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

[Broken Arrow]

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

Is everybody just starting whenever they want to? I thought it started Monday!? I am going to start Monday, cause my payday is Monday. I guess one of my rules will have to be, we can still eat out, but I am going to try and cut down on that.

Er... well, I think a couple of people brought up that if you're prepared in advance, it takes away from the challenge. So, someone else piped up that we should just go for it!

I'm like, "Wha? Now? Well... OK!"

So, I'm sorta going now. But I guess one could say that it's more of a "test run" for me? Since things keep popping up. I know I know, that's part of the challenge, but sheesh, my anal retentiveness says, "No, we no wait! We fix it now!"

Anyways, seriously though, even for those of us who have started early, we can sort of come back and do an offical start-off together. How's that? I think women prefer to work together; support and all that, and I am dandy with that arrangement as well.

So, just consider mine a small pre-trial run 'til Monday.

[Broken Arrow]

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

I love the idea of doing this a few times a month!

Woah, that's madness! And here I was planning to celebrate by going on a shopping binge at the Gap after this!

...


I'm kidding... I don't really shop... at the Gap. I oh nevermind, I'm just going to keep my mouth shut before I lose any more macho male points.

Today... should have been easier than it really is for me. The usual temptations did pop up, but nothing out of the ordinary. However, I did feel really tempted, and I think the reason why isn't because of WHAT was tempting me. I think it was simply the idea that I am restricted by the challenge, and the fact that I am restricted just made me more tempted to buy anything in general.

Very interesting....

[jodi]

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

Day 1 report
(I know, a lot of people are starting Monday, but my paydays are Thursdays, every two weeks - so I want to get by on as little as possible until payday next week, hence starting today).
No money spent.
I am going to keep track of money I would have normally spent, but didn't.
Today I drove by several garage sales on my way to and from work. Even though my car jerked violently in the direction of the sales, I kept my hands planted firmly on the wheel and managed to steer in the other directon. Estimated savings: $1
I also briefly contemplated stopping at a fast foods restaurant for a snack or ice cream cone, but declined. I probably would not have stopped even if I weren't on the challenge...but maybe I would have. Estimated savings: $1

Things I did differently today: I brought snacks to work along with my lunch to ward off the afternoon munchies (hence, avoiding fast food). I drank water for dinner instead of milk to cut down on milk consumption. DH and I popped a frozen pizza in the oven for dinner at 5:30, as I got home late - on some late nights, we occasionally order a pizza out. I also got a free salad from the garden tonight and used some forgotten veggies from the fridge.

Savings so far: $2

[Gruntina]

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

I don't officially start till Monday. This was because my whole kitchen is empty of food since we had to take time away to have the house bug bombed.

At a Mexican restaurant, the cashier asked me for my id because my card has "Please See my ID" written on the back instead of my signature. I don’t like the idea of my signature being around for other's to try to replicate it. Anyways, the cashier was surprised and told me he thought it was a great idea. He recently lost all of his money in his account when he went to Mexico for a couple of weeks. When he came back to the US, his account was wiped out.

This got me thinking about the challenge. Okay this is an extreme example... but what if something was to happen to me and I had to go a week without the ability to spend anything. I am thinking more of losing an ATM card rather than the money in my account. (Actually losing my ATM card has happened before)I would not be prepared at home and probably resort to a credit card. Seems like key thing to do is to be prepared rather than rely on credit cards and learn to make do with what you got at home. Homework for me is now to plan a strategy to keep my home supply balanced. I have to admit seems not easy to do when you’re single unless that is just me!

[getforfree]

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

Update:

End of day #4.

Didn't spent any money today.
Only half of gall milk left. it won't be enough for whole day tomorow, so I probably will stop and buy some after work at about 10 pm. I didn't drink any milk today, only dh and kids did. I have 13.81 left in my milk budget.

[Broken Arrow]

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

Okay this is an extreme example... but what if something was to happen to me and I had to go a week without the ability to spend anything. I am thinking more of losing an ATM card rather than the money in my account.

What about keeping a small amount of emergency cash, in an envelope, hidden in the house or locked up in a safe?

[PrincessPerky]

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

It is very cool to read your reports, I am afraid mine would be rather boring...lessee we are going on day 5 of no spending..but DH is only on day umm...1, he is having a bad week....

