heidiiiii Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I have wanted to try this after I read an article about a NYC couple that did not spend any money for a year. The challenge sounds easy but I wonder if any of us can truly do it. You basically do not spend extra money. You pay your bills. You buy groceries (there is a catch to that). If something comes up..like a vet bill..you use money for that. Otherwise you do not spend. This means no clothes shopping, no movies, no restaurants (including getting stuff to go), no trips and no gifts (this one will kill me). If you get the newspaper every day, reading it online is free. What is going to kill me is no trips to Dunkin Donuts. I can make it and take it with me to go. Now, we do not want to insane about this. You do not want to look like a caveman/woman..so go to the hairdresser. But see if you can make the appointments go longer in between. Same with Manis and Pedis. But this is all up to what you think is a WANT vs a NEED in your life. I want to start on July 1st, 2009 and do it for a month. I know I know. Fourth of July is in there. You can purchase all your stuff for the holiday this month before the challenge comes up. The catch on groceries is that you should buy all the food you are going to need and then cook it. No take out. No running out mid week to pick up something to add to dinner. Plan out your meals ahead of time so that you do not have to spend more. Basically, you want to spend your money on only things that you need. This may last longer then a month..who knows. Let me know if you want to join me. We do not have to post anything personal like our yearly income or anything like that. We could post how much we have saved each week. Or do it at the end of the month. Give each other tips and ideas. My favorite past time will be a no-no for me. No yard sales. GASP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_the_haunted Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I'll join you! I know I can do it for a month....it won't be easy but, I can do it! I better make sure I have enough stain and spackle 1st :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 I'll join you! I know I can do it for a month....it won't be easy but, I can do it! I better make sure I have enough stain and spackle 1st :yes: Exactly! No minis either. No ebay. No trips to the craft store for glue. So if you need it, you better get it now. I am going to talk to the family unit about this tonite. Chelsea has her own money so I will not make her do this. I only have to spend money on one thing next month that I cannot change..the rental car to pick up Chelsea at the airport. But I have already budgeted that in this months money. If we *cheat*, we should share with the group. Sometimes things happen. Or if you come across an opportunity to cheat but you figured a way out of it, share that also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLyn M. Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Yes,no,yes,no.....ok,I'll join too.Better get my grout and spackle soon.How about if we also challenge each other to build one thing-small project-without buying a thing? Or would that be too much. Don't want to drive anyone over the edge-including myself.LOL. Whatcha think?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_the_haunted Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Llyn, I think that's a great challenge! I'm rather certain I have anough stuff to build w/out buying anything for it :yes: I'll have to anyway!! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 I like the idea Llyn but I think for now I will just try not to spend. Others can do it though. I am going to work on a list of my grocery items that we use and print that out. I want to try not to buy instant food. Like pizzas, salad in a bag, baby carrots, rotisserie chickens, etc. If I can make it myself, all the better. So far I have a small list in my head that I can shoot off right now: Things I will not spend on -The NY Post (that is going to be rough) -Dunkin Donuts -Take out in any shape or form -No breakfasts out with Fred once a week (have to do it at home) -Bottles of water from the gym -$1 movie rentals at Redbox Those are the things off the top of my head. It sounds like it could be easy but think about it. You go to pump gas. Imagine now that all you do is pump gas and buy nothing else. No paper, no lottery tickets, no big gulp, no bag of sunflower seeds..nothing. Just the gas. Think of the money you can save in the month of not spending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Surely buying the stuff now defeats the purpose somewhat? You've spent the money on 'extras' either way :yes: But I'm sure you'll save money overall anyway. Just think it is a bit silly buying it now instead of later, when you're going to buy it either way! Decide on a budget for July 4th/miniing glue/car hire etc essentials that you are already committed to, that way instead of buying glue that you *might* need, you can buy it when you need it, and it'll be allowed cause you budgeted for it now. You might not need it and could save! (ie rather than the shop having the money, just let your money jar hold onto it for a bit in case you don't need it) Good luck all! (joining you through lack of choice, there's absolutly no pennies for extras at the moment! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_the_haunted Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Now let's see if I can get hubby on board. We really don't go out to eat much due to my neurotic fears of poor food handling in the back kitchens :yes: but, I want to cut out lunch spending and make them at home. For me, it's going to be cutting out mini supplies which after going over my mini budget, I figured in years time if I had saved it all, I could have purchased a Condo!! But, I digress...I need my minis stuff to keep me happy but, not on the scale that I have been spending. No shoes or clothes either I can do it! