I’m thinking about doing a 'no-spend' challenge for the next year. I am trying to figure out details, and define need/wants. Our credit debt is almost gone and we have NEVER had any savings! Have you done a no spend challenge? What are the 'rules' (obviously it could be slightly different for everyone.) Our main goal is to save up an emergency fund and start a much needed house project in 2011.
There are a few things we 'need' that are really wants but pay off in the long run. We are planning to get chickens in the spring, we can be resourceful in making the coop but likely to spend some money . Also we need to spend some money for our large garden, which of coarse pays off because we grow a large portion of our food, all our own jam, tomato sauce, etc for the year. Also, we are almost done with a house project that will require us to buy some paint (for new drywall) and some trim and hinges, where should this fit in? Or does it?
What a about birthday parties? I can have them at our house or a park, but we would still feed everyone, we could make decorations and gifts with mainly things we already have.
For this x-mas I sold stuff on e-bay to buy my two boys gifts, and that’s all I spent on them. I'm thinking I could do the same thing for 'extras' like celebrations, gifts I can't make or need to buy something for, etc??
Any thoughts? Of coarse, it would be better to sell on e-bay and then save that!!!
I kind of feel the need to have it all defined out otherwise I'm afraid I will make to may exceptions, and then just give up.
Any thoughts, website, or blogs about this would be appreciated!!!
Thanks!
There are a few things we 'need' that are really wants but pay off in the long run. We are planning to get chickens in the spring, we can be resourceful in making the coop but likely to spend some money . Also we need to spend some money for our large garden, which of coarse pays off because we grow a large portion of our food, all our own jam, tomato sauce, etc for the year. Also, we are almost done with a house project that will require us to buy some paint (for new drywall) and some trim and hinges, where should this fit in? Or does it?
What a about birthday parties? I can have them at our house or a park, but we would still feed everyone, we could make decorations and gifts with mainly things we already have.
For this x-mas I sold stuff on e-bay to buy my two boys gifts, and that’s all I spent on them. I'm thinking I could do the same thing for 'extras' like celebrations, gifts I can't make or need to buy something for, etc??
Any thoughts? Of coarse, it would be better to sell on e-bay and then save that!!!
I kind of feel the need to have it all defined out otherwise I'm afraid I will make to may exceptions, and then just give up.
Any thoughts, website, or blogs about this would be appreciated!!!
Thanks!
) to last till the Jan 1 pay check that pretty mcu goes qall to our 1ST MORTGAGE payment! We have enough in reserve for January but need to spend as little as possible till our taxes come back! I'm in! My plans are to:
)
it's terrible! i do it too, but i'll go spend a few dollars at the thrift store. he "needs" to buy music, rent movies, he needs cash for fast food when out with friends. it's frustrating. i'm lucky that many of the things i like to do are free, but he and i could both benefit from making different choices regarding what we do to keep from going bonkers. like walking, meditation, yoga, gardening, um shoveling the #&@$ steps. i think this aspect of the no-spend could be really good for us, not just financially.