Anyway keep up the good work all of you, I am impressed at the little things that seem to crop up but due to the challenge are reconsidreed. (like skipping BC)

[boefixepa]

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

Okay, yesterday was a little rough....not so much because of the challenge...I just ate left over for lunch....and it was a little too left over....bad...very bad. Needless to say I just went home and lounged on the sofa, no spending!

I tuffed it out without the AC, but I'm really worried about Saturday....Not only am I home all day and can't take advantage of the AC at work, but it's forcast to be between 103-105!!!!!! I'm going to do though! I shall overcome! After that a front comes through and it rains Sunday and then next week is forcast at 90 for most days, so I'll be fine after that.

Day three finished and day four started....so far, so goood. No money spent.

[kashi]

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

I'm starting my week-long challenge today. SO says he's in, too...we'll see!

A friend wanted to reschedule our movie date for tomorrow, so I had to tell her about the challenge. It will have to wait until next weekend! I also desperately want to get my hair cut, but it will wait!

We will:
- run the air conditioner
- buy a Sunday paper for coupons (and mail the coupon train if it comes)
- go to his family reunion on Sunday (but bring a homemade dish)
- pay regular bills (mine are already pre-scheduled)
- take transportation to work (bus for me, car for him)
- ride our bikes anywhere else we'd like to go
- make all our food at home
- NOT SHOP

It should be interesting!

[Broken Arrow]

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

Hey Boe, please don't end up with heat exhaustion just for the sake of this challenge. Turn your AC on if you have to, or at least keep wiping yourself with a cool, moist towel or something. Oh, and don't forget to keep yourself hydrated!

[jodi]

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

Oh, I'm so embarrassed, having started this challenge and now about to make the announcement that I AM GOING TO CHEAT. I have been going back and forth over this now for two days - but there is no way around it, I am going to spend some money tomorrow and I am going to have FUN dong it.
You see...what I had forgotten to consider....every year, the last weekend in July, there is a 50-mile long garage sale which starts ONE MILE from my house. And every year, without fail, I go. I usually make it about 15 or so miles, depending on how early I start. I thought about missing it for the challenge, but I just can't. So I am making an exception for myself tomorrow. Since my original goal was to not spend money from the checking account, I will limit myself to the money I found yesterday - $26 - plus the cash DH threw into the pot today - another $11. I seriously doubt I will come even close to spending that - probably more like $10 or $15.
But as soon as I return from the sales, that's it - no more money spent!
I hope no one thinks less of me BTW, anyone in central NY, come on over to the sales!! They run from Montezuma to Homer on Route 90.

[boefixepa]

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

Grrrr....temptation and just a shake for lunch...I caved and went with the two girls from the office to olive garden......and I was doing so well......I made them promise me they won't even temp me next week! They agreed so hopefully it will be easier and I told myself to make sure and cook this weekend (plenty of food already at the house for that) so I can stock the work freezer with real food to choose from!!!

PS No plans to kills myself at the house with the no AC thing, I'm thinking of a cool shower and crashing in front of the fan if things get bad, but I'm hoping to stay busy so I won't care. Get up early and get the yard work and cleaning done and then crashing in front of the fan and reading. I'll wait until Sunday after the rain comes in to cook.

[Kris10Leigh]

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

I can't help it! I enjoy a good "I told you so!" I'm not saying that those of you who are already cheating said it was going to be easy, but many did indeed say it was going to be easy! Things really do pop up! Garage sales, forgotten lunches, visiting relatives, and lunches with friends. It's hard! And that is exactly where our money goes! I admit, I did not make it last week when I came on here and said that due to circumstances I was going to attempt to spend $0. I had $30 cash in my wallet and hoped not to spend it, but all of it is gone! It is really, really hard! Can it be done? Oh, yes, I'm sure it can. But it is really, really hard!

Come on folks! At least one of us can do this! I start tomorrow. DH is on board. We just got paid and I need to replenish supplies from having done this last week. I'm spending $200 on groceries for TWO weeks and nothing more. (hopefully less) The kids are getting haircuts (3 weeks overdue by my standards) and the car is getting a full tank. After that, I should be ready.

[sweeps]

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

I'm loving this thread... This is like The Biggest Loser: Personal Finance Edition

[Ima saver]

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

Ya'll are doing great!!