My new resolution: Only 52 spending days a year!
By littlemoo
@littlemoo (317)
Australia
March 7, 2007 6:25am CST
I've decided I will only spend money once a week.
That means all bills, all groceries, etc. will be done only on one set day a week. That means no spending for the other 6 days. So I will have to
1. take lunch with me to work.
2. NOT go shopping every day.
3. NOT eat out every day.
4. If something crops up that I think I "need", I will force myself to wait a few days, to determine if it is a "need" or a "want". If it's a need, I will look elsewhere to see if I can get it for cheaper. And the hardest bit...
5. I will only go shopping for 3 hours. That should be plenty of time to find what I need, and not be tempted by everything I want!!!
Now, just off hand, I know I will save at least $20 per week by not buying lunch alone. Not shopping every day... well, obviously, that's going to save me thousands. lol. Limiting my shopping time will not only make sure I don't buy everything I lay eyes on, but also force me to prioritise my needs list.
Right. Any other suggestions on how to crack down on spending?
4 people like this
16 responses
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
7 Mar 07
Great idea! It will cut down on the not planned trips to the store. That is what sdds up in my life. I have began food shopping once a month with a trip to the store two weeks after to get bread and milk. For the second trip I carry in a 10$ bill so I dont buy a bunch of stuff to go along with it.
Does your once a week plan include buying gas? That would be a challenge for us. I wish we were not so dependant on that stuff.
Good luck, and let us know how it is working for you.
@littlemoo (317)
• Australia
7 Mar 07
Definitely, the unplanned trips make me a sucker! I have the terrible habit of walking in just to buy the milk, and walk out with a few extra items. So I have resolved not to go shopping more than once a week, as the milk will last that time, and not more!
As for gas, I am very very fortunate in that I live within walking distance from my work. So I last filled my tank about 2 weeks ago, and I still have half a tank. It's only when I need to go shopping that I have to drive. Obviously, that is not going to work for everyone, as most aren't that lucky to live that close to all the places they need to go!
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
7 Mar 07
WOW!
Congratulations on making this decision.
I was going to suggest if you drive the car to work, maybe leave it at home to cut down on Gas and take public transport. it'll be cheaper in the long run, even if it might mean getting up a little earlier. Gas is a huge expense these days for sure.
I'm not sure I could actually manage to do this lol. If I couldn't go at least browsing round the stores I'd go mad, and if I go in stores, I always want to buy, and that is not good!
I wish you the best of luck. Let us know how you get on.
1 person likes this
@littlemoo (317)
• Australia
10 Mar 07
lol. I am hoping I don't go mad with this idea! lol. And yes, it's the idea of not being able to go to the shops frequently that has me a little anxious! But I think this is the perfect time for me to do this, as I have moved to a new environment, no bad habits to break that are associated with this city. If I wait any longer, I'll get used to the accessibility of the shops, and have to break a habit after it has become a problem.
Luckily, I don't have to drive to work at all, as I live close enough to walk to work. So that cuts out that expense rather nicely! Thankfully, as you pointed out, gas isn't cheap these days! It also means I can't be tempted into getting into the car during lunch, and head to the shops! lol.
@the_vicar (1477)
• United States
8 Mar 07
These are good ideas and it really limits spending. I am choosing to become more frugal. We throw out so much garbage each week and I had to wonder why? Are we too wasteful? So, we have started working on that this year. For one thing, you don't own your things...they own you....you have to provide a place for them, insure them, worry about them, move them, make room for them, take care of them and it is a full time job just organizing everything.
I think you are smart to frugalize your life and make it simplier. I, too, am determined to cut down on the buying and use what I have.
Cooking from scratch is healthier because you are not eating all the additives, fat,salt,sugar,etc.etc. that is found in packaged food. Plus...it is more creative to make your own meals.
Good Luck on your endeaver....stick with it!
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
8 Mar 07
Good luck to you, I could never do this. I need to be able to spend money each day =)
I do not spend much - but i have to be able to just in case =)
@blueskies (1186)
• United States
7 Mar 07
That's a terrific plan. I try to save all my shopping for Fridays, but it doesn't always work, as someone will be out of something and forgot to put it on the list, or something breaks that needs to be replaced immediately, etc.
