No Spend Day?

United States
February 3, 2010 2:06pm CST
Do you have "no spend" days? Days where you don't buy a single thing? How many days in a row can you go with out spending anything? When I didn't have to take my older two to school, I had plenty of no spend no go anywhere type of days. Now not as much, but we'll have more once summer is here as I won't have to take them to school unless they have summer school & those days will cost me just gas to get there & back.
23 responses
• United States
4 Feb 10
That sounds like a wonderful idea! Usually I am too disorganized to be able to do this as it seems like I'm always running out of something or remembering a bill that needs to be paid. If I could get organized enough to make some goals and have a system to work on them that is definitely a goal I should have. Seriously, that sounds like a good way to save money as the fewer times I shop the fewer impulse buys I would make.
• United States
5 Feb 10
Yes, I definitely need to do that! Last night was a perfect example of what I'm talking about. I decided to stop at Walmart on the way home from the video store because we were out of half and half. At the same time I bought a magazine and my son talked me into some candy, neither of which we needed. Then before I went to bed I fed the cats only to notice we were nearly out of cat food, which, since my son feeds the cats most of the time, would have been nice if he had told me. But since I also feed the cats I should have noticed. Now, of course I can go out today and buy some, although I'd rather not because we're supposed to be getting a lot of snow. This eliminates the possibility of today being a no-spend day as well as resulting in probably yet another impulse buy if I don't watch out.
• United States
5 Feb 10
Yeah I don't buy magazines! You can read them for free @ the library & there are various ways to order some free online not always the best titles but the price is right KWIM?? My 7yo loves Horse Illistraited & I have gotten that one for free for 2yrs. I've had People, Martha Stewart, and TV guide to name a few. Well I guess with your big storm comming up you'll be picking up more than cat food. Now just stay away from those impulse racks!
• United States
5 Feb 10
I think maybe if the items you run out of are grocery items maybe looking into meal planning may help you out. Alot of people like to plan every inch out of their menu for the week. I try but sometimes I just can't get it togeather to even care, just buy what's a deal and work with what we have in the pantry already if what I normally use isn't available.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Feb 10
Apart from food, and birthday gifts, then I can go months without spending any money on anything that is not necessary. I am not even buying a cup of coffee from amachine as the proce is nearly YS$1 and I am saving every cent to goon vacation this June. My sisteris giving me the fare to the U.,K. and then the three sister will make a trip to Rome. Probably told you already as I am so excited. Rome is on my bucket list. I can get very single minded as I transfer the money from JA $ to US$ and then to pounds stirling to see how much I have saved. Working so hard to clear my credit card
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 10
I did't know you were going on another trip. I'd love to travel... anywhere! *LOL* Lately the only places in the past few years I've traveled to are withing an hour or two of home. And of course it doesn't help that hubby is afraid to fly, a lack of money & small kids puts a damper on things. I'd love to see Europe or New Zeland or Bahamas but no dice :o( I wish my hubby could see his ciggies as an un-necessary expense *sigh* But he's been a good egg & bagging lunch the last couple of weeks so that's saving us quite a bit of money.
• United States
5 Feb 10
Still sounds like a fun adventure even w/ a lil help on the expenses. Darn too far away I"m in the market for a new stove ;0) *LOL* Well hopefully you'll get to your goal & of course tell us all about your trip when you get back.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Feb 10
I wouldn'tbe able to go if my sister was not paying my fare to the U.K. You can get cheap flights to Rome from there for less than US#100 as long as you only take hand luggage. No suitcases allowed and I can pack for 3 or 4 days in hand luggage. All you need is 2 pairs of jeans and some tops plus a dressy top to wear with white jeans if we eat out special one evening. I think that I can do it on US$800 but my goal is to save one thousand. I have a fridge/freezer and stove to sell and this money will be saved too for the trip. It is easier to cut down if you have a goal in mind. At least this works for me. I bring lunch from home too. It all helps. sorry about spelling. I do proof read but do not spot the mistakes. Have lost spell check!
