in every aspect there
@@FrugalQueeninFrance thank you, I'm a work in process with all the rest and learn more each week.
Jane you and Mike offer such practical and honest support. I didn't do the no spend this month but I have cancelled some subscriptions and am looking at culling a few more. I am looking at a new (for me) car in the next 2 years and am paying cash! Love your frugal recipes.
Cheers Bernie and good luck with your car savings
Great video, feb, may and September are my no spend months this year, it's the first time I have done this so the video was encouraging.
It’s only a month and it’s not too bad.
You guys did a wonderful job on ‘No Spend January’! Great work. Thanks for the recap because I just love seeing the bottom line!
Thanks Bonnie. That money is tucked away in our long term savings now.
Thankyou for being so honest it really helps to manage my own funds.
You’re welcome. I know our budget is different as we’re debt and mortgage free but the rest is the same
I am debt and mortgage free too, I think that is the key to being able to manage on pension.
Thank you Jane & Mike very encouraging video and well done on completing your no
Spend January. Congratulations on your saving for January. Your videos have helped me to stay on track
with my no spend January. I also managed to save a lot of money which will go towards my emergency fund.
Well done to you too.
Congrats all on your achievements everyone! This month threw me for a loop as I planned to start 2022 with a big savings goal but had to replace my car several years early due to other careless driver. I usually focus on needs on a monthly basis. So a big spend month but careful scrimping overall and emergency savings truly came to my rescue.
Hooray for savings
It is nice to see how you budget for your saving.
Thanks Dolly
Great job saving 45% of your income. Your explanation is spot on. I managed to meet my 3 goals for low spend January. Put away extra money for gas, $200 in total extra on my mortgage and have a little less than $2 left in grocery budget. I had a slip up and treated myself to lunch one day last week. One unexpected spend because my washer is broken. Had to do laundry at the laundry mat. $15 I didn’t spend on gas this month is going towards the new dishwasher. I decided putting money towards my mortgage was a better choice.
You’re making great choices
Your videos are so inspiring and full of encouragement!!! I am always so excited to see that you’ve posted another! I did quite well with the no spend but I hope “Murphy” stays away a bit longer 🤪.
Murphy was here so often last year, I thought he lived here!
Another commentary ... I saw 2 sweaters that I really really liked in the supermarket ( leclerc) .but I stayed there thinking of no spend January ... and I didn’t buy the sweaters
I buy clothes there, my striped jumper was 5€
@@FrugalQueeninFrance ah I try to not spend on clothes since I think that 3 pants and 3 sweaters is OK for winter but my daughter thinks it should be 5 pants / 5 sweaters but she agrees that I am 0ld enough to know what works for me
I saw a black cardigan on clearance at BJ's (think Costco), out it in the cart, got all the way to the checkout and asked the attendant to put it back. This month has made me really think a about wants versus needs.
@@rena4220 we had the same "I love this " moment but we also had the same " i don't really need it " .....
need it
This was very helpful, Jane. I had a nice cushion after my no spend January, and am also able to save more, although not 45%! That is amazing!! Love your videos as always. 💜
It’s a little buffer for when we have Bare bones months and can’t add anything to our long term savings
As a single parent, i earn half of your total. I still save every month and i wonder what people do with all their money. Bigger isn't always better. Thanks for another great video.
We wonder the same thing too.
Hi jane 😘
Hi Arlette
Thanks for sharing it inspiresc
You’re welcome
👍👍👍
Very well done.
I have had a good no spend January until yesterday when the storm in the uk ripped into my roof. So thankful that I include general property maintenance in my house sinking fund every month and also have my emergency fund full with 12 months expenses. Let’s hope the bill is not too big when the roofer comes to look at it tomorrow.
Was thinking about continuing the no spend into February but don’t need to think about it any more are I will need a no spend February and March to top up the sinking fund and maybe even the emergency fund. 🤞🤞🤞🤞that the bill is not too high.
Thank goodness you have that savings fund
Do you have house insurance? Won’t that cover some of the cost? Good luck!
Yes I do have house insurance but there will still be the excess to pay.
Thankfully the roof repair bill was not too bad so the sinking fund covered the cost. Not worth claiming on the insurance as the excess was more than half the bill and claiming would put up my insurance premium for the next 5 years as I would have to declare the claim at renewal each year for the next 5 years.
If I am being honest my no spend January was horrible. I only spent on non essential things twice, only ended up saving about $100 and was miserable. I couldn't go do anything with anyone because I couldn't pay for my part, I was so lonely and I got really depressed at one point. I do not think I will be doing a no spend again. For me in my situation it just does not seam worth it.
What was your motivation to do it Erin
Congratulate yourself. You have at least saved $100. Much better than being $100 in debt. Question yourself if these are real friends or just time fillers- if folk need to have a distraction in order to spend time with you , then check their motivation. Ensure you are only paying your part of the bill. Ask them round for coffee and a biscuits. Much cheaper and better for a good old natter!
Where do you keep your long term savings? Do you still have savings in the UK? (I only ask as we re leaving the UK soon and wondering if we have to close everything before leaving)
Hi, we have no bank accounts in the UK, all our money is in France
Bonjour 😃
Yes!
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Ah to answer your question about how much we saved I saved my usual 300 € and I saved 58€ since I didn’t buy the sweaters
You did well Mattie
Is a no spend month worth it? For me, no, it isnt - not this year. The cost of living is rising steeply and never going to drop.What we are doing is having a no waste year. We are doing such things as planning our money and time budget. We need no new clothes and don't need to go out or away for leisure, since we live in a place like those places we used to go to for holidays and have plenty to do here for pleasure.
There are still things we need to do to our home. As labour and materials rise monthly, we are using our income for three things, food costs, putting regular Murphy money on one side and the balance goes on something like replacing our gutters one part of the house, putting a new door on, before the cost rises further.
Our time is budgeted to ensure we, rather than a tradesman, do the work for that. We plan menus and now shop once a fortnight to save time and money by not making the thirty mile round trip to buy even a single bottle of milk.or a weekly shop that takes a fifty mile trip.We
We are saving by investing in things that will soon reach prices that will be making life comfortable in the future.
For us, we feel it is better to have a strong, cosy home that will make living cheaper when there is no spare money because of inflation than savings that are being eroded in value by inflation. Once the house is in good shape, we will think again. We saved by cutting up and paying off the credit card and are now paying off the mortgage as fast as we can.
Did you watch the video to see the budgeting section?