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Week two Update.
I am on to week three now and we are half way through no spend August.
Overall another good week I think. Spent a bit more on groceries but that includes medication which ups my bill by about #30. It’s a necessity though for me to stay on my prescriptions though. Thank Goodness for insurance though. We would be paying over $1000 a month in medications with out insurance and it only costs us around $50 a month. So much better and more doable.
What we spent.
groceries: $131
gas: $47
This week feels like we spent a lot because a lot of bills were due, so money is gone but not on fun things. Still have avoided Target and haven’t bought anymore books or movies. It’s tough but I’m glad that we are doing it.
Bella is so funny though. She asked me today. ” How many days are left in August, in our month?” I asked her why she said she just wanted to know. I told her about twelve. She didn’t like that answer so I asked her what she wanted to spend money on, since I got the feeling that’s what it was about. What she wanted was, usually we let her play the games at the front of the store, where you can win toys, She’d get a few dollars to spend on it when she went grocery shopping. She hasn’t been able to do that. She also really wants to get Panda Express. Though we did let her get a little something from Mc Donald’s and a drink for me. I think it’s important for her to be included in doing this with us. She gets spoiled a lot, some by us and also she has a lot of grandparents who adore her and she gets a lot. I want her to appreciate that sometimes you have to watch your spending and ease up on extra fun things when you are a little tight.
I have extended 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.
I’m loving all the fabulous feedback and support I’m receiving on this challenge. It means the world to me that you are all supporting my family’s challenge.
lynette says
It’s so hard not to spend no money. I’ve managed not to use my credit card since end of July. So at least any spending is coming from my account not credit
Suzzie says
I second the thank goodness for insurance! We just had a baby and I can’t believe how expensive it would have been without it.
Suzzie recently posted…Wellness Wednesday: Learning About Oils
Karissa says
Yes when I had my stroke and was hospitalized for a month and all the testing. It would have been close to a million dollars without insurance. Insane!
Neely Stoller says
I love that you guys are including her and making her aware. So important to learn.
Neely Stoller recently posted…Showered With Love
Karissa says
We aren’t very good with money and hoping to teach her to be better than us.
Trish says
This is awesome! I go through phases I call “No Spending Sprees” where I literally don’t buy anything outside groceries and gas as well. It’s freeing! The best part is I usually forget what I wanted to buy!
Karissa says
Awesome. This is the first time we’ve done anything like this before.
Ayana Pitterson says
Great idea to involve your little one! It’s an awesome lesson for them to learn about the value of money at their age, as it only makes them more conscious of these things when it’s truly required.
Rebekah says
Can’t blame her for wanting panda express – it’s so tasty! Great lesson for her though 😀
Rebekah recently posted…Mani Monday – #HePicksMyPolish
Paris at My Big Fat Happy Life says
You are doing great! It’s so hard not to spend money.
Sarah says
I swear we would die without having insurance for medications. Between, all of us and our meds it would come to about $4200 per month….. and thats a lot.
Sarah recently posted…Hospital, Wheelchairs, and Crutches OH MY!!!
Lisa Riggs says
Insurance is a life saver!! You save so much money in the long-run. Great job on saving!
Jessica says
Thanks for extending the promo code! Only a few days left! You’re doing so well!
Katie Matthews says
Your daughter is beautiful! I think it’s amazing that you’re doing so well with this no-spend thing. I would literally suck at this. Especially weekends when I want to go out for a nice cocktails!
Katie <3
Katie Matthews recently posted…Swimsuit in the City
brita says
what an awesome challenge! I should really look into doing something like this
Shipra says
I love having a monthly budget, only because it keeps you disciplined. Not only that, it just feels good to stay under (if at all possible)! Good going on trying to keep up! Your daughter is just too sweet! <3
Shipra recently posted…MAC A Novel Romance (Partial) Collection Photos, Swatches, and Review
Chrissy says
Oh man! I have wanted to do this soooo badly, but we have no had a single month where it has been possible since moving cross country. I wanted to do it before the Holidays, but we have a wedding next month, the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas… maybe in January? Oiy!
