I got a lot of comments on Instagram about how I was going to accomplish a No Spend Month.
Really, this is just an attempt to pay closer attention to my spending and take another look at where we can save as I was doing when I first started this blog – before working from home and running on less time to focus on it. I’m going to give it my best shot, be conscious of where my money goes, and pay attention to how much we have and what we can do with it.
I can tell you I’m already in the red. 🙂 Since this was an impulsive decision my car was on empty last week and I needed to fill up right away, but I fully intend to make that up.
No spend March {week 1}
- Spent $37.80 on gas
- Found $6 while cleaning
- took photos of new in the box fitness trackers and electronics to sell on Craigslist
- regrowing green onions in my kitchen
- eating lots of fresh produce purchased last week – there shouldn’t be any waste
Total this week: – $31.80
Week 2 Plan
- Make another batch of Laundry Soap – I have everything and the last one lasted us SO long!
- Meal plan to use what we have
- Freezer/pantry inventory
- Put items on Craigslist
- Declutter and organize
In unrelated news… Kohls shared my Wellness Wish video on their Facebook page!! I’d love any help sharing since I’m hoping it will encourage them to come back and do an “after.”
I need some more money-saving or money-making tips – we just ran out of bananas! What are your favorite ways to be frugal?
Love this idea! We’ve been using the You Need a Budget app to try and have a better sense of our spending and where we can make better decisions. I belong to a few Facebook groups that have local buying/selling so I’ve been clearing out clutter and making a few bucks that way. Always a nice thing!
Mer @ scootadoot recently posted…Tell Me What To Do, Internet!
I need to look I to that app! I’ve never really budgeted – I just spend/save like we’re always poor! 🙂
Wait, you can’t even buy gas?? I thought it was just non-essentials. I might be worse at this than I thought! (Also congrats on the kohls thing! That’s really cool!!)
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Oh, I don’t know exact rules to a no-spend month, but I’m just logging everything to see how I do! I could easily talk myself into an “essential” grocery trip or an “essential” pair of pants for my little guy. What I love about this is that it is helping me realize how often I want to go back to old standbys for groceries (instead of all the food we have piling up in the freezer and pantry) and how often I want to shop for small things that add up just for my leisure time. It’s been interesting!
I’ve heard the concept on social media, but I’ve never actually stopped to read about “no spend”. I seriously need to take the challenge because I no the little purchases are adding up.
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It’s really interesting! I’m just setting it as a lofty goal to really take a look at things. It’s funny because I even said to my husband yesterday that I was already thinking we will need a small grocery trip next week because we are out of bananas (our favorite!) and I’m almost out of lettuce, out of avocados, etc. He’s the spender of the family and he reminded me of all the things we have in the pantry and freezer and it made me realize that we can do this easily, instead of relying on old habits and the same couple foods.
My husband would LOVE this…it’s super interesting. I don’t think we could do this with kids, we need food and other necessities but I would like to try!
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Thanks Kristen! It is super interesting! I have a 2 and 3 year old and so far so good. We will need milk in a week or so, but we had enough produce that it will probably last another week at least and we have so much in the freezer! It is fun to push it instead of heading to the store for the same things we always eat. I paid my son’s preschool tuition at the beginning of the month, but otherwise we should be good! Thanks for stopping by!
I wish I was brave enough to try a no spend month! Good luck!
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Thanks Briana! I’m not stressing about it too much – just seeing what we can do and enjoying the challenge! You could do it!
I think looking at it as a challenge will make the thriftiness seem extra-fun! We used to grow green onions from the old ones constantly–I like doing little things like that because I’m so not a gardener, but even I can make a few useful little things grow! 🙂
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Thanks Rachel! It is a fun challenge. I would probably prepare if I was really going to make it a true no-spend month, but I love seeing what we can do with less and making a conscious effort to save.
I need to do one of these no spend months, especially after doing my taxes.
I hear ya, Stephanie! My husband and I both work for ourselves, so it can be rough!