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 Muriel, The challenge itself is to not spend on anything but the essentials in life. Bills, food (no easy stuff but I think potato chips should be allowed..LOL), medicine, gas, etc. I wanted to give a heads up because there might be things you need that you do not want to buy next month to ruin your tally. I guess I could say that the rental car is a need. We do not trust our cars to go long distance and would rather put the mileage on a rental. If you need wood glue for your dollhouse, now would be the time to buy it. Is wood glue a need or a want? LOL Basically, you steer your own ship. A cup of coffee may be considered a want to some but a NEED to others. So you have to decide what you want to forgo for the month (or longer). I am not going to rush out and buy a whole new wardrobe this month (I WISH!) cause I cannot buy anything next month. Some people have done this for an entire year! I wish I had the willpower. I think I will take it month to month right now and see how it goes. It is the challenge itself. Can you go without buying a Snickers bar (or whatever) for a month? a year? Then you put the money you did not use into savings. You can look up No Spend Challenges online. There are a bunch that have already gone on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin1056 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 i will watch from here...i couldnt do it but good luck to those that can :yes: I only get $190 a week so i suppose i'm on a permanent no spend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 I just thought of how I could explain it Muriel. You have a big bottle of wood glue. Plenty to use for quite awhile. But new on the market this month is super industrial wood glue that miraculously DOES NOT ruin your clothes when you spill it! (oh I wish that was true) So in this challenge, you will not buy the super fantastic glue. No monica...no clothes or shoes. I think this could also go with our declutter challenges. You can declutter and find stuff you forgot you had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I will watch from here also!! I couldn't do it. I cannot imagine having to cook or prepare food every single day. My absolute limit is 4 days a week cooking in the evening and every blue moon I might cook 5. I also usually purchase my lunch in the hospital cafeteria 4 out of 5 days and go out to lunch one day. I think it is a great experiment but I think I will wait until I absolutely cannot afford to buy the extras. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastalinda Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I will watch from here also. I thought I did a good job giving up e-bay for lent. Good luck all, sounds like a grand idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 I also usually purchase my lunch in the hospital cafeteria 4 out of 5 days and go out to lunch one day. Fred used to buy all his dinners at the hospital cafeteria. Then they started to cut corners. The powers that be decided that the people that work on just 2nd shift do not need a cook in the cafeteria. So no hot meals anymore. All they have are sandwiches and they are usually sitting out for quite awhile. So Fred was going hungry. Until he finally told me what was going on. So everyday I bring him his dinner. Hot from the oven. It is not an extra travel time because I drop it off after I pick up Chelsea from work. He is getting home cooked meals, saving money, and losing weight. Here is a site that has free printable grocery lists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chattycathy66 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 That is definatley a challenge! I'll have to think that one over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chattycathy66 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 That is definatley a challenge! I'll have to think that one over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chattycathy66 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 That is definatley a challenge! I'll have to think that one over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elicia Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I fail to see how this will benefit you if you buy everything you want extra now so you can "not spend" during the month of July. Perhaps I missing something that someone would be happy to fill me in on. Elicia LLonSSinSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I'd be willing to try it if it was September instead of July! I only have two more months of paychecks from teaching and then I'll be broke anyway! So while I'm still getting paid, I'm trying to get everything done that I won't be able to do, two months from now. But I'll watch and maybe learn something from all of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minime Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I fail to see how this will benefit you if you buy everything you want extra now so you can "not spend" during the month of July. Perhaps I missing something that someone would be happy to fill me in on. Elicia LLonSSinSC I gotta agree with you. How would you figure the savings on eating in, you still have to buy the food and the costs of storage and cooking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_the_haunted Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I gotta agree with you. How would you figure the savings on eating in, you still have to buy the food and the costs of storage and cooking? Are you kidding?! The difference in cost between cooking in and eating out are tremendous! Storage costs me no more than it is currently costing me. I have an extra deep freeze out in the garage, and more pantry space than I seriously need. Maybe it just depends on the room one has... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 If you want to join in, welcome! If not, then just watch our progress. Just please do not criticize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minime Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Are you kidding?! The difference in cost between cooking in and eating out are tremendous! Storage costs me no more than it is currently costing me. I have an extra deep freeze out in the garage, and more pantry space than I seriously need. Maybe it just depends on the room one has... I agree the savings can be big, but you still have to account for the expense of eating in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minime Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 If you want to join in, welcome! If not, then just watch our progress. Just please do not criticize. I would join you but I'm such a tightwad already it would be difficult to cut out much. I didn't mean to be critical, just curious. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 However, it is usually a huge savings to eat in. I can cook a ribeye steak dinner for 2, baked potato and salad for no more than $15 and that is the high side. If we go out, the minimum would be twice that much with tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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