Every month since I can remember I try and have as many no spend days as possible. I will never consider what I do to be a no spend month even though my spending is usually limited to bill paying, groceries, repairs, appointments, and fuel for the vehicle. I still consider any money, even for those items, that come out of our account as spending.
Our allowances are usually used to purchase clothing, or saved to get a bigger item (my loom for one). Everything is budgeted for and receipts are kept so I can input all in the spreadsheet for each month.
This month, I really hoped to have 20 or more no spend days. It did not work out that way since Harvey and I both had dental appointments, and the car needed a new battery. I did end up having 19 no spend days though and that is good enough, not the best I have ever done, but good enough.
Next month will be a challenge as well. Harvey decided to get the work done that is necessary for his second partial plate. Meaning there will be and extra spend day or two. We also want to go and visit Kris so there will be an extra fuel fill up day and perhaps the purchase of some new chairs for the dining room set (we have saved for that).
We shall see how well I do.
Everybody have a wonderful evening.
God bless.
We try really hard to have as many no spend days as we can but sometimes it's a challenge. My goal (which has been the same for as long as I remember) is to only do errands one day a week (or even less). Sadly it never seems to work that way despite my best efforts.
ReplyDeleteI love that you're writing about this. I see more and more folks doing no spend weekends, days and so on. I get that some folks, like you, consider bills as spending. For me, I don't. I get that though, it is money. However no spend for me is more going to SB or Barnes and food shopping. Filling the tank, doesn't count for me because that falls under bills. Still, however anyone looks at it, it's fun to read and a fun challenge. PS: Teeth and other medicals don't count for me either. That's all part of bills. Going to the craft store, bookstore and cafe, that's what I count.
ReplyDeleteYou are so disciplined! Today we took the car in for the warranty maintenance at the dealer and I’m thinking it shouldn’t be that much - I almost keeled over at the $820 cost! The parts came to $159 and the rest was labor! It drives fine- no issues so I wasn’t expecting it. Just keeping up the warranty. Now I feel like I was ripped off. So there went my amount to our into savings this month! Grrrrr
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how much fixing a vehicle costs?
DeleteGod bless.
Good luck. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteI don't consider necessities (mortgage/utilities, groceries, etc.) spending, but I do applaud your discipline in saving for the special purchases. I do much the same, and will use the credit card initially, paying it off at the end of the month, to accumulate travel rewards.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to do No Spend Days at least twice a week. Last month I had 10 No Spend Days for the whole month. I am hoping to do better this month.
ReplyDeleteYou did well Ellen. I am sure you will be able to do better in March.
DeleteGod bless.
So do you average out the bill payment days over the month? Since it is March 1st I may count out No Spend days for the month. It seems like a lot go by without us spending but maybe not. 🤔
ReplyDeleteI pay bills twice a month, around the 15th and then again at the end of the month.
DeleteGod bless.
Right and you only count that as 2 days. 👍
DeleteI had 19 No Spend days and 20 No drive days. I work from home and that helps. I have reduced the amount of gas I use and continue to reduce extra food in our pantry. At the same time stocking up.
ReplyDeleteWell done.
DeleteGod bless.
I am surprised by how many days I spend money. I am trying to make it necessary money.
ReplyDelete