My year of no spending is over – here's how I got through it

The first six months were hard, but I found a new way of living and the challenge has left me wealthier and wiserJust over 12 months ago I gave myself a challenge: give up spending on all but the essentials for a whole year. I started on Friday 27 November, just as many other people were hitting the shops. It hasn’t always been easy, but a year on I am wealthier and wiser. Embarrassingly, I have also realised just how much money I’ve squandered down the pub, in restaurants and throug