no money for a week...voluntarily???

[Dido]

I caved a bit early...I went 6 days, and *could* have gone today except for two things: (1) a wicked caffeine withdrawal headache--my brain was in desperate need of coffee; and, more importantly, (2) Musikfest (http://www.musikfest.org/), a 10-day music extravaganza which will bring about a million visitors to my fair town (population 75,000). I'd completely forgotten about this--I thought the festival was lovely 15 years ago, but it's gotten bigger and more commercialized each year so that I don't enjoy it nearly as much. I live half a mile from the center of activities and rely on on-street parking. This is my first year in this house so I'm not sure how bad it will be, but the neighbors say that parking gets crowded on the weekends. So I decided to go and do a big grocery shop early, and I plan to leave my car parked from now until Monday morning (unless I run over to the gym first thing on Sat. or Sun.). I went and spent $100 on groceries and $20 on some needed pet supplies, and treated myself to a $5 breakfast out.

I'm going to try for another week--or actually--10 days until the end of Musikfest, with the following exceptions: (1) $20 for more dairy and (if needed) produce about a week from today, and (2) $20 for dining out at Musikfest--they have a lot of ethnic food booths that I scoped out on my morning walk. Carribean Mango shrimp and jambalaya are on my list of possible entrees to sample so far (each about $7). And I'll go and wander the free music sites one or two nights for some free entertainment. I'm wondering how loud things will be here. They were testing the mics this morning and from my front porch, things sounded about as loud as I would want to hear--and I'm half a mile away! I'll get a great view of the fireworks show that they end the festival with next Sunday, too. I'm just hoping that things sound much quieter from the bedroom in back of the house than they do from the front porch!

[Bookie]

Originally Posted by Dido

Carribean Mango shrimp and jambalaya are on my list of possible entrees to sample so far (each about $7).

You are not making this any easier, you know.

[Ima saver]

Not tempting me! good thing I am a "funny"eater.

[Dido]

Originally Posted by Bookie

You are not making this any easier, you know.

Which is why I decided to budget an allowance for the festival rather than depriving myself totally.

And if things are good enough, I can try them at home...found this recipe online.

Mango tango caribbean shrimp
Categories: Fish/seafoo Fruit
Yield: 6 servings
2 ea Limes (juice of)
¼ c Dark rum
1 ts Garlic; chopped
¼ c Olive Oil
2 tb Fresh Coriander; chopped
1 ts Freshy Ground Pepper
¼ ts Salt
X pn Cayenne (optional)
1 lb Large Shrimp or Chicken Strips (500 g)
1 ts Honey
1 ts Chili Powder
1 lg Mango; halved lengthwise; sliced thin
CARIBBEAN SHRIMP Shrimp and mangoes make a dynamic combination. the rum marinade is guaranteed to put you in a tropical mood. 1. In bowl, combine lime juice, garlic, rum, oil, coriander, pepper, salt and cayenne. Stir in shrimp and toss with marinade. Let marinade 1 hour. 2. Soak bamboo skewers in water 30 minutes. Drain shrimp, reserving marinade. Thread shrimp on skewers through both the tail and head. Leave space between each shrimp to keep them stable while grilling. 3. Grill on medium high heat 3 to 4 minutes a side or until shrimp are pink and cooked in center. Meanwhile, place marinade in a pot with honeyand chili powder. Bring to boil and simmer 2 minutes or until reduced by half. 4. Remove shrimp from skewers and pile on serving dish. Pour sauce over top. Serve on a platter garnished with sliced manoes sprinkled with lime juice. From An Article: Mango Tango by Cynthia David in The Toronto Sun of 19 July, 1995. Transcribed By: S. Lefkowitz

[veronak]

I have to report I was only able to stick in there for about 4 days, I was really hoping for a week. But you know I am starting the challenge again on Monday and maybe I can make it to the big 7, days that is

[Bookie]

Day 10: "What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours . . . "

Funny how dramatically my mood can change overnight for no apparent reason. Yesterday I was chugging along in high spirits. The Challenge was amusing, liberating, an adventure. Today I'm not, and it isn't. I woke up cranky -- restless bored and out of sorts. Yesterday's sense of freedom has turned claustrophobic, and I want . . . want . . . What?

Now there's the rub. I don't want any thing. What I do want is to not be where I am at the moment. This isn't fun any more, so I need to make it different. Spending is a mood-altering drug. So there. Mature attitude, huh? Yeah, right.

This has nothing to do with the Challenge actually. Just one of those days. Still, I've been eager to brag about the good times, so I need to be honest about this one.Grumble. Grumble.

Later --
I finally got so sick of myself I walked to the office on a manufactured errand. Had coffee and a chat with the manager about bookkeeping issues. Friday is treats in the breakroom, and I demonstrated why bearded men don't eat jelly doughnuts in public.

