Go a whole month only buying food and other necessities

I did it (Aug-Sep) because I am the drive to save 12K in a few months (see other goal). I cut everything that could be cut (except cable which I still intend to cut). One note: cutting can be addicting. You will start asking yourself “do I need this?” for everything.

April 21- May 21
things I’ve done:
1.two free dinner coupons for Lee Ann Chin, someone left on my car windshield :)

2. received $10 worth of coupons to spend at work, bought yarn for Christmas gifts

3. went to the library for books & movies

4. got free veggies ( made a salad)

Trying this for May. Here is to success!

I keep slacking on this goal! I think I’m going to give it another shot after I get my job this summer.

I don’t buy much besides necessities already, but I’m going to make it a fun challenge to buy ABSOLUTELY nothing but groceries, household necessities, and gas for a whole month.
I have to somehow pull $800 out of my ass by April 2nd to give to Geico so I can still drive my POS car to campus every day =/
And I’m SUPPOSED to have a job, but I was told the owner had to go out of town and would be back whenever he damn well wanted and then, and only then, could I start. That was like two weeks ago…rent is coming up too, and nobody will hire a dreadlocked, pot smoking, college student (I swear I really AM hardworking though!)

Okay, sorry, I had to bitch for a minute. I feel better. Now I’m going to get to this goal, from now until April 13th-just bare necessities!

I’ve restrained myself from unnecessary purchases, but I’m not too happy. The reason is that the amount I usually spend on food has increased by 30% in the last two months! I’m not buying anything extra, and I’m usually going for the cheapest option (or the cheapest not-complete-junk option), so this is quite depressing. Part of the cause for this increase is the price hike/inflation around here. (It’s a good thing I don’t have a car, because I’d be even more depressed, considering the price of gas!) Then my office moved to another location, where there are no stores around, and only two restaurants, so there aren’t many lunchtime options. And finally, I’ve mostly stopped planning my meals and grocery shopping. The last bit is the only one I can influence, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I need to start cooking again.

I’ve had two ‘slips’ in the last week – a (post-hospital check up) craft supplies binge, and yesterday I was right beside Lush and didn’t feel like resisting! :) I’m actually happy about both – after most of a month of not really splurging (£10 on apricots, nuts and other healthy foods just does not count!) it really really felt like a nice treat to myself!

I’m continuing with this goal for at least another while – my credit card statements run mid-month, so I’m interested to see how low the next one will be. Of course, big birthday dinner (not mine!) to pay for soon, but otherwise we’ll see how it goes. Definitely worth making those treats feel more treat-like anyway!

A ticket to an away game… and the travel arrangements… but they made it to the quarterfinals, it’s practically a necessity! :D

January would mark my “One Month” period of this goal. I’m actually doing an extended goal of going a whole year only buying food etc. and so far, it’s going well.

So, one month down and it was worth it.

Y’know, I thought I was going to have to drop this goal and pick it up again in March – stress is not a time to tell me not to spend money!

However, all things considered, I don’t think I’ve done too badly. My extra purchases do actually fall under the ‘food’ category in the main – an extra latte to ease work stress (by letting me leave my desk to walk to the coffee shop!), buying lunch instead of homemade soup. Biggest indulgence was a box of chocs – and that’s for a friend to say thanks for her support!

My only other ‘splurge’ was a bottle of conditioner, and I think that counts as necessity ;)

Hoping to get two things out of this goal this year: a slightly healthier bank/credit card balance, and also just less stuff. I’m at that point of feeling like I’m overflowing with material things again – or perhaps just feeling that such things don’t matter as much.

Onwards!