No Spending Progress, Week 2

15 days down = halfway there!

Day 8:  Finally Friday!  A cold, wet Spring Break is stretching me to my limits.  We are so very bored.  I did stock up at the grocery store, but did great.  I stuck to the list & didn’t even stop to ride the penny pony when we were done (I just didn’t want to wait behind the family of 7).  Total spent: $0 

Day 9: Another cold day.  Woke up late, and after breakfast, workout, and clean up, we headed to Lowe’s where we bought…. Spray paint!  We decided to makeover Big Sis’ old bike for Big J, and we needed more paint to complete the look.  Of course, he requested orange.  Also noted that I still have more than ½ a tank of gas.  Total spent: $7.59

Day 10: Listed a few more items on Craigslist.  Sunny and H-O-T (so glad that the last day of Spring Break was actually nice!), so we spent time outside bike riding, sidewalk chalking, and bubble blowing.  An unanticipated bonus of no shopping: my purse is no longer cluttered with receipts, lists, and random slips of paper.  Total spent: $0

Day 11: The first day back into our normal routine was heaven sent.  I got lots accomplished around the house, and didn’t drive anywhere.  Total spent: $0

Day12:  Sold another item on craigslist, so I was happy to pocket $50 today.  It was also Free Scoop Day at Ben & Jerry’s!  My plan was to take the kids for an afterschool treat, but once I realized that the shop was in downtown Detroit, we decided to have an early dinner and make it dessert.  I thought the lines would be really long, so maybe going after rush hour would be better.  We had no problems finding it.  I avoided the parking garages & instead spent 50 cents to park at a meter.  Surprisingly, there were no lines!  We grabbed our free scoops, then walked a few blocks to gawk at Tiger Stadium.  We spent enough time walking and eating ice cream that there was no traffic on the way home.  We stopped at Target near home, but only bought exactly what we came for: cereal, body wash, toothpaste, and medicine.  Total spent: $0.50

Day13:  This was my first day with errands to do.  It’s getting easier and easier to check things off my list without wanting to throw in a few “extras” that we don’t really need.  It helps tremendously that it’s been nice weather so we can get outside a bit.  It also helps that I have been focusing on organizing, Spring Cleaning, and exercising at home.  Most of my eBay auctions sold, and it was really satisfying to see that money add up in my Paypal account.  I’m going to let it sit until at least May, so I have plenty of time to think about what I want to do with it (new camera lens?).  Total spent: $0

Day 14:  I made a trip to the beloved/ dreaded Costco.  All was well until checkout - when Big J asked for lunch.  My stomach was rumbling, and although the air was perfumed with the fragrance of fresh churros, we walked on by.  It also helped that I was still thinking about a quote my husband rambled off last night (possibly attributed to Richard Simmons), “Put down the donut.  You know what it tastes like.”  Total spent: $0

Day 15: I woke up cranky.  I wanted a hot chocolate, and a treat.  This was a perfect illustration of wants vs. needs.  I had hot chocolate at home, and lots of yummy food to choose from.  There was no NEED to go out, but I WANTED to.  {sigh}.  I also desperately wanted a treat after dinner tonight, but once again, my ego kept my id in check.  I did have to fill up the car today – first time in 2 weeks!  Total spent: $0


Week One - Total Spent: $0.00
Week Two - Total Spent: $8.09

No Spending Progress

Day 1: After 4 days of the stomach flu, I woke up feeling better.  Coupled with sunshine and day 2 of Spring Break, I decided it was time for family fun.  I knew my membership was up soon so I made the executive decision, and we packed up to head out to the Detroit Zoo.  I did stop at the grocery and bought snacks to tide us over.  I also topped off the gas in my car – all allowed under the ‘rules’ for April.  I found myself thinking about hot chocolate and cherry limeades from Sonic.  But I was strong, and made it through the day.  Dinner at home, and all was well.   Total spent: $0

Day 2:  A very lazy Saturday at home.  No errands, just chores and reading and games.  Total spent: $0

Day 3:  Big Daddy suggested we go to IKEA, and who am I turn down a voluntary family trip to my favorite furniture megastore?  We made the trip and although I wrote imaginary checks as we meandered through sofas, kitchens, and storage, we spent no actual $$.  The day turned rainy, and we spent the rest of the afternoon movie surfing, reading, and playing dress-up.  Total spent: $0

Day 4: It was a rainy day, so we huddled down inside.  I caught up on the household chores, and we only left the comfort of our home to stretch our legs at the library.  Although I gazed longingly at the Sonic drive-through (half price Cherry Limeades!), I sped by and stayed strong.  I did go to the pharmacy to pick up an Rx, but avoided the Easter candy and nail polish aisles.  Total spent: $0