Went home to shower (again), and found a quartet of tomatoes left for me by my horticultural neighbor (with whom I have just fallen madly in love). (Tomatoes can do that on Day 10.) Things were looking up.

Looked up even more when the postman brought a rebate check from my insurance company, AND official notification the COLA on my retirement was funded to the maximum, effective this month.

Not only am I not spending, but they're throwing money at me.

[Broken Arrow]

You know, Bookie, I feel ya.

It was a hot day, and I was next to a supermarket. I really wanted a Gatorade. They're on sale for $1. However, I didn't have to have it (and I didn't get it). But that's not what bothered me. What bothered me was that I felt constrained, as though, whether I wanted one or not, I can't have one.

It's that "can't" that bothers me.

You know what I've learned from this? We (or at least I) started off feeling good about this, but the euphoria and the novelty's worn off. I could continue the challenge again (after I get grocery and gas again), but the next time, it would have to rely on sheer determination.

Again, something that I believe I can do, but... for how long?

I believe for effortless effort to occur, both forces of "Pull" and "Push" has to be exist.

"Pull" as in some kind of external factor that's motivating me to act on it. The classic "carrot in front of the horse" analogy. It could be anything, be it fun or profit, something rewarding to me has to be there.

And "Push" as in some kind of internal factor that's pushing myself to act on it. Be it sheer will, determination, or just being plain old scared and desperate about paying something off. Something within us has to drive us forward on its own accord.

When both factors are present within me, I believe I can live up to this challenge for the rest of my life.

And yet, that's the rub. The challenge started out in "Pull", mostly because of euphoria and doing something that seemed rather interesting. Now that the novelty is wearing off, I have to increasingly rely on personal determination, or "Push". And yet, neither factors are there in full force, at the same time.

And until I can solve this puzzle, I will continue to struggle... as I finish my 5th no spend day.

Well, just thinking out loud. I really have to think some more about this....

[lrjohnson]

A less philosophical take on this, my Buddy Bookie, is that by passing on purchasing things now, if you do get them later it may be costlier. Say the Gatorade was even crazy lower, a quarter each. At that point, assuming that Gatorade is an item you you do buy time to time, it hurts you not to buy it. Now Gatorade may seem like a silly example. But I'm been holding back because I've known I'm going garage saling tomorrow. I know from some previous finds that I can get long wished for or useful items for cheap at garage sales. I wouldn't want to save fifty cents, but not get a huge stack of photo printer paper.

Ah that darned balance.

[jaksilee]

Originally Posted by Bookie

...and I demonstrated why bearded men don't eat jelly doughnuts in public.

OMG this had me laughing and my cat was looking at me funny! (yes, I admit I live alone...with a cat who looks at me odd)

BUT I am with you on the wanting to spend a ton of money thing! That is why I have gone ahad and bought a few little things (about $1 each) so I didn't go crazy and spend wildly

Broken Arrow, I think you are a little bit right on the push/pull thing. Part of why I decided to do this was for a little extra money for a credit card balance that crept up on me when I had to move unexpectedly at the begining of may. Living in the BIG city really is expensive, it ate up my very tiny emergancy fund very quickly.

That said...I didn't spend any today. I did my "freezer" shopping and once I pulled everything out and looked at it, I don't think I need to buy any meat for about a month! I'm going to try and not buy any till I use some of what I have first.
I did wash most of my clothing by hand...it is drying now. So I will be able to just take the towels and jeans that are too hard to wring out by hand to the laundrymat and get away with only using $1.50 of my $4 for washing.

[Kris10Leigh]

I went shopping today!!! And I went shopping big! I needed to get a few things for my MIL's birthday dinner tomorrow and also a present and cards. So I intended to do that today. In addition, I got $150 in the mail I was not expecting! (Maybe we're on to something here...spend no money for a week and get money thrown at you!) So I took my leftover $80 grocery money and the $150 I was not expecting and I bought dinner items, birthday items, and school supplies! I spent a total of $187. That is actually quite good! Our dinner tomorrow, though at home, is rather expensive. We're having Burgundy Beef, sweet potato souffle, rice, homemade bread, frozen fruit salad, strawberry spinach salad and green bean casserole. And cake of course.

I am most proud of the gift. We got some pretty computer paper and wrote up some nice quotes about Grandmas and framed it with matting and everything. I also went to Odd Lots and got a small appliance she'll like for $15.00.

So, my no spend week came to a crashing halt! But I think I can go again tomorrow. I should have waited until tomorrow to do all this, but the money was going to be spent either way, and I have sooooooo much to do to get read for tomorrow that I wanted to start today. The only non-necessity item was a planter for me because my beautiful spider plant is outgrowing her home. It would be purchased eventually anyway. School supplies were necessary and I got them 95% of them Odd Lots. Supplies are dwindleing already.

