january no spend challenge

I'm joining Carla at My Half Dozen Daily for a January No-Spend Challenge.  Want to join me?  You can challenge yourself to a week, two weeks, or the entire month.  It's up to you!  And it's up to you to set your own "rules".   Since everyone's goals will be different, everyone's challenges will be different.    My goal will be to spend 10% less in January 2012 than we did in January 2011.  My goal is for our total expenses (fixed and variable) is $6688.

My rules are pretty much the same as Carla's:

1.  Track every purchase.

2.  Continue with the Sealed Pot Challenge.  Any loose change at the end of the day goes into the pot.

3.  Plan menus based on what we have on hand.  Shop from a list and shop with a plan.

4.  Find some free entertainment!  Enjoy all of our Christmas goodies.  Go for a hike on nice days.  Enjoy the fire pit on cold ones!  Go to the library.  Study my Italian lessons!

5.  Clean and purge.  Spend time going through the house and eliminating clutter and things we no longer want or need.  Donate instead of spend!  It's a free activity and it will feel good to get it done!

6.  Exceptions:  If something of necessity comes up (medical, Rx, car problems, etc.), I will address it in January versus waiting until February!  Charitable giving continues as well.

7.  No stocking up!  Stocking up the pantry on New Year's Eve is a no/no.  The goal is to spend less...not to spend it all in December and/or February!

I'm really looking forward to starting the year off this way!  The end of each year is always an expenditure whirlwind!  Between the boys Birthdays (Oct/Nov) and Christmas, our 3rd quarter is always spend, spend, spend!!!  And why you may ask am I participating in this challenge when a budget is in place already?  Because I've learned that even though we have a budget, something always comes up.  Either someone gets sick, or the house floods, or a car breaks down.  By coming in under budget on some months, this helps with our "cushion".  That way when something "comes up" we have extra money and hopefully won't have to take it out of savings.