Our oldest son and his roommate came home last night, looking for food. Normally, we would have something yummy on hand to feed them or we would order a pizza, but we just went a week without spending a cent and we went into it with our cupboards rather bare. I fed them the kidney bean soup I'd made the night before and they were grateful to have it, because they're both out of money and they were hungry. We explained to our son that we've already embarked on our next challenge, to go six months without buying anything that's not consumable. Our goal is to spend not more than $150 a week, excluding our mortgage, medical co-pays, and regular bills.
Later this week our son will be coming home to cook with me. He wants to learn how to eat simply and make his dollars stretch. In this economy he feels lucky to have even a part time job, but he finds it hard to make ends meet and he's struggling. So I gave him a list of what he will need, things like potatoes, carrots, and dried beans. We talked about the cheapest places to buy groceries and narrowed it down to two places, one of which is WalMart.
Those of you who know me know that while I love WalMart prices, I HATE WalMart crowds. When I think of hell I think of WalMart with it's aisles packed full of people, pushing carts aggressively, and mile long lines to cash registers. But Wal Mart is the option that's closest to me, so Wal Mart it is.
Some of you may be thinking that these challenges aren't that challenging. If so, I challenge you to try it! There are so many things we take for granted. My friend, Christina, noted that she found herself stopping to buy a bottle of water for $1.25, without even thinking about it. Those little expenditures add up! For those of you who are addicted to coffee, those daily Starbucks treats aren't cheap but because it's just a few dollars at a time it doesn't feel like such a big deal, but if one spends $3.00 for a tall Starbucks latte five days a week, that's $60.00 per month! That's a pretty significant money leak.
So, what about you? What are your biggest money leaks? Also, if you have any cost saving ideas, recipes, etc. please share them!
Enjoy this blog? Receive alerts when new blogs are posted! Just click on the "Follow" button to the right. You can also check out my other blog at: http://justkate2009.blogspot.com/
19comments:
Post a Comment
The experiment caused us to change some of our habits. Some of the things we spent money on gave us genuine pleasure, but there were others that were simply mindless purchases, bought more out of habit than need--or even want. For the most part, the ones that we felt were pure money wasters have gone by the wayside. We allot a certain amount of money each for the little extras, taking our discretionary "spending money" at the beginning of each month and then making it last.
Beth
We embarked on a similar experiment last year. We are blessed with a good income but realized that we were using that income to pay other people for stuff we may or may not have needed. We focused on what was needed and went without the "wanted" for one month. The value was found not in the money saved but the realization that we don't need all that stuff to be happy and healthy. It is gratifying to slow down and really appreciate all we have and all that we don't have:)
BTW I use e-mealz(provides a shopping list and menu for 7 days and targets the on sale items at the store of your choice. The recipes are easy to follow and so far pretty good)
Beth, When we realized how much money we were spending on eating out alone it gave us serious pause. We're tracking every penny we spend now and we'll compare it against what we were spending per month prior to our experiment. I expect to see a huge savings; I'm actually embarrassed to say the dollar amount of savings I've estimated. :)
Your experiment is something I think everyone should do! It's important that we know where our money is going! In addition to lightening our own financial loads and reducing financial stress, it allows one to save and give! I'd much rather donate money than spend it thoughtlessly. For now, we really need to tighten our belts just so we can tough out these hard financial times.
When our six month experiment is over we plan to do exactly as you've said, allocate a specific sum for discretionary spending and stick to it. For now, we're eliminating discretionary spending all together!
Sarinda, A huge part of our experiment was born from the fact that we wanted to simplify our lives and get back to a place of thoughtful gratitude for the blessings we have. It's good for the soul! After just one week I can feel the difference. I don't want to be a "consumer." For one thing, it's too easy to be distracted by the pursuit of things. Life's too short for that! Still, it's the American Dream, which is sad to me.
Thank you for mentioning emealz! I intend to check it out TODAY! It's exactly what I'm looking for, helpful hints on what works for others. :)
It has been tough on us since we returned from Germany. Our cost of living has increased and monthly income decreased so counting cents has been a necessity.
Living outside the close urban areas has helped us reduce our spending too; if we don't drive by it everyday we don't just drive into town to get it without really good reason.
Smiles, Katy!
Deb, Cooking with the basics is exactly what I'm doing, from basic soups and stews to baking unleavened bread at pennies per batch. Going back to the basics feels good and it's going to help our family get through the tough times that I think we're all experiencing in different ways.
My husband and I were just reminiscing about the days when we virtually lived on kumra (sweet potatoes), slimy bush cabbage, and the fruit we grew in our garden overseas.
