Hi everyone,
Four weeks ago today I started a
spending ban in order to help me save up after buying a house (you can read
more about it here). As the ban was a month long and today is the last day, as
promised here is my update on how I got on and whether or not the ban was a
success!
For the most part I didn’t find the
ban as difficult as I was expecting although there have been a couple of
factors that played in my favour. Firstly, we currently have no internet access
at the new house so that has eliminated any temptation to browse online where I
feel like I’m not spending real money! Secondly, I have recently started a new
job so I no longer work in a department store where there are shiny new things
willing you to buy them round every corner. My new job is also not in the
centre of town like my previous job which stops me for bobbing out on my lunch
break and spending a few pounds here and there. Had this not been the case I’m
not sure I would have done quite so well with my saving!
To help save money I have been doing
things like taking my lunch with me to work rather than buying it every day,
shopping round and looking for cheaper alternatives or the best deals and looking
where I can cut back, for example not getting my nails done as often and using
up makeup and beauty products that I already have before buying new ones.
I have to say I did have two main slip
ups during my month long spending ban. The first was buying the Tanya Burr
Cheek Palette (review here) and secondly during a trip to Manchester with my
mum at the weekend. This was meant purely for Christmas shopping but there was
no chance of me going to Manchester and not buying a few sneaky things for
myself.
Having said that overall the spending
ban has really helped me and kept me focused on saving money. I have rethought the
majority of my purchases rather than just carelessly buying things that I
really don’t need and the more I see my bank balance increase the more
determined it has made me to keep up the good work. I plan to continue my
spending ban for another month and hopefully I can do even better next time.
Have you ever tried a spending ban?
How did you find it?
Thanks for reading
Hannah xx
Image from https://www.pinterest.com/explore/shopaholic-quotes/
Oh my goodness, I can totally relate to this! Back when my office was located in Petronas Twin Towers, I swear I was coming home with a new beauty product from Sephora almost every day. But once the office moved to another location, the spending just stopped because I couldn't be arse to travel. LOL! It's easier for me because I hate shopping for beauty products online, actually really anal about it so I am never tempted to shop online.
ReplyDeleteShireen | Reflection of Sanity
@Shireen L. Platt I know, it's so much better now not having temptation in my face every day! I didn't think I spent that much before but now I realise just how much all those little lunch time purchases added up! x
ReplyDeleteCan totally relate, I'm trying to cut back on my spending too, but more in the going-out sense (hence why I'm home on a Saturday reading blogs instead :P). The amount of money I spend on eating out is ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteI think it's good to treat yourself sometimes though and I'm sure your purchases feel a lot more special now that they're few and far between :).
- Lubna from The Digital Review
@Lubna
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, you definitely have to treat yourself now and again too and it does feel more special when you've saved up to buy something you have wanted for ages :) x