I'm about 8 days late for the No (Low) spend challenge sponsored by the lovely Carla. You can find her rules here, but she did say everyone should make up their own rules specific to their particular circumstances. I had planned a trip to NYC with my daughters (not quite a 'low' spend event), so I decided to participate a week late.
My one and only goal for this challenge is to put $500.00 extra into my savings account. We have set up an online account to automatically send $1,500 a month to our EF savings, but this is above and beyond that amount.
I was fortunate enough to stay within my $200.00 spending money budget to NYC (yeah me!), so I have about $265.00 to spend this week. I'm going to challenge myself to put aside $100.00 of that amount and live on $165.00. This will include groceries, household, personal and misc. spending. I have $600 sitting in the checking account, but thanks to Morrison's advice, I'm sending $500 of that to my ING account so that I will be unable to touch it (at least easily). If, at the end of the month, I don't need to transfer it back to my checking account (which is my goal), I will consider this challenge a HUGE success!
I will have a few challenges this week.
What I'll be doing instead of spending:
My one and only goal for this challenge is to put $500.00 extra into my savings account. We have set up an online account to automatically send $1,500 a month to our EF savings, but this is above and beyond that amount.
I was fortunate enough to stay within my $200.00 spending money budget to NYC (yeah me!), so I have about $265.00 to spend this week. I'm going to challenge myself to put aside $100.00 of that amount and live on $165.00. This will include groceries, household, personal and misc. spending. I have $600 sitting in the checking account, but thanks to Morrison's advice, I'm sending $500 of that to my ING account so that I will be unable to touch it (at least easily). If, at the end of the month, I don't need to transfer it back to my checking account (which is my goal), I will consider this challenge a HUGE success!
I will have a few challenges this week.
- I have a *date night* planned with my husband on Saturday. (We have gift certificates to several restaurants and about $25.00 left on a Visa gift card, so I think I can manage a NO Spend date night. I would like to come up with something fun and different though...any suggestions?? )
- I have very little food left for the week.
- Gas tank will need to be filled.
- Dog food is getting low.
- My hair is dreadfully gray. (I do have a coupon for my miracle box of color...)
- a doctor's appointment (under our new HSA account...high deductible plan...yikes!)
I guess all I can do is:
What I'll be doing instead of spending:
- working
- volunteering
- reading
- exercising
- laundry
- de-cluttering
to name just a few...
A lot of my fellow bloggers have been participating since Day 1 and are doing extremely well! What wonderful inspiration to keep me going...
I'll be posting a new de-clutter project next Monday, and a financial update on Friday. Many of you requested that I keep doing my Friday Financials, and I've decided to continue since it kept me in line, and I want need that accountability.
Here's to a great No (Low) Spend week!!
19 comments:
you can do it. power on, girl.
you did awesome on your trip! so excited for you!!!!
idea for date night - why don't you talk a winter hike?
Jump on in the water is fine!!
Holy moly, am I reading that you are trying to put 2 grand in your efund every month. That is awesome. Even if you only do the $1500.
Good luck to you this month. I am sure you'll rock it.
When my husband and I like to do something different, we always go to the modern museum of art (usually donation based entrance) and marvel at the pile of glass or paint bucket displays. (I love modern art - really, but some of it is...well...interesting)
As for no food in the house - red beans and rice? Chili? Soup? All good warming foods that are LOW cost.
And by the way - YOU ROCK! $2,000 a month...
Wow good job on the trip!
And that's awesome about your EF
Good for you staying under your $200 NYC budget!! That couldn't have been easy!! :) Good luck on the extra $500!! $2K is amazing, the only way I'd ever be able to do that is by not paying any bills!! Hahaha!!
I am also in your shoes, just no money left to spend. Okay we both know that we can spend if we want to but if I start I can't stop. What about you?
Nice work staying on budget in New York. For low-key date nights, we like to make a fancy dinner at home, crack open a bottle of wine, & watch a movie. But, we can do that after our kids are in bed, & I know you're crew is much older. Can your kids stay over at friends/relatives houses, so maybe you can have an uninterrupted weekend?
Sometimes you can get a great deal on bowling. . .
..starting late, but gonna do great!? :)
$2k would be awesome! Good luck:)
I saw the Lion King in Toronto years ago - it was awesome!! - hence its longevity AND I took MY daughter too, as well as my class - she was thrilled as it was the first MOVIE I had ever taken her to back when she was 4. Ahhhh memories:) Way to stick to your budget - I'm afraid I'd go wild with my money in New York.
Now that you've had your little spree doing a NO Spend should be as easy as falling off a log. Colouring your own hair would save you a bundle!
Accountability is definitely something that will help you achieve your goal. I know I work harder when I have to report my success (or failure) to someone. Keep up the good work....and yes, keep posting about your financials....we all are in the same boat.
Amy
crazyclutterlady.blogspot.com
p.s. Your NYC trip looks AMAZING!
You are to be congratulated for attempting this in January. I don't know why it is, but the first month of the year always puts us a big hole, regardless of our intentions.
So far (after 9 days): 2 new tires for one car, a leak in the bath means tiles off, drywall replaced, tiles back, broken fountain pump, and dead outside wet/dry vac replaced.
Oh, and quarterly taxes due next week.
Come on, February!
@Nancy, Let's hope!
@JP, We didn't eat much, which is probably why I didn't spend too much!
@Debby, I love that I can join all of you pros..
@Niki, I am trying to put 2,000 in...as long as Murphy doesn't come for a visit!
@Jennifer, thanks for the suggestions!
@Michelle, thanks!!
@Carla, Thanks! Let's hope I can last all month!
@Kim, I'm just hoping there's no *surprises* this month! Hopefully I'll be able to put some extra cash away!
@Hawaii, staying home is not an option...we are hermits, so we want to go out...
@Laura, LOVE that rhyme!
@Jane, hopefully it will be easy sailing now...yes it's much cheaper to color my own hair!
@Amy, I'll be posting on Friday!
@Bob,
Oh my! That's a lot in one month...reminds me of the start of last year for me!!
You can do it, Sharon! :)
Love the pics from NYC, too!
More power to you! You will do it! Food has just gotten so expensive and it is an area that I find very, very hard to cut down on. I equate good food to living well. Plus, I really don't have time to devote hours and hours per week to cut coupons and plan grocery trips at 4 different stores.
You inspired me. I bought a ticket to NYC today! So excited!
Awesome job on staying with in your spending budget! As for date night ideas - I don't know if you have a free zoo in your area but something we did for my brother's birthday then we went out to eat. We had a blast!
I really like how you post your goals/successes and not so successes. I just started my blog so I'm still trying to figure out what kind of content I want to include.
@Happy,
Thanks! We had a great time!
@ND - YEAH!! You'll love NYC. Are you going to see a show??
@Jamie, Congrats on starting a new blog! I will hop on over to check it out!!
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