As promised, I’m here with the first of my weekly updates with regards to spending less money in March.
If I were handing out grades for this project, I’m give myself an A for week 1. We did eat out once, meeting up with friends for dinner before a concert (I know! a concert! with real live music for the 1st time in 2 years!) Other than that, though, I cooked for us at home, even on Wednesday night when the kids came over, which is traditionally a night for take out. (As an aside, I made spaghetti which Jackie adores, and to see his delight that I could make his current favorite food made all the effort completely worthwhile.) I planned our meals carefully, using up a few things from the freezer and pantry, and keeping my grocery bill to just over $100 when it’s typically around $150-175. The only other purchase I made was for gas. And I paid some bills.
At this point it feels sort of . . . freeing. I get emails for online sales and I ignore them, not in my usual way of thinking about what I might purchase, but in this new way where I immediately dismiss them because buying something would break the rules. I have added a couple of items to my Amazon wish list (things I’d like for my OLW project, actually) but I may decide I don’t need them by the time April rolls around. In person shopping might be harder to resist but I haven’t been in Target since before the pandemic started so that’s not a temptation and I’m just staying far away from HomeGoods right now.
And that’s where I am with one week of March Money Madness under my belt. I suspect this may get harder as I get further into the project but for now I’m calling it a win and reveling in the freedom of not spending money.
Congratulations! I must say I had not heard of March Money Madness previously. The price of gas though – wow! It is now $4.39 a gallon here. In one day it went up $0.26 and the next day it rose another dime. Crazy. Glad I am not commuting to work on a regular basis (just my one day a week or so). Groceries too – those prices have jumped so high.
Go, Carole! I’m not a big shopper, and that helps. I know someone that calls magazines and catalogs desire seeds, which is exactly what they’re designed to be. I try not to get either on a regular basis and it has helped my contentment level soar. I look at them occasionally, but when I’m looking for something I almost always know someone who has one or five I can borrow or have.
Desire seeds! This is a perfect descriptor, Robby. Thanks for sharing.
I’m guessing that filling up the gas tank was a little painful, but it’s not something we can really save on right now.
There is nothing better than seeing the people you’ve cooked for really enjoy a meal you’ve made! And it sounds like you’ve got a really good strategy to avoid impulse purchases.
Well done YOU!
That gas tho… oy, Steve had to fill up yesterday, it was painful. So painful.
Good for you, Carole! You’re off to a great start! 🙂
The pandemic really curtailed any “shopping impulses” I used to have (and they’d already been waning for awhile). I broke my “Target addiction” years ago (not easy, I tell ya), and I’ve never shopped our local HomeGoods. I’m much more “trouble” at any store that sells plants . . .
XO
You’re off to a good start! I had to unsubscribe from all the yarn emails as I was having trouble resisting them, but it is kind of freeing. And if I ever need a reminder not to purchase something, I just recall all the things I’m cleaning out and boxes I’m taking to Salvation Army. I’m looking forward to your next week!
Congratulations, Carole! A successful week, which will only lead to more, I am sure. Just remember, spending money on things you don’t need is just a habit. It takes time to break a habit. Breaking that habit, as with all habits, is always freeing. Pat yourself on the back!
I have been deleting and unsubscribing to so many email sources. I find I have become shopping averse but I really do need to replace a few items of clothing and I am really dragging my feet. Stay strong.
Nice job Carole!
Congratulations!
yay you! it sure sounds like the month is off to a great start … and I think sharing about it here is a nice level of accountability – not too stressful, but still something.
Success feeds success and the more you question your desires the more you realize not buying is actually a great feeling, too!
Good for you. Today would have been a fail for us as we ate out twice, but then again, we had sewer issues so we kind of had to. All resolved, yea. I think online yarn shopping is my weak point. I have 3 bags full (like the nursery rhyme) to remind me that I don’t need more yarn. I’ll have to do a lot more socks.