After the excesses of Black Friday, we felt it was time to take a step back and think about spending – or not spending. The idea of non-consumerism is popular with many money bloggers, through deliberate “no-spend” days and just habit. Plus with Giving Tuesday taking place, it was a good time to think about giving to charity. Here are the highlights from the Twitter chat.
Q1 – The pressures to spend come from all over
Q1 It’s easy to feel under pressure to spend. When do you feel this? What’s your biggest buying regret? #MondayMoneyUK
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) November 28, 2016
@AndyCleverCash The pressure to buy was from the salesman, yes. Also that need to have something immediately. #MondayMoneyUK
— Katy (@Katykicker) November 28, 2016
A1 I felt most pressured to spend when going out with friends (esp wealthier friends!) #MondayMoneyUK
— Lee Balders (@HomelyEconomics) November 28, 2016
Worst thing for me is to go without a meal plan in my head and a shopping list. Without those, I spend far too much https://t.co/VJBs8Rt8m1
— Lesley Negus (@Thriftylesley) November 28, 2016
Q2 – We all spend money we know we don’t need to
Moving on, Q2 Where do you waste money on a daily basis that you don’t really need to spend? How could you cut back? #MondayMoneyUK
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) November 28, 2016
@AndyCleverCash Far too many takeaways when we have food in but working crappy hours means I don’t wana cook at midnight #MondayMoneyUK
— Savvy in Somerset (@SavvyinSomerset) November 28, 2016
@AndyCleverCash @UKMoneybloggers definitely the TV subscriptions. 100% my husbands fault #MondayMoneyUK
— FromPenniestoPounds (@FromPenniesto) November 28, 2016
@AndyCleverCash morning cappuccinos. I have stated buying Costa vouchers on Zeek though to cut it down a bit where I can #MondayMoneyUK
— David Jack Taylor (@thinkin_thrifty) November 28, 2016
Q3 – Going without isn’t always easy, but can be done
Q3 Have you ever taken part in a no-spend day? How did it go? If you haven’t, what most worries you about the idea? #MondayMoneyUK
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) November 28, 2016
@AndyCleverCash we did a month and it was horrible. We ended up eating really badly. Wouldn’t do it again. #MondayMoneyUK
— CORA HARRISON ✈️✈️ (@CoraHarrison15) November 28, 2016
@AndyCleverCash I didn’t buy anything for myself (other than food and essentials) for 10 months! (1/2) #MondayMoneyUk
— Zoe Morrison (@Ecothrifty) November 28, 2016
#MondayMoneyUK no. 1 way to avoid spending is simply not go to the shops/look online. Don’t give the blighters the opportunity to tempt you
— Lesley Negus (@Thriftylesley) November 28, 2016
@AndyCleverCash start by writing down everything you spend & earn in a month. You’ll know exactly what you can keep doing & what to stop 🙂
— Lee Balders (@HomelyEconomics) November 28, 2016
Q4 – Giving to charity isn’t always as simple as making a donation
Q4 Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday. How do you feel about giving to charity? What are the best ways to do it? #MondayMoneyUK
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) November 28, 2016
A4 If you are a taxpayer, always tick the Gift Aid box. Then the charity can claim back an extra 25p for ever £1 you donate. #Mondaymoneyuk https://t.co/dd7x1YkKs7
— MuchMoreWithLess (@MuchMore_Less) November 28, 2016
@AndyCleverCash i donate freebie food insight need to the local food bank, give to and buy from charity shops #MondayMoneyUK #GivingTuesday
— Savvy in Somerset (@SavvyinSomerset) November 28, 2016
@AndyCleverCash you can donate your time, or clothes/toys etc to charity shops if you are low on funds yourself #MondayMoneyUK
— FromPenniestoPounds (@FromPenniesto) November 28, 2016
It surprised me that not all your money goes to the charities #MondayMoneyUK #GiveOrGift @UKMoneybloggers https://t.co/NSI0QIdiVi
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) November 28, 2016
@AndyCleverCash @UKMoneybloggers charity clothes bag collectors are ones to watch out for too, as they take a cut! #MondayMoneyUK
— Zoe Morrison (@Ecothrifty) November 28, 2016
Big fan of charity shops – save money on bargains, stop stuff going into landfill & all in a good cause. Win win all around! #Mondaymoneyuk https://t.co/6HggvQs2jE
— MuchMoreWithLess (@MuchMore_Less) November 28, 2016
#GiveOrGift – how to make the thought really count this Christmas
As money bloggers we all hate money going to waste, so we wanted to find an alternative for people fed up with novelty or misjudged gifts, especially those given through Secret Santa.
So we came up with #GiveOrGift, an easy way for you to ask for a donation to charity instead of receiving a gift. Please do check it out and spread the word.
Here’s more info about #GiveOrGift which we’re running with @bt_uk #mondaymoneyuk #GivingTuesday https://t.co/ZEIYnbgKK8
— UK Money Bloggers (@UKMoneybloggers) November 28, 2016