Another great way to track your spending is to carry a small notebook in your purse. Use this notebook to write down every cent that you spend. You will soon find more things that you can cut out of your spending to save you money.
1 person likes this
@littlemoo (317)
• Australia
7 Mar 07
That's a great idea! I'll definitely try the notebook idea, and see what other bloopers I'm making! This whole frugal living thing is just so exciting! I don't know why it took me so long to even think about changing my bad habits!
@creematee (2810)
• United States
7 Mar 07
Those are really good ideas to help you out. I need to abide by those also!
YOu have also gotten some really good advice. Keep a spending journal even if it just a quarter for a gumball, write it down.
Scratch cooking is also very good. It's also healthier, because you are not adding all those extras into your system.
My added advice is shop with cash. Leave the checkbook and credit/debit cards at home. Leave home with amount of cash that you want to spend and when it's gone you are done. If you don't have enough $$, then you have to put stuff back. This has helped keep our budget under control. If you don't like leaving home with that much money in your purse, then just make out a check in advance. Most stores (around here anyway) will cash for over-the-amount.
Hope this advice helps. GOOD luck with your saving! :)
1 person likes this
@littlemoo (317)
• Australia
7 Mar 07
Thanks for the ideas! I definitely adore my credit card too much. I even know all the numbers, including the ones on the back, so I don't have to pull it out if I want to buy something! Very very naughty! I'll take your suggestion up by leaving it at home. That way there's no way I can whip it out so frequently on stuff I don't need!
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
8 Mar 07
We are very careful to try to make our food stretch as far as possible. We use coupons, and try to shop on the 10% off day that our grocery store has once a month.
We don't go to the mall.
When we see something we want, we try to make something similar out of materials at home. This is actually kind of fun, especially if you spend time on the Martha Stewart website.
@sanjaypatel250174 (250)
• India
8 Mar 07
Great decision made by you.Now just make sure that you stick to what you have decided.Also try having more than bank account and n one account just keep saving some money every month in that account.
@ailene713 (97)
• Philippines
8 Mar 07
wow!! this is pretty tough.... congrats to you for starting such a discipline... good luck and wish you well in your saving move... in my case, i just may separate budgets for different expenses. like transportation fee should not be more than such and such... and i save for long term payables like insurances, so i dont have to look for the whole amount when due date comes.
@xfallenxlostx (2074)
• United States
8 Mar 07
Well, good luck with that. i don't see it woring in many situations. Sometimes you just need to spend some money and it might not be on your "spending day." IE- getting gas. You cacn't conrtol when your tank goes empty, and for many peple, filling up only once a week is not an option.
@serialmommy (639)
• United States
8 Mar 07
I really don't have any ideas, but I wish you the best of luck! I don't shop every day anymore either. Also, my husband brings lunch to work with him every day. Same thing every day, he doesn't like to take leftovers. I'm going to recommend that you make enough of your dinner to take some for lunch in a day or two as you are going to grow very tired of the same thing over and over again.
@dillinger83 (165)
•
8 Mar 07
Wow, how interesting! I have trouble going a day without spending (sometimes on necessities, sometimes on frivilous things). I think your plan sounds great and I applaud you if you are able to stick to it. It sounds like you've already put quite a bit of thought into it, but have you actually worked out a budget, so you know how much money you have available after you have paid your bills? Knowing where every cent is going really helps to put things into perspective.
My only other tips are: obviously, don't use credit cards. It sounds like many of your spending issues stem from shopping excursions, so you should probably make that area your priority. As far as shopping goes, clipping coupons, watching for sales, shopping on ebay and at bargain stores such as TJ Maxx or Biglots are all good ideas.
Best of luck to you! I should consider a similar plan for myself!
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
•
7 Mar 07
this is so brave of you, lol. I just wonder if you can manage to do it, im absolutely certain i couldnt
blessed be
@Sparkfire (45)
• United States
8 Mar 07
Wow! What a great resolution - I never would have thought of it. This would be hard for anyone, as I never realize how much I spend.
Good luck!
