I bought a new box of clay for my class.

This was a definite set back, because I have clay, but I just do not have time to rewedge and prepare what I need for class.

This is an example of overscheduling, disorganization, and sunk cost (I already paid for the class, so I need clay so I don't waste the class fee) costing me money.

I am NOT going to sign up for a class in March and April. No matter how tempting the offerings are. I will focus on getting ready for the spring sale, working on my home studio, and using up what I have.

We are eating both the newly bought food and things we already had. A good balance I think.

Today I spent money registering for an all day workshop for pottery teachers. It is really good value though - I go every year. Not only are the class sessions useful and inspirational, it includes lunch, breakfast, and beverages all day. Plus there are vendors who show up and give you free stuff. The free stuff is sometimes worth more than the $25 the workshop costs. It is good stuff too - like glaze or brushes, not just stickers and pens and tote bags.

Well, I think being aware is a step in the right direction. We are both being more aware of our spending and adjusting down.

I had to place another order (because I've been sick, and needed some soup and fruit and simple foods I could eat) and then today I got prescribed 2 meds, and either had to go drive to get them or order $35 of stuff to get them delivered for free. So I have another order coming today. Annoying but I am too sick to be going to the other store to use my gift cards.

Last night I watched the new show Toxic (America's food supply) with Jillian Michaels and it was very good. It got me thinking about trying to not just NOT buy things, but to eat ore natural foods as well. I have done better in that regard, but the show talked about ultra processed foods and looking at how many ingredients are in things, and could you make this in your kitchen or are the ingredients too weird? So from now on, I will be paying more attention to ingredient labels. Ideally eating things that don't have a label, like fresh produce. And trying to find options for things like crackers that have fewer and healthier ingredients, or make my own when I feel up to it.

I am irritated at my visa bill again, so obviously I need to pay more attention to what I spend.

Week one. Was not a great start.

$315 (rounded) at the grocery store to restock things "we" were out of - mostly wine, beer, chips, salsa, cereal, frozen ready to cook things and meat. I do drink the wine, and will eat some of the frozen food (fries and spring rolls) if Dh cooks it. Also, one box of cereal was mine for "treat" food, and I bought soda.

My goal is still to use as much as possible from the freezer , pantry, and farm so that all that prepared food will last as long as possible!

Those are great questions, SubC! I will use those as well. I had to place an order this morning which was annoying, but it was prescription delivery and pet safe ice melt. It is sleeting and my only other choice was to go out and get them, so I added a few more things and placed an order for approx $100.

I think that should be the only order I need to make this month!

Happy January Lila,

I would like to join you on your no spend/low spend January.

Dh and I have set some shopping rules:
Can we use/fix something we already have instead?
Can we make it?
Can we borrow it?
Can we buy it second hand?
Can we buy it locally made?
Can we buy it not from China?
Can we do without it?

Some wants are allowed, but they have to be things that really add value to our lives or will become needs later and make sense to buy now - for example, my jeans are getting worn out - I currently have enough, but if I find a cheap pair that fits well in good condition at a thrift shop, I will buy them instead of waiting until I am down to one pair and have to buy new.

I am also working on planning meals around food that is already in the house.

The only spending I know I need to do this month is my garden order, one or two trips to the feed store, and fill in groceries.

Well I have been thinking about doing another no spend of some sort, because I am so annoyed and frustrated at my credit card bills. I do pay them off every month, but I always look at all the charges and go what is this for?? When did I spend that?? Because it does not give specifics, just general info on where the money went like amzon, paypl, etc. While I did not spend NEARLY as much in December (because I kept the habit of not going to drive thrus or ordering food delivered etc and not buying a lot of junk, but eating mostly what I have), it still feels like I am spending too much. I am sure part of that was just because it was Christmas, too.

I have a couple of January birthdays to shop for this week, but then I think in January I am going to try and spend as little as possible to try and get my bank account back up. I have a smaller than usual paycheck for December.

So I will use the gift cards I have left for any groceries etc (they are for a specific store that does not deliver and has construction around it, so I kind of avoid that store). Will keep eating what I hae in the freezers and pantry, buying only what I need to round it out, like fresh produce or an ingredient for a recipe - using the gift cards.

I have a few regular expenses like car and health insurance and such, but if I can do a month of no credit card charges, I will get back to a comfortable state with my finances. I have a little cash I can use if I really want something.

