How much could you save in a week?
We’ve challenged a selection of our team, content creators and the public to only spend their money on the essentials for one week. Check out the My No Spend Week hub for some inspiration on saving. Maybe a ‘no spend’ week could change how you view your spending habits?
We’ve quizzed our diarists how they feel about their spending habits before their challenge week and then after, how they might approach saving and spending in the future.
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Hi, my name is Katie Gaffney and I am the Partnership Operations Manager at Leicester Tigers Rugby Club. I live in Leicestershire with my fiancée, and we are both trying our hardest to save some money ahead of our wedding in July 2021.
Are you a saver?
My fiancée is great at saving money, however I am the complete opposite. I am guilty of seeing things online and on social media that I don’t urgently need, however they are so accessible to purchase on our phones. I am extremely guilty of buying clothes and shoes with a wardrobe that is going to burst.
In March 2017 we bought our first home together which was a massive financial commitment for us both. Having felt like I had wasted money for five years on rent in a one bedroom flat in the centre of Leicester, it was a huge jump to buy our house and start paying a mortgage. We are constantly looking at ways to keep our utility bills down, and always shopping around for the cheapest rates. I also find that each month our food shop tends to get more and more expensive, and I think this may be due to the additional snacks we are consuming whilst at home much more!
Through lockdown, we have been saving money on petrol, work lunches and even family social events. The money we are saving is going straight into our wedding fund, as I am slightly over budget!
Take the No Spend Challenge
Monday
Today we had our annual boiler service booked in which cost us £70. I always find that there is always something that crops up in life whether it be house or car related. Whilst the plumber was at the house, I spoke to him about our dripping tap in the kitchen, so he is popping back later in the week to sort this. As I am working from home, I had no need to leave the house other than for my daily walk.
Tuesday
Another day working from home so I cooked my own breakfast, lunch and dinner. No money spent.
Wednesday
Again I worked from home, however I needed to buy some Sharpies for a work player signing session next week. The total cost of these were £9.90 and I will be able to expense these.
Thursday
I worked from home again today and we had another visit from the plumber, which means more money spent. We had to pay him for his labour, alongside two new tap valves, total cost of £90 – hopefully he isn’t back in a hurry!
Friday
I worked from home again today and I caught the fashion section of This Morning in the background – I fell in love with a lounge suit from H&M, and whilst browsing the app on my phone, I added a few additional clothes to my basket, it would have been rude not to! The total shop was £60.99.
Saturday
Today I met my fiancée’s mum for a walk along the canal and bought us two coffees at £5.00. We had a nice long walk in the sun and had a good catch up on both of our weeks.
Sunday
Sunday is a day to relax at home and catch up on all of the household chores such as ironing and cleaning. I also love cooking a roast dinner for the two of us, and I always cook for double the people so that we can have it reheated later in the week. As we have had an expensive week due to the boiler service and tap repair, we went for a walk but decided against buying a coffee to save money.
The verdict
Aside from the money we had to spend on the house and work purchases, I am actually proud of myself for only shopping at H&M and buying two takeaway coffees. Had this been a ‘normal’ week back in the office this would have been increasingly more due to petrol costs, lunches and even takeaway coffees. I certainly think that having to log the money I am spending each week helps me to re-evaluate what I am spending it on and helps me think twice as to if I actually need it. I am also going to make a pledge to not buy anymore clothes, or unnecessary purchases to ensure that the money I am saving can go towards our wedding later in the year – I also have a birthday in March so I should be starting the create a birthday wish list, not buying it all myself!
My total spend for the week was £235.89 – If you minus the money to the plumber and a work purchase of sharpies, it was only £65.99.
Your No Spend Week?
So, what do you think? Could you go a whole week and only spend on essentials? No treats or coffees or new clothes like Katie (oops!)? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook and if you’d like to write your own ‘My No Spend Week’ diary – send us an email telling us all about yourself to socialcomms@thenottingham.com. Check out our range of savings accounts and our Essential Savings Guides too for some more tips and tricks for saving money.
*The featured content creators have been asked to take part in and keep a diary of their ‘My No Spend Week challenge’. However the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed belong solely to the content creator. The opportunity is open to members of the public too if they also wished to take part in the challenge. There is no commercial relationship between The Nottingham or content creator and any products or brand mentioned in their diary.
*The featured content creators have been paid to take part in and keep a diary of their ‘My No Spend Week challenge’. However the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed belong solely to the content creator and the opportunity is open to members of the public too if they also wished to take part in the challenge. There is no commercial relationship between The Nottingham or content creator and any products or brand mentioned in their diary.
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