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Contemplating A No Spend Month

February 28th, 2011 at 12:33 am

I am thinking of attempting a no spend month for March. Has anyone done this before? I have read several blogs where people have.

Obviously a no spend month would still allow for paying bills, buying food and other necessities. Since I would be attempting this in March, I would also have to allow for my daughter's birthday gifts, a special dinner and treat. Luckily she is outgrowing the need for parties.

It seems like a good month to do this after coming off a very expensive month with all the eating out we did. It is my last full month without DH in the house, so I would have complete control over spending.

We will definitely have to get a little creative over spring break with free activities. We already want to visit our local art museum which has free admission. A warm week would allow for some outside walks.

I agreed that my girls are allowed to use their money to buy wants for themselves. I won't allow them to pitch in for wants for the family.

Thoughts, ideas? Anyone want to join me in the month of March?

9 Responses to “Contemplating A No Spend Month”

  1. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1298854206

    What about gas for the car?

    I would love a full no spen WEEK. So I dont think I am a good candidate to join you on the MONTH. But I am anxious to keep up with your success and results!

    Good luck!

  2. ThriftoRama Says:
    1298855224

    Hubby and I have done this. We have ourselves a budget of $400 for the entire month for gas, groceries, entertainment, etc. The only thing we didn't include was formula and diapers for the baby because that is something you can't skimp on.Other than that, we stayed on budget and lasted the whole month. it was really valuable. It helped us hit the reset button, so to speak. We socked away a lot of money in savings, and had to be creative with meal planning, entertainment, etc. It was a very useful tool

  3. creditcardfree Says:
    1298856597

    Gas would be a necessity, as I drive my kids to school and activities. I would avoid unnecessary driving as much as possible.

  4. crazyliblady Says:
    1298859197

    Wow. I'm with Thrifty Ray. I would love to have no-spend week, but I am having a hard time with that right now, so I don't think I can join you in the challenge. Someday I will do this, though.

    This should really help you to meet your goal on truck savings. You said this will be your last full month without dh in the house. If I understand that right, he will be home for good a little over 1 month for now. That seems weird.

  5. J-Money Says:
    1298860930

    this sounds amazing...but I can't seem to dodge the kid/school expenses. It is either picture day, or field trip money, door fees for one of their games or playoff t-shirt money or SOMETHING. I have my budget set up so that each pay period (2 a month) I allocate $200 for 'miscellanous' to cover all of these types of expenses. With 3 kids in school who are all active in sports PLUS a huband who coaches, unfortunately i can't get away from the little 'surpises' all months. The ONE thing I do control is the consession stand!! For all the time we spend at games, I do NOT take cash for the consession stand. My older kids aren't too bad about asking but my little one wears me out about eating at the consession stand. Good luck & keep us posted!

  6. ceejay74 Says:
    1298923839

    I'd certainly love to follow your progress on a challenge like this, but I don't think I could get my family on board for one. They keep their spending within the limits I set for them, but even that is an effort. My husband especially doesn't like to wait one second for something he likes--he's just a natural spender!

    March would be the worst month too because all four of our b-days are that month, and we like to treat ourselves more than usual.

    But, I'm looking forward to seeing you do it! If I were without spouses for a month I might be tempted too! Smile

  7. ThriftoRama Says:
    1298942288

    Here is a handy link about setting one up:

    http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/FindDealsOnline/CouldYouStopSpendingForAMonth.aspx

    It's no spend, but not really no spend. You get to decide what is essential and what is not. Hubby and I are now thinking of having one. We better decide before midnight!!

  8. creditcardfree Says:
    1298943659

    ThriftoRama, I read that same article last night after I wrote the post. I think I'm in!

  9. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1298952611

    Good luck! I'd join you on this, but I'm thinking of taking a trip to see a friend over Spring Break ... so that will most likely be a cause for some spending. I was going to see her last summer, or the previous spring break, but both times something came up.

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