April No Spend Challenge - End of the Month review

 At the start of April, I set myself a no-spend challenge. Here’s how it went.

Week 1. This week seemed fairly easy. I wasn’t out near many shops because I spent my weekend decorating. I still spent a fair bit of time surfing Vinted, but I didn’t buy anything and to be fair, the only thing I was genuinely tempted by in the first week was a neon nail varnish from Superdrug. It was on my no buy list though, so I didn’t buy it and just painted my nails in a colour I already have. I didn’t save a great deal this week though. Eating out, Easter eggs and replacement clothes for little Misses latest growth spurt saw me still spend a fair bit. 

Sorry I’m Latte by China Glaze - Apparently nude nails are the thing at the moment, so it’s a good job I had it already! 

Week 2. Well, I thought I’d get past week 2 before caving in, but I did have a little bump in the road this week. All was going well until Wednesday. I was in the office, so were Guide Dogs for the Blind. I bought a new cuddly toy for little miss, which as you’ll recall was on my list of things not to buy. My justification was that it’s a worthwhile charity so the money goes to a good cause. I got to meet Guide dog puppies that week too, which was rather lovely. 

For a worthy cause, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it

Week 3: I well and truly crashed this week. I was off work and we were doing lots of activities. My first fall came at Flamingoland. Unsurprisingly with another soft toy for little Miss. Bluey the Frenchie, which she’s now clothed in one of her baby dresses since I wasn’t about to fork out for clothes for the toy after spending £25 on the toy itself. 

I did well when we went shopping for little Misses birthday presents in York, not succumbing to anything for me. The week didn’t end though without me falling for something on Vinted. A Mulberry leather phone case. At a bargain price, and being something I could actually justify as needing, I’m not too disappointed in myself. 

Week 4: Although I did spend a lot this week (Little Misses birthday party, cake, eating out and new plants for the garden), I only bought one thing from my things I’m not buying list. It was a new pair of leggings. I’ve not owned any in months since my last pair fell apart, so I feel it was a justified purchase. I did also buy myself a new e-reader (Kobo as recommended by Vix) but it was from eBay and, annoyingly doesn’t work, so I’ll be returning it.

Week 5. Aced it! Although I still keep adding to my Vinted watchlist, meaning constant temptation. I haven’t actually bought anything other than food or petrol this week though. 

I have found my no spend April useful. Not necessarily because I’ve saved any cash, I don’t think I have. What I have done though is to take the time to use more of what I own, as well as take the time to look after the things I own better, like cleaning my silver jewellery. In turn, this has freed up more money to do things like get my nails done, or spruce up the garden for summer. I’m going to try to take my mindful lessons forward because it’s not necessarily about not buying things, but it’s about spending money on the right things rather than just growing collections of stuff in the wardrobe.