A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

[JanH]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

I added it up. If I don't count Hubby--I know he's bought gas for his truck at least--I personally have had 6 no-spend days in a row! Didn't even realize it. I am not counting the coins Hubby took to put air in my tires yesterday. It IS my car, but he spent it! It was sweet of him to do it since I hadn't been out any this week.

[Jacklad]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

Heads up, everybody!

Math Quiz: If 6 of the buns in a newly opened package are flecked with mold on the bottom, what are the odds that the 2 buns I ate for lunch were mold-free?

Extra Credit Question: What percentage of the American populace sickened and died from eating moldy bread in the past 12 months?


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Well, chances are you'd get at least the spores from the other buns, even if the ones you ate are mold-free.

On the extra credit side, I'd estimate less than died of the flu. And maybe you got lucky and it's a friendly penicillium mold - antibiotics on the hoof! (Now that's just too frugal - don't try this at home. Some penicilliums are quite decidedly unfriendly.)

Jackie

[Ima saver]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

Well my challenge is over, but I had a no spend day today anyway!

[Bookie]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

Thursday -- Day 9 of the extended Challenge

Weill, I'm still hanging in there with another day of zero spending.

I had expected to get my eagerly awaited check this afternoon, but the payroll wasn't delivered on time, and I was not about to make another trip in the rain. Grumble, grumble. The pleasures of dealing with a firm that uses an off-site resource to manage payroll and the attendant tax matters.

Been thinking about the No-Spend Challenge and what it actually entails for the participants. I keep coming back to the basic disparity between those of us who live alone and the people who are part of a family household.

It's easy for me to declare a moratorium on spending. I answer to no one. If I want to eat mac and cheese for a week no one is the wiser. Most of my expenditures (aside from the basics) are discretionary. They are wants, not needs, purchases of convenience. As a retired person, I don't even need to accommodate work-related expenses. How much easier could it get?

My Challenge is inconsequential compared to those of you with households to run. I'm a lot more impressed when Kristen puts together a string of no-spend days because I know she juggles the needs and expectations of a family as well as the demands of a job. My hat is off to anyone here who takes up the Challenge to not spend AND to creatively keep a household on an even keel. I don't think I could do it.

So although I enjoy the Challenges and the cameraderie we share, I recognize the difference between the money games I'm playing and the real accomplishments of others.

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[Broken Arrow]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

How very modest of you, Bookie.

I, again, didn't have a no-spend day yesterday. Imagine that. An old friend that I hadn't seen for years came into town last night. So, we decided to hang out and play catch up.

But, despite my lackluster performance, I am glad I participated in this challenge. Every conscious effort and step I make, I can feel slight shifts towards something more positive in my life. At the very least, the first challenge showed me that, indeed, I can cook and eat within budget. This second challenge showed me it can be ingrained into an everyday routine!

I know many of you would giggle at that non-event, but to me, this is a bold, new, unexplored territory. And in the end, I believe it's going to save me a lot of money.

[tinapbeana]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

I know many of you would giggle at that non-event, but to me, this is a bold, new, unexplored territory. And in the end, I believe it's going to save me a lot of money.

ever notice that non-events save you money and events eat it up? doesn't matter if it's a good event or a bad one, result seems to be the same

either way, BA, just be proud that you're learning new skills and sufficiencies that will make it easier to attain your goals. assuming, that is, that you can start getting to bed on time

[Ima saver]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

I agree with you bookie, it is much easier to be on this challenge when you do not have children in your life.
Broken arrow, I think you are doing a great job. I enjoy reading about a man who is trying to control his spending and add to his net worth. I read about too many men that only think of their "toys" and not the long term picture of their lives.

[Broken Arrow]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

assuming, that is, that you can start getting to bed on time

Zzzz.... hmm?

I read about too many men that only think of their "toys" and not the long term picture of their lives.

*Hides his new whiz-bang tinker-toy.*

[JanH]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

I did it! I went 7 days without spending any money! Of course, for some bizarre reason the person in the family that doesn't spend--Hubby--spent money almost every day on something. Oh well, doesn't count in my rules.