Day 5: Another cold, overcast day.  Took the kids out for a walk & it was SNOWING.  I am so over winter.  I had a new book to read (from the library), so I was fairly distracted.  Ran to the grocery store for a few things, but was not tempted by anything ‘extra’.  Total spent: $0

Day 6:  I think this is feeling more difficult because the kids have been home for Spring Break (school starts again on Monday!).  I want to do fun things with them, but I am not finding anything that is free and local.  Must schedule playdates soon.  Occupied most of my day with creating listings on eBay.  My version of Spring Cleaning, I guess.  Total spent: $0

Day 7: No luck scheduling playdates.  Sold an item on Craigslist & found it enormously satisfying.  Also cleaned out bits of the basement, garage, and back yard.  Did not leave the house.  Am wondering if I am becoming agoraphobic.  Am also realizing how many email lists I am on – they always seem to arrive touting some new discount or deal.  Difficult on my resolve, but I am staying strong.  It is feeling a little less like punishment & more like ‘the new normal’.  Total spent: $0

April Savings

April is a month of changes.  From the celebration of Easter and the true beginning of Spring, to rising temperatures and the unveiling of snow white arms, April is all about evolution.

And this April will include the evolution of our budget.  For this year, we are putting a stop to all unnecessary spending.  This means no car washes, no eating out, no snacks, no movies, no lip gloss, no sodas, no Spring clothes, no Winter clearance, no cravings for Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs (well, cravings are OK, I just can't give in).

NO!

If it's not NEEDED, it's not getting purchased.

Exceptions:

• Food from the grocery store
• Medications
• Gas
• The regular monthly bills

Special Provisions:

• If we have a gift card, we can use it.  Ex: The kids still have a couple of $5 McDonald gift cards.  If they are dying by the middle of the month, we can go to McDonald's, but can't spend more than what's on the card. 
• We can't stock up in anticipation.  If we are out of it & need it, we can buy it now, but no more than exactly what we need.  
• If something unexpected arises, we can discuss it.  For example, there seem to be lots of Spring birthdays.  If Big Sis is invited to a party, we will talk about gift options and how we can budget/ spend appropriately.  (hello coupons!)
• We can't blow our savings at the end with a celebratory "I bought this/ we had a big meal out because the April experiment is finally over!". 

I'm actually excited about this.  We've talked about it as a family, and discussed why we think it's a good idea.  Since everyone is involved, it makes me feel like we've got a good chance for success.  I don't expect that we will save a bucket of money, but I believe it will make us all more thoughtful about what we need vs. what we want.  Let the savings begin!

Updates: Training and No Spending

Training: I survived the first week of the Couch-to-5K program. It was actually not bad. I'm glad that I've been working out with Baby Bootcamp over the last 2 months, as I think it gave me a good foundation of strength and endurance. I don't think I can run a 5K tomorrow, but I believe that as long as I keep up with the workouts, I'll do just fine in October. This was my week:

Monday - running workout
Tuesday - Baby Bootcamp
Wednesday - day off (meant to run, but day was crazy busy)
Thursday - Baby Bootcamp
Friday - running workout
Saturday -running workout

No Spending: Well, I made it through the week, but I'm a little embarrassed to say that I did spend. On Monday night I went to the store for powdered sugar - $1.65. And on Friday night I ran out of flour - $2.49. I consider it a 'win', as these were unforeseen shortages. I also didn't shop as carefully as I should have, and discovered I was lacking several ingredients needed for meals on my list. I substituted other items & it was no big deal. There was no way around the sugar & the flour. Both were necessary for stuff I made for church activities. I stayed away from the mall & Target & was so busy this week that I didn't really feel the pain of no spending. It was a good exercise & one I will repeat.

No Buying Week

I'm trying an experiment this week. I've been rolling this idea around in my head, and decided it's time to go for it. I am not going to purchase anything from Sunday-Friday. No McDonald stops for Big Sis. No buying a Diet Coke while at Target because I'm bored. No running to the store because we ran out of milk mid-week.

I know I CAN do it. I have at least a modicum of self-control, even if it doesn't usually seem like it. I'm just curious how challenging it will be. I made out my menu for the week & did my grocery shopping yesterday (I forgot to buy water, but we still have a few gallons at home). I filled the car up with gas. I even bought what I need for the pies I have to make for Tuesday night. I should be good to go.

There are a few rules, including the obvious one: Don't buy anything. I also can't call Big Daddy and ask him to buy something for me (ex: running out of milk); I can't make exceptions for anything but an emergency. And finding something on sale at Gymboree doesn't count as an emergency. I CAN pay bills. Wish me luck!