We, too, live in the country, surrounded by farmland. Because of the cost of gasoline and because I am generally at home writing, I rarely venture out. When I do, I mostly see the farm workers who are really suffering this time of year when they are waiting for Spring and the return of work. It doesn't inspire much spending.
What I do see, taking my daughter to school for her one hour a day for special ed classes - we homeschool for everything else - is children dressed like rock stars and super models, looking like anything BUT children, and I wonder what's happened to us that we Americans work harder to afford to buy such things, while children run wild and unsupervised because mom and dad are out pursuing a "better life." As a nation, our values have gotten turned on their heads!
Thank you for the thoughtful comment, Deb!
David, I tend to impulse buy, too. I'm happy to be developing more thoughtful spending habits and personal discipline. Hopefully, it will spill over into other areas of my life! :0)
Just that change has ended up costing me a bit more when it comes to feeding my pets BUT compared to the money I would have spent engaging in my reatail therapy, those few cents are actually a huge savings.
I am proud of you and will admit I would be scared to death to even attempt what you are doing.
GO KATY! xoxo
PS after buying my water I usually keep filling the bottle up with tap woter for a week or so. But if I would just go spend one time on a nicely made reusable container... yeah so maybe that is one thing i should actually do.
Way too many of us in America, have grown accustomed to living in a state of excess. Most people don't even seem to realize they are living in excess because their only frame of reference is all those people that are doing better or having more than them in this country.
Why life seem to be a competition to have more things, I don't know. I wish it wasn't that way, though. What do we really need?
When I was younger I seriously contemplated moving to a more impoverished country simply for the simplicity of a life like that. I can't leave those I love, so I stick around here.
It is just so damn expensive to live in the United States even if you don't want what everyone else wants.
One day I will move to the country, as that is the most simple life you can have here, but not until I won't be leaving family and friends behind. I may be trapped in the city because of that, though. haha....
Regarding your experiment, I will share, that in my opinion, the first 6 months are going to be hard, but after that it isn't going to be so hard. You can break habits and, like I have told you my experience was, you realize you don't need those things you thought you did.
It doesn't make it wrong to want them or need them, we are all different. I know that choices like this are not for everybody, many do like the competition or challenge to live and lead a better life in that regard.
I imagine one reason this is so palatable to you and your family is in a big way influenced by your own personal growth. You are not satisfied with just going along with the status quo and what everyone else is doing, thinking or feeling. You are in the process of becoming and this is part of your process. Your willingness to adapt is a real strength of character, in my opinion.
I have been getting paid well under the poverty line since I turned 18. I am very comfortable with my lifestyle and live quite sustainably.
When it comes to food, sometimes people just need to change their traditional views of what a meal should look like. I personally believe that people think they need way more meat in their diets than necessary, and they forget the huge variety of foods that can sometimes even have more protein then a steak. Milk, eggs, cheese, beans, grains, and cheaper fish like tilapia often can be easily used for protein. So, for example: when making spaghetti someone could drink milk with their dinner and not buy meat for the sauce, and still get all the protein they need for the meal. It would be wiser to only eat one type of meat a day if necessary, but not at every meal. Or even removing expensive meats all together! I understand that that can be a very hard change to make, but your wallet will thank you.
The hardest thing for people not to spend money on is likely household goods and personal items. Reusable and off-brand name items are best. Do not go shopping!!!! Unless it is grocery shopping, of course.
Other things I do that help are never ever eating out, I buy all my food and beverages from grocery stores and take food and drinks with me when I leave the house. Even alcohol, but don't tell the bartender!
When it comes to fun, there are endless ways to enjoy yourself without racking up additional costs in restaurants, movies, and events. Going for a walk, reading a book, talking with friends, making new friends, getting exercise, and playing non-electronic games are all great alternatives.
My personal favorite past time that is completely free and extremely rewarding is getting involved as a volunteer with a non-profit. You can do anything from mentoring a child, petting a dog, building a house, or providing emotional support to someone in need.
If anyone is interested in any further advice or just simple conversation on how to live happily and simply, I'd be happy to have a chat!
Lastly, congratulations on anyone attempting to spend less money! If I made more money than I do, I'd most likely find it much harder to manage.
Thank you Katy!!!!
I wanted input and this is great! I actually agree with you about meals and meat. Nic will tell you. :0) I was a vegetarian for many years and tortured my family with tofu. In fact, I was made fun of HORRIBLY by people at TCFC who thought my vegetarianism was ridiculous and even invited us over for things like beef enchiladas just to watch me squirm. Those damn, mean Christians. Geesh.