Today I thought, it would be so nice to have a grilled cheese with tomato soup! And I thought about opening a can. Then I realized I have 3/4 can of crushed tomatoes in the fridge from when I made something else. So I poured that into a pan, added a little broth, garlic oil, butter, onion powder, salt and pepper and it is simmering. I think it will be a good tomato soup. I might add some basil some something as well, and I have bread and cheese for a grilled cheese.

Baking for the holidays is good, and baking for loved ones!

I am getting better also about "my body is not a dumpster." I have always felt like I HAVE to eat the leftovers or freeze them, even if I don't like the food that much. I don't want to be wasteful, but if no one in my home likes something I made and I don't like it either and can't make it into something more appealing, it is OKAY to throw it away.

I had a few leftovers in my fridge no one wants. Today I tossed them all. I could have forced myself to eat it for lunch - and if I was desperate, I would - but I have enough and can just eat something I like better.

When we stopped at the grocery store yesterday, Dh bought a bunch of processed food. Frozen meals for lunches, snacks and desserts. We also got the fudge ingredients and the things we needed but didn't have to make dinner. We will be using some of what is in the fridge and cupboard for that.

I need to get back to baking so he doesn't feel deprived. January.

SubC lol... I literally still have 2 PCs on my kitchen counter and 3 old laptops in my bedroom in the corner! I have a problem!! I need to consolidate everything. Somehow! Photos on all of them!

I will try to do at least the newest old laptop before the end of the year.

Tonight I was so hungry and saw an ad for cheesesteaks, omg I wanted one SO bad, but I don't eat meat. I have a new mindset from the last 40 days and immediately started thinking what I have that I can make. I had part of a package of impossible burger (plant based) in the freezer and also found some chopped red and green peppers from the summer in the freezer, so started frying all that up, sliced some onion, found a can of mushrooms and added that, and some seasonings. Used part of the sourdough baguette, mayo and some cheese and it was fantastic!!! I have enough meat/veggies for 2 more sandwiches.

Feeling good.

Lila, that sounds like a good shopping list!

I'm glad you got the new laptop. Now, did you clean off and recycle the old laptop?

My January will be heavy on squash rice, and potatoes.

You are doing good SubC, with your changes and using what you have more often!

Well I made it! I did the no buying any food for 40 days (since Oct) and last night to celebrate I bought a pizza and this morning got a grocery order, about $150. I am not "fasting" from spending this month, but, my intention is not to spend any more on groceries this year. I have a couple of grocery gift cards I can use to buy what I need without spending money. I was going to do that last night, but I was so sore and exhausted after work, I literally could not. Had my last big event of the year.

I ordered some oranges and lemons, veggies, more fruit, yogurts, creamer for my coffee (ahhh!), some dark chocolate to dip fruity things in, crackers, and some of my face cheeses like brie, sharp cheddar, gorgozola. I got ingredients to make fish stew today (with fish from the freezer and potatoes I already have), and to make marinated beans for the week, and 2 bottles of kombucha. It seems I have broken my candy, junk, and soda habit. I did not buy cookies or candy and I did buy ONE bag of plain chips that I am sticking in a cabinet for when I want a few with a sandwich. And I bought sourdough bread!!

I also bought OJ because I was missing having a little with breakfast on the weekends. I am so enjoying having this food! The yogurt and OJ this morning tasted better than ever!

All in all this was a wonderful discipline and really saved me a lot of money, probably $500 or more. Which is great because my laptop is dying and I was able to buy a new one on cyber Monday for $499! And it was an $800 laptop. A big win!

I also broke my awful fast food/coffee drinks habit and do not intend to pick that back up, although ordering the pizza was a celebration. I will limit those kind of things to once a week or less. It had gotten to the point of like 5 times a week, pretty bad.

Thank you for cheering me on in this! I will keep updating as I continue to use up the freezer and fridge food, like you!

Lila, I am impressed by your dedication to this.

I spent $50 at the grocery store yesterday. I wanted to make Dh a nice dinner because I knew he had had a rough day at work, so I bought shrimp and wine and some peppers. I also stocked up on his cereal, which was on sale, and gave into temptation and bought a gallon of apple cider.

There are leftovers and food still in the fridge and freezer, and he will be out of town until Friday night, but at some point I will need to buy groceries for our friends who are coming to dinner on Monday and our family, who are coming for the holidays with no time to shop after Dec 18!

I'm planning to finish the freezer/pantry drawdown in January.

omg I cannot wait til Thursday when I can buy food.

I have been continuing to eat from the freezer and pantry but am so over it.

Went by the food pantry last night and got cans of tuna and a can of pinto beans, and a can of condensed milk, not sure what that is for. This it the first time I have gotten any food since Oct, and it was free.

Last night and today I had tuna salad with the last of the last open box of crackers, and 2 slices of the last bit of cheese.

Breakfast was a toasted frozen waffle with frozen blueberries on top and syrup, and a piece of plant bacon. And coffee with milk which was in the fridge from ddil.

I am going to have an apple. And some tea. I am tired, and I want some real produce, so that is what I am having as soon as I can buy food, after 40 days, which is Thursday.

Good job SubC. Saving money and not indulging is my main goal.

I am going to make the soup today. I also have a few apples, and I took some fresh frozen cranberries out of the freezer. I sorted them and am soaking them in water mixed with a small jar of orange marmalade (a sample one from work) and will then shake them with powdered sugar and bake at 200 for 5 minutes. This is some kind of viral recipe, so I am looking forward to trying them.

I did not make the spaghetti squash yet but I did bake a plant based chicken patty and boiled some pasta, put some sauce and cheese over it like a chicken parmigiana, which I enjoyed last night. I also found a bag of bake and serve rolls in the freezer so have been eating one here and there. I also thawed out some broccoli soup (homemade) from the freezer for lunch today. I can have a roll with that. The rolls are a little old and a little hard but good enough.

Lila, I'm very impressed!

I just suggested fruit because I was concerned about your food groups, but you are doing great.

No one is bringing me food, but I still have not had to buy much food (except what we bought to contribute on our thanksgiving trip) I did buy another loaf of bread. The fridge is getting low, but we have lots of eggs and milk. It would be lovely to clear it out before the Christmas cooking. I'm trying to eat more rice, potatoes (I grew them) and pasta (part of my big stock up) instead of bread.

hi SubC! Thank you for your support and encouragement!

I feel good about this. I almost, ALMOST bought a food order and/or stopped at fast food or bought pizza, because I was so "over it", but I thought, hey. If I am considering this a fast, or a spiritual discipline, I would not quit when it gets hard. It is a greater discipline to continue WHEN it gets hard.

So I decided to continue on as is to 40 days as suggested by my pastor. Today is day 35. It has been more of a challenge but I am learning by doing this. I am growing in self discipline, not giving in to cravings, and being satisfied with what I have. Also not being as wasteful.

The other day I dug through the freezer and took out fish sticks and brussels sprouts for my dinner. At work there was a free donation of a lot of bags of frozen French fries, so I brought a bag home to have with the fish. When I went to cook the bag of brussels sprouts, I checked the date and it said 2012!!!!!!! I literally said out loud, 2012????? What????? and threw them out. I can hardly believe it!

So I got out some frozen peas and had those with the fish and fries and it was good.

I also have been eating cans of soup with crackers and cheese. I have almost no cheese left and just a little bot of other crackers.

My son bought bread and I got some free sample jars of jam from work, so this morning I had a apiece of toast with jams on it and some coffee. I am out of any kind of creamer, out of almond milk, so have been drinking it black. DDIL left some regular milk upstairs so I put a splash in my coffee today. Also have been drinking plain tea.

At an event I was in charge of at work, someone left a vegetable tray! so I brought it home and am deciding what kind of soup to make now that I have a handful of baby carrots and some celery sticks.

I have a spaghetti squash on the counter I am thinking of cooking this weekend. I have half a jar of pasta sauce (I had with spaghetti noodles this week) and some parmesan and a little mozzarella I can put on it too.

I can do this for 5 more days, and then have a nice celebration meal with fresh groceries! I am not going back to buying a ton of junk.

So how are you feeling about your accomplishment today?

I know you were thinking about continuing. What if you planned meals for this week to use as much old stuff from the freezer as possible and bought just fresh fruit to round them out?

We spent money on food for everyone at ds's place, but I think we have at least a week left here. I personally need to cut back because ddil put 5 lbs on me in 5 days!

I still have not spent anything on food this month.
I did not spend anything on fast food, coffee shop stops, or anything else like doordash or food delivery. No restaurants. I think I saved about $500. I am using part of that to buy Christmas presents - not ALL of it. Thankful to not be in debt for the holidays.