[tgavin71]

My new balance is $2. Was successful in walking past my favourite pie shop and not going in. I am finding that now whenever I go to buy something I think. "Do I need this or do I want this?" and if I answer "I want it". I put it back. If my would be purchase is determined to be a need before I buy it I try and work out if there is some alternative I could come up to save me buying it.

[Bookie]

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

And yet, that's the rub. The challenge started out in "Pull", mostly because of euphoria and doing something that seemed rather interesting. Now that the novelty is wearing off, I have to increasingly rely on personal determination, or "Push". And yet, neither factors are there in full force, at the same time.

That pretty much sums up yesterday morning -- the end of novelty. What I'm not sure about is the chicken/egg question whether my irritation arises from where I am in the Challenge or whether I'm just projecting it onto the Challenge.

Anyway, I'm definitely in "Push" mode as I set off this morning. I'm scheduled to work a half day, and that always makes for a better mood. Breaks up my routine and brings me into a structured environment with clearly stated expectation. Plus I get to play with spreadsheets.

Hang in there everybody.

[jaksilee]

Well I'm telling everyone today I am caving! I realised that a arrand I need to run approx 30 min away this morning is going to put me next door to my closest Sam's Club and there are a few things I need to stock up on...so I'm going to take today off of the challenge and get my stuff (so not to waste gas and go back next weekend) and add a day at the end.

[Ima saver]

Well, I finished my 5th day of no spending except for having dinner out twice. I should have stayed home last night, because we had uninvited guests join us for supper, so i really did not enjoy my meal. Just two days to go. It has not been hard, just boring staying home all day.

[getforfree]

Today is the 13th day of no spending. I only allowed myself to spend $18 on milk, I spent almost $18, and it will last until monday.

I am out of lots of stuff now and have pretty big shopping list for monday. I will need:

== Fruits and vegetables (absolutly have to have: garlic, onion, cabbage, cucumbers)
== milk (again)
== potatoes
== sugar
== look for good deals on diapers (within next 2 weeks)

I will also need some kind of effective kind of ant killer. The heat wave is over now, so they are all trying to get into the house. I will need to walk around the house and spray outside. Is there any kind of homemade ant killer I can use?

[Dido]

Originally Posted by getforfree

I will also need some kind of effective kind of ant killer. The heat wave is over now, so they are all trying to get into the house. I will need to walk around the house and spray outside. Is there any kind of homemade ant killer I can use?

check out this website: http://www.thebestcontrol.com/bugstop/control_ant.htm

[Jewelsmom]

This weekend is sales tax free on school supplies, clothing, etc. in New Mexico. With that 7% savings and the 10% coupon I used to purchase SALE items yesterday at various store, I saved a bundle. Now the week long, no spending goal. Other than paying my regular bills automatically through my bank, I won't be spending on any incidentals this week beginning tomorrow at 12:01am. Wish me luck!

[jaksilee]

Well I ended up going to the farmers market also while I was over there so I'm set for veggies and fruit for a while. I did better in Sam's cause I went with a list of what I needed and really didn't get much more than that. I did forget paper towels again...so I will be continuing along with out them.

I have decided to start over on my challenge as of tommorrow, and go another 2 weeks (my 2 weeks was going to be up on wednesday).

I will continue to pay all normal bills that come in.
I have enough gas in my car to last 2 more weeks after a fill up at Sam's club. (what? how can gas be $.50 cheaper, than near my house!!! )
I have more than enough food to last 2 more weeks.
I will give myself $20.00 for milk, or extra fruit that may be needed toward the end of the 2 wks.
I will continue to blog about it in my personal blogg (see link below in sigg)

[Kris10Leigh]

I am starting over again tomorrow. We had a to make a trip today for things I forgot. It doesn't matter how well I plan, every time I make a big dinner I forget something. Starting tomorrow, I am aiming for another no spend week, but I'm not going to force it on DH. I'll do my best to make sure he's prepared for lunch, but if he wants to stop and buy a pop or something I won't stop him. I'm curious to see how far I can stretch the groceries this time. Our big dinner tonight was within our grocery budget, but barely. I was hoping that money would go a little further than it did. So I'm hoping to postpone next weeks grocery shopping at least past the weekend. If I can get to Monday, I'll be happy.

Well that was a lot of rambleing! Basically, I'm game for anything, but I can't force it on the rest of the family.

[Broken Arrow]

I lost out today. Fuel light came on earlier than expected, but I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, considering the heat wave. So, I went and gassed up my car. Other than that, I didn't spend on anything else....

Wait. On the other hand, what I did was necessary, and I didn't splurge on anything else even though I was tempted to.

So, I'm still going to call it a success. Tomorrow is my grocery day, and I'll give it a shot again next week and see what happens!