No Spend Month Week #2 Update
This week we spent $11.27 groceries and $33.20 for our CSA share for a total of $44.47. Combined with last week's spending, we've used just 28 percent of our budget.
What We Learned
It was my DH who brought up the need to rethink what we're doing for our No Spend Month Challenge. It doesn't seem like we're really doing anything different or have made any sacrifices. Yes he was the one who was maybe just a little bit cranky about the prospect of No Spent Month last year. He had a point then. It was tough to give up fun outings with friends and say no to going out to lunch, but it did force us to think of alternative ways to socialize. The challenge succeeded in making us more mindful of how we could accomplish our goals while spending less.
He has a point this year too. We haven't changed anything about the way we spend. It isn't about sacrifice just for the sake of self denial. We really do want to become more intentional through doing the No Spend Month Challenge.
I would like to think that we are different people this year, that we've grown so frugal as to be above the need for frivolous spending. Maybe we've just gotten really good at saving money. I'm guessing that's not it though. Maybe it is just that we haven't come up against the same social dilemmas this time. It is probably that we're just sated by the holidays, having given and received so much.
He has a point this year too. We haven't changed anything about the way we spend. It isn't about sacrifice just for the sake of self denial. We really do want to become more intentional through doing the No Spend Month Challenge.
I would like to think that we are different people this year, that we've grown so frugal as to be above the need for frivolous spending. Maybe we've just gotten really good at saving money. I'm guessing that's not it though. Maybe it is just that we haven't come up against the same social dilemmas this time. It is probably that we're just sated by the holidays, having given and received so much.
Rethinking the No Spend Month Challenge
All this has us rethinking No Spend Month and just what the challenge should be. My first inclination would be to drastically reduce our budget for the month. Then I thought we spend nothing more this month. Though we still do need gas for DH to get to work at least. Maybe there's some other answer.How do you think we should change our No Spend Month Challenge?
Frugal Living Link Up
Bloggers, don't forget to link up your frugal living, money saving, and No Spend Month posts below.
It helps us to have a goal, something we want to do with the money we are saving instead of just doing it to be frugal. This month I just want to get the bank account up where it was before the long holiday season of spending hit me. I also want to use whats in the freezer and pantry. I am going to link up with my update on Saturday Thank you for hosting.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are saying. There are definitely areas that I could spend less money on...lie eating out. But I have learned to be pretty frugal with my money in general...Where I need to plan ahead is my grocery list and meal planning.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great challenge! The raising prices of everything is motivation enough to start this. I am trying to make more of an effort to reuse and repurpose as a way to stretch our dollars. We had several birthdays in Jan here & instead of buying new cards & gifts, we were able to craft our own bday cards by cutting out pictures in magazines or from old greeting cards. We made simple, but thoughtful gifts and involved the kids (which saves money too b/c you spend time together instead of paying to watch a movie or using energy for electronics).
ReplyDeleteI agree with not giving up everything you enjoy just for he sake of giving it up for a challenge. Making changes that you can keep permanent is key. Do you get the paper? If so, maybe you could stop it and just read your news online?
ReplyDelete$11?!?!?!? PLEASE come do my grocery shopping for me! You have to share more about your grocery shopping tips. I CANNOT seem to get my grocery bill for three under $120 a week. Since we're vegetarian and I don't buy processed food/snacks, it seems impossible to spend less than I am.
ReplyDeleteWow, really amazing! Eleven dollars on groceries? I'm really enjoying reading about your journey and how thoughtful you are about it. I really liked the line about it not being about self-denial. It's a great attitude.
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