I had breakfast and lunch at home again today. Yogurt, salad and two bean tacos thus far. We won't likely eat dinner together tonight because of flute lessons. I planned a make your own dinner night. In other words...find something to eat on your own! I'm not sure what I'm having yet, but I'm guessing my daughter will have grilled cheese and my husband will eat the leftover egg casserole.

I've stayed at home all day. I've accomplished various tasks around here as normal, including the first sewing project. I did watch a movie on Netflix, while I walked on the treadmill. All free!

Boy there are temptations out there you don't even realize sometimes. I was researching some natural oils for healing an ailment. I was curious and just getting information, until I found myself adding things into the online shopping cart. And then more stuff to get free shipping. Wait! What was I doing? I don't need to buy these things now. And I definitely didn't need to buy extras!

I'm going to make sure to bring a book to read while waiting at lessons tonight. The lesson is in a strip mall, so there is ALWAYS a store open to pop into. One of those is Plato's closet, which I saw an advertisement for today. I thought about going in there to see what I could find...but that would be spending. And we don't NEED anything right now. There will be items there in March, so I will wait.

In other news, now my husband's boss and coworkers are discussing going to dinner for the coworker who is retiring! So this means some sort of expense. I'd love to say no, but the cash is there. I don't want him to opt out just because we are doing a no spend month. Yes, I'd like to spend the least possible, but if this is necessary, then so be it. If we were really hard up it might be different.

I think I can get a free McAfee subscription through Navy Federal CU. Although, I may have used that offer in the past. The only way to know is to try. So that task is on my list.

So yes, another day with out spending! I wonder how many days we will get in a row?

I went to the dentist today. No cavities for me, just some teeth they are watching for various reasons. I walked out with the standard free toothbrush, toothpaste and floss. I was happy about the toothpaste as I know the tube I currently use will not make it through the month of February. So I'll use the little tube and scour the house for another if necessary. The cost was covered under our dental plan.

I have also eaten at home for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast was yogurt and coffee. Lunch was leftover cheese pizza and salad. If I'm hungry later, we have popcorn on hand. Or maybe an apple, cut into slices would be more satisfying. I will probably be having both before the month is out.

I prepped our dinner for tonight. Egg casserole. I expect this will count for two meals. My husband and I are the only ones who eat it. My daughter will have scrambled eggs, which is super fast to throw together.

It's a bit frustrating to see coupons such as $10 off a $10 purchase come in the mail from JC Penney, or have Kohl's tell me I earned a $5 reward. I don't plan on purchasing anything at those places, because if I do I'm sure I would spend more than the coupon. They are clever that way aren't they?

I managed to work a little more on a sewing project. My daughter has the next step, before I do the final part. Although she may do that as well.

I think I'm about ready to start working on our income taxes. As I said before, I dread it a bit. I know I have to learn the new rules of the American Opportunity Tax credit. At least the software should walk me through it.

I'm also on the look out for a cheap and preferably free McAfee Internet Security. Our plan expires this month. Any suggestions?

And if you didn't notice, it seems that today is actually a no spend day! Yippee!!

Of course, I had lunch at home today. I nearly always do. Today, I used two tortillas, refried beans, cheese, avocado and a dash of hot sauce to make two burritos. Yummy! My daughter and husband have both been taking their lunches in recent months, so I expect there to be zero eating out in February.

It's so nice here today. I went for a walk outside around the neighborhood. I talked to my mom on the phone. And I'm getting our sheets washed (sort of free, but there is a cost with water and electricity).

I'm going to keep myself entertained for free all month. I have some projects to do indoors, such as deep cleaning the blinds, and a couple sewing projects. I already started on one!

We have a new game that my friend gifted us last week. Ticket to Ride is the name. I expect this will be a source of entertainment this month as well.

There is already one snag. My husband's boss bought a junior coworker a retirement gift. Some sort of sword. He doesn't know how much the boss spent, but the gift is from five of them. He thinks he should put in $30-$40. I told him fine, because in the whole scheme of things it is fine. But ugh!! A policy from the Ethics Committee just came down saying no sales at work (such as Avon, or school fundraisers). This seems to be one of those areas too. Boss should have asked for donations before buying item before expecting others to pitch in. This was a big issue at my husband's last job too!

I am buying my mom flowers to be sent to her on her birthday, later this week. I always buy my mom a gift. It seems a little more difficult now that I'm farther away. I did budget for these. I had $50 set aside, but came away spending only $35.

So this no spend month really is about making conscious choices. I had considered sewing my mom something from my stash, but time got away from me and I don't think she would actually get quite as much enjoyment as she will the flowers. It is winter where she is so flowers can really brighten one's mood. I may keep the sewing idea I had for Mother's Day.

Tonight we are having homemade pizza. All from scratch! I expect there will be leftovers which I will likely have tomorrow for lunch with a side salad.