no money for a week...voluntarily???

[Broken Arrow]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

Myabe there would those who are willing to go for a little longer so that it would be more of a challenge? Really a week for me simply means I can't go out for lunch....anyone up to try for two weeks?

Well, I suppose the whole idea is so that we (or at least I) could learn to transition to a simpler lifestyle that eventually consists of me buying only what I need each week, and living off of that. If successful, I will be doing this for the... rest of my life?

Or, maybe it will turn out that it won't work for me or that it may not make too much difference in my lifestyle? Who knows? Either way, I guess I won't know until I try.

One week to start out seems sensible enough.

[Kris10Leigh]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

I am NOT a shopper, but somehow we seem to make frequent errand runs for things that pop up. In our household expenses pop up beyond the normal grocery run. There are things I have to say "no" to. For instance, just this week while trying to keep myself in check....

My friend wanted me to take a 1 1/2 hour trip with her for the day. That would entail eating out and so I had to say no. (I could have packed food for us if I really wanted to, but I guess I didn't REALLY want to.)

I ran an errand to drop off a picture at our church around lunch time. I was hungry and passed Chipotle's, which is a treat for us because it is not close to our house. I had to say "no".

The dog needs to be groomed and the kids need hair cuts. Not this week.

All those things are things I normally would have done as the need arose. I would have spent around $65 on all that and I wouldn't call any of it "shopping". Things like that just pop around here. So for us, it is definitely a challenge.

[sweeps]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

Maybe the start date should be a surprise?

[boefixepa]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

OOooo. That's a good idea. That way we can't 'stock up' and have to make due with what we have! Afterall if you buy what you would spend that week in advance, what's the challenge....

[Ima saver]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

I don't think i could go a whole week without eating out. I know when i was younger, we ate out very rarely, but in the past twenty years, that has become our only form of entertainment.
I could not include my husband in this challenge. He is a builder and makes lots of trips to pick up materials. When he needs gas, he needs gas, or he earns NO money!
But, I might last a day or two!!

[jodi]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

Ooohh, I like the excitement I see here. We can each tailor this challenge to our unique needs. For example, I might chose to exclude gas expenditures from my challenge due to the amount we drive each week (unavoidable in a rural setting - there is nothing that is close enough for us to walk to and no public transportation). Other people might have to exclude daily commute fees such as tolls, parking, etc.
I plan to cut out discretionary spending, such as entertainment, garage sales (ouch - but a waste of time, gas, and minor money), quick trips to the store, etc. I was actually considering starting Thursday, since I have one week left until payday and not a lot of cash. I don't want to have to dip into savings, so it would be a good time for me to try it out (not to mention short notice so I can't stock up too much and spend the money now). So I might not wait until next week to start, but I'll keep track of my progress on this forum and others can join in when they start.

[boefixepa]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

Okay so if you want to go the 'surprise' route....let's start now!!!

[jodi]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

Uhhh...how about tomorrow? I've got to pay some bills online tonight...

[boefixepa]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

Okay, Updates to be posted on this thread here are my rules for me....Edit and add your rules for your choice of challenge and add them here.

1. No discretionary spending... (ie eating out, grocery shopping, entertainment, clothes etc...)
2. Back and forth to work only for driving....we have no 'bus' system here
3. Normal 'bills' are allowed as they come up...
4. No AC - this will be hard...grrr....heat wave in the west...
5. No stockup -- thus the surprise
6. No 'reward' spending or splugering when done what's the point if you save it and then spend it.
7. All money saved or 'left over' at the end of the month gets transfered to savings.
8. Time frame (for me for it to be 'hard') is two weeks.

So what's everyone else going to do...I'll keep you up to date....

[Roupey03]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

I am in starting tommorrow one week the only thing I can purchase is enough to fill my tank.

[shengmei]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

I give hubby all of the money. It is not worth it for me to fight over money at this point. Less money would be spent if there are uniform decisions.

[Bookie]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

I'm definitely up for this, but the timing is a bit awkward. Most of my monthly bills fall due between the first and the fifth, and I don't think the explanation that I'm participating in a no-spend week would get much sympathy.

But I do want to play. I'm pretty sure I can borrow penguins from my neighbor in an emergency.

[boefixepa]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

Bookie, you can make your own rules....allow yourself to pay your bills, but set the rules that are workable for you...

Can my dogs come over and play the penguins you borrowed...I'm sure it would be interested....think about the movie ... 8 below and seaguls ... hey less dog food for me..

[kashi]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

This sounds intriguing. The only problems I forsee are plans already made far in advance with people (like this week's dinner and movie, and next week's dinner with people we rarely see) and no air conditioning. I think SO would probably be extraordinarily cranky without air conditioning in 95 degree weather.

Definitely going to roll it around in my head, though...I think we could do it, otherwise.

[Ima saver]

Re: no money for a week...voluntarily???

I think that is neat, set your own rules. If I started right now, I would starve to death. Nothing in my freezer except ice cream. I have some junk food, that is about all!