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

[boefixepa]

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

It's two weeks into the month and I have no touched my grocery money! That right there tells me I did well! I transfered 80 into savings for my two weeks! Grocery, gas, entertainment and such.

[Bookie]

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

It's two weeks into the month and I have no touched my grocery money! That right there tells me I did well! I transfered 80 into savings for my two weeks! Grocery, gas, entertainment and such.

You probably saved significantly by not using the A/C as well. That's going to kill me this month because of the non-stop heat.

Congratulations.

[Ima saver]

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

I admit, I did not even consider going without the a/c. It doesn't even cool down til late at night. My elec. bill will be high, so I am glad I saved money doing this.

[jodi]

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

This is great to see the tangible results of this challenge. I calculated mine by taking note of the times I normally would have bought something, but decided not to solely because of the challenge. I think it was a little over $40. That's an extra $40 to go toward debt

I really am looking forward to doing this again in a few weeks when the events of the summer settle down!

[Jewelsmom]

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

OK, I need a little clarity on the "rules" of these no spending days.

This past weekend was tax-free day on purchases (back to school items) so I blew the budget on my 3 teen daughters' school supplies and clothes (All necessary items, of course). I was good Saturday and Sunday, no purchases. I even refused to order take-out pizza.

Question: If I go shopping with my DH and he pays with HIS ccard for the groceries, am I guilty of spending ...? <grin>

A $20 copay at the Dr. for my daughter's medical exam, and unexpected xrays because she stubbed her toe at the park over the weekend...
Gee, this "no spending" is getting very expensive.

The middle daughter goes to the HS today to pay fees for school and pick up her schedule. Question: Does this type of expenditure count as "spending?" It's a bill, and not paying is not an option.

I like to think of "no spending" days as avoiding optional spending, e.g., talking myself out for that breakfast burrito this morning when I take my daughter to HS for her schedule.

Now that would be a "challenge." Here in the Southwest, there is nothing better than a double bacon, ham, cheese, and green chili breakfast burrito to jumpstart your day. Hmmm, now I'm hungry... watch out!

[Kris10Leigh]

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

Jewelsmom, we each make up our own rules for the challenge. Early in the thread you'll find some of our personal rules. For some it was as strict as no use of the A/C and for others was no optional spending like you are talking about. Unless it is a necessity, don't buy it.

I'm thinking about doing this again after payday and a run the grocery on Friday because this has been a "bad-spend" week for me!

[Bookie]

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

Day 14: So now it ends.

Today's the final day of my Challenge, two weeks without spending. I've been trying to reflect on the experience and see what useful insights I can glean. I have my daily spending records for the the year to date, and they speak volumes when compared with the past to weeks.

First point is that I really do use spending as a mood-altering drug, as a distraction, and as a device for procrastinating tasks I know I should put behind me.

Second point is that much of my discretionary spending is trivial and unnecessary -- books I could likely get from the library, CDs and DVDs I certainly don't need. Gadgets and such to solve "problems" I could address with what I have on hand, groceries I could manage without.

Third point is that I use spending to organize my time to a greater degree than I realized -- the Monday round of errands run, lunching out to meet friends and provide an event focus for a day, comparison shopping when the price/quality difference is meaningless except as an exercise.

Fourth point is just how important these little expenditures and outings are in the fabric of my life. The Sunday paper is a Great Big Deal for me, and I disproportionally miss it when it's not there. The regular contacts with familiar faces at the the grocery, the bank and my other stops are actually a social network. I value the brief exchanges, shared quips, and recognition, the mentioned fragments of their lives and experience. I appreciate eating out occasionally for the time shared with others.

And finally, I conclude that I'm actually content with much of my spending behavior. It serves my needs and provides good value at this point in my life. I could spend less, but at what cost to my sense of satisfaction?

Anyway, there you have it. Not sure any of that means anything to anyone else, but it's just where I am on the last day.

[boefixepa]

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

Well put Bookie, I can see some of those same things in my life. Interersting how we adapt to our society isn't it.

[LuxLiving]

Anyone want to do another of these challenges? It's been a while for me. I'd have to gear up for it.

Care to suggest an upcoming date to start?

[Marcymox]

yes! lets do another! start a new thread though for it everyone- this one is inspiring, but new challenge- new thread!

[tabbycat31]

I'd be interested