Right now Devin and I are halfway through a spending freeze. It was a pretty sporadic decision that we didn't put a lot of thought into. One day I decided we buy a lot of crap we don't need and it'd be a fun challenge to only spend money on necessities like groceries and gas and monthly bills. Devin easily went along with it. Thus...
About a week into it, I was thinking how easy this was. However, seeing as we have a couple weeks left, I'm realizing this month might get a little long. My list of "things to buy in November" is growing. Which in some ways feels like it defeats the purpose if we're just delaying the purchase.
But, overall it has felt like a good discipline and has avoided several
things that we won't end up spending money on and just don't need in general. I wanted to do this as part of something I'm starting to dive into: the long process of overhauling and simplifying our household. Purging. Reorganizing. And changing areas of how we live, eat, spend, clean, etc.
It's also been good for me to be forced to find something to cook on an evening where I'm getting home late or feeling lazy and would normally text Devin to pick up Chipotle on his way home. Although, if we're being honest, I think we'd both be thrilled if some people randomly asked us out to eat sometime before the end of the month. Not that I'm hinting or anything.
I'm kind of surprised we haven't cheated by accident or by justifying something. Although I have a feeling Devin has probably bought something on iTunes without thinking. Devin?
I do think I will have to bend the rules and buy poor Henrik some socks. He only has one pair of socks that fit right now and in case you haven't noticed, it's sock weather.
In addition to the spending freeze, I thought it'd be fun to do some extra giving outside of what comes out of my bank account on a monthly basis without me even noticing. We agreed we would give to our church, and then each of us pick a person or organization. I don't think either of us have decided on that yet, so feel free so suggest somewhere/someone if you know of a need!
8 comments:
this is really neat -- how creative & inspiring! thanks for sharing :) good luck the rest of the month...maybe we'll have to ask you guys for a dinner out ;)
I think this is great - way to be disciplined to the end (as I know you will be for the rest of Oct!). Along these lines, Chad and I decided to do a clothes/accessories/etc fast for all of 2014! Trying to simplify like you and learn to only buy what I need and cut the emotional ties to shopping... will let you know how it goes. :) (and we welcome others to do it with us :) :)) It would be good to do it in other areas too, like you guys have... although our budget tries to play the role of restricting us and works fairly well.
I like this:). I like the post-its, too. We truly must schedule that lunch now (or dinner).
I'll be The Council and give you the go-ahead to buy socks for little Henny. See you soon!!
I second the Council's executive decision - just don't get them on Amazon! ;0) I'm very eager to know all about how you're simplifying and the benefit that may come from it!
This is Awesome Em!
This is Awesome Em!
A much delayed comment.....but I have been meaning to say that this is such a good idea! I think we need to do something like this---it is so easy for me to make small, mindless purchases and then be shocked how much we spent at the end of a month! And the good news for you is--you're almost to November! :)
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