I have an urge to just throw out all the old stuff in the freezer and fill it with things I like, but there is no point in that because most of it is stil fine and whatever I buy would just get old anyway. I am going to be more cautious and judicious about what I purchase, when I start buying food again.

Happy Saturday.

Today, eating what I have:
- oatmeal with chopped fresh apple, walnuts, pomegranate arils, cinnamon

I am going to make some seasoned rice, because I have a lot of long grain rice in bags, some fresh garlic and cilantro, and plenty of herbs and bouillon.

With it, I will make a curry, because I went through the cabinet and found a jar of thai green curry paste and a can of coconut milk. I do not have much variety of veg, but I do have a small piece of onion, some garlic, part of a red pepper, and the cooked butternut squash, so those will go in. I also have ginger paste and lime juice to add. I think it will be yummy!

I also went to the deep freezer last night. There is a lot of old stuff that probably is not good anymore, but I found some fresh corn I cut off the cob last summer. I brought up a quart bag of that and will cook it in butter for dinner. I might make elote with it later, too, where you add a bit of mayo, lime, cilantro, chili powder, and cotija cheese. I have a small amount of cotija in the freezer.

I also had a snack of the rest of some veggie crisps chips from a bag.

Still chugging along, not spending any money on food. Doing fine. It is changing how I think. For example, I have plenty of crackers and cheese and such, but tend to just go buy crackers and cheese I like "better" and let things go stale or bad. I am doing better about this.

I am running low on eggs but still have maybe 10. I are butternut squash and an egg for breakfast.

I am almost out of plant based coffee creamer, but had enough to enjoy with coffee today. I do have half a carton of almond milk, so can use that or drink it black.

Lunch was leftover canned tomato soup with the last of a box of crackers and some spray cheese I found in the back of a cabinet. And half a can of lemonade tea that I forgot I had brought home from an event months ago. It was really good! I found it in a bag in my bedroom, lol.

For dinner I had a big salad of lettuce, pomegranate, and a Cuties clementine. I picked the Cutie up at the last dinner we had at work. I took one but saved it for later. I made a dressing from another half of an orange that looked pretty dried out, but tasted fine and had enough juice to squeeze onto the salad with a little olive oil, honey, garlic, and red wine vinegar. (Normally I would have run out and bought a bottle of dressing, but this was fine!) I also added some walnuts to my salad.

I had a snack of a slice of that little cake I made with ricotta that was past date but fine. I wanted frosting, so I mixed a little plain yogurt from the fridge with cocoa and powdered sugar and it was good on the cake.

Just now I ate two small plums (the last of them) and a couple slices of cheese (who knows what kind of cheese, just a small piece left in a baggie, but it tasted good).

It is kind of fun to figure out what to make or eat from what I have. I am thinking about oatmeal with apples and cinnamon for upcoming breakfasts so I don't run out of eggs. I have several apples and a container of oats.

Great work, SubC! One of my sons bought a 3D printer some time ago. I think plastic stuff is mostly cheap junk, but he does make some useful and cool things that he needs from it. He got it to design a special small stand for his good camera. And he makes some creative stuff as well.

I am proud of myself for not spending any money on food so far this month and we are over halfway through. When I have had cravings or wanted certain things, I made due.

I really wanted to order pizza but I found a few slices frozen in the freezer and ate those.

I wanted cake, cookies, etc but instead I found a slice of plum bread in the freezer one night, made a little dish of peanut butter fudge another night, and just ate fruit the other times. I also found some hard candies in the cabinet, and one or two of those fixes the sweet tooth. I also drink hot tea for "dessert" some night, plain or with a little honey.

I have been thawing frozen things to eat, and making soup every week. I made potato soup last week and added dill and chopped pickles to it and that was good. Today I need to make a new soup for the week.

I have only told 2 people locally what I am doing because I don't want people feeling like I need them to bring me food. Neither of them would do that. Other people who don't know, have given me some food. A friend had a lot of potatoes and gave me a bag of them this week.

I also had several free meals at work as we often cook for my programs, so this week I had 3 dinners at work plus 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches - way more than usual.

My son bought some bananas and bread the other day and offered me some (he also does not know what I am doing, but he is single so occasionally buys more than he can use and shares with us) so I had 2 pieces of the bread to make a sandwich, and one banana.

Doing great, and should be out of debt with my next paycheck.

How are you doing Lila?

I fixed the two things! And I put the unrecyclable broken pieces in the trash.

We ate our leftovers and we have been eating out of the fridge, freezer, and pantry all weekend. Still plenty of food!

