30 Day Spending Freeze....

Did we achieve our goal?

We're done. Finally!

If you are just tuning in, we did a 30 day spending freeze. Here are all the links to the series....

30 Day Spending Freeze

Week 1 - Spending

Will Power According to Frog and Toad

Finding Balance

Week 3 - Spending


I have to say, this time around was much more difficult than the first time we did it in 2010.  There were a couple weeks where we didn't have anything going on, so it was easy to just live without shopping.

However, there was traveling for Matt's marathon (Yay, Matt! You ran your first marathon! I am so proud of you.) So that was extra money spent on gas. And we signed B-Bear up for Boy Scouts.

Although... my super cool dad bought us pizza from our favorite pizza place when we were home.  Is that cheating? Having someone else buy our meal? Who cares...that pizza was so good.  Plus, the kids are older and saying no to bounce houses was well...impossible. 

Anyhow, this is the break down for this week's spending...

Gas for Car #1			$58.48
Gas for Car #2			$54.25
Bread at Freihofer's Outlet			$9.37
Post Office			$20.00
Groceries			$166.49
Bounce House @ Fall Festival			$20.00
	Total Spending for this week		$328.59
	Total spending for the freeze		$1,625.89
	Total Extra Savings		$374.11

We didn't make our goal of saving an extra $500, but we still managed to save more than other months. 

Was this a success?  

I think it was. I'm not going to beat myself up over $125.89

What did I learn this time around?

{1.} Some of the things we thought we needed right then and there, well, we really didn't need.  Frankly, I can't even remember what they were.

{2.}  It feels so darn good to save extra money. Next month we will go back to our normal budget, so this truly was extra money found/ saved. 

{3.} If we do this freeze again, it will not be during a month when we have charities, school obligations, fun fall activities going on.  That made it super difficult to say no and stay on task. Although for the most part we did it. Maybe January, right after Christmas would be easier.

Thanks for following this series.  I hope you enjoyed it and maybe you were successful with a spending freeze of your own.  I'd love to hear about it!

Enjoy your extra savings!

{Trina}

30 Day Spending Freeze - Part 4
Week 3 Check-in

We are 3 weeks into our spending freeze.  One more to go!  I made my list of things that I want or need.

Things that I want...

• a new purse for fall
• a white picture frame for Little Monkey's Room
• some new clothes
• to eat at a restaurant

Things I need...

• a haircut
• sneakers

Making a list puts it into perspective for us.  After our freeze, I won't go out and buy all of those things.  That would make saving this money a wash.  I will probably put some of it on my Christmas wish list.  I will get a haircut though.  I don't know how I show my face in public!

But really the list of things I want or need is not that long.  I really do have everything that is necessary.  And I have noticed that I am spending a lot more quality time with my kids because I am not waiting in the check-out line at Target.  That is an amazing feeling!

Here is our spending for the week...

B's field trip for school			$9.00
Gas for car # 1			$57.77
Gas for car # 2			$51.41
Groceries (for 2 weeks)			$314.28
Cell phones			$23.88
Karate for the kids			$125.00
	Weekly Total:		$581.34
Total spending since 9/16:			$1,297.30

Think we can do it?  I don't think we will need to make any Miner adjustments to our $1500 spending limit.  It's getting close to the total, but I have faith that we won't go over.

Have you made a list of needs and wants? Try it. I promise you will feel better.

Enjoy the day!

{Trina}

Finding Balance...

30 Day Spending Freeze - Part 3

We are 14 days into our 30 day spending freeze. We did so much better this week!  I am pretty excited about it too. And it sure does seem like all the charities and organizations are on the prowl right now. Yep, I said it.  Everyone is asking for money…11 different charities to be exact. And I get it. They are good causes.  But most will have to wait until next month.