• United States
3 Feb 10
not too often but i am trying !its one of my new years resolutions to spend less and save some money
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Feb 10
I hope you can stick with your resolution! I know it was easier for me when it was just me rather than having a family & hubby who always WANT something.
@MrKennedy (1978)
4 Feb 10
Some days I can survive without spending a single penny, and others, I seem to just burn money faster than an Australian forest fire If I am saving up for something, I will only take out with me enough money to be used during an emergency situation, otherwise I just won't spend it.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Feb 10
I know your exact feeling here. I try not to spend but man if there's a good deal I'll spend more than I intended to. Like today I went to get some household essentials and ya know I found some clothes for my kids marked down to a $1 ea so one can't pass that by for brandnew. SO I'm feeling guilty tonight over my purchase but proud of the deal I got.
@hbk2244 (180)
• United States
4 Feb 10
To be honest, I usually have two days during the week where I don't spend money. I'll pack a lunch and make sure I have enough gas to get to work. As I get older, I'm becoming more stingy with my money. Times are tough and every cent saved counts.
• United States
5 Feb 10
You are right everything counts now days. I'm a bit stingier too especially since I'm at home I don't have to be as fashionable as I had to be when I worked full time afterall the kids could care less if I'm dressed up or in sweat pants.
• United States
4 Feb 10
I could go a couple of days without spending anything, I work from home the majority of the time so I can cook and I save a lot doing that. Also I am the kind of person that I really don't like to go for shopping, whenever I go to any store, especially clothes stores, I feel like I am going to have an anxiety attack. So I guess that is good for my pockets, but bad for my fashion, sometimes I tell myself that I NEED to go and buy a nice dress, but I really hate when I have to go to the mall.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Feb 10
well you could always find a nice dress at a thrift or in particular a consignment shop to save you a few dollars. I found some brand names for me @ rummage sales and many are acceptable items to wear at work!
• United States
3 Feb 10
We've never done that, no; although it does sound like a novel idea. Thinking about it, it might be hard; my wife and I both spend a lot of time outside of the home, so it might be hard for us to do it. But if we were to pack our outside meals more efficiently, we could make it a few days doing that, maybe. I mean, we commute a lot and we have to get gas maybe once every 5 days, but with work (and nursing school for my wife) we regularly are outside of the home maybe 10-12 hours daily).
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 10
If you could even just pack your lunches & snacks with you... I bet you two could atleast get in a day or two w/o spending anything. Give it a try and enjoy the savings!
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
3 Feb 10
i am a home body by nature and love to stay home if the weather is not agreeable (its not bad but its pretty cold here in canada) so i like to stay home if i am not working and work on mylot or do crafts, so on days when i am not working, i try to do this as much as i can!
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 10
I don't mind staying home especially in winter as well. If I didn't have to drive to get the kids to school and back it would of been a no spend day for me too as my "Empty" light went on so I had to spend a few $ so we'd be ok til pay day.
• United States
5 Feb 10
most days are no spend days. i don't buy anything unless i really need it.food and bills are an exception,of course.
• United States
5 Feb 10
I"m that way as well or as I may of mentioned finding clothes for my kids on mark down in next years sizes for $1 so I had to splurge yesterday but it'll save me money in the long run. Groceries & bills are where most of our money goes to as well.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
3 Feb 10
Most of my days are no spend days! I used to want to get out of the house every couple days or so but that usually involved going to Walmart or something and I noticed that I never got out of there for less than $20! Now if I want to get out of the house I'll drive somewhere like the library where I won't spend money.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 10
I agree it's dangerous going in WM (or to work for me as I work retail pt & always snoop'n thru the clearance racks) I'm proud too if I walk out of there not spending anything more than $35. WM is closer to my house than the library. When I was younger just to get out of the house I'd loiter in WM for a few hrs and maybe buy one lil thing but somewhere to be that wasn't home or work. The library does cost me money if the kids wreck or misplace something therefore I don't go & they aren't quiet.
