January Recap | Low Buy Year

Well, month one of twelve didn't exactly go to plan. I spent a shocking amount of money and I'm not happy with myself at all.

I popped onto Amazon and grabbed myself some baby lotion, face pads, hair dye and teeth whitening serum for £23.90. I was originally going to go through Superdrug but I couldn't be bothered to go to the store and I didn't want to wait up to five days for delivery. I would have spent roughly the same but I also would have gained points. Oops.

I spent £5 on a game of Bingo and had to win a minimum of £40 to cash out. I tried for a few days but couldn't get past £30 so called that one a loss. I was fuming. However, I did make up for it by earning a £5 Amazon gift card using a different app! At the end of the month, I was feeling lucky and spent £4 on two scratchcards and won £5! I couldn't believe my luck. I know it's only a £1 profit but I still feel so chuffed.

While doing my Shein shop I was looking at jars to put our dishwasher pods in (sod the bags, right?) and found a nice one for £8 but I didn't want to spend that much! The following day I ended up in B&M for work and found the same jar for £5! Better believe it came home with me. I also grabbed myself a Lumie clock knock off for £10 - I'd added one to my Amazon wishlist but it was £95! The B&M one is an absolute bargain if it works! Unfortunately I haven't been able to use it yet because I need a plug socket installed in my side of the bedroom, so it's currently sitting in my drawer under my bed and will soon be forgotten about. Hopefully I'll have sockets in time for next winter!

I ended up buying myself a new water bottle because I found mould in the straw of the one I had. I tried cleaning it multiple times but I just couldn't get it out and it made me feel ill at the thought of it. So I binned it and paid £18.99 for a steel, strawless bottle. Did I want to pay that much? Absolutely not. Was it necessary? Yes. Unfortunately I have already dented it and broken the lid but the locks still works so it's still good to use! It has character now.

I saw an advert on Facebook for a nicotine free vape replacement and immediately spent £41.46 on it. I immediately regretted it, especially after seeing it actually has really bad reviews. Impulse got the better of me there! I had tried the Ripple brand before and absolutely hated it so hopefully this one is better! I did however end up buying a new vape as it took forever to come. £11.99

I wasn't sure whether to include this or not but sod it! I decided to pay off one of my Klarna payments early; £10.22 for a Shein order I made last year. Seemed silly to wait another month for a payment that small. 

After talking with Josh about my style and what I wanted out of it I ended spending about 12 hours just scrolling through clothing sites and saving some ideas. I had no intention of getting anything until I made my way onto Vinted, saved a couple things and then those sellers made me a lower offer. I nearly said no but Josh ended up convincing me. So I spent £9.99 on a burgundy Maci dress and £12.09 on a pair of red Halara trousers. Yikes. There were other things I'd saved that I kind of wish I'd ordered instead but I am in love with the dress. A couple days later I also ended up buying two more cardigans that I couldn't stop thinking about!

I ended up getting two taxis to work due to the snow and ice, I really did not fancy trying to bus and walk up a huge hill. They charged me way more than I expected which annoyed me a lot but whatever. £25.70

I impulsively got my hair cut this month too. It was well overdue and I'm in love with it, £30 well spent in my opinion.

We also finally figured out where we want to go on holiday this year and I paid the £25 deposit for that! Just £600 left to go.

I also ended up buying a microwave as our one is on it's way out! I nearly paid £80 but shopped around and got the same one for £64.99! I also got it for collection and saved myself £6.99 on delivery.

Takeaways:

McDonald's £24.38

McDonalds Breakfast £6.87

McDonald's £33.08

Total: £406.71 (including Shein order)

I haven't included food, gifts or subscriptions as they were a given and I had already budgeted for gifts. I'm so incredibly disappointed I spent that much! My main regrets are the knock-off Lumie clock, the clothes and the extra vape as my nic-free one came literally the next day. I am going to make a plan/wishlist for February though, as I don't really want to spend an extra £300 again! I think I'm going to have to give myself a proper "fun money" budget. I shall update you!

I really have my work cut out for February!

Until next time,

Saph x