My No Spend Year | Michelle McGagh | TEDxManchester

Michelle McGagh is no stranger to writing about the merits of saving. But how much did she really know about her own spending?

Last year, she set herself the challenge of only spending money on essentials for a year. Her challenge to stop “squandering” money became a book called The No Spend Year, and saved her £22,000. Learn the reasons why Michelle did it, what she learned about herself, consumerism and why we spend.

Personal Finance Journalist Michelle has spent more than a decade writing for titles such as The Guardian, City Wire, AOL and Money Observer.

[nwolinsP]

I am embarrassingly cheap. A couple of years back Aldi's raised the price of their bean burritos from 30 to 35 cent and, and lower the size from 3.5 to 3 oz. I am not over it.

[naomiking]

That picture is EXACTLY how I felt when we paid off our mortgage in 8 years 10 months!! Stuff is totally overrated and freedom from debt is totally Amazing! Great talk!

[AuthenblissityVlogs]

I'm currently on a no-buy year, and it has completely changed my outlook on life. I used to be obsessed with stuff, and now I know I don't need any of that. It's been amazing to discover what's truly important to me.

[innerpeaceproject]

Being $130, 000 in debt was life-changing for me. It forced me to learn to manage my money and do what she talks about. By changing the way I spent my money, I was able to get completely our of debt which was priceless!

[yourmajesty]

There was a time after my divorce when I was homeless (sleeping on my friend's livingroom floor), jobless, and pretty depressed.
It took me six months to finally pick myself up.
That 6 months of having nothing changed my life.
10 years later I still find myself disenchanted with consuming and spending unnecessarily.
I live debt free.

[huckster]

Love how you mentioned that having financial security feels better than any short term purchase can. Fantastic talk!

[annemettemertz]

I am 23. It took me 5 months off working to really realise the value off money. I am gonna live tiny, which makes me owning my own home, be debt free and have an emergency buffer before turning 30. Which will change everything for me. I am sure this is for the better.

[marshaalison]

This is how I've lived for a long time.its great! I just pay mortgage and necessities. No going out, no eating out, no books (I use a library), no cosmetics/clothes/shoes (I make do with what I've got). Saved a fortune and I love it!

[flamingowilliams]

"We are all trying to buy what it is impossible to sell."

[dottieland]

I love this talk, consumerism, makes me feel ill and i only shop second hand and purchase food from discount stores. I live in one of the the most advanced countries in the world, japan, but I found my dream job, working in a second hand clothing shop, visiting parks more and riding my bike. 70p for a book I love and 70p for a dress that I will wear. Yes please. My bills have cut in half and applicate my wardrobe more.
I can visit my family back in the uk twice a year now, 2 years ago no way. But now I am happy and content. Commercialism Is rubbish

[jankoch]

One must not forget, for most people walking this earth it is their No Spend Life!

[melissafarrand]

I’ve watched this video every year since it’s been uploaded. It’s the most inspiring Ted Talk to me.

[brennaeschweiler]

Boy, I wish this video had come up in my queue before Amazon Prime Day...

[ctankus]

What a weird world we live in...people in these countries are challenging themselves to not spend money on anything but necessities while there are lots of people out there that can't even but the necessities. Just an observation, not a diss.

[jjgffhvfe]

I don't know if everyone heard this but she's had a NO SPEND YEAR IN LONDON

[Moonchilling]

“Was without my phone”. Felt free”. It’s funny. I grew up in the age of no dvr, no, cell phones, no voice mail, no internet. I remember how freeing it one keeping tabs on you, you not keeping tabs on the latest tweet....it’s time to go back to that

[AM-gvdb]

I really love this. Even though I'm not taking it that far I've decided to stop buying makeup and clothes for 6 months. Hopefully longer if it goes well. I've also started writing down all my expenses. So if I buy a soda for $2, I'm writing it down. It really puts it in perspective of how much I actually spend on snacks and soda (things I definitely don't need), and have put up a savings plan. I'm a student and only make about $300 a month, so I can't save a lot, but I'm hoping that with some dicipline and new thinking I can save at least $100 a month. It's going well so far, and I'm looking forward to saving up money and spending it on something that will actually make me happy :)

[lowcarbsocial]

I try my best not to be materialistic, but I could be better. I have my books, note pads, phone, 3 pairs of shoes, walk everywhere, some simple make-up, and of course food. That's about it. Its about two suitcases worth. No furniture, no mortgage or car. I am an au pair in France and I am happy.

[Cris-ltdt]

"Do I need it, or do I simply want it?"
That's the question I've also been asking myself since 2014 every time I consider buying something, and it has completely changed the whole shopping game for me. When you stop and make yourself that question, you come to realise how few things we actually need. Loved this talk.

[NeliaRose]

This is hands down one of my favourite ted talks! Its amazing how you start to create a different life for yourself just by not consuming in the way we a brought up to. Also living in London nearly killed me finically and so I left but I realise now if I had only embraced a more minimal and simple life earlier and realised what is truly worth me speeding my money on I would still be living there now. I find it hard being in cites because I can quickly get swept up into a more consumerist mindset but out in the country somehow it is easier for me to avoid that temptation. Over time I think I can get better about it so one day I will move back to London. Thank you for the video super inspirational !! :)