[LuxLiving]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

: : Congratulations JanH!!! Wooo-HOOOOO!!! Now all you have to do is take your spouse through a frugal refresher course! : :

[Bookie]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

Friday -- Day 10 of the extended Challenge

A multi-car pileup shut down the interstate during rush hour this morning, producing gridlock among the commuters sturggling to get on or off the highway. I live on a major feeder route, and no way was I going to get my car out of the driveway. Walked over to the office, threading my way through the motionless motorists, and picked up my paycheck., Paused long enough to raid the break room for a cup of coffee and an enormous muffin, then ambled down to the bank to cash said check and moseyed on home. End of spending saga.

Spent a quiet afternoon harmlessly amusing myself by counting my money. Frugal pastime counting money. Reminds me of someone''s blog where the writer discussed ironing greenbacks. I wish I'd bookmarked the entry. Don't recall if she used the steam setting or not. I do remember that spray starch was mentioned. Do ventiing machines accept starched and ironed currency?

Today was gastronomically uninspired. Can opener cuisine. I was going to cobble together a tuna salad thingy until I ran into a mayonnaise problem. I don't eat much mayonnaise, so a jar of it lasts me a good long time. This one, according to expiration date, has been around so long that if I don't toss it soon, I may be legally obliged to pension it off. Looks and smells OK, but they put so many preservatives in condiments you could probably use them in place of embalming fluid. Not legally, of course.

Still, corned beef (canned), baked beans (canned), and mixed vegetables (frozen) will certainly hold me over for a while. And I have whatever-overs for the weekend.

But I didn't spend anything.

[LuxLiving]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

Hello Bookie -

Sheepishly raising hand...twas me.

http://luxliving.savingadvice.com/2006/09/28/laundry-room-confessional_14919/

I enjoyed reading about your no drive no spend day. Tell me, how are you eating canned corned beef? We use bbq sauce on it to make sandwiches. I would enjoy knowing of another use for it.

[Bookie]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

Hello Bookie -

Sheepishly raising hand...twas me.

http://luxliving.savingadvice.com/2006/09/28/laundry-room-confessional_14919/

I enjoyed reading about your no drive no spend day. Tell me, how are you eating canned corned beef? We use bbq sauce on it to make sandwiches. I would enjoy knowing of another use for it.

Thank's for the link to the blog entry about ironing money.

BBQ sauce on the corned beef sounds appealing. I'll have to try that. All I did last night was to slice it, fry until a bit crispy on the outside, drain to remove the grease, and serve with horsehradish.

I mostly use the corned beef in hash. Onions, potatoes, grated carrot, corned beef, beef broth for moisture, and herbs (I like sage.). I make it in an iron skillet and let it cook down slowly until everything is blended and the broth has reduced and absorbed, Then I run it under the broiler to crisp the top slightly. Simple, easy and appetizing.
.

[Bookie]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

Saturday -- Day 11 of the extended Challenge

I arrived at the office this morning to discover the break room in an advance stage of flooding. The Bunn coffee maker is an industrial model with a connection to the water line. The hot water reservoir sprang a leak during the night, and as it drained, the automatic mechanism attempted to refill it. By the time I got there, the counters were awash, the storage cabinets below were soaked through, and the rising tide had begun to seep into the hall carpeting. Major, major mess. I shut down the coffee maker, turned off the water. and called the manager to let him know that he had a problem.

Spent the morning trying to reconcile the books for the week. They were about as much of a mess as the break room. Rescued by a friend who wanted to go to lunch (his treat), so I'll need to go back tomorrow and finish up.

Sunday will be the final day of this Challenge for me. I have a dental appointment on Monday, and it will NOT be a no-spend day. I will need to put my money where my mouth is.

That will be followed by some serious rebound spending. Inevitably, I have a major grocery store expedition in the offing. The siren call of the laundry room beckons to me and my stash of quarters. I have a two-week backlog sorted and ready to go.

But that's for Monday. Today is Saturday, and today I spent no money.

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[Bookie]

Re: A No-Warning/No-Spend challenge!

Posting after myself.

Sunday -- Day 12 of the extended Challenge

Bought a morning newspaper, $2, my one non-negotiable Sunday expenditure, scheduled and budgeted.

As mentioned, today wraps up the no-spend Challenge for me. Tomorrow, "Cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war," for it is then that spend I will.

There are probably as many ways to evaluate a no-spend Challenge as there are participants. I try to keep it simple by concentrating on the amount of cash I have in hand at the finish line. Final accounting for the days now ending, including residual sums held at the onset, shows me a rounded total of $150 for the period. This is the amount I will deposit in saviings tomorrow.

It's been fun, folks. We'll have to do it again sometime.

G'night.

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