Beth Denny

I think I have done quite well to spend roughly the same amount this January compared to last year. With the cost of so many things rising, I have had to spend less elsewhere. This is how my month compared to January 2024:

Personal

So this month, I have spent £44.18 on myself. This includes coffee, lunch, e-books, an Ole Henriksen lipbalm and Wild Deodorant refill. Last year, I spent £206.15 so I cut back by over £160. It helps that firstly, I have been unwell with COVID/viral infection since 4th January, and I haven’t had the energy or desire to buy as much. I’m very proud to say that I haven’t bought any clothes but admittedly, I didn’t need the lip balm or deodorant as I am doing project pan and still have an abundance of lip products and an unopened Wild deodorant to use. I just got suckered in by a promotion in Sainsbury’s on Wild Deodorant and enticed by the citrus scented lip balm. A few little luxuries are OK surely…?

Over the last few years, I haven’t spent a lot on coffee whilst out and about. I have however spent quite a fair bit this year because I have had a couple of long hospital appointments and needed to buy lunch there. I also purchased some from vending machine hot chocolates when I was feeling particularly under the weather waiting for the children to finish their after school clubs.

Another thing that helps is that I bought a new phone case in December but it didn’t arrive until this month. I therefore had the joy of a new purchase without adding to my January outgoings.

Children

This is one of the areas I have spent more compared to January 2024. To date, I have spent £97.39 on the children which includes a Disney+ subscription, arts materials from Hobbycraft, my daughter watching & Juliet in Bristol and some Rare Beauty makeup for her. Last year was roughly half this total: £53.79.

Entertainment

I have saved £68.11 by cutting back on takeaways, eating out and fun activities this year. We’ve still had treats and kept the children entertained but we have been more mindful when we do. The children have been great and understand that we are trying to cut back and have been helpful in suggested making chilli or homemade pasta instead of takeaways.

As mentioned earlier, as I was unwell, I spent £19.80 on two prescriptions this month, which I didn’t need last year. It also means that I have driven less and so I have saved approx £50 in petrol.

Finally, as a family, we are trying to spend less on groceries. This doesn’t mean that we are eating less or cutting back on quality. I have found that we are saving simply by storing less in our cupboards and paying more attention to what we are buying. For example, supermarket own brands are often less or un-processed compared to more expensive branded products. I tend to choose their cream cheese, pesto and Greek yoghurt to name a few.

Are you cutting back this year or doing a low-spend year? Bx