I think that even when there is a spending freeze, you still need to have a sense balance in your life.  For instance, I need new sneakers for working out. They can wait for another couple weeks.  However, 2 nights ago there were sign ups for Boy Scouts at my son’s school.  And since he is really interested, how could I say no to that cute little first grader.  Balance.  Sometimes a “fun extra” really is a necessity.  After a few Miner adjustments, to our thinking, we signed him up. Pinewood Derby here we come (or whatever)!

So my tip for this week is simple. 

Find balance.  Some things, while not a necessity too living, are a necessity for personal growth and quality of this short and lovely life.

Here is the break down on our 2^nd week of spending.

Gas  for Car -			$57.51
Birthday gifts			$45.43
Tire Repair (bummer)-			$27.77
Gas for car -			$51.50
Boy Scouts -			$25.00
Van Heusen (returned a shirt) -			$18.17
Spending this week			$164.02
Total spending since Sept  16th			$715.96

Remember...the goal is to not have more than $1500 in spending until October 16th (the end of our credit card cycle).

Enjoy the day freely!

{Trina}

PS...We are in my hometown this weekend. The hubs and I wanted so badly to stop at our favorite pizza place for a slice, but we didn't.  I just took a picture and kept right on going. Frog and Toad would be proud of us!

Will Power according to Frog and Toad…

More tips for not spending any extra money

Last week we started our 30 day spending freeze. Yesterday, I let you know how much we spent in a week. I feel like it was a lot, but there were things that won’t show up again this month. And like I said yesterday, all we need is a little of will power.

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Temptation is everywhere.  And I think, do I really need it or do I want it? I was talking to some people about it yesterday and someone said, "I could never do that." Yes, they could if they really wanted too.

Some things that I will not be able to take part in while on the spending freeze…

• My family photographer is having a great session deal this weekend.
• Banana Republic Outlet just emailed me a coupon for an extra 30% off everything.
• Mommy’s night out at a really yummy restaurant.
• No pumpkins for decorating until after the 16th

But I have will power.  So I will say no.  And saying no is tough.  No one likes to disappoint others. 

Here are some more tips for more will power in your journey this month.

Will power

1. Skip the Sunday circulars in the newspaper.  It is all psychological…they make you feel like you need what they are selling.
2. If you feel the urge to “shop”, set your timer for 5 minutes and browse a couple websites, but do not have your wallet near you.
3. On the weekends, take a walk with your family instead of getting in the car. (Added bonus…saving money on gas).
4. If you are running errands, take your list and add the necessary places to it and only give yourself 1 hour.  When the time is up, come home! If you know exactly where you are going and how long you have you will spend less money.                                                                            
5. There always seems to be things you want to buy when you aren’t “allowed”, so make a list of what you want.  At the end of your spending freeze look over the list and ask “Do I really need/ want it now?” If you do, then put it in your realistic budget. Try not to go crazy after the freeze, or the whole thing was for naught.

You can do it! We can do this!

Have an amazing shopping free week!

~Trina

30 Day Spending Freeze – Part 2

Week 1 - Total Spending

Last week we started our 30 day spending freeze. Today it is time to be accountable and let you know what we spent this week.  

We didn't spend any cash.  It is more difficult to keep track of cash purchases. All necessities were bought with our VISA, and we will pay the balance in total at the end of the month.  

Disclaimer: I do not advocate credit card debt.  In fact I hate it.  We thought long and hard about how we make purchases.  Going this route gives us travel points. Using a credit card wisely can work in your favor.

Anywho...the spending....

Groceries               $270.29    (This is for 2 weeks)

Gas in Car #1        $53.97

Gas in Car #2        $58.66

Grocery                 $ 5.08        (Oops, I forgot to take my lunch to school one day)

ADT                      $ 31.02

Itunes                     $10.69     (Nothing fun here. An app Matt needed for work.)

Netflix                    $7.99       (Forgot to suspend it for the month)

Gas in car #1         $56.23

After school care    $58.00 

                            

 Total (Sept 16- Sept 22)                            $ 551.93

Wow! Seeing it totaled I am thinking that is a lot, but we can do this! No more than $1500 on our VISA this month.  It is usually $2000 or more.  All it takes is a little will power.

Free fun we had this week...

• The balloon festival moon glow and fire works
• Water skiing and boat ride on the lake with our dear friend who we haven't seen in 11 years!   (Thanks, JJH!)
• Angry Bird Pizza Party (made by the hubs, I might add)
• Watching B. play in his soccer game
• Family game night

How are you doing with your spending freeze?

Happy Saving!

~Trina

30 Day Spending Freeze 

How to find more money in your monthly budget

A couple years ago the hubs and I did a 30 day spending freeze.  We didn't buy anything that wasn't a necessity. No date nights, no restaurants, no coffee,  no Target (gasp)!  At first I went through withdrawal, especially when it came to driving past Target without stopping.  But after a couple days (OK, maybe a week) I forgot about it and didn't think about shopping. I even started to enjoy going for groceries because if gave me a chance to get that shopping itch out of my system without breaking our freeze.  

What the spending diet taught me...

1. I don't need half of the things that I buy.  
2. The kids don't need half of the things we buy them. 
3. And saving some extra money feels so good!

So here we are again...spending freeze time from September 16th - October 16th. 

How it works...

The budget for the month only includes

• Utilities
• Insurance
• Mortgage
• Necessities (food, gas, daycare)
• No extra "fun"

Since we put all our spending on the VISA and pay the balance off at the end of each month we should be able to track it fairly easily. We usually have the same budget every month for the VISA, but a lot of the time it ends up being higher. Ugh! 

Here is a sample budget that I made on excel to give you an idea.  I balanced the income with bills down to $0. Sometimes I leave $100 for any miscellaneous expenses that pop up.  But as you can see in this budget the person would be able to save $1000.

Pay	$       3,000.00	Income 1
	$       3,101.00	Income 2
Total Income	$       6,101.00
Total Expenses	$       6,101.00
extra	$                   -

September 2012
Mortgage	$ 1,500.00
VISA  - (Sept 16 - Oct 16) *	$ 1,400.00
HOA Dues	$   80.00
Electric	$ 108.00
Cable. Internet. Phone	$ 185.00
Gas	$ 115.00
Car Insurance	$ 140.00
Life Insurance	$   73.00
Taxes/ Home Insurance	$450
Student Loan	$ 300.00
Daycare	$ 750.00
Total Expenses	$5,101.00
Savings Account	$400
Extra Money Saved	$ 600

*Usually the VISA might be $2000, which means by cutting out all the unnecessaries this person found and extra $600.

What goes on the VISA

After School Care $249

Groceries $ 600

Gas $400

Karate $120 (Sept 11 - Oct 6)

Alarm   $31.00

Why do it for only 30 days?

We could continue this for longer. And trust me after you do this for a month it is a lot easier to continue.  However, we figure we have to have a little fun in this life of ours. So 30 days here and there doesn't make it seem like a chore.

How do I avoid spending?

1. Don't go to the stores, coffee shops or restaurants.  Simply avoid them. 

2. If you have to go shopping (only necessities) make a list and stick to it.  Buy nothing extra. 

3.Do not make extra trips to the grocery store. Those little $3.99 trips really add up! And you can live without those grapes until the next shopping day.

4. Leave your wallet at home or in the car.  If you have to go outside to get it, then you will most likely think twice about buying.

5. Feel the need to bring something home?  Go to the library and load up on books and movies.

How much extra money did we save the last time we did the Spending Freeze?

The first time we did it, we ended up saving an extra $400 that month.  Not to shabby. After making a few Miner adjustments, this time our goal is to save an extra $500.  

Goals this time around...

Every Friday this month I'll give you a weekly update on our spending.  It will keep me accountable. 

To start...my budget for the VISA is $1500 (it is usually $2000).  We cannot go over it to make our  goal of saving an extra $500 above what we normally save.

So how about it? Want to join the spending freeze with us?  It is so good for the soul....and your bank account.

Happy Saving!

~Trina