Are you capable of facing the "no-spend challenge" for the month of January? After stretching the budget in December beyond reasonable boundaries, we may need to rein in expenses in order cover the bills we'll soon be getting in the mail.
Retailers continue to lure us in to their stores with January sales but do we really need more stuff? And can we be entertained without spending money at restaurants and movies?
It isn't possible to completely eliminate spending as there are still the necessities of life that we cannot be without. This is a challenge to buy only what we need and no extras. Why not make it a fun adventure by challenging the whole family. Sit down and discuss what the benefits are of doing this and what can be gained. Maybe even come up with a goal you can save for like a spring break vacation.
While a no-spend month will come with challenges, there is also the gratification in achieving the goal of saving money.
Here are a few ideas on how not to spend:
- Have family nights of activities by dusting off old board games.
- Take out the DVD collection and watch favourite movies or download movies for free.
- Clip coupons (which can even be done on-line) and plan your shopping trip for groceries before you leave the house.
- Visit the library and pick up books, CD's and magazines.
- Have a pot luck dinner and swap night with your friends. Have everyone bring three things of similar value and swap with each other.
- Look for free community events and activities.
- Actually use craft supplies you've bought and start tackling some of those projects you've been meaning to do for ages.
- Organize your closet and take inventory of your wardrobe.
- Organize a clothing swap with some of your friends.
- Check out the websites of local museums to see if there are any days that offer free admittance.
A no-spend month doesn't have to be a Spartan time. It can be an opportunity to promote family closeness by looking at creative ways to share the challenge.
