PLATEOFSTARS's CalorieKing blog
Thursday, Aug 5 2010 - Week One - Buy Nothing Month
View PLATEOFSTARS's food & exercise for this day
I blogged earlier this week about a project I've started for August which I've called "Buy Nothing Month". The concept is fairly simple.... stick to a budget of $150/week which can only be used for food (but not eating out).
I'm finding even the first week is quite difficult... or maybe the first week is destined to be difficult as I figure out how to do this thing and solidly set my boundaries?
I officially started Buy Nothing Month on Monday which was Aug 2nd but since I was just coming back from a vacation on the 1st I wasn't able to get myself together on Sunday. On Monday I went grocery shopping and spent around $75. On Tuesday when I took out my "spending money" for the week, I decided to minus the $75 I spent on groceries... and put $80 in my wallet.
$20 of that I put in one envelope for "incidentals" (like coffee or a snack at work if I don't end up packing enough food to eat) and the other $60 is supposed to cover my transportation and other food costs.
On Monday I made myself a bunch of different meals for the week which has been great. No reason not to bring a lunch. Only problem is that I can't sit at my desk all day! I've decided I'm going to make myself go out for a half hour walk everyday and not feel guilty about it.
I went for my first walk yesterday.
I keep having to fight the urge to buy things, which is interesting. I guess now that purchasing is off limits I am more attuned to just how often I get the urge to buy things.
How purchasing things becomes "something to do"... even when I don't really need anything!
I seem to be doing ok so far.
I'm not sure what to do about laundry, for example. Does this go into my $150 weekly budget or do i get to use my credit card for that?
And today, I registered for a 10K race that I plan to do in October because it's selling out. Is that cheating?
All these challenges I didn't expect!
I'm finding even the first week is quite difficult... or maybe the first week is destined to be difficult as I figure out how to do this thing and solidly set my boundaries?
I officially started Buy Nothing Month on Monday which was Aug 2nd but since I was just coming back from a vacation on the 1st I wasn't able to get myself together on Sunday. On Monday I went grocery shopping and spent around $75. On Tuesday when I took out my "spending money" for the week, I decided to minus the $75 I spent on groceries... and put $80 in my wallet.
$20 of that I put in one envelope for "incidentals" (like coffee or a snack at work if I don't end up packing enough food to eat) and the other $60 is supposed to cover my transportation and other food costs.
On Monday I made myself a bunch of different meals for the week which has been great. No reason not to bring a lunch. Only problem is that I can't sit at my desk all day! I've decided I'm going to make myself go out for a half hour walk everyday and not feel guilty about it.
I went for my first walk yesterday.
I keep having to fight the urge to buy things, which is interesting. I guess now that purchasing is off limits I am more attuned to just how often I get the urge to buy things.
How purchasing things becomes "something to do"... even when I don't really need anything!
I seem to be doing ok so far.
I'm not sure what to do about laundry, for example. Does this go into my $150 weekly budget or do i get to use my credit card for that?
And today, I registered for a 10K race that I plan to do in October because it's selling out. Is that cheating?
All these challenges I didn't expect!
8 comments so far.
8.
a decade ago
This IS inspiring--I should try it myself!
by SKINNIED
7.
a decade ago
I need to do something like this myself.
by NEXUSNRG
6.
a decade ago
You know, my hubby and I are trying out something like this too. We put aside about the same for each week and so far it's working out good. The challenge is mostly in my lap since I do most of the spending, but we were spending too much on eating out and decided to nip it in the bud. We make our own lunches everyday (although I've been sick the last couple of days so hubby has had to eat out).
Good for you! I hope it saves you some money and shows you what you must have vs what you may want to have.
by MENOKEO
5.
a decade ago
$150 spending money for the week! Did the $75 for groceries stock you up for the whole week, or not? I imagine that the household expenses - utilities and rent or mortgage are outside this - they have to be!
It is good to consider all these nuances, isn't it!
by RKYROAD
4.
a decade ago
Just think of all the extra money you're going to have at the end of the month because you're doing this challenge. I think it will get easier for next week.
by TNYBUBBLZ
3.
a decade ago
I t ried to make sure my house was reasonably stocked with things like laundry soap, dishwasher powder, shampoo, etc before August... but if I run out I guess I imagined it would have to come out of the weekly budget.
I have to be honest, I'm actually loving that I am challenging myself with this. Being someone with no mortgage or kids, I tend to not look at price tags or think twice before I buy things. This is very refreshing for me.
by PLATEOFSTARS
2.
a decade ago
Where does toilet paper fall into your no spend plan? Laundry is a neccesity just like TP.
by GOODKAT
1.
a decade ago
I say for laundry try to keep it in your $150 budget... Maybe it will help with the bills, less on the credit card the more you can add to the budget ? just a thought...
I don't think it's cheating for the 10K that is something to better yourself. It's not like a new pair of shoes... ya know..
Good luck I hope week 2 is a bit easier for ya...
by MRSDSB