I think it’s amazing you are including your daughter, it’s so important to teach our littles how important budgeting and balance are.
Chrissy recently posted…Saturday Link Love 08/16
Karissa says
I understand, I’ve wanted to do it before but no other months had worked.
Jessica Doll says
Stay strong! My son does chores to earn points for his own spending money or screen time. It works out really well and now I know if he wants to buy something because he asks if I have any chores for him to do.
Jessica Doll recently posted…Travel Tips / Sun Protection On The Go
Alicia @ Felt With Love Designs says
Hang in there! August is almost over!
Alicia @ Felt With Love Designs recently posted…Captain Kirk Deskmate (+Free Pattern!)
Joanna Sormunen says
I had my vacations this month, so I spent a lot. But we did do no speding months on June and July to have the money to spend on the vacations, lol
Joanna Sormunen recently posted…How to spoil the renewal in the church – Part 4
Ashliegh says
I love that you are including your daughter in the challenge! Teaching money skills early on is so important and i’m glad my parents did that with me when I was younger!
ashliegh says
I’m so glad that you are including your daughter in this challenge! Teaching those money skills early on is so important. I’m grateful my parents did that for me when I was younger!
aleshea says
How people make it without insurance I will never know. And good job with trying to stick to your budget
Cat says
I’m always so impressed by people who can do no-spend challenges! It’s something that would probably be really good for me to try, since I definitely am a bit too lose with my wallet. I agree that it’s a great lesson to teach your daughter!
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
Cat recently posted…5 Things I’m Grateful For, or The Get to Know Me Post
Rochelle says
I think it’s a great idea that you’re including your daughter in on your goals. It’s never too early to learn about budgeting and controlling your spending habits! Y’all are doing great! Good luck with the next 12 days
Rochelle recently posted…Build Your Own Home Ec
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
You are doing so well with this. Keep up the great work!
jordan says
It really is a good lesson for her in all of this! How fab! Not too far away now!
jordan recently posted…A Traditional Horchata
kristine foley says
You are doing so awesome! Go you!
Karissa says
Thank you so much!
Deidre says
I would be with your daughter. I struggle with saving. But you are an inspiration in that!
Deidre recently posted…The Husband of a Blogger
Karen says
Your challenge is really good! I have a few family members that are shopaholics. They have the need to buy *something* lol! I, on the other hand, like to $ave Money and only spend on what is really needed. I will see if I can get my parents to try this. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Carly Anderson says
I love that you are including your daughter in this challenge! It is so important for kids to learn that you sometimes can’t have everything you want and have to save money.
Carly Anderson recently posted…BeautyCon
cam | bibs and baubles says
I give myself a pat on the back every day that I don’t spend money. I’m getting really good at not spending money unless I need too.
Bravo to your family for taking on this challenge!
cam | bibs and baubles recently posted…Vanity Fair’s #LiftTour
Raewyn says
This is so awesome!!! I like that your daughter is working on it with her!
Raewyn recently posted…Wedding Wednesday: Dancing Fiends
Sarah says
Congrats on making it another week on this challenge. I still always get shocked when people talking about medication bills, I live in country where all prescriptions are free, so can’t imagine having to pay for them 🙂
Sarah recently posted…Thrifting Thursday
Hannah says
Did you set rules for your no spend month? It’s really hard.
Karissa says
Yes, if you go to the first post in the series it explains the rules. Basically just trying to spend little on groceries and gas, pay bills and try to spend nothing on extras or non-essentials.
Jaimie says
This is great! And its awesome you include your daughter!
Jaimie recently posted…Get to Know Me: 20 Fun Facts
Astrid Delgado says
I should probably do a no spend month. It’s so tough though, but proud of you for including your daughter since it really will pay off in the end.
Ashley says
Love that she’s so involved with the whole thing! Shows her how saving is important early on.