I hope you’re all starting out with a Happy 2016! Who doesn’t look forward to a new year with endless possibilities? I do. And then . . . not much changes. By the end of the year I am making the same goals over and over.
I recreate my budget every year but my income doesn’t seen to keep up with rise in the cost of living.
So while I am making many of the same goals. I am focusing first on simplifying.
I Challenge You To Spend Less!
I have signed up for The No Spend Challenge found on the Eagles Soaring Higher Blog. Other than what I have already paid to participate in during the month of January, there will be no frivolous spending.
I will not be going to the grocery store. I have three freezers and a pantry full of food. My garden supplies me with a ton of food that I preserve and yet I find myself spending way too much on groceries.
Tracking Expenditures
If you’re not sure what you’re spending. It’s time to do a little investigative work. Spend a month or two tracking where every penny you spend goes, and you would be surprised at how much money is spent on insignificant things.
One of the things I tracked in 2015 was grocery spending, for the whole year. And I discovered I was still spending an average of $300.00 a month on food. Mainly out of the shear convenience of not having to defrost something to cook.
That is way too much to spend per month considering most days, I am the only one here. My daughter is away at college most of the year and My Tommy is usually only at my house for a couple of meals a week. And, I grow a lot of vegetables and have loads of food canned and frozen from the garden!
Prior Obligations
We have already committed to a night at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse. But those tickets were purchased in December. And the holiday party with the people I work with in later this month. Also already paid for.
I am hoping to find other areas to cut corners this month as well.
Are You Up For The Challenge?
If you’re interested in a No Spend January. Check it out and see how much savings you end up with at the end of the month. You might even find, as I hope to, you will like the results so much you will want to extend the challenge!
Happy 2016!
Cheers to a great Year!
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© 2016 – 2017, Pamela. All rights reserved.
