Spend No Money March is OVER!

At the end of this month, I need to give myself credit for another week of bringing my lunch to work ($35) and a whole month of not eating at restaurants. That one is hard to figure, because I never really kept track of how much that was. I'd guess I spent about $85 a week on dinner and drinks in the past. So $340 total. And now...... Grant total saved by not buying things: $743!!!!!!!!

Complete list of confessions: fish water ($3), museum parking ($22), flowers and a magazine while grocery shopping ($12), donuts for Dan's birthday ($22), brunch ($100), gifts of bread for assistance with the nieces ($8), bowling ($11), beer while bowling ($40), Easter basket goodies ($35), birthday museums beers and video games ($100), beer on the last day of Spend No Money March and the day before no wheat April ($15). Grand total spent on things: $368

It ended up being a pretty good ratio of savings to "cheats," and calling many of these things cheats is a bit unrealistic. It would be next to impossible to keep the fish alive, see your friends and family, and feel like you are treating yourself well while actually spending zero.

Not purchasing coffee on a regular basis is probably a new habit, as is bringing lunch to work. I like saving on those things. This weekend I'll review this blog and think about the things I really want to buy. And then I'll start a new blog for No Wheat April!

Thursday, March 24 to Tuesday, March 29

There were quite a few cheats over the past few days, and a lot of thoughts of shopping come April. In particular:

   

These are more things that I will probably buy come March, so I cannot add them to the total of money saved. At the end of the week I will factor in another week of bringing lunch from home, a whole month of not going to restaurants, and a whole month of no coffee from coffee shops. It's interesting that I have stopped thinking about those things, more or less.

My list of confessions is having a big impact on me. Even when I am trying not to spend money, I still spend a lot of money! This probably adds up to a few thousand dollars a year. Yikes!

Running list of confessions: fish water ($3), museum parking ($22), flowers and a magazine while grocery shopping ($12), donuts for Dan's birthday ($22), brunch ($100), gifts of bread for assistance with the nieces ($8), bowling ($11), beer while bowling ($40), Easter basket goodies ($35), birthday museums beers and video games ($100).

Running total saved by not buying the things I wanted: $272

Sneak preview: I've been enjoying the cold turkey (ish) approach to changing behaviors. Next month will likely be "No Wheat April," and perhaps I'll write about that too.

Tuesday, March 15 to Wednesday, March 23

When you get into the habit of anything, it becomes a less interesting endeavor. I suppose that is why I have not posted in more than a week. And I think it is a good sign! Bringing lunch to work is no longer a big deal, and I don't have so many shopping cravings. Success!

I am sure that I have thought about buying a bunch of things over the last week, but the only thing that has really stuck is a kit to learn how to weave wall hangings.

I didn't buy it, but I won't include it in the tally of how much I've saved because I will probably buy it come April. I will, however, add another $35 to what I've saved by not buying lunch at work. I also feel I saved about $15 by bringing homemade brownies to a party instead of beer. At the end of the month I will have to think about how much I saved by not going out to dinner as well.

Running list of confessions: fish water ($3), museum parking ($22), flowers and a magazine while grocery shopping ($12), donuts for Dan's birthday ($22), bowling ($11), beer while bowling ($40)

Running total saved by not buying the things I wanted: $272

Saturday, March 12 to Monday, March 14

I though Spend No Money March would be a month of little activity, but the kindness of everyone around me has kept me busy. On Saturday, Colin's parents took us to the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, and Colin took us to dinner at Highland Kitchen. I got into Thunder Road free of charge as a drum carrier / Luddy groupie, and Tom bought me a beer! What a great day for $22 in parking only!

  

Sunday I went to the grocery store to do some top-up shopping and spend $60, but that's okay because I am allowed according to the rules set up on March 1.

Things I thought about: a turkey baster, new work flats, a nice umbrella

    

Things I wanted: another beer ($8), chocolate ($4)

  

Running list of confessions: fish water ($3), museum parking ($22), flowers and a magazine while grocery shopping ($12)

Running total saved by not buying the things I wanted: $222