Uber Frugal January

[BuffaloStache]

I'm in. I always feel a "financial hangover" after the holidays are over (I seem to spend a lot of money on gifts, travelling to see family, etc.) at the end of the year.

[Anatidae V]

DH is on board! I think our biggest challenge will be work lunches, and trying to eliminate eating out for the month - with exception for social-capital-coffees, since we only do that a couple of times a month that each and we get a lot of value out of them.

The other thing I want to do is go over each of our expenses and do some comparison shopping for both price and convenience. Our insurances could probably be checked, and regular expenses like cat food.

A visit to the local op shops to scout out baby items would be a nice fun thing for us to do too!

[Ms Terror]

Yes! Have also signed onto the Frugalwoods one too.

[Bracken_Joy]

DH is on board! I think our biggest challenge will be work lunches, and trying to eliminate eating out for the month - with exception for social-capital-coffees, since we only do that a couple of times a month that each and we get a lot of value out of them.

The other thing I want to do is go over each of our expenses and do some comparison shopping for both price and convenience. Our insurances could probably be checked, and regular expenses like cat food.

A visit to the local op shops to scout out baby items would be a nice fun thing for us to do too!

I love this plan. I should check home owners insurance and car insurance rates again. Good reminder!

[Guava]

I will join.  So far I already know that I will have to pay tuition which will be somewhere around $5,000 so that has to be an exception. But maybe I can get my books cheaper.

I will mostly focus on groceries, electric, natural gas, and gas use.  DH and I will get an early start in December by going over our insurance rates too. No clothes spending allowed.

[Dr Stache]

I'm in! Looking forward to reevaluating our spending. Still working out our specific goals.

[BuffaloStache]

I think our biggest challenge will be work lunches, and trying to eliminate eating out for the month.

Totