No Spending in July ~ Want to save money? We'll help you. Please join us at any time.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

This thread is a support thread to help you ~not spend your money~. Everyone is welcome to join (we would love to have you) and you are welcome to start at any time. It doesn't have to be July 1st.

The plan is simple (although very tough to execute):

1. Vow not to spend any money on unnecessary purchases.

2. Come on here everyday and record your spending.

3. If you think that you absolutely MUST buy something, come on here and tell us about it first. Sometimes taking the time to come on here and post before you buy something will help you not buy it.

4. Provide encouragement for your fellow non-spenders and try to talk THEM out of buying things.

Good luck Ladies!! Let's have a stellar July!!!

Thinking about joining our thread? Welcome! Don't read through the whole thread, just jump right in today. Start your no-spending right now!

[scrapadoozer]

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

Hi, I'm Jenny. I'm a SAHM to a lovely 3.5 year old little girl. We live in Maine and I enjoy sewing and rockin' out.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of July. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.

A) I want to pay our mortgage off early
B) I want a larger security net
C) I want to buy all of the heating oil we'll need for our loooong Maine winter before said winter hits us.
D) I want to be less materialistic and consumer driven. I strive for a simpler life.

3. No spending is hard work. You need a plan. Please tell us your game plan -- how do you plan to approach no spending for a month?
A) Eat at home.
B) Don't shop for recreation.
C) Do instead of buy.
D) Use what I already have lying around the house.

[HollyBearsMom]

I am in. It will be hard but I am committed!!

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Some caveats...

*Groceries, utilities, clothing for you and your family, transportation...these things are necessary. You don't need to record things like that.

*Only YOU can determine what is necessary. We are a non-judgemental group.

*This thread is for you -- we will not guilt you into coming on here nor will we call your mother to report on your spending...use this thread as you like.

*Record whatever will cause YOU to spend the least. If you feel guilty about coming on here and fessing up -- then this thread is working perfectly.

*Don't get discouraged if you spend -- we are about PROGRESS not PERFECTION. We all will spend this month...let's admit that up front...the goal is to spend less -- significantly less -- so please don't take an all or nothing attitude. You will see progress if you stick with us...I promise you that.

[organic-momma]

I'm in! I definitely need to get off the spending track!

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of July. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.

3. No spending is hard work. You need a plan. Please tell us your game plan -- how do you plan to approach no spending for a month?

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

All about me...

1. My name is Prudence and I'm a SAHM with two daughters. I spend compulsively on things that I do not need. I know this. I'm trying to change my habits.

2a. My husband is a teacher -- we have no income during the summer. So every dime I spend comes from our savings. Oy vey.

2b. Our mortgage is over 50% of our income. We bought a house that is too big for our budget. A mistake that we can rectify by living frugally, well within our means. This means watching every penny.

2c. We want to have another child -- so we need to save money now because expenses are looming on the horizon (happy expenses!)

3. My game plan:

- Come on here and post everyday

- Carry precious little cash in my wallet...if I have to come home and get money to buy something, usually I change my mind and don't buy it

- Stay O*F*F the internet shopping websites diaperswappers and ebay

- When I want to purchase something, I'm going to write it down and give myself a 24 hour breather period to decide if we really NEED it.

Goal: To beat my June No Spend totals ~ 19 days
and $393.60 in frivolous spending

[HollyBearsMom]

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

I am a WOHM to one gorgeous boy. My husband also works out of the home. We have 3 dogs and alot of fish. Our turtles just found a new home (woohoo!)

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of July. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.

I just found myself suddenly in serious debt. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=702051 : Needless to say I will just think about today before every purchase.

3. No spending is hard work. You need a plan. Please tell us your game plan -- how do you plan to approach no spending for a month?

Well this weekend is going to be devoted to figuring out just how far in the whole we are. Once I have my hands around that I will know what is left for "essentials". Then my plan is

*make a revised budget for groceries. Things like specialty food, organics etc will have to be reduced or eliminated
*get back to frugal meal planning meaning devoting a good portion of Sunday to cooking in bulk to eat during the week and freeze
*bring out things I usually use in the winter to economize i.e.: the bread maker and crock pot

That’s all I can think of right now. We really don't need clothes or things like that.

My biggest issue is how to explain this to my son. Picking up a pack of Pokemon cards, a new book, and take out pizza has not been a big deal in the past. Now those are all out of our budget.....

[maggiemae]

I am going to give myself an allowance this month...

I have never done that before. I am going to allot $20 for me, dh and my mom (she lives with us) each week. I am also going to make an envelope with $15 in it for the kids to share (this will basically be for take out food or ice cream, etc.). The adults allowance will be for extras (eating out, coffee, or other treats) We can choose to save our weekly allowance and purchase something bigger. I want to save mine for some mineral makeup. I usually take my lunch to work and make my coffee at home so I think it will be easy to save. Although, I do have a date for lunch tomorrow. There goes $10.

[Scribe]

I'm in like Flynn.

Basically, I'm trying to live w/in my budget. I'm not 100% sure what that is going to mean for next month, but I think it's going to mean $300 spending for the month. Which is going to have to include a three-night hotel stay and anything I need to buy during my trip to Chicago, so it's gonna be tight.

[tarheelbaby]

In!

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

I'm Jen, SAHM to one son, who is 4. I'm married and we live in NC. DS has cerebral palsy and I am busy with doctor's appointments, insurance paperwork, therapies, and the like.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of July.

I participated in the June thread and I know I spent less than usual. I actually was able to replace some savings that were spent on new tires for my car. I'd like to keep that trend going!

3. Please tell us your game plan -- what are your goals and how do you plan to approach no spending for a month?

NO unbudgeted spending! I mentioned in the other thread that we are likely going to move in the first of 2008. I have started trying to declutter and cull out things that we don't use/need/want and I want to curb the influx of new stuff coming into the house so as to not junk it back up again. I'm going to really think about whether or not things are truly a NEED versus a WANT. I think checking it here will facilitate that.


HollyBearsMom I read your thread in TAO. I can't imagine the stress you're under right now. s Mama.

MaggieMae Your idea of an allowance is one I was toying with earlier today. I was thinking of taking out $100 for me for the month and leaving my debit card at home. I think I'm going to try that, but it may be hard because it seems like I piss cash away faster than if I were to use my debit card.

Prudence Thank you for being such a gracious hostess on the June thread and for getting the ball rolling on July. Look forward to seeing you around!

[mama kate]

OK . I think I am squared away enough to do this now. June was waaaay to hard & I think trying not to spend made me want to spend more (make any sense. ) We rolled through it in June. : and we shouldn't have - I am just thankful it was cash & not adding to our credit. but the resposible adult would have paid off debt. : Em's birthday is this month but I already know what I have alotted for that so I know it won't send me in a tailspin feeling bad for buying the stuff for her party. I think I have the meal planning for the week down. I think I have shopping once every 2 weeks except for milk & some produce down as well. This week we have everything planned out & I only spent $25 on groceries at the store to get everything to finish up meals from the freezer/pantry. Then $40 from the Schwans guy for breads for the month. But I am trying hard to resist the urge to not go out to dinner tonight - Its been a dreary rainy day.

Does anyone have any good & easy sourdough & french baguette recipes??

Is anyone interested in being my "accountability" partner that we can pm or post to each other each day???

[AlwaysByMySide]

I'm in!!

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

I'm Courtney, SAHM to one DD who is currently in temporary foster care (it's a long story, don't ask) and one DD who recently became an angel. I am also newly pregnant, and live in one of the most expensive places to live in the country - Hawaii.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of July.
The costs for our baby's funeral (travel, funeral, etc.) were higher than we could afford. We also have been eating out quite a bit, since we haven't been home much, and neither of us have really been in the mood to cook.

3. Please tell us your game plan -- what are your goals and how do you plan to approach no spending for a month?

NO spending except for food and gas.

[LaffNowCryLater]

I'm lazy so I am copying my post from the June thread b/c it is still accurate

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.
We are a family of 4, dh works fulltime, I work very part-time as a waitress, we have a 4 yo ds and 3 yo dd. I am returning to school in the fall and I want to start saving more so I will be less dependant on student loans.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.
Dh has some debt (pre-marriage) we are trying to get rid off. Also see above.

3. Please tell us your game plan -- what are your goals and how do you plan to approach no spending for a month?
Stay away from stores that are my weakness, use more coupons. Keep track of spending more closely. We also have a goal to not use any A/C the whole summer (so far so good) and to unplug more things in our house to cut back on our bill. Buy only on sale/possibly stock up on such items.

[my6beans]

This is going to be a challenge....

I am a 29 yo SAHM of 6- 1 girl and 5 boys. I have issues as far as spending way too much at points in time.

2. I have decided to take part in this because I really need to see where all our money goes.

3. At this point I think just keeping track of where and how I spend my money will really show me that we waste more than we think! __________________

[krisnic]

I'm in!

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

My name is Kristyn. I am a full time social work student and will graduate with my masters in June 2010. I live
in Michigan with my boyfriend, 2 dogs and one cat.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of July. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.

I want to travel to China in the summer of 2009 to either volunteer in an orphanage or study abroad for 4 weeks. Since I am living off of student loans and a part time job, I need to save.

3. No spending is hard work. You need a plan. Please tell us your game plan -- how do you plan to approach no spending for a month?

We have two vacations planned this month. On July 1st we leave for 5 days to visit dp's mother. On July 26 we leave for Toronto for 4 days for our 5 year anniversary. Everything is already budgeted and paid for for Toronto, and I shouldn't have to spend any money in Wisconsin. I plan on leaving my credit/debit cards and cash at home and only taking checks for Wisconsin and staying within our budget for Toronto. I am also going to try to only spend $20-$30 dollars this month in fast food - which happens way too often.

[hippie_mommy]

I'm in! I was just thinking yesterday that I need to do this...

-- Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

I'm Amanda, a SAHM to a 5yo, 3yo, and another one on the way. I think I've been overshopping a bit in preparation for the baby.

-- Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of July. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.

1. DH and I agreed to save up for wood floors, and I am literally eating that money away in fast food!

2. I have gotten into a bad habit of consumerism and I am trying to simplify. Buying more things will not help my goal.

3. I have other big purchases that need to be made this month (homeschooling curriculum) and I need to watch my spending so that I won't make things too tight.

--No spending is hard work. You need a plan. Please tell us your game plan -- how do you plan to approach no spending for a month?

I am going to only eat out if it is being paid for by someone else (mostly through mystery shopping). I am going to stay away from shopping sites that tempt me.

[Beachlivnmom]

I'm Stacy 27 yrs old and SAHM of a almost 4yr old and 4 month old.
We live in Hawaii and it is super expensive here. We are trying to pay off CC and past due stuff. Really we live pay check to pay check. I split stuff at Costco with a friend that helps to keep grocery bills down, I also line dry clothes and unplug stuff we don't use. We will have to get plane tickets soon and passports which are super expensive. I need to work on packing a lunch box and carrying with us when we go out then I won't buy snacks or drinks. Also I love iced coffee so I need to work on that unhealthy addiction.

We bought a too expensive SUV that guzzles gas and we wish we hadn't now that payment is what is breaking us.
Any tips appreciated. The only thing this month planned for spending is the July 4th fireworks festival. Its my son's B-day and we will take him to that. We already have the presents and did a small party with friends so no more present buying or party supplies needed. I was proud we only bought 3 gifts. 2 for the party and 1 for the July 4th festival.
I forgot the rest of the questions.

[angelcollector1]

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself. I'm Jackie, a WOHM to a 19 year old. I have been widowed almost 6 years and my son is a stay at home 19 year old who has Asberger's. I also have a 20 year old who lives in another state on her own.


2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of July. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.
I have fallen so far into debt and my monthly expenses that I can't do without total almost my entire monthly net pay. I have mega hospital/medical bills that I will eventually have to work into my budget. I do have a new vehicle which is a necessity. I moved from New England to Florida 7 months ago. I have a job that is 20 miles from home and the car I previously had died not to mention I had no air conditioning. Considering I'm a severe asthmatic, A/C was not an option I could do without. So it's taking a huge chunk of my monthly income.

3. No spending is hard work. You need a plan. Please tell us your game plan -- how do you plan to approach no spending for a month? I've turned my checking account over to my daughter to pay the bills and put me on a budget. I've cut my grocery bill and have vowed to give up eating out for the month unless it's an absolute necessity related to work, and in that case, it will be an expense I can have reimbursed. I am so used to grabbing breakfast on the way to work- fast food, going out to lunch everyday with coworkers, more $ and then dinner out about 4 nights a week.
Yes, I know that's how I got myself into trouble. I have no savings and I need help. I intend to come here daily and post what I've spent and on what to keep me accountable.

[nadia105]

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.
I'm Nadia, a 25 yo SAHM to 3 -- 4 yo dd, 2.5 yo ds and a 3 week old ds.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.
I know that a lot of my normal spending is unneccessary and I want to curb that in order to have money for the things that I really need and want. DH also just got a promotion and we will see the first big check in a week or so and I want to have a good plan in place to use the money wisely and not let it slip through our fingers.

3. Please tell us your game plan -- what are your goals and how do you plan to approach no spending for a month?
~3 kids 4 and under including a newborn is planty to keep me in the house and out of the stores!
~ BF and cd saves loads with the babe
~ We still have a few more meals coming from my moms group next week and we have plenty of things to make meals from here, so our food spending should be low this month
~ I am going to focus on the things I want to buy this month and use that as motivation not to spend $$ on other things.


I am going to give myself some leeway for certain things this month, things that we have the money for and that this is a good time to buy -- a double jogger ($20 coupon at BRU!), a couple nursing bras, some frames for professional pics that have been sitting in boxes for too long, and possibly fencing for our backyard (4th of July sales are looking good here). There are some books that I want to buy as well, but they are lower on my priority list and I don't know if I will get them this month.