Yesterday kicked off my low - no spend January. All household bills will be paid but there is no extra spending - no clothes, no cleaning products, no beauty products, no frills groceries (just the basics). Budgeted $40 for milk, bread, fresh fruits & veggies…. anyone else challenging themselves to not spend?
So impressive! I don't think I'll be able to do a no spend but I'd like to start cutting back on my spending as compared to previous months.
@Shannon H. I think I will join you on this challenge. I have already been tempted to spend this month (so soon into the challenge!) but decided to take a step back and sit on it. Were you planning for this thread to be updated throughout the month or just wanting to know of others also participating in low/no-spend challenges?
Excellent
@Shannon H. I think I will join you on this challenge. I have already been tempted to spend this month (so soon into the challenge!) but decided to take a step back and sit on it. Were you planning for this thread to be updated throughout the month or just wanting to know of others also participating in low/no-spend challenges?
I started this a few years ago after finding Frugalwoods online. Since then, I have found several youtubers that do something similar and eat from pantry, freezer, ect and avoid spending $ on groceries. After doing this a couple times thru over each of the past couple years, I have found that I really enjoy learning to use what is in my home and feeling grateful for what we have.
All breakfasts & lunches are at home 99% of time unless I am traveling for work so no take-out generally.
Saturday - made reubens - only item was purchased was bread the day before
Sunday - I wasn't feeling well so I had chicken nachos and hubby made himself shrimp & fries in airfryer
Monday (tonight) - making potato soup at lunch in crock so it will be ready for dinner
I'd like to hear what you all are doing for meals and to keep from spending. I need couple new work tops and pair of pants but it isn't something that can't wait until Feb or March…haven't had desire to buy anything as of yet…
i love this idea
@Shannon H. I think I will join you on this challenge. I have already been tempted to spend this month (so soon into the challenge!) but decided to take a step back and sit on it. Were you planning for this thread to be updated throughout the month or just wanting to know of others also participating in low/no-spend challenges?
I started this a few years ago after finding Frugalwoods online. Since then, I have found several youtubers that do something similar and eat from pantry, freezer, ect and avoid spending $ on groceries. After doing this a couple times thru over each of the past couple years, I have found that I really enjoy learning to use what is in my home and feeling grateful for what we have.
All breakfasts & lunches are at home 99% of time unless I am traveling for work so no take-out generally.
Saturday - made reubens - only item was purchased was bread the day before
Sunday - I wasn't feeling well so I had chicken nachos and hubby made himself shrimp & fries in airfryer
Monday (tonight) - making potato soup at lunch in crock so it will be ready for dinnerI'd like to hear what you all are doing for meals and to keep from spending. I need couple new work tops and pair of pants but it isn't something that can't wait until Feb or March…haven't had desire to buy anything as of yet…
Hi Shannon, I love this idea!! As for the work tops etc and needing them, I also have this issue. So, I have been watching the after Christmas deals they are running right now. Some are so tempting. I just can not click the buy now button. Which is so hard for me. But if you look online at Kohl's, Macy's, Belk, and Maurice's…there are some super deals plus they have added coupons and possibly bonus cash if you purchase during the correct times, that can make the items almost free. I just keep watching and see what the best discount is available then see if I can budget the extra money for the particular moment, to afford what I HAVE to have for my work attire. I never wonder outside of the items I need because that always makes a bad situation of buying more than what's needed, then I end up buying alof of stuff that I would just like to have to fill my wardrobe. Super bad idea. Lol
As for dinner, ideas. Tonight, we are having noodles and ham (ham was left over from christmas). Super easy and affordable. No trip to the store. Hooray!!
Well I have found holes in my pantry… we ran out of bisquick… omg it was funny as hubby did not know how to add to it for more… cornstarch is almost gone unless there is a box lurking on the shelf in the back which I will search for this morning. Still haven't bought anything but have started a tentative list… may be a long month
applaud you, it's challenging
Tuesday - Reubens from Saturday leftovers
Wednesday - Chicken n dumplins
Thursday is going to be bbq pork nachos for me and bbq pork sandwich for hubby
Total spent $4.95 for January so far….
I pretty much do this all of the time. I'm interested in the Zero Waste movement, so I find ways to repair and reuse as much as I can. I don't buy anything new unless I absolutely have to. I buy flour, sugar, etc., in bulk and cook almost everything from scratch. I use vinegar and baking soda to clean almost everything. I live in the country, so I consolidate errands into one trip, which keeps gas bills low. I lost my job two weeks before Covid hit, so I have more time to do this, though. I think a lot of spending happens because people are too busy and tired. They need the convenience of more expensive, pre-made food and don't have time to repair items or wait till they find something second-hand. Unexpected repair bills for things like plumbing and electrical work, as well as medical bills that aren't covered by insurance, are my biggest expenses.
Doing a lifestyle change and trying to do a no spend Jan as well. Only necessities
First snow in our new house happened overnight… like 8 inches or so…. beautiful… we will be home all weekend so no temptation to spend…still working on our dinners but I'm looking forward to working on some puzzles and maybe baking some bread…. cranberry bread sounds good right now
tired new quesadilla recipe- mashed potatoes mixed with chicken & cheese…. needed some chili powder or other seasoning to jazz it up …..it was filling
Tuesday going to town for work & few groceries… out of bananas…
Yes, I agree. No extra spending outside of planned bills.
I should try this. My biggest challenge is food. Most of my months are no spend already except food.
I spent over my $40 for the month that I budgeted for groceries…. $10 at Aldi and $40 at Walmart…we should be good for the rest of the month other than bread and I can make bread if I need to.
Sounds like a great idea
I'm enjoying the low spend month so far. It's challenging as hubby looks into deep freeze to pull out those items that have been in there the longest…. Yesterday the baby back ribs turned out exceptional and I roasted some potatoes that were starting to sprout eyes…
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I have been watching every penny this January. No extra spending and was able to save a ton just by not going to the grocery as much. Staying home and only using what's on hand helps so much
I have been watching every penny this January. No extra spending and was able to save a ton just by not going to the grocery as much. Staying home and only using what's on hand helps so much
Congrats! I've done well… spent $100 on groceries for the month of January and was able to save over $250 from average of the last few months grocery bills.
That's so awesome, Shannon!!!
I challenged myself for 15 no spend days (for anything) during the month and need two more days to succeed. My plan for February is to eat from my pantry and freezer, only purchasing grocery staples during the month of February.
We cook at home and I like to google recipes of what I have on hand. I may not have all the ingredients so I will substitute with what I have. Guess what it's still good and tasty. It's a new creative dish. When I don't feel like cooking I love eating big salads in evening and feel great in morning. Luckily I have EBT benifits. At the farmers market they double in value. That means if I spend $50 I get paper and coins to spend. Now I have $100 to spend. What a deal. Farm fresh veggies and fruits.
