Spending Fast
ByDue to the unexpected appliance expenses, I think I will go on a 30 day spending fast. All during May I will spend only on what are necessities. I’ll make a game out of it to see how little I can spend. Of course that means I have to figure out what is a necessity and what is a want. New books are wants as much as I think I need them like air. Especially when I have books on the shelves I haven’t read yet.
Produce and good food is a necessity. Junk food is a want (good thing I stocked up on 1/2 priced Easter candy!). My pantry and freezer are full so I might not even need to buy much food.
My massage will be a necessity because it is unbelievable how much it helps my health and well-being. But I can wait a few weeks to get a new haircut. We can trade movies for walks, dinners out for picnics, Barnes and Noble for Howard Miller Library. (And NO overdue fines.) I think I will need to stay away from Target and Lowe’s all together.
Anyone else want to try a money fast this May with me?
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This sounds great Beth. I did this for April, only it was for craft supplies. I’ve been trying to pare down my spending. We’ve almost got the credit cards paid off, so this will be added incentive to work even harder at cutting our costs so we have more money to play with each month on the big things. Thanks for a great challenge.
Holly
I’m with you on this one. My visa is always more than I intend. I’ve been cutting back on craft supplies & misc household accessories. But I know I could do more…. so let’s see how much we can all save this month!
Janet
Looking forward to challenging with you Janet and Holly. That is fantastic that you almost have the credit cards paid off Holly! I am so excited.
Ok I’m game. I’m not working right now, we are getting our credit cards paid off but we still have a ways to go and I’d love to give them a little push by not spending money on wants but I got to ask is a coffee at a coffe shop a need or a want?
It depends what it is for you
Usually I would consider that a want. I usually go out to lunch with a friend every other week. But, this week we are going on a picnic instead.
I will join made a pact that i would not spend any money on books, pens, or spiral notebooks, folders. I have way too many, yes I will go on this spending fast with u this month, in my pact i said 3 months, with yall help , i can do this.
Linda
I should have a few weeks off this month, so it would be great to not spend money, except on paying off bills and necessities. I have enough food to last at least six months, anyway. I can’t include a present for my mother on Mothers’ day in this, though. That is very important.
Great Linda and Ruthie, glad to have you joining us.
I agree on the Mother’s Day present, Ruthie. Definitely important.
going to give this a try I will not buy anything for me and my household but please tell me grandchildren and childrens birthdays don’t count???
Beth, I am with you on this one too.
I am a book buyer of note. I will resolve not to buy any books, stationery or files this month, all of which I usually buy stacks of every month.
I will also not buy any e-courses and e-books on the internet (another of my vices).
BTW, so glad I bought your simplicity e-course last month. I am working through the days nicely and have decided over the last couple of days that I need to set up some boundaries in my life so that I don’t constantly have hundreds of things on the go.
I like to think I’m SuperWoman but I’m not!
Hi Marcia,
Yes, books and courses are definitely things are the main things I can overspend on.
Glad to hear you are using and working through the course. And especially that you are setting boundaries!
Hi Mary,
Gifts for kids and grandkids are definitely things you can get. Just watch the amounts spent. Sometimes we try to buy too much for them to make them happy, but we all know that those aren’t what truly make them happy. They are fortunate to have you in their lives.
Great Idea! Great Plan! Hope I can follow through! My question when I read your message (until I read some of the comments) was; “How not to spend in May, we have a birthday, Mother’s Day (mine, his, his 93 yr. old granny and I like to remember my daughter, too). Graduations (2 from college, a couple of high school), and brides (2)! Doesn’t everyone’s May look this way?
Hi LuAnn,
Glad to see you here. Yes, May is definitely a gift giving month. All the more reason to cut out most of the other spending
[...] http://mysimplerlife.com/blog/?p=663 [...]
Well, here we are on May 8 & I’m doing pretty good so far. I went to Costco the other day & ea time I saw something I wanted I looked at it real hard, sometimes held it & thought about the spending fast. I got less than my list as I decided I didn’t “need” everything at walked out spending less than $40! Now that’s really something!! And I waited in line to fill my tank (which cost more than I spent inside – but less than the station near my home). So, I gave myself an extra gold star for saving double at Costco & I’m pretty pleased with it.
The gifts are tricky situations. At Christmas I asked for season passes to our favorite Aquarium & got them. That may be something to consider as they can enjoy the special outings all year & maybe you can go with them occasionally – be sure to pack a picnic to make it even more personal & saving a few $$ too. My son just loves a special day w/grandma.
good luck everyone!
Janet
Great job Janet!!!
Yes, those are fantastic ideas for presents.
no t doing so well please give me some feed back HELP
Hi Linda
Since I’m in the same situation as you, I thought I’d share what I’m doing.
I know that books and stationery are a HUGE temptation so I decided to not even go near a bookshop. If I go in, the temptation will be too much so I’m removing temptation far from me.
How are you doing?
Marcia has a great idea. I am not even going into Barnes and Noble or Office Max this month. I noticed that the times I gave in to temptation, I could have saved myself by just not going… to the garage sale…to the grocery store when hungry, etc.
[...] Sharing growth – Sometimes I use the blog to document my progress in an area and get people to join me – like the 30 day spending fast. It’s always more fun to make a change with others as we support each other. [...]
[...] Join me this May as I do another Spending Fast. The goal is to only by the necessities for the month. [...]
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hmmmm, interesting, I better stay out of walmart.
[...] My Simpler Life went on a spending fast for the month of May. [...]
I just wanted to comment on my experience with a “spending fast”. About 18 months ago, after a major declutter, I realized the “abundance” I had been blessed with. Many clothes, shoes & other personal items. I decided to go on a personal spending fast on January 1, 2007. I was able to last until 6/21/07….over 6 months!! I did not buy one article of clothing, a pair or shoes, NOT even a pair of panty hose or underwear!! I was able to pay down all my son’s school loans as well as other debts. (I had also gone on a strict budget regarding general spending). Since that time, I have changed my spending habits…I was never a big spender but frequented the “sales racks” to pick up great bargains. I had accumulated more than I EVER needed & found myself feeling very gluttonous. I have limited my spending ever since my 6+ month spending fast & look forward to going on another fast in the next month. I just wanted to bear testimony of the wonders & blessings of choosing to do a spending fast & the empowering feelings it brings.
I have cut down on some of the cost of my ‘wants’ rather than cutting them out completely. For example, I love having my nails and feet done for personal and professional reasons. But it really adds up! So i invested the money to purchase the tools, drill, solar, primer, nail tips, ect…and i taught myself how to do my nails and pedicures on my own. I have saved on average over $1,000 a year since i started doing this in college in 2002. YTD savings of about $7,000. I also purchase professional scissors, hair dye/Highlighter, and conditioning treatments from Sally’s and taught myself how to get a professional look without going to the salon! My hair is pretty long, and with a haircut, dye, highlight and lowlight i could spend about $300 easily every 3 months. I started doing my own hair in 2006 and now even cut, dye, and style the hair of my family members. YTD savings of over $3,000 for myself, and even savings for my family! The list goes on and on for things like tanning, shoes, handbags, ect…but i’m about to write a book here…just hope this helps a few people that may not be ready to fast quite yet for fear the fast one month could turn to a binge the next. Thanks for reading!