Image source: Scootapie on Etsy
Why is it that when you make a public declaration that this month you will “spend no money” the universe decides to make it the month where everything breaks down?
January is nearly over and I’m happy to report that we’ve stuck pretty much to the no spend (unless on necessities) rule. Well… there were a few purchases of fabric to replace the ones that I screwed up when I started cutting my Swoon Quilt. Then there was a wee little splurge (under $100) at Target on some items for the house (gardening books are very important to us wanna be homesteaders!). There’s also been a couple of eating out moments (gnome cannot live on staples alone!). But on the whole we’ve done so much better than I thought we would.
Which is bloody handy because we’ve had way more “emergency” expenses this month then I could have forseen when we put together the budget. We’ve had to replace the gas cooktop (goodbye $1,000), we’ve had to call out an emergency electrician to unplug the smoke alarm that wouldn’t stop going off at 5am on Sunday morning (goodbye $300) and then there’s the emergency trip to the dentist because my impacted wisdom tooth was inflected (goodbye $250).
I’ve actually managed to still save money this month and that’s all because of No Spend January. I’m pretty confident that had I not undertaken to do the pantry challenge I would have continued to grocery shop and horde frozen food like I was preparing for doomsday.
I’ve even managed to entertain using food that we already had in our pantry, vouchers I had won on the internet and being realistic about how much food you really need to serve when you have people over. I impulse cooked and even learned a new skill (making jam and relish). I have found though that we’ve tended to eat a lot of the same thing again and again – now I’m not sure whether that’s a reflection of the fact that it’s summer (we’re BBQing everything within sight) or whether it’s because I tend to horde the same things all the time.
Where ever possible I’ve tried to use gift vouchers I received at Christmas time to buy things that I wanted (note I didn’t say need). It’s probably a good thing that January follows Christmas!
I’ve struggled to not buy impulse things like fabric off people’s fabric destashes on Instagram, or to over spend when I go into a shop to buy a set item. I’ve struggled to not resent having to spend money on the little emergencies that have arisen and instead I’ve tried to focus on the positives; we can afford to get them fixed or replaced, the house didn’t burn down, my teeth are going to be fine, we have each other, we’ve lost weight this month. Basically I’m seeing the piggy bank as half full instead of half depleted.
I had thought that February might be a month to ease up on the no spend, but given all the little emergencies we’ve had to pay for in January I suspect February will be another month of no spend. It’s not that bad really – we’re not going without, I still feel like we’re doing a lot and ultimately if I can ween myself off the spending we’ll be in a better position long term. Which would be brilliant.
All in all I would rate No Spend January a success. Now how to make Frugal February an even bigger success?
6 Comments
I think self imposed no spending makes you realise how much stuff you have. It does for me. When I struggle to find something to spend Myer vouchers on, I realise I probably don’t need anything.
Lien recently posted…Marimekko in Sydney
I agree 100%! I always find it amazing when I have gift cards how hard it is to spend them, but at other times I’m chomping at the bit to get in there and spend money!
I have totally realised how much stuff we have that we don’t need or use and now I’m going to clear the house of the clutter.
gnomeangel recently posted…OPEN MIC | ARE PINEAPPLES THE NEW BLACK?
Haha! Isn’t that always the case? Seriously I don’t understand! I’ve got a few things on my list to buy for February (hello Brazillian Butt Lift exercise videos and quilting supplies!) I am doing well I think. We had scheduled a visit to my Dad and for R to meet his Aunt and Uncles ( 3 of which are under 7), his great-grandmother, etc. So we had a hotel, plus two of the three dogs boarded so it was an expense we knew about.
In March we’re going out of town again for longer and the boys will be boarded and we’re renting a car, etc. Holy Cow. But April can’t be no spend, it’s anniversary, a first birthday, and a 32nd birthday! Eeep! Crazy. I think we’ll just have to keep it in check. At this rate I feel like we’ll never save up for our down payment.
R has so many toys now I’m asking for clothes and books only. It’s just crazy how much is coming up and oh and our roof needs to be replaced at the house in Florida. Thanks tax return, it’s almost like it’s free. *Almost*.
So I think being more frugal over-all is a good experience. Plus once nursing stops I get to kick up the weight loss and then I can buy new clothes.
and OH MY GOD has this boy been eating this last week and he’s finally interested in foods (yay!).
Lol, okay so that’s a total ramble comment!
Jessica recently posted…Baby Goes Nuts
Oh my gosh you make me laugh – a BRAZILLIAN BUTT LIFT??? Say what? I’d google it but I’m afraid of what results might be returned!
We had a couple of those expenses as well and I was really proud that we didn’t buy anything on top of those expenses that I hadn’t already budgeted for.
We’re traveling in March too! I’m totally going to make 2013 the frugal year. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure we come out of this year ahead of where we started.
It’s good that you’ve got all these marvelous things to look forward to and to be excited about. I’m confident you’ll reach your saving goals.
Remember, we’re in it together!
gnomeangel recently posted…OPEN MIC | ARE PINEAPPLES THE NEW BLACK?
Hi Angie, discovered your wonderful blog after you RT’d one of my posts on twitter and have to say you write brilliantly and I am in awe of your About page – mine seems awfully dry now!
I do love the idea of No Spend January but have failed miserably (WHY do I walk into Sportsgirl and head straight to the sale section, WHY WHY?)
So here’s to a wonderful 2013 and if you ever fancy a free styling session, I’d be only too happy to oblige!
Caroline
CAROLINE recently posted…Leopard print for grown ups
Hi Caroline,
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to read and comment. I really appreciate it. Thank you for the wonderful compliments – the about page is an evolution of constant tweaking.
I think part of my “success” has come from avoiding the shops like the plague. I am all too weak willed when it comes to spending!
I would love a free styling session, thank you for the generous offer. Alas I’m in Canberra so I’m not sure how that would work. I had a look at your before and after page and it was amazing – must be so rewarding to work with people and help them tap into the person they want to be.
Well, I’m going to stop now before this becomes an epic response. Hope you’ve had a great week and have an even better weekend ahead!
Ange
gnomeangel recently posted…RENO | THE BATHROOM CONUNDRUM