My generation is addicted to ease and convenience, or so I’m told. I love being able to pop into Starbucks and have someone else make me coffee and eggs. Sure beats waking up fifteen minutes earlier to do it myself! Though lately I have noticed that standing in line can take up fifteen minutes in and of itself… So I’m not sure what i’m winning. Oh, that’s right, I’m winning at being lazy haha. My mother teases me because she and my dad wouldn’t dream of spending four dollars for a coffee. They are so frugal. They come from a different time.
Today’s generation doesn’t think twice about spending four dollars here and five dollars there for lunch and a snack. I am probably worse than most people as I am addicted to spending money – especially if I have cash! If there is cash in my wallet you better believe that by the end of the day it is long gone and sometimes I won’t even remember where it went to!
Well this week I am trying something different. Yesterday my boyfriend and I went grocery shopping and bought food enough to cook and prepare for the entire week. We decided on five easy dinners and bought fixings for sandwiches for lunches at work. I even prepped snacks in zip lock baggies so I can just grab and go. The goal fro the week is to spend NO money. No buying coffee in the morning, no trips to subway for lunch and definitely no eating out for dinner (which my boyfriend and I tend to do at least twice a week). This week we are eating only what we bought yesterday and our goal is to save money. I’m extending this not only to food but to purchasing other items as well. I won’t let myself go to Jo Anne Fabrics and spend all of the money I saved on food on yarn though I dearly wish I could (yes, I am a nerd).
This exercise is to make myself more aware of my spending habits. Not only will it save me money on food and non-necessities but it should be healthier for me too. Preparing all of my meals myself will help me moderate what is going into my body. I’m excited for the week! Though this is only day one, I suppose I might not be so enthusiastic by the end of it. We will see where it takes me. Have you ever done anything like this to shed some light on your spending habits? Let me know how it went!