I made it through the week of no spending! (See my previous post here: https://lifenstrings.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/an-exercise-in-frugality/)
I’m really pleased with myself. Spending money comes all too easily for me and trying to keep that money in the bank is as uncomfortable as nails on a chalkboard. I squirmed all week against that urge to pull out the debit card and give in but I resisted. I packed my lunches for work like a good little girl and ate only what I had pre-selected. I had a celebratory latte from Starbucks when Sunday came as a pat on the back for how well I stuck to my plans.
It was a great learning experience. I saved about $18 by not buying breakfast food and coffee and instead eating a granola bar or some fruit and drinking coffee at home or work. Then I saved about $30 by not buying carry out food for dinner a few nights a week and instead cooked up some nice stir fry with chicken and squash. It was much more tasty than the take out food anyway and so much better for me. I did break one part of my goal and that was to put that saved money in the bank. I admit that I took it to Jo Ann Fabrics on Sunday since they had a killer yarn sale and I stocked up on some crochet yarn for my winter scarf and hat projects to come.
Overall I am happy with the week. It made me more aware of how much money I spend on food mostly and how much money I can save by just taking a little extra time to prepare things ahead of time. That is the key for me. If it is not prepped and ready I feel like it is a drag in the morning to pull it together. I think if I repeat this exercise once a month then it should help me start better habits in general in regards to saving money on things I don’t really need.
Have you ever done anything like this? What good habits did you take from it and how much money did you find yourself saving?