Is a no spend challenge for a whole month too tough?

**Bethany** · 03-03-2008, 12:01 PM

I was thinking about a no spend month, except for gas, bills and food. Is that crazy? We really need to jump start our budget and I thought this may be sort of like a good experience to start with.

**imforpeace** · 03-03-2008, 12:04 PM

It can be done, but I caution against it. When you start to feel deprived you will go overboard!!!
Give yourself maybe $5 to go to the dollar store or thrift store. It works for me!

**Izzy0906** · 03-03-2008, 12:31 PM

I'm actually going to do this this month. Only bills, food, gas and for me, party supplies (BF's b-day party and already have it in my budget) so unless it's on my budget, it's not being bought. If I can go one month doing this, I"ll be so far ahead!

**mmy2grls** · 03-03-2008, 12:55 PM

I plan on no spending except bills this month. I will probably take the kids to McDonalds one day to eat and play at the playland.

**nuisance26** · 03-03-2008, 01:23 PM

~No matter what I give myself to spend, I always go a little bit over. So at least if you plan for $0 and spend $25 it's better than if you'd planned $25 and spent $50, kwim?~

**StartingOver** · 03-03-2008, 01:53 PM

It can be done...I know this is what we did when we wanted to get a "jump start" on our EF. It's not fun...but we did it.

However, I did it during the summer so I could take the kids to various free outdoor activities, that was our way of indulging ourselves and not feeling sorry for ourselves.

Good luck! I know you can do it!

**Bethany** · 03-03-2008, 02:40 PM

I was thinking that March would be a good month to do this since March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb...It will sort of be a gateway into spring. I'm going for it, I'll keep you posted. Thanks so much for the encouragement and the honest feedback. I truly appreciate it.

**BeachBaby** · 03-03-2008, 04:30 PM

We are on a spending freeze for the month of March too. Only necessary bills, food and gas. I did spend $10 - saturday night with a friend at a thrift store. I found 2 coach purses in excellent condition for $5 each. Somebody didn't know what they were worth. Other than that, there won't be anymore spending this month.

**mikandmari** · 03-04-2008, 10:41 PM

I've been trying to do this... gotten a little confused lately between things I need and things I want

. I need to do better. Last year I had no trouble doing a no-spend month.

Maybe springtime will be easier, since there is so much more to do outside, for FREE! I also like the dollar store idea.

**momishem** · 03-05-2008, 08:16 AM

BeachBaby:

Put those suckers on Ebay and get some extra money! I used to be a collector of Coach, Louis Vuitton, etc. I sold them all on ebay when I quit my job years ago and made a bunch of money!

**Cricketlegs** · 03-05-2008, 12:59 PM

Every penny I have is earmarked this month BUT dh and I also have our monthly allowances earmarked too.

My allowance is going for a girls vacation in June so I am not spending.

One thing also, is that I budgeted in $25 for yard supplies each month and it is FUN to shop for plants, tools, stones etc so that helps me alot with the urge to shop and spend.

Once again--earmark the money and budget it in and get CASH and don't spend over.

**cissylu** · 03-06-2008, 11:55 AM

we mamage to pay ouer bill`s and get our
food ,but we never can get any put up .
when I did put a 100;00 up . it had to be used. suck`s

**Bethany** · 03-06-2008, 01:45 PM

Well,
so far I have not spent any money at all for March. I was very tempted last night to hit a drive through for some onion rings, but I fought my craving!!

**Holly** · 03-06-2008, 03:37 PM

Never will happen here. (sigh)

**Bethany** · 03-10-2008, 09:43 PM

OK, here we are at day nine and I haven't spent a dime of money except for gas, bills, food. I don't even feel deprived. I think that I"m like an alcoholic when it comes to spending. I can't even start, because then the floodgates open and I don't want to stop. Does anyone else have that problem?