I went to the arts and crafts fair at the local high school (was annoyed by the surprise $2 admission - that was not on the advertising!) and bought some art for ddil. Following my "buy art from living artists" philosophy. Honestly, it was pretty disappointing. There was a good selection of crafts, but a lot of them were unoriginal - like, clearly the person programmed her embroidery machine and then just embroidered the same design on a bunch of things - which is great if you designed the embroidery, but they were obviously purchased programs. And lots of signs and objects painted from stencils, that sort of thing. (Yes, you get credit of you made the stencil. If you bought the stencil or printed it out and cut it - not so much.)

Also, 3D printing. I am so sick of 3D printing! Again, great if you created the design. But if you bought the printer and downloaded the design, you're neither an artist nor a craftsperson - you are a technician at best and a machine operator at worst. They made a big deal in the advertising about "everything hand made"

Ok, rant over. Sorry.

I have also purchased a few small things for grandsons from used book sellers and eBay.

Dh and I went out to dinner last night as a treat, but we still have plenty of food. We also brought home leftovers for tonight. One of my challenges is to not leave food in the fridge when we go to ds for thanksgiving that will be spoiled when we come back!

I did some regular and thrift shopping yesterday. I spent two dollars and 57 cents on some pieces to fix two items in my house, and 53 cents on a "new" display stand for my pottery booth.

I also ordered six months worth of nuts on sale free shipping from the place I like to order them from. There is once grocery store brand that is cheaper per ounce when it is on sale, but there is a significant quality difference, so I have decided the mail order place is the best choice. The mail order place is also bulk, so MUCH less packaging.

Lila, you are doing a really impressive job!

Being intentional is a good and important thing, SubC! Good going!

It is 1/3 the way through the month and I have spent $0 on food. In the last couple days I have
- cut up red and green peppers, froze most of the
- washed and boiled a small bag of little potatoes of various colors that someone gave me and put most of them in the fridge
- took some of the peppers and potatoes, plus some onion, and made home fries with an egg for lunch today
- re-blended and heated some tomato soup from the freezer for yesterday's lunch, along with a roll from the freezer
- had some cheese and crackers from the fridge
- boiled a few eggs for lunch and a snack
- ate the last of the yogurt and the last peach from the fridge

Still going strong. I have a lot of food to choose from. Maybe not what I would pick if I was shopping, but good food and it is healthier and not going to waste.

Lila, you are doing a very good job!

Healthy for your body and wallet!

I have also eaten a lot of food given to me this week, but unfortunately that food was tacos and pizza.

My big grocery shop was $284 (insert horrified face), but we are stocked up on a lot of things we use regularly at good prices, plus most of our groceries for the month (I may need a few fresh things
Later)

There is also an employee at school who gives me her Halloween decoration pumpkins every year for my chickens to eat. The Jack o lanterns go straight to the chickens, but she always has a variety of uncut pumpkins that go on MY porch until after thanksgiving! Then I cook some of them. This year she included two butternut squash - Buddy's favorite! So I will be cooking those early.

I spent my store cash on Legos for Bean for Christmas. It didn't cover the whole cost, but it was a good price on a set Dd had suggested for him that I also thought he would like. He loves Lego.

I also ordered a new swim suit because I have finally started back to swimming. I had two, but one is very old and could be worn out any day. I really need two for regular swimming, and when I checked the site that has good, durable suits I know I like, my favorite was on clearance and sold out in every size but mine. I took it as a sign.

So still spending, but still being intentional.

Update:

Today is Nov 7 and I have spent no money on food so far.

I am eating out of my fridge, freezer, and pantry.

Fridge: beets, lettuce, plums, apples, pickles, cheeses, broth I made from beef bones in the freezer
Freezer: pizza, corn fritters, soups, breads
Pantry: soups, crackers, teas with honey

other stuff I can't remember, but everything from what I already had or was given.

I also got fed free dinners at least 3x this week at work and was even given some leftovers to bring home.

So, so far, this is going very well, saving money, much less food waste, and eating healthier because I don't have much junk here.

That sounds like a good use of your funds, SubC.

Nov 1 and 2, nothing spent on food.

In those first 2 days I have eaten
- green beans given to me
- a piece of fish from the freezer
- roasted broccoli my son bought a couple weeks ago and needed to be cooked
- roasted garlic I already had
- roasted orange pepper, given to me
- coffee with plant creamer and honey I already had
- rhubarb lemonade made with the rhubarb someone gave me that I made into syrup, and lemons I had that needed to be used
- an egg with cheese and half a frozen bagel, all of which I already had

I think that is pretty much it. I spent nothing on food.

