Matilda Relefors, a 28-year-old from Gloucester, successfully saved over £1,500 in November by embracing a ‘no spend challenge.’ Motivated by TikTok videos showcasing similar endeavors and feeling daunted by the cost of living crisis, Matilda devised rules for her challenge. These included restricting herself to a single £100 food shop for the entire month, refraining from socializing, avoiding expenditures on fashion and beauty products, eliminating spending on transportation, and abstaining from ‘top-up’ shops.
Matilda, a social media manager and content creator, adhered to these rules throughout November, resulting in remarkable savings. Reflecting on her inspiration and the growing financial challenges, she shared, “I realised I had large amounts of food sitting in my cupboards and freezer and yet I was still buying new food continuously. I thought surely I can just eat this food and stay in for a month without socialising, and I could save so much money.”
Despite being self-employed with a pre-tax income of £2,000 for the month, Matilda meticulously tracked her expenses. Her outgoings encompassed £310 on bills, an unintended £20 for a meal, which she rectified by donating the same amount to a charity for Palestine, and the designated £100 for the food shop. Given that her rent is prepaid, and she works from home, Matilda managed to save £1,550—an impressive amount that would typically have been spent during the month.
Matilda’s key strategy to navigate the budget-friendly month was meticulous planning, yet she acknowledges the inherent difficulty of the challenge. Documenting her journey on TikTok (@brunchingblondie), Matilda shared insights into the most challenging aspects of the experience.
“The hardest part has been that I only did one food shop at the start of the month that had to last me for the whole month,” she explained. Matilda had to employ thrifty strategies, carefully deciding what to consume first and what to save for later, making extensive use of her freezer. She emphasized her ability to make staples like apples, oranges, potatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger last the entire month, noting that people often discard food unnecessarily, and food waste is a concern for her.
Matilda’s top tip for others attempting a similar challenge is strategic meal planning. She advises, “My best tip is to plan your meals ahead so you make sure to use up whatever is expiring soon.” Stressing that many items last well beyond their use-by dates, she highlights the longevity of various staples such as alternative milks, cupboard essentials, frozen fruits and vegetables, and certain fresh produce.
In a TikTok summarizing her achievement, Matilda remarked, “The challenge has proved how long I can actually go without buying anything, and it’s caused me to be very mindful about what I spend.” This reflection underscores the mindfulness cultivated through the challenge, influencing her spending habits positively.
“This experience will stay with me, and I plan to continue these monthly shops, sticking to my budget. And I’ll never impulse buy anything again!” Matilda enthusiastically shared her commitment to incorporating the lessons learned into her future spending habits.
Matilda chronicled her £100 food shopping expedition, showcasing a diverse array of items: fruit, bread rolls, soft cheese, vegetables, pasta, ham, stock cubes, sausages, eggs, houmous, coconut milk, toiletries, seasonings, chicken, yoghurt, and cheese.
Throughout the month, Matilda crafted a variety of meals, including apple crumble baked oats, Basque cheesecake, butter sage chicken pasta, and sausage carbonara. To maintain a health-conscious diet, she prioritized meal preparation, a practice already familiar to her.
Matilda elaborated, “Every month I make a huge batch of Bolognese sauce and divide it up into freezer bags. Whenever I want some Bolognese, I can make new pasta and just defrost and heat up the bag of sauce.” Emphasizing her morning routine, she shared, “I’ve also been doing smoothies every morning using oat milk and frozen berries and frozen spinach. Other than that, I’ve been doing curries, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and stir-fries.” Matilda’s approach underscores the importance of thoughtful planning and preparation in maintaining a budget-friendly yet varied and nutritious diet.
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