Day # 4 Stop Shopping Challenge

It's starting to get a little rough but I made it through.

Today I wanted to make hamburger but I didn't have any hamburger buns and I knew if I went shopping for one thing I would've gotten a lot of other items I didn't need.  So I decided to have the hamburgers another day after I go shopping tomorrow.

I also wanted to go to Home Depot because I realized I can put curtains up in the basement once I purchase a sheet rock anchor.  Once again this was a WANT and not a NEED.

And as always I wanted to go and purchase some sneakers for my daughter because I have a $20 off coupon to finish line.  This was a tough decision to delay because although she does not NEED them she NEEDS them because she only has a pair of pink sneakers which don't match with everything.  Ok, Ok, Ok,,it's not a NEED so I decided to wait a little longer and make her wear some of her Mary Jane shoes she already has.

So overall, today I only spent $10 on an event they are having at my kids school on Friday which supports the PTA.

Whew.....I did it!

So, what have your shopping challenges been?

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Day #2 Stop Shopping Challenge

I've done my 2 mile morning run, showered and prepared lunch so now I have some time to work on my blog since I am not shopping/spending any money.

Not only am I saving money but I am also getting myself organized.


Today I am looking at my budget and how I have it organized.  Overall, I like the way I have it set up in a binder.  Here are a few tips on how to get your financial house in order while on your 2 week shopping hiatus.


1.  Set up all of your bill for direct debit.  This will ensure you are never late on a payment (just make sure you have enough moeny in the bank to cover all of the deductions).

When I had my youngest in 2011 I was paying the bills myself online.  This task became very tedious and caused me to be late on a few bills.  I finally realized that I was now a mother of three and had too much on my plate.  That is when I decided to set up all my bills for direct debit and I am so happy I did.


2. Calculate your net worth and adjust it quartely.  When you see what you are really worth it helps you put needs and wants into perspective

3.  Review your current services (phone, internet, cable, lawn care) and see where you can get a better deal and save



***Today I had to spend a little on necessary items.****
1.  Folder for my daughter.  She needed a new one as per the teacher.
2.  Due to lack of preparation I also purchased two bottles of water for my daughter and I after my morning run and cost me $2.12.  Who goes running in 80 degree weather without water......... A person that leaves the house unprepared...ME!!!!  Not again!
Total spent $3.18

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Day # 1 Shopping Challenge - My Weekend

First of all......

I hope everyone enjoyed their Mothers Day as much as I did.  

Over the weekend I did a little preparing for the upcoming weeks.

1.  Weekly Budget:  When I shop I am either in the grocery store/Wal-mart or purchasing things for the house (Marshalls, Homegoods, Hobby Lobby).  After reviewing my monthly food and household spending over the last few months I saw what I already knew.  I was OVERspending.  My goal is to try spend half of what I am already spending on  a monthly basis.

Monthly food and household items budget = $750.  I plan on splitting this into weekly amounts of $188.  I think with some meal planning and possibly couponing this can definitely be done.

2.  Plan my time:  This is hard for me being that I always have something to do for SOMEONE ELSE. which results in me driving all over picking up STUFF and having to eat out.   The only thing I usually have planned for myself are my gym workouts Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:35 to 11:35 am.  This is has to change!
Monday - Gym, Laundry, Work on blog
Tuesday - Housework, Playdate for my 2 year old, work on blog
Wednesday - Gym, Laundry, Crafting, Meal Prep for next week (Sun - Friday), Budget Planning, work on blog
Thursday - Food Shopping, Housework, Ballet for Sidney, work on blog
Friday - Gym, Laundry, Household management, Drum lesson for Randy
Saturday - Day off.  Fun time with kids
Sunday - Church, Family time, work on blog

**Of course this is an abbreviated version but I think you get the POINT!

3.  Stock up:  Over the weekend I spent $132.69 purchasing necessary items for the week.  This made me sit down and plan my family meals as well, meals on the go for myself and toiletries for the entire family (pampers, razors, soap etc.).  I am glad to say that I came in under budget by $55.31 which has to last me until I go shopping again next Thursday.

So how was your weekend of planning??  What did you get accomplished?

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Shopping Challenge: Stop Shopping and Save (Get Prepared)

The weekend is here.  Are you ready to stop shopping (unnecessarily) for 2 weeks.

 I know I am.  There are so may different levels you can take this to.  from not shopping unnecessarily  to actually not spending at ALL for a month.  Take a look at the below links if you want to take it to the next level.  Take a look at the below blogs.For now, I just want to tailor my spending habits.
Northwest Edible Life
Smallnotebook
Six Figures Under

.For now, I just want to tailor my spending habits.

As I prepare for my shopping hiatus I am NOT going to go out and splurge before D-DAY, instead....
1.  I am going to set a weekly budget for food, gas and necessary personal items.  Other than that I don't plan on buying any unnecessary items.

2.  Plan my time (I realize that unplanned times results in various shopping trips and nasty eating habits).

3.  Stock up on necessary items (pampers, wipes, meat, bread and eggs...all that good stuff) so that I go to the grocery store once a week (I am currently in the stores 2-3 times a week and frequent 2-3 stores just for food and necessary items)


Above all I have a goal and reason for this sacrifice.  This sacrifice will take me a step towards being debt free and having more free cash to save for retirement, kids college and travel.

So lets go.

Can't wait to hear what spending habits you are kicking to the curb and what you're reason is for this sacrifice.

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Shop Challenge: Stop Shopping and Save

I can hardly believe that we are already in the 2nd week of May (AWESOME because summer is getting closer) and we still haven't had consistent weather yet.  And this too shall pass.....

For the next two weeks of May (starting May 11, 2014 to May 24, 2014) I've decided to challenge myself and the blogger world out there to:

Now, of course you still have to eat, pay bills and take care of life essential items.  

For me, shopping is an illness and the cure is to identify my needs from wants and to have self control.   I plan to succeed and I hope that you will do the same.

Tip #1

Identify where you spend the most foolishly and why?

For me, I spend the most on decorating my house and engaging in DIY projects.  I plan on decreasing the amount of time I'm on pintrest (where I get a lot of inspiration)...LOL  This is going to be a TOUGH one!  I enjoy decorating and DIY projects but above all I am always striving to have every project completed in my "perfect" house.  

NEWSFLASH:  There will always be a project I want to start/work on and nothing will ever be perfect.  Face it.....I'm human...LOL

Tip #2

Make a list off the top of your head of big and small ticket purchases you would like to make and ask yourself if the purchase would make a huge difference in your life.  For example, I want to plant a garden and flowers.  My yard is already maintained and looks good but flowers would make it look prettier.  So now I ask myself....Is this purchase going to make a diff in my life....Answer:  NO!!!!

Tip #3

Although it is on sale you are still spending money.  Do you really need a new pair of back sandals now because they are on sale or can you survive the summer with the shoes you already have?  Hmmmmmm Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

These three little tips go a long way.

What are your tips that can help us spend a little less?

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