I also took beef bones from the freezer and made a quart of rich bone broth, which I will drink. I do drink broth sometimes - I just do not eat any meat. I cut the meat off for my sons.

I also sliced 2 lemons that needed to be used and they are on a plate in the freezer. I will out the slices into baggies in the freezer for later use, probably for tea.

I feel good about what I am doing.

Lila, better is good.

Just keep telling yourself "I will not get fast food today." Just "today".

I have decided that I will drive just a little bit out of my way tomorrow and stop at the bricks and mortar store where I have $20 to spend. If I don't find anything for my family for Christmas, I will buy a toy for the holiday toy drive.

I kind of hate it when places give you coupons or "cash" that you have to use in a short time. Feels like pressurized buying.

I am doing much better.

This week I did not go to the grocery store, and my plan was to not place any grocery orders either. However when I was getting my free prescriptions delivered from the store, I did add to the order: one head of lettuce, one bag of chips, and some Halloween candy. I regret it. I ate the chips but am not going to eat anymore of the candy - will hand it out at the door tomorrow. Regardless, my goal is to ONLY eat when I have or am given, (including the $30 in coupons I have for free produce before the end of Dec). That is it. I also did stop at fast food twice, which I also regret, and needs to stop.

But overall this is still better than I did the last few weeks, and now, I will STICK to my plan to eat what I have.

Hi Lila!

Did you get things organized?

I have started Christmas shopping for my boys, plus Birdy's birthday. I ordered Birdy's big birthday present (it was on sale) and had it sent to his house. We still haven't really decided how we are going to handle celebrating his birthday, because it is Christmas Eve. Last year I sent him multiple small gifts and he opened them whenever his mom felt like it in December. This year he has the one big gift plus a thrift shop find that goes with it. There is another thing I want to get for him, but it may be too much. I am already over what I spent on Bean and Buddy (not that anyone is comparing)

Every year I buy the boys new pajamas and a book at Thanksgiving. Ordered the pajamas on sale (the place I buy them has a sale every fall) and I have used books coming for Birdy. I need to find books for Bean and Buddy. Hopefully when Dd and I go thrifting on Sunday (we go the first Sunday of most months)

I also ordered some new Halloween decorations. I have given myself an annual decoration budget for each holiday. Halloween is one of my favorites and unfortunately I am technically over it by 50%. However, that 50% is tea lights and two short extension cords which can be used for lots of other things, so maybe it's not so bad? I spent the rest on lights. The orange ones will stay up until December.

Here are my current challenges about not buying stuff:
The place I bought Birdy's birthday gift gave me $20 to spend by Monday. And the place I bought the pajamas gave me $10 to spend by January, but I have to spend $50 to get free shipping, and the shipping is almost $10.

So now I am looking to see if there is anything I "need" or a Christmas gift at those places (as they intended)

Also, I need to not buy discount Halloween candy. I will eat it.

SubC, I REALLY enjoyed reading your Christmas childhood experiences. Thank you for sharing that. I want my grandkids to have good memories of me and our times together. That matters more than what the gifts are.

It turns out I got my son a very good and practical gift that he will use, and I did not actually buy anything for the child who turned 1. There was no formal party and we were all busy and it was fine.

My no spend went absolutely terribly for the first 3 weeks of October. I just yesterday made a list of all the purchases. Today I will put them in categories (groceries, gas, fast food, clothes, etc) so I have a summary to compare to for the coming month.

But this week I have done better. I am eating what I have on hand. I am restraining myself from buying unnecessary things. I am will stay accountable.

So, here is the thing about Amazon, it was not a recommendation. (Although I use it) It is too easy to spend money on Amazon! Delete any payment information so that you have to enter it manually, and be sure you log out every time you visit..

The biggest key to managing spending on gifts is managing expectations. The good news is that most of your grands probably don't have gift expectations yet. What did you do for tot last year?

I had two grandmothers with very different circumstances and approaches. I would see them both every Christmas. At the first house, I had a stocking full of treats I now realize were mostly homemade, often from yarn or fabric leftovers, one or two presents (a game, or toy, a book - sometimes a hand me down book) (plus gifts from my uncles) a chocolate Santa, and my grandmother's complete attention. - we played with the game or toy. There were stories - If got roller skates - there were stories about my dad and uncles roller skating. there were crafts and baking together (because my grandmother never had time to get the baking done before we arrived) - I remember stringing popcorn for the birds.