Anyway, I'm only quasi-vegetarian now. When I say that I mean that I do not prefer meat. Lately, I have trouble even eating chicken. I get most of my protein from legums.
I think you're right on target with shopping and entertainment. I've never needed to spend money to have fun. :0) And, of course, you know that I'm with you 100% when it comes to volunteering. It's been a life long passion of mine.
Great input, Coral! Thank you!
I do the retail therapy thing, too. That being said, I don't like crowds and I avoid going to stores when people are likely to be around, so I'm not tempted very often. Bookstores are my biggest temptations because they're quiet and generally uncrowded and I love books. :) I'm getting reacquainted with the library. I hate to read them and give them back but it sure saves a lot of money!
Thanks for the encouragement, my friend. I need it!
xoxo
I think living in the country definitely contributes to living a simpler life. I like being out in nature, away from all of the "stuff." We used to live in a golf course neighborhood and we would see neighbor's copying one another whether it was a new car or a new type of landscaping or whatever. People were "keeping up." Hubby and I weren't any different from anyone else. We had a beautiful home and were always improving it. When we moved out to the country I realized what a relief it was to get outside of that world. I didn't want to live inside the pages of Better Homes & Gardens. I've NEVER wanted that. I'm not sure how it happened, but, thankfully, it only lasted a couple years. :)
I love your last paragraph about being in the process of becoming. YES! This is part of my journey - of my families journey - and I'm just here to share it and talk about it. It's not about jumping on a band wagon or trying to sell anybody on a particular way of life. You get me, Drew.
Thanks for the great comment!
I was fortunate enough to have spent every summer of my childhood in the country. We had no a/c, no phone, no radio, no tv, just running water, gas and electricity. We had to figure out how to entertain ourselves and enjoy the day with little to no entertainment. It was great for me. I appreciate the simplicity so much now. I am grateful that I had that experience.
When you are in a city, basically in an urban neighborhood, it is easy to get caught up in keeping up with the Jones'. I am in that situation, but I refuse to be that type of person, so I am sure I am not the favored son of the neighborhood. hahaha....
It warms my heart to see you say that I get you. We have not always had the most connected eye-to-eye communication, but I have felt for a long time that I get you. You mean so much to me. I value who you are in a big way.
That is a big reason why I have been so persistent in wanting to stay in touch of you and refused to just let you go. I really do hope for and wish that one day we can play cards together in person while I spend the entire time trying to catch you cheating. lol.... ;-P
Wow, You were REALLY in the country! I grew up around my grandparents farm and always lived in the country, but it was never that rustic. :) My dad used to make me hang clothes on the line even when it was FREEZING outside so we'd have frozen underwear and such strung out behind the house until it warmed up (I still don't get that), and we weren't allowed to use the heat pump for heat or A/C. We had a woodstove to heat the entire house, cook on, and supply our hot water (he rigged it up so pipes looped inside of it) which lasted about three minutes, maybe. Showers were QUICK in our home. And I grew up on what he called "Mulligan stew" which was basically whatever could be scrounged up and thrown in a pot on the woodstove.
He once said I would never make it in the jungle but he was VERY WRONG. I have always done well with little, thanks to his early training.
Thanks, Drew. By the way, if we ever played cards I WOULD cheat but you WOULD NOT catch me. ;D
P.S. I apologize sadly my moms talent for writing and sentence structure was not passed down to me. instead I inherited my fathers woe is me :p
I know that your budget is tight and that we didn't prepare you for very well for living frugally. You don't remember when you were little and we had nothing, and you were happy in Papua New Guinea because you could climb a star fruit tree and eat to your hearts content. If you think about it, however, we had no meat or dairy products beyond that awful powdered milk that was shipped over because the nation of Australia rejected it! lol
Come over when you can (sorry we missed your call on Monday) and we'll make some basic soups or stews and I'll show you how to make unleavened biscuits for pennies.
♥ Mom
I was raised on welfare--mom and I lived in the rural country at first and then in small towns. As a young teen mom, I spent some time of my own on welfare, although in an urban environment. Some years later, I was very briefly street homeless in the city of Seattle. My point in bringing all this up is to explain my statement--I will never be doing this challenge of my own free will. lol! Already been there. I know how to make something from nothing. I know how little food the body actually needs to survive. And by God, as long as I have a little extra for something nice ima go on and enjoy myself--I never take anything for granted.
There was an article in some magazine I had one night at work about a middle class couple doing exactly the same experiment and what they said they got out of it was a new awareness of the waste going on in their home. They feel they're smarter consumers now.
Blessings to you and family! :-)
Post a Comment