@verabear (796)
• Philippines
4 Feb 10
There are days when all I spend for is the cab to and from work. I'm happy when that happens. Then there are weekends when I spend soooo much money on shopping and then I feel bad a little so I wouldn't go shopping for awhile. Hehe.
• United States
5 Feb 10
I think everyone feels bad if they go on a spree, even if it's a deal. But see if you skip any shopping outside essentials for a few weeks you can probably break even to a degree. Hard to resist a good deal though on this end of things...
@verabear (796)
• Philippines
5 Feb 10
yup that's what I do, i skip on shopping and then sometimes skip eating out too just to compensate for the overspending. Hay. Financial freedom or becoming a millionaire with a stable income is everyone's dream, a time when you can spend comfortably and not having the need to beat yourself up for it.
• India
4 Feb 10
till today i don't have a no spend day but it is a good idea to have a day like thet then i can atleast save money for that day .we can can have a compulsary no spend day i will try this it is a good idea
• United States
5 Feb 10
especially if you are known to pick up those impulse items, it could save you a few bucks a week or day skipping it.
@kyel_11 (1069)
• Philippines
4 Feb 10
this 'no spend day' usually happens to me when i am just at home. i don't need to buy the food since my parents are taking care of expenses in our home. hehe! it's usually weekends that i just stay at home and spend nothing of my own money. it's a good day after all :D
• United States
5 Feb 10
enjoy the good life while ya got it! And by that I mean the expenses your parents are taking care of for ya... when you don't have that luxury anymore you'll really appreciate what they've done for you.
@kyel_11 (1069)
• Philippines
5 Feb 10
thanks! i really appreciate what they're doing for me. i'm very thankful for my family.
@ThoffZ (1)
4 Feb 10
I can go days without spending anything, but usally I buy something:) My record is probably.. 3 days..
• United States
5 Feb 10
That's almost half a week that's not too shabby!
• United States
7 Feb 10
I do have days where I don't spend anything. I can go for 4 days at a time if things work out well enough. Usually the only days I tend to spend any money are on the weekends. Sometimes I spend money during the week but that is if I go out during the week to buy some groceries or items that I need.
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
4 Feb 10
I often go days without spending money - driving yes, spending no... now, today I ended up going to get cat litter and some cheese at Sam's, because we ran out of litter BEFORE we ran out of litter boxes to fill Yesterday - didn't spend anything, the day before... well, the day before was the 1st and that means rent...
• United States
5 Feb 10
Yeah I hear ya about paying your housing bill at the beginning of the month. I know about the litter issue, except usually my delima is that they don't have any of my litter once in a great while so as long as it's not urgent I have to go back and pick it up or just get another brand.
1 person likes this
• China
4 Feb 10
Hi, this is really an interesting question I seldom have no spend days, it's hard to not spend money in a day, if I buy enough food and snack on Friday evening, I won't spend money on Saturday, I will choose to stay at home, and watch TV, so this no spend day is also my "stay inside" day
• United States
5 Feb 10
If you are busy all week long a day inside to do nothing but chill at home is a nice break for most anyone.
• United States
6 Feb 10
I wish I could I have been counting pennies for so long it is not funny I just started a job this week and I don't get paid for nearly a month it is killing me!!
@VirtGod (58)
• Portugal
3 Feb 10
For me, the question usually is if I have spend days, because I spend really little money almost everyday. Only when I'll go out with my friends, or go buy something specific I'll spend more than the usual minimum, I don't go around in the shops looking if I would buy something, I go directly to where it is or I ask for it.
@rubyxia (39)
• China
4 Feb 10
I saw a lot of stuff! I've never had this "No spend days".everyday I have to spend much money,buying fruits,paying bills..