If the chocolate Santa had been missing, I would have been disappointed. Because there was ALWAYS a chocolate Santa.

The other grandmother put on a huge event with extended family, piles, of presents, a huge spread of food, a fully decorated house, music. It was always amazing to walk into. Then there were hours of watching other people open presents, too many gifts to actually appreciate, and so many treats that I almost always made myself sick. My dad always got frustrated because we were given so much it was hard to pack the car and the evening went on so late I was exhausted and cranky. My grandmother was too exhausted to do anything but watch and there was no space to use most of the things I was given (I heard "don't open that, the pieces will get lost" a lot) but it was a wonderland, and my best friend cousin was always there to share it with and to play with.

If we arrived first, I would take in the beauty of the untouched scene, get excited about all the presents (even though I knew most of them were not for me and some of them would be unexciting clothes - they were like a window display in their glittering promise) grab some cookies, and demand "when is K getting here?"

So, Christmas for me was a chocolate Santa and my cousin. Everything else was equal. If it had changed, I would have been surprised, but not dissapointed.

Unplug the Christmas machine is about evaluating what is really important to you and your family about Christmas. It has a Christian focus. One year when Dd was a baby I gave copies to all the women on my second grandmother's side of the family. Everyone said it was a great idea and very meaningful. Only my cousin changed anything.

When my first grandson was born, Dd set rules - only a few gifts, well thought out, used if possible, experiences welcome. Ddil, who grew up in different circumstances, said "anything!" As the boys get older, this may be a challenge.

oh! I forgot to add -

I have two birthdays this month: one grandchild and one son. Then thinking forward about Christmas. I do have Amazon! Will think about what would be meaningful and not expensive! Suggestions welcome for my adult children and my grandkids ages 1 to 7.

hi SubC! Thank you for the book recommendation. Yes, please do join me! This is open to everyone and I appreciate the support.

We are a week into the month so on my day off I will come and post how I am doing so far on not spending. I probably spent more than I wanted, but a lot better than last month!

Back in a couple days!

Good morning Lila!

Who are you buying gifts for and for what occasions? Do you have Amazon prime? And also, it is not too early to make a plan for reasonable Christmas choices.

(Have you ever read the book "unplug the Christmas machine"? See if you can get it from your library!)

Do you mind if I join you here? I know I have said my finances are currently solid and about to change for the better because of retirement decisions, but I still want to make sure I stay focused on good stewardship and thoughtful choices about where to spend that money, and I have lots of practice finding ways to not spend, so I'd like to help and cheer you on.

Here is my first post as I prepare for a No Spend October.

Of course I will spend SOME money on things I need. But I am hoping to stop all extraneous spending for the month. I am in deep doo doo with my finances because I recently spent:

- over $1000 on a trip
- over $1000 on my annual house insurance payment, which went up from 800
- about $250/month for new health insurance when I used to get it for free

I now have over $3k on a credit card when it was paid off 2 months ago. It has to stop. Some things I have noticed that I spent a lot on:

- ordering food deliveries because I was tired, sick, grouchy, etc
- picking up fast food, pizzas, expensive coffee drinks
- ordering extra stuff I want but don't need on amazon etc
- buying gifts for people on amazon etc. Not sure how but I need to get a handle on the gifts by either making things, getting more personal less expensive things, planning ahead
- buying clothes I don't end up even liking or wearing

I have some expenses coming up, most notably my property tax payment which is twice a year about $2k. I tend not to worry about expenses like this, because God provides. But I am sensing that if I am wasteful with what I have, that is not being a good steward. I need to do my part to manage the money well, and he will still provide.

These are my thoughts as I stop spending NOW and make a plan of what I NEED to spend in October.

- mortgage
- utility bill
- gas for the car
- health insurance
- dog insurance (it's only thirty bucks a month or so)
- some food for me and for the dog

Really, there is nothing else I must spend money on that I can think of now. I have no other bills except the one offs:
- pay off that credit card
- property tax

I lift this up to God and trust he will help me as I do my part. I hope to be debt free again by the end of October, aside from the mortgage.

I am creating this new thread to help anyone who wants to gain control over spending habits. Join in and share anything that is helpful to you: goals, ideas, plans, mistakes, etc.