Comments on: No Spend Month Update: Week 1 http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/08/no-spend-month-update-week-1/ Encouragement for a Simple Home Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:29:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: no spend month??? « It’s My Life http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/08/no-spend-month-update-week-1/#comment-8056 no spend month??? « It’s My Life Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:51:25 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1403#comment-8056 [...] @ 2:51 am Tags: budget, Money, no spend month I was Blog Surfing tonight and ran accross this article about one bloggers experiment with a “No Spend Month”. I was pretty excited about it at [...] [...] @ 2:51 am Tags: budget, Money, no spend month I was Blog Surfing tonight and ran accross this article about one bloggers experiment with a “No Spend Month”. I was pretty excited about it at [...]

]]> By: Da http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/08/no-spend-month-update-week-1/#comment-7947 Da Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:35:17 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1403#comment-7947 Maybe you could borrow the tool from a friend or something? Ask around. Its probably not something you would use regularly if you did buy it anyway. Maybe you could borrow the tool from a friend or something? Ask around. Its probably not something you would use regularly if you did buy it anyway.

]]> By: Danielle http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/08/no-spend-month-update-week-1/#comment-7940 Danielle Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:44:39 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1403#comment-7940 I have become a HUGE fan of the ILL system. I have become a HUGE fan of the ILL system.

]]> By: Danielle http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/08/no-spend-month-update-week-1/#comment-7798 Danielle Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:18:49 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1403#comment-7798 I had to get a wedding gift on a short budget, and found myself not being able to afford anything on their registry that i liked. I ended up finding some picture frames that were floor models and had a scratch on the back. They were they exact ones the couple wanted, so I asked the sales person at Bloomies for an aditional % off. It turned out that I got 25% off on the frames! It never hurts to ask! I had to get a wedding gift on a short budget, and found myself not being able to afford anything on their registry that i liked. I ended up finding some picture frames that were floor models and had a scratch on the back. They were they exact ones the couple wanted, so I asked the sales person at Bloomies for an aditional % off. It turned out that I got 25% off on the frames! It never hurts to ask!

]]> By: nicola http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/08/no-spend-month-update-week-1/#comment-7785 nicola Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:14:09 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1403#comment-7785 p.s. can you get the book on interlibrary loan and the plans through freecycle? nicola http://whichname.blogspot.com <abbr><em><em>nicola´s last blog post..<a href="http://whichname.blogspot.com/2009/07/diy-library-and-link-round-up.html" rel="nofollow">DIY library and link round-up</a></em></abbr></em> p.s. can you get the book on interlibrary loan and the plans through freecycle?
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

nicola´s last blog post..DIY library and link round-up

]]> By: nicola http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/08/no-spend-month-update-week-1/#comment-7784 nicola Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:13:10 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1403#comment-7784 excellent challenge, rachel. late last year, i was fascinated by a blog of a woman whose family was planning a no spend year! they got through nearly 6 months and met so many goals, they scaled it back (and i believe she deleted the blog). it inspired us to try our own challenge of a no-buying-new year. it is amazing how the mental challenge can so signficantly change ones habits. i have some posts to catch up on here. i hope you are feeling well! nicola http://whichname.blogspot.com <abbr><em><em>nicola´s last blog post..<a href="http://whichname.blogspot.com/2009/07/diy-library-and-link-round-up.html" rel="nofollow">DIY library and link round-up</a></em></abbr></em> excellent challenge, rachel. late last year, i was fascinated by a blog of a woman whose family was planning a no spend year! they got through nearly 6 months and met so many goals, they scaled it back (and i believe she deleted the blog). it inspired us to try our own challenge of a no-buying-new year.

it is amazing how the mental challenge can so signficantly change ones habits.

i have some posts to catch up on here. i hope you are feeling well!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

nicola´s last blog post..DIY library and link round-up

]]> By: Kelly http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/08/no-spend-month-update-week-1/#comment-7782 Kelly Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:55:20 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1403#comment-7782 Rachel, a few suggestions :) For the sunglasses, next time you're at a store with a glasses department (wal-mart, costco, the mall) ask to borrow a small screwdriver. Usually they'll fix it free and adjust your glasses as well. I always thank the manager and note good customer service when I'm planning on buying a new pair. As for those who would "like" to join a No Spend Month but have this or that going on I'll offer an alternative. I like to call mine Conscious Spending Month. I know some people do this without planning but I need lots of reminders. My gift budget is x so I need to stay within that each month whether it be not contributing to a group gift, downgrading my gift ideas or finding better deals. Instead of going out to dinner or to the store to pick up this or that I will finish up leftovers or get more creative with dinners. Sometimes spending a little more now saves later. Today my Mom and I assembled 60 enchiladas. A few hours of work and we're both set on quick and healthy dinners for awhile. Next month we're making lasagna. A great part of a No Spend Month is learning to delay gratification. It sounds like Rachel doesn't want for much - how great is that! Imagine how truly rewarding it will be for Doug to get that book he's looking forward to. In an instant gratification society it's a nice change of pace to want and anticipate something. <abbr><em><em>Kelly´s last blog post..<a href="http://myfriendkelly.wordpress.com/2009/07/12/working-title/" rel="nofollow">working title</a></em></abbr></em> Rachel, a few suggestions :) For the sunglasses, next time you’re at a store with a glasses department (wal-mart, costco, the mall) ask to borrow a small screwdriver. Usually they’ll fix it free and adjust your glasses as well. I always thank the manager and note good customer service when I’m planning on buying a new pair.

As for those who would “like” to join a No Spend Month but have this or that going on I’ll offer an alternative. I like to call mine Conscious Spending Month. I know some people do this without planning but I need lots of reminders. My gift budget is x so I need to stay within that each month whether it be not contributing to a group gift, downgrading my gift ideas or finding better deals. Instead of going out to dinner or to the store to pick up this or that I will finish up leftovers or get more creative with dinners.

Sometimes spending a little more now saves later. Today my Mom and I assembled 60 enchiladas. A few hours of work and we’re both set on quick and healthy dinners for awhile. Next month we’re making lasagna.

A great part of a No Spend Month is learning to delay gratification. It sounds like Rachel doesn’t want for much – how great is that! Imagine how truly rewarding it will be for Doug to get that book he’s looking forward to. In an instant gratification society it’s a nice change of pace to want and anticipate something.

Kelly´s last blog post..working title

]]> By: Slackerjo http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/08/no-spend-month-update-week-1/#comment-7767 Slackerjo Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:00:17 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1403#comment-7767 Where I work (technical support), oh lets call my employer, Puppy, they want us to sell stuff to the customers. Sadly they really don't get that the no spend/frugal/borrow from the library folks are a tough sell. The product has to be really really really awesome for us to depart with our money. The concept of no spend month would make their heads explode into a messy pile of marketing goo. Rachel I would be interested when the month is over, what places (besides food and gas) actually got you to fork over some money in exchange for their goods and services. I'd like to think that these companies provided a good product at a reasonable price. Sadly, at Puppy, many of our services are a waste of money and don't work very well in the first place. Where I work (technical support), oh lets call my employer, Puppy, they want us to sell stuff to the customers. Sadly they really don’t get that the no spend/frugal/borrow from the library folks are a tough sell. The product has to be really really really awesome for us to depart with our money. The concept of no spend month would make their heads explode into a messy pile of marketing goo.

Rachel I would be interested when the month is over, what places (besides food and gas) actually got you to fork over some money in exchange for their goods and services. I’d like to think that these companies provided a good product at a reasonable price.

Sadly, at Puppy, many of our services are a waste of money and don’t work very well in the first place.

]]> By: Simplelivin' http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/08/no-spend-month-update-week-1/#comment-7735 Simplelivin' Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:00:13 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1403#comment-7735 Wow, an entire no spend week! That is super impressive! Congrats!!! Between buying gas and groceries, plus both having nights out with friends already scheduled, we put a nice dent into our budgeted amount. <abbr><em><em>Simplelivin'´s last blog post..<a href="http://simplelivingdiva.blogspot.com/2009/07/day-8-of-lsm-july-8th.html" rel="nofollow">Day 8 of LSM - July 8th</a></em></abbr></em> Wow, an entire no spend week! That is super impressive! Congrats!!! Between buying gas and groceries, plus both having nights out with friends already scheduled, we put a nice dent into our budgeted amount.

Simplelivin’´s last blog post..Day 8 of LSM – July 8th

]]> By: Mulator http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/08/no-spend-month-update-week-1/#comment-7734 Mulator Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:44:55 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1403#comment-7734 I have been watching this blog and finally decided to get going. So far, it's the 10th of July, and I haven't spent a dime! My wife keeps asking me "Why don't you just go and buy your lunch? Why are you eating all the vegetables from the garden? Why are you looking for those free lunch coupons (I received two of them for returning an uncooked meal at a great restaurant). I have really taken a look at the money I spend each month, and it is pitiful. I could secure my retirement with this plan, but there has to be a middle ground...can't always be nothing, nothing, nothing. The real trick is to convince my wife that the money not being spent is not her disposable income! Thanks! I have been watching this blog and finally decided to get going. So far, it’s the 10th of July, and I haven’t spent a dime! My wife keeps asking me “Why don’t you just go and buy your lunch? Why are you eating all the vegetables from the garden? Why are you looking for those free lunch coupons (I received two of them for returning an uncooked meal at a great restaurant). I have really taken a look at the money I spend each month, and it is pitiful. I could secure my retirement with this plan, but there has to be a middle ground…can’t always be nothing, nothing, nothing. The real trick is to convince my wife that the money not being spent is not her disposable income!

Thanks!

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