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Time to tighten the belt!
How many things do you think you buy in a month that you could have done without. Well, we’re about to find out, aboard this ship.
My good friend, KimC at Life in a Shoe, told me about this challenge at Owlhaven. The idea is to resist the temptation to spend money where you don’t need to, and to think it through very well before you do spend money, in order to make sure you are making the wisest financial decision. And the commitment is only 30 days or should I say, a whole 30 days!
So, for the rest of September, and the first 5 days in October, to make it fair since I’ve gotten a late start, I am all about NOT spending money. Which, when you don’t have much to begin with, is kinda like telling a five year old, “Do not run as fast as a car!” (or I could say to me, “Do not run as fast as a five year old!” Same effect.) But, I digress. When push comes to shove, we have more than enough to meet our NEEDS.
Now, here’s the fun part. We get to make our own rules! I’m starting to think I have a thing about making rules. Y’all enjoy making rules too, don’t you? Tell me I’m not the only one!
I don’t know why it’s not doin’ it here, but if you click on this pic you’ll see what I’m talkin’ about.
Anyway, she mentioned things like using the solar clothes dryer for the whole month and not using the electric one in the garage at all. Well, I’m on board with that.
She also mentioned that her dishwasher is on the fritz. I was just gonna buy some Cascade and drying agent this evening and cringed at the thought of the price for the combo, but I guess the better idea is to just wash ‘em in the sink and forgo the dishwasher altogether. After all, I have that huge stash of Dawn from CVS. Not too big a deal since I have a whole crew of shanghai’d pirates willing helpers.
Anyway, I have some planning to do. I just wanted to give y’all the opportunity to get in on this as soon as possible. KimC just told me about it this afternoon. So, KimC, the next time you have an idea I’m gonna like, I’ll need a couple of days of lead time, OK? OK.
You’ll want to go to Owlhaven and read all about it and sign on with the challenge. Then you’ll wanna go to Biblical Womanhood to get as many money saving ideas as you can use from Frugal Friday for your 30 day challenge!
No related posts.
My family has been living “nuthin” for quite some time. My husband’s job went south of the boarder and I am a stay-at-home-mom (with 4 kids). So, going from something to practically nothing has made us very creative.
I can list many things on how to be frugal-on an income of 490/week now for a family of 6.(complete with a mortgage.)
[...] Hen is taking the challenge to not spend money for 30 days. If you’re looking for motivation to curb the spending bug, join her in the [...]
Welcome aboard! I look forward to seeing how you’ll personalize this challenge.
I need to take some more thinking time and do the same.
Awesome idea! We’re basically doing this… mainly because we’re on a tight budget in saving money to pay off debts and buy my husband a work truck (so I can have my van back and my mom can have her itty-bitty-cram-us-all-in car back). His job gives him a truck allowance, but we’ve been trying to save it up for a while.
We went out to eat the other day and afterwards I thought, “Man, I should have just stayed at home and made dinner…” That is SO not me, but Im so use to homecooking now!
We did this for several months after Christmas last year. It was eye opening to all members of our family about what a want vs a need is.
We’ll probably do it again this year. I hate going out in the cold anyway.
This time of year I am busy buying Christmas gifts to avoid the cold, snow, and the rush.
Great idea! I’m going to check it out. We try hard not to run out and buy things if we can make do.
how horrible is it that i’m not sure i’m willing to give up anything right now? we’ll blame the stress of the wedding/new house.
This is a great idea. I will have to think about what I am going to live without.
So glad you’re doing this!!
Mary
I love, love the idea and may have to do it in October instead since we are just getting ready to go on a weeklong vacation. I’m heading over to check out the Frugal Friday tips, though, right now!!