It’s day eight of my No Spend Challenge and things are going swimmingly so far.
In case you need a review of the rules, you’ll find that information here. In a nutshell, I pay bills, buy anything that’s a necessity and try to avoid buying things that aren’t actual needs.
Sometimes I feel guilty doing this because I know plenty of people have zero extra dollars and are struggling to keep their kids clothed and fed. Then I remember that I’m not exactly a wasteful person to begin with and that this is a great reminder that life isn’t about spending.
So where are we today?
I filled up my gas tank and bought some basic groceries on December 30 before the challenge started but that means I started out in good shape.
The first week was easy for a couple of reasons.
- Basic needs were covered.
- I didn’t go anywhere to tempt me.
Work lunches were packed leftovers and the rest of my meals were at home. I stayed off shopping sites that tempt me and deleted marketing emails without reading them. Whatever it is they’re selling, I don’t need it.
In anticipation of this storm we got Sunday and Monday, I did stop at the local grocery for some specific items to help in the event of a power outage: eggs to boil because boiled eggs are good cold, a box of store brand Cheerios because I happened to have milk in the house (also a good cold meal) and a case of water because you can never have too much. It was about $11.
That’s it.
Have I been tempted? You bet I have. I heard an interview with a linguist this weekend and am dying to read his book. It’s not something my local library would ever have and I’m pretty sure I’ll want to own this one anyway. It’s on my list. Maybe I’ll pick it up someday. I’m actively avoiding those people online who film themselves thrifting and show how they style their treasures. I’m not ready for that sort of temptation!
I have paint for my bedroom (this is an anxiety inducing story for another day) and will need to buy some new curtains and possibly a couple of other things to bring the room together. I have pinned ideas on Pinterest but am avoiding online shopping. I want to paint and see how the new shade looks before shopping around for options.
You know, shopping and spending aren’t necessarily a bad thing. I enjoy treating myself and finding just the right treasure to make my home cosy. The part that I have to control is the impulse buy.
One thing that this challenge reminds me of year after year is that purchases can wait and that it’s best to plan. It reminds me that by thinking something through and finding what I really want rather than what’s in front of me now, life can be both less costly and better.
I have done some decluttering this week. I am working on a puzzle, have done some reading, listened to podcasts, and watched a little tv. I got a new walking pad for Christmas and have enjoyed using that while rewatching some “All Creatures Great and Small” in anticipation of the show’s return to PBS on Sunday. In all, it has been a good, happy time.
So, week one is in the books and I made it through without buying any books! I’m sorry if you had money riding on that possibility!
Good job! I don’t do a “No Spend” month or day or anything. I just try to live each day in a consistent manner – mindful spending. But I am older, and I have a basement of Dollar Tree items I was going to use for some craft …someday. And from experience, I have learned not to start another craft project until I have finished what I’ve already started – and I follow that most of the time. I also try to follow the one in, two out rule. I have several boxes of unopened puzzles, too. So, what I’m trying to say is I agree with all your ideals that motivate your no spend, and while I like to think I follow them each day, I haven’t always and still sway from time to time. So good on you for this month of focusing on this lifestyle.
Haha. No one is perfect Betty! It sounds like you do great already! That’s awesome!
I try to be mindful but bad habits develop throughout the year as my work life ebbs and flows and sometimes as I’m out traveling. When I am stressed at work I suddenly am too tired to cook when I could easily make an egg sandwich. I like thrifting and antiquing but that leads to impulse buys of things I may not really need. It’s never a lot of money but it’s still a bad habit.
I have to wonder if you have a growing list of things to buy come February.😉
Well, there’s the book but I am always adding books to my list that I may or may not ever buy.
Then there’s the curtains but I have known about that purchase since October and couldn’t pull the trigger until I chose the wall color and painted. So that will continue to wait.
The point of this exercise is to be mindful about extra purchases so those two things would qualify. Otherwise, no, there’s nothing yet and I hope to keep it that way!
Good job, Brandi. I didn’t mean to be snarky and unsupportive of your goals. I’m all for people being conscious and conscientious consumers.
Well, there’s no intonation here but I read no snark at all. It’s a valid question. After all, what is the point if you’re just going to run out and shop as soon as it’s over?
That’s my thought, but I could have taken a better approach. Anyway, I hope you have a “fat wallet” by month’s end!🙂
I thought nothing of it!
If this month’s electric bill is an indicator, my fat wallet won’t be so fat anymore once the electric company is through with me this winter. Yikes!
Great work – cheers to the first week!!!
Thank you!!
It may not help in this case, but does your local library use OhioLINK? It looks similar to the MelCat system in MI. We have been able to borrow some fairly obscure stuff over the years because some library in the state had it.
They participate in some kind of interlibrary loan programs. Honestly, I had an issue with them a few years ago and haven’t used them for anything I can do somewhere else since then. I looked it up and the book is less than $10 on thrift books so I’ll probably buy it someday. It does seem like something I will want to keep.
Glad to hear things are going well so far on your challenge! I’ve been trying to declutter as well which feels oddly satisfying. But it’s also a lot of work because first you have to go through all your stuff …
Haha. My approach to getting started is to just stand in a room and look at what’s visible. Once you pull a few things, it gets easier to the point of addictive. Then my approach is one stack of papers, one drawer, one cabinet at a time. I also like to start with something that’s annoying me like the bathroom drawer that’s always cluttered.