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So I am a week done with my no spend August Challenge. To learn about the challenge go here. Week one was from Friday the 1st till Friday the 8th. I think it hasn’t been so bad actually.
Week one Update
we spent $46 on gas
We spent $115 on groceries.
I spent $45 on blogging fees but I used my Paypal money. I try to use money I make from blogging to pay my blog costs. So if you buy ad space from me no that it does help make improvements to the blog.
I know that I can do better on groceries. This is where I need to make a better effort with meal planning and figure out couponing.
We are trying to build up our pantry a little so that we can have things on hand for the rest of the month and only buy perishables like bread, milk, cheese, etc.
I did realize that we have a lot of things on auto pay and that we might not need them all. I’m keeping Netflix because it’s something for the whole family and it saves us from buying a lot of movies, especially kids movies for Isabella.
There were a couple things for me on the computer and I realized it was adding up so I canceled two things which will save us $15 a month.
I think that’s one of the best things I’ve found so far about doing this is how closely I am paying attention to what we are spending money on. I should’ve been paying better attention all along but I haven’t been and that’s going to be a benefit of this challenge I wasn’t expecting.
I did let my husband pay $4 on fast food once. He was really hungry after work one night, if he gets too hungry it can trigger his epilepsy seizure so I’d rather pay $4 to keep him safe and healthy to get home than risk a seizure and him get in an accident. So it was worth it.
Other than that one time we got no fast food, take out, etc. I struggled with wanting to pick something up a couple times but it was fine. I really wanted to rent movies a few times but my husband said no and kept reminding me of the challenge. I also bought a magazine when I went grocery shopping and I have to remind myself not to do that when I go to the store.
I am really excited for this challenge and pleased with how well my family is doing. It hardly even has felt like a struggle but we are only a week into it.
I am also really excited about how many of my readers have said they want to do something like this in their own family. I think you all should and if you are let me know so I can support you. Getting so much great support has been really encouraging and made it easier for me.
I’m also extending my promo code for 25% off any ad through the challenge. Use the code yourock because really all of you do rock and have made this challenge doable for me.
no purpose, this pig is just so cute
Katie says
Wow! Congrats on doing so well so far! Grocery shopping is one that always gets me. I try so hard to meal plan but it never goes as well as I’d hoped.
Katie recently posted…That time I quit my job…
Karissa says
Thank You! I’m going to try to do a meal plan for next week. I’ve just got to do it.
Michelle Snow says
Nice job on being so cost effective! I definitely need to tighten up the belt a little bit on my spending. I like the pig picture at the end as well!
Michelle Snow recently posted…You’re Only Given One Little Spark of Madness. You Mustn’t Lose It: My Memory of Robin Williams
Deidre says
I always try to use the money I make from blogging to pay for my blogging too. So much easier.
Deidre recently posted…Two Year Q&A with Adam
Joelle says
That’s a great challenge! I’ve done a no-spend challenge before, but it hasn’t been this intense. Usually, just no new clothes or anything unnecessary like that – fast food and magazines are totally necessary, in my opinion 😉 Good luck for the rest of the month my dear! xoxo
Joelle recently posted…Joelle Vlogs :: Why Charming
Lindsay says
This is such a great challenge! Gas and groceries really do add up and that is probably my biggest money spending!
Lindsay recently posted…Vegan Dog Treats
Jessica says
This is one of the newer challenges I’ve seen going around. I’m big on making a budget and a huge cheapskate, so I love this!
Jessica recently posted…Weekly Blessings: Week 7
Chelsea says
I REALLY need to do this. My boyfriend is going back to school at the end of this month for 16 months total, and he won’t be working full time for all that time because he’ll be in school full time, so he’ll just have some sort of sucky paying night job part time most probably. We are going to have to SCRAPE!
Chelsea recently posted…Top 10 Dorm Must-Haves
Andrea Nugent says
Great job! I wish I could make my grocery bill that low… between the four of us and all of our dogs, we always spend way more than that.
Andrea Nugent recently posted…Haute Day #BohoChic Contest
Katie Matthews says
That pig is too damn adorable! He’s smiling too!
This is actually really good. I spend so much every month and it’s really bad. I literally don’t know where it goes most of the time – clothes I think :/ I went through a phase of writing everything down which I think I need to pick up again so I start to save a bit more!
Katie <3
Katie Matthews recently posted…Summer Stripes
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
You are doing so great with this!!! 🙂
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted…Lazy Daisy and feeling more prepared for birth – #34 weeks
Karissa says
Thank you!
myrabev says
I think its a great idea to have a spending ban, I did it last year around this time and I ended up saving a lot. This time I want to clear my student debt so have cancelled everything I do not really need. Good luck with it all
myrabev recently posted…{Book Review} Green Smoothies: The weight loss & detox secret
Ayana Pitterson says
This is a great challenge. I am in the process of doing something similar and it’s definitely hard for our family. But we are sticking to it and hopefull can see some really differences soon.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Alyssa says
such a great way to keep up with your billing. my brother in law created a spread sheet that helped them keep track of their money, so creative I say.
Alyssa recently posted…Dawson, party of three!
Jessica Doll says
Great job! I struggle with our grocery bill all the time. I do meal-plan but I only buy organic if it’s available so our bill is never attractive. 🙁
Jessica Doll recently posted…Travel Tips / Fit On The Go + Giveaway
Leanna Ranieri says
This is really awesome! I love that you are doing this! I am trying to do something similar to this as well. It isn’t necessarily a challenge, but it is more of a personally goal, because I am so tight on money and I am really trying to save up for a car! So couponing is the way to go! I do it all the time and love it!
Karissa says
Couponing is the one thing I need to figure out.
Rochelle says
That is such a great challenge to take on. It’s something I should do, but need to psych myself up to do! When I go for it I’ll let you know so you can hold my hand – I’ll need it!
Karissa says
I will be there. It’s a good experience.
Jenn @ hellorigby! says
Wow, impressive so far! I don’t think I’d be able to do this, great job Karissa!
Jenn @ hellorigby! recently posted…5 Things You May Not Know About Me + A Giveaway!
Karissa says
Thank you!
kellyjean says
We are going to do this in September. As well as an overtime overload for my husband.
Karissa says
Good luck on your challenge, I’m learning a lot doing it.
Lauren says
That is a great challenge to learn where your money is going. I remember clipping coupons but it was hard to find healthy items that had coupons in the newspaper 🙁 Great job!
Lauren recently posted…Happy Mail Project – August Partners List
Brooke @ You're In Brookelynn says
This is an awesome idea! I definitely need to start cutting back on my spending as well; as a college student moving into her own apartment soon, I definitely need to save up all the money I can! I’m looking forward to seeing how your challenge goes, good luck! 🙂
Brooke @ You’re In Brookelynn recently posted…What I Wore: Peace, Love, & Ukuleles
Sarah says
Good on you for doing this, I’d be awful I can’t seem to go a day with out spending money on things we really don’t need 🙂
Rebekah says
Only $115 on groceries is amazing to me – we easily spend $60 a day on groceries and it’s the big thing we need to work on.
Rebekah recently posted…Polish Me Silly – Freckles
Carly Anderson says
You’re doing so wonderful this far! I think the first week would be the hardest. I definitely need to do this with my family.
Carly Anderson recently posted…I Scream for Ice Cream Giveaway
Michelle {Fun On a Dime} says
What a great challenge. It’s easy to let those monthly charges add up. I need to re-look at we are spending too!
Michelle {Fun On a Dime} recently posted…Family Chores {Part 1}
Jess says
Good job keeping up with the challenge! I’m getting married in February and I’m try SO hard to do a spending freeze but it’s been so impossible! Also, cute piglet, I LOVE IT!
Jess recently posted…Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cubes
Raewyn says
Congrats! You’re doing great! I’ve been paying closer attention to mine and my hubby’s spending lately. We aren’t on a freeze, but we are spending way less. I’m hoping it helps!
Raewyn recently posted…Mental Illness and Anxiety