A Lightbulb Moment

**RuthNY** · 12-21-2004, 07:24 AM

In this ever constant attempt of getting control of my money, budgeting a spending plan and feeling quite trite about my ability to use one of my cc on my spending and paying off, I'm still stumbling. I couldn't figure it out. I track everything so what gives. Why do I not have any money left over after paying this bill?

Then it hit me. I'm never going to get ahead in this game, no matter how sophisticated my spend plans and intentions are because......I'M STILL SPENDING MONEY! No matter what, I'm not going to get ahead if I still haven't figure out that I'm not going to save unless I stop SPENDING! DUHH!!!

SO...I am here and now declaring a spending moritorium in this household Starting Jan 2nd. I will not spend just to save, I will not spend just to save a trip, I will not spend until I NEED, period!
This spending moritorium will be in effect from Jan 2 to Feb 24. (Dates are significant to me, if you want to join in you should choose your own dates).

I should clarify that I can make this decision because I am my own household and don't hold anyone else accountable but myself, making this tons easier than a household with a husband and kids.

So, what are your thoughts on all this???

**pip** · 12-21-2004, 08:16 AM

Good for you. Sometimes you just have to not spend!

**QuilterMom** · 12-21-2004, 08:26 AM

Good for you!

We're here to encourage you the whole way!

**Darlene** · 12-21-2004, 08:47 AM

Woohoo! You are on your way Ruth!

You are going to feel like a million bucks when you see how much you can save and that it didn't hurt but was actually fun getting creative & 'makin do. You go girl!

**homesteadmamma** · 12-21-2004, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by QuilterMom
Good for you! We're here to encourage you the whole way!

**britbunny** · 12-21-2004, 10:41 AM

I had a similar "lightbulb moment" a while back and decided to act too (after the short period of feeling daft for not thinking of it before!)

DH and I haven't been spending money for a few weeks now and we've adapted pretty quickly, despite the fact that the sales have started here already!

It is a great feeling when you see the bank balance going the opposite way to usual too! I'm not sure when this in going to carry on until, I guess we'll just have to see.

For the first time ever I really think we're making full use of everything we have so hopefully we'll learn somethings and carry them on long after we allow ourselves to start spending again.

Good luck with it, I'm sure it will be easier than you think.

**guest2** · 12-21-2004, 10:58 AM

Good for you!!!

**graci42** · 12-22-2004, 12:38 AM

I think I need to do this, too...however, I am going to set smaller time-bites as I don't think I'll be able to manage more than 1 week at a time. Jan. 2nd to Jan. 9th for a start!

Thanks! I will not include my stock pile efforts in this non spending moritorium...Just my non-essetial spending.

**Early Bird** · 12-22-2004, 11:27 AM

You know, spending is kind of like dieting. If I were to go on a diet where I forbade myself chocolate, well, I'd start craving chocolate.

Could you give yourself a spending 'allowance'? DH and I do that. We each get $90/mon. Right now, I've to $280 saved up in mine and DH has $380 in his. It's like having PERMISSION to spend keeps us from going wild.

**AmyBoz** · 12-22-2004, 08:13 PM

Good for you! I'm hoping to have a simiar moratorium in my household once 2005 rolls in! Best of luck to you!

**gkp1031** · 12-23-2004, 06:17 AM

I'm also going to watch my spending very closely when 2005 rolls in! I know I can do much better than I did this year

Good luck Ruth, I know you can do it

**RuthNY** · 12-23-2004, 08:13 AM

My personal rules to my moratorium:

1) NO Credit Cards PERIOD! No excuses about how I want the Cash Back Bonus. NO Credit Cards. Do NOT carry them with me for any reason.

2) NO toys for Jake. None, Zilch, Nadda, I don't care HOW cute he is when he gets a new toy.

3) No ordering my coffee. I can use Maxwell House till I'm ahead.

4) Meal plan and stick with it! Eat from my pantry, there's plenty in there.

5) No vending machine. Buy healthier snacks and drinks. Don't even take cash to work.

6) Have set allowance for friends night out and when it's gone it's gone. I need to socialize.

7) No clothes, no make-up, no perfume for 2 months.

That's all I can think of right now. I can do this, it's only for 2 months.

**Shell** · 12-23-2004, 09:08 AM

I keep telling myself starting Jan. 1st . . . make due or do without!

**i.m.cheap** · 12-23-2004, 12:17 PM

I am in with you girls! I will start Jan. 1 and see if I can make it to the end of February buying nothing but groceries and gas for the car. The car will need an oil change in there somewhere too, but I will not buy the following:

No new clothes - even from the thrift shop
NO NEW BOOKS (this is the tough one for me)
No "stuff" for the house or craft supplies
No food eaten out - even fast food or carry-out pizza (we don't usually do this anyway)

I know that I am getting a $25 Wal-Mart gift card from my employer (for Christmas) and my mom is giving me a $50 JCPenney gift card. I should have no trouble spending them before Jan. 1. I plan to use the Wal-Mart one to add to our grocery stockpile, and the Penney's one for some much needed new undergarments. I am hoping I can hit a good sale at JCPenney after Christmas. DH is getting a $50 Penney's gift card from my mother too. I hope he will use it to buy a new pair of shoes, he needs some really bad.