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Will somebody join me in "NO SPENDING" for April?

post #1 of 128
3/29/07 at 3:57pm
Thread Starter 
I have been looking at how much money dh and I spend on total crap and its making me sick. I want to spend the entire month of April without buying anything other than necessary groceries. This will be hard for me since we are expecting two large checks this month and I need (okay, want) some baby items. BUT, if I make myself wait to spend it I think I'll spend more wisely. So, anybody on board with me? I'm going to post here every time I fall off the wagon or need help staying on.

I took a full-time job to pay off some debt, and in two months of working we haven't paid off one thing. Its embarassing. I *have* to do this!


I must add: An ice cream birthday cake is completely necessary for this about-to-turn 30yo who is almost 34 weeks pregnant That will be my birthday present to myself I have a $3 coupon

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post #2 of 128
3/29/07 at 4:01pm
Does fresh veggies and fruit count? I would like to spend nothing in Aprl except on Groceries and house bills.
If thats ok, then count me in!
post #3 of 128
3/29/07 at 4:05pm
Thread Starter 
well that's what I'm thinking...groceries and normal bills. I'm not allowing myself to buy anything unnecessary (clothes, baby junk, toys, going out to eat). We'll find creative/free ways to entertain ourselves and eat our meals at home or pack lunches for work
post #4 of 128
3/29/07 at 4:32pm

I'm in!

But I'm really being militant about it. (For details, go to this thread.)

Our spending (and our clutter...is there a corrolation???) is out of control. I have to make some serious lifestyle changes; "desperate times" and all that.
post #5 of 128
3/29/07 at 5:03pm
Thread Starter 
oh cool! I also struggle with simplicity vs. overconsumerism. With cloth diapers I buy way more than I need for the baby, and then they make me feel stressed and I want to sell most of them. I go incycles and I'm sick of it. So maybe we'll get our groceries/gas on Saturday and see if we can last the month of April without buying anything at all. I'm feeling inspired already
post #6 of 128
3/29/07 at 5:09pm
I am definitly joining in on this. I really need to think more before I buy (my biggest problem is impulsiveness). I always end up buying more than what I need and things, I realize later, I don't need at all. I hate it. I have gotten alot better, but I still struggle.
post #7 of 128
3/29/07 at 5:12pm
Hmmm, well I guess I could join this, but it will be because we have no other choice (not because we're just seeing *if* we can do it). We went from relying on credit cards when $ ran out every month, and being very careless about it, to finally having that behavior bite us in the a$$. Pretty much overnight we are on a no spend budget. Yikes!!!! So, I'll be here for emotional support as I go through my careless spending withdrawls.
post #8 of 128
3/29/07 at 5:12pm
I think I'll join in as well. My house is pretty well stocked with "stuff" right now, and anything I truly need (such as a new mixer) I'll want for Passover anyway.

Uh oh- I have a child's birthday (and party) this month- that's gonna be more than $0!
post #9 of 128
3/29/07 at 5:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruthla View Post
Uh oh- I have a child's birthday (and party) this month- that's gonna be more than $0!
Uh oh, me too. On April 1st. I'm thinking that we'll regift something that my son got for his birthday last month.
post #10 of 128
3/29/07 at 5:23pm
here is a great site to check out
http://www.verdant.net/
post #11 of 128
3/29/07 at 5:32pm
Thread Starter 
birthjunkie: Dh and I did the same thing in the early years of our marriage. Then one day all the cards were maxed out and the minimum paymts came due and....: Who knew those overlimit fees could be so friggin' high?!? We cut them all, and it hurt. Then a few years later we got some more credit I swear when I pay them off this time we'll never do it again...I promise. Credit cards are evil.
post #12 of 128
3/29/07 at 5:39pm
OMG, yes, please. We were just starting to get comfortable with the new babysitter and me continuing to work. We decided we could afford to send DD1 to summer day camp P/T and paid the deposit, and WHAM! Both cars need tires and repairs; instead of the expected refund, we actually owe over $2K in taxes; my work computer died and I had to pay almost $1200 for a new one, plus may have to buy all my (expensive) software myself; and it turns out our b-day gift to MIL is going to cost more than we thought. Plus camp, which DD is so excited about. This may be the first month we carry a balance on our CC for the first time in years

So, uh, yeah,
post #13 of 128
3/29/07 at 6:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by birthjunkie27 View Post
Uh oh, me too. On April 1st. I'm thinking that we'll regift something that my son got for his birthday last month.
What if you buy the gift BEFORE April?

I bought DD a couple of early b-day gifts already, but I'll need to get stuff for the party itself.
post #14 of 128
3/29/07 at 7:33pm
I'm in. Our income has dropped by 40% so we have to do some serious belt tightning.

Shay
post #15 of 128
3/30/07 at 12:54am
Well I'm in.....in a round about sort of way. We are shopping for a new car and need to get off the cc life support. I just want to clear them and STAY away from them (maybe cut them...). I will have to buy groceries, gas, make the last payment on my car, $10 for CVS shopping, $12 for newspaper (re-upping our subscription) and Mom's Night Out (my only time to get away from kids). We MIGHT buy a car but I certainly don't consider that everyday spending!

So can I stay?

I am sure I will fall of the wagon a few times (especially for fast food when I am out) but maybe if I JUST stay in the house except for moms group on thursday I can really get some serious cleaning done (while saving money!!).
post #16 of 128
3/30/07 at 10:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhinderliter View Post
Well I'm in.....in a round about sort of way. We are shopping for a new car and need to get off the cc life support. I just want to clear them and STAY away from them (maybe cut them...). I will have to buy groceries, gas, make the last payment on my car, $10 for CVS shopping, $12 for newspaper (re-upping our subscription) and Mom's Night Out (my only time to get away from kids). We MIGHT buy a car but I certainly don't consider that everyday spending!

So can I stay?

I am sure I will fall of the wagon a few times (especially for fast food when I am out) but maybe if I JUST stay in the house except for moms group on thursday I can really get some serious cleaning done (while saving money!!).
Are you sure you're ready for a no spend challange?

Don't worry, if I weren't in the situation I'm in now (no other choice but to not spend), I'd have written the same post as you (especially the fast food part). But, IMO, not spending (other than bills, food- and by food I mean groceries) means not spending (so no fast food, no night out with the girls). Hey, I haven't had a night out without the kiddos since... last summer. LOL!
post #17 of 128
3/30/07 at 11:55am
I'm half in! Ok mostly...

We are expecting our little one anytime in the next month or so. I think we may need just a couple items for him still - but not much; and I already baught my nursingwear and maternity items (that was a must belive it or not - unless I was to wear bare-belly shirts to work and no pants because they wouldn't even go on!) But I baught most of that with a gift card!!! and whenever poeople have asked me if I need baby stuff I have told them exactly what and how much - so maybe we will end up with everything!!!

I do need to do a big grocery trip so we are stocked up - I can do that tomorrow and then it won't be in April!!

BUT: other than those 2 areas there is NOTHING I should be buying!!! Kick me if I do!!! I really want to have as much money saved as possible sense this is our first baby and I'm not sure if there are expenses I am unaware of...
post #18 of 128
3/30/07 at 1:34pm
I have decided I am not only going to NOT spend any $ in April on anything unecessary, but I am going to make a little bit $ too. (selling stuff on TP,crafting stuff to sell on Etsy,writing some freelance articles,etc.) every little bit adds up, right?

I do need to get a new baby gift for a friend who's due in like 3 weeks, but maybe I will make something..hmm. need to go search for ideas now!
post #19 of 128
3/30/07 at 1:54pm
I am IN! We have GOT to stop spending our "disposable" income on crap! My DH runs our grocery bill up to $800 to $1200 a month by going out every other day and "picking up a few things." WTF???

And then he cannot RESIST a new puzzle for DD or a trip to Home Depot or whatever. He is so bad, because he has never had to live on a budget before. We've been okay, but the time is NOW to stop the hemorrhage of money! We have no cc debt, have paid off our cars, and I'm about to pay off my last student loan. I really really really want to pay off the 2nd on the house and then work on the original mortgage. That won't happen if we don't have a MAJOR shift in thinking/spending/consuming.

So, if anyone has any advice about how I can reign in DH, let me know! The big problem is that I"m home with our infant DD and it does help to let him do the shopping. But it's so out of control now that I think I'm going to have to take his debit card away INSIST that he not go into ANY stores. Sheesh.

So, I'm in! (Did I mention that? lol)
post #20 of 128
3/30/07 at 3:09pm
I'm in. Groceries and normal bills only. I really want to draw up a realistic budget for us but to do that I need to know how much we actually need to be spending.
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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Natural Family Living › The Mindful Home › Frugality & Finances › Will somebody join me in "NO SPENDING" for April?