No-Spending Challenge #5
It’s time again. August is fast approaching, and we are feeling the summer pinch. Here comes No- Spending Challenge #5!
Do you ever get in those moods where you don’t want to spend a single penny? “Can I buy a new pair of running shoes?” “No”. “May I get another Stars Wars Lego set?” “No!” “Can we get that album on iTunes?” “No!!” Unless it’s food, the answer is “no”.
Why am I in a no-spending mood? We are trying to make more memories with gifts of experiences. But we all know that many experiences come with a price tag, and often hefty at that. Jonathan’s dad has been a lifetime fan of the Huskers. So for his birthday/Father’s Day/Christmas present this year (and maybe this includes next year, too:), Jonathan is taking his dad to a Huskers game in Nebraska during the football season. We all live in Washington state, and his parents are about 7 hours away from us. So there is the cost of plane tickets, hotel, gas, car rentals, food and game tickets to account for. Rack, rack, it all adds up. With all of these expenses coming, I’m especially feeling like spending NO money these days.
As an aside, it will be a great trip for the guys. Some of Jonathan’s other brothers will be able to come, and with the loss of Jonathan’s brother, Dan, last August, they are all trying to be more intentional about getting together.
Now that we are in the heart of summer, my piano lessons are almost nonexistent. I actually was able to save up $1040 for summer groceries throughout the year for the lean summer months. So far we have $360 left to make it through August. That $680 went too quickly for me. It would sure be nice to send some of that cash with JSarr for his trip, so we are embarking on another no-spending journey. This time instead of just groceries, I am not buying other stuff either…unless I find a deal I just can’t pass up. I’ll post what we spend in groceries for the month.
So for my no-spending challenge parameters, I only will buy perishables. I don’t want to deny my family healthy food! If I run out of other items like flour, oats, or nuts, we have to live without.
It will last 4-weeks. I’m starting today because I can, and I want to get to the end sooner.
4 weeks is a good amount of time to go through a challenge if you’ve never done anything like this before. Who else is ready to embark on a no-spending challenge with me? Do you have anything you want to save for?
You can read about my other No-Spending Challenges:
- For the No-Spending Challenge #1 parameters, go here. For the No-Spending Results #1, go here.
- For the 4 Week No Spending Challenge #2 parameters, go here, and for the No-Spending Challenge Results #2, go here.
- For the 4 Week No Spending Challenge #3 parameters, go here, and for the No-Spending Challenge Results #3, go here.
- For the 4 Week No-Spending Challenge #4 parameters, go here, and for the No-Spending Challenge Results #4, go here.
- For the No-Spending Challenge #5 Results, go here.
I’m hoping to start one mid-August, but I’m already pulling things back quite a bit in terms of my splurge items at the grocery store, etc. We are saving for a big dream: a vacation condo. I’ve never saved with a big goal in mind, so I’m kind of excited to see how it goes!
When we have a goal in mind, our savings is so much better. It’s mid-August! Have you started? Blessings on your savings!
I’m in! I’ve been so frustrated in that I never can get my budget to balance. I’ve asked my husband to take over for the month of August and am hoping with him being more involved, I can “tighten the reins”!
Hi Karyn. I used to do the bills alone (for over a decade), and then a few years back I asked Jonathan for help. The bills just got to be too overwhelming for me, and it makes the two spenders aware of exactly what they are dealing with. So I think it’s great to have your husband be more involved. Blessings on your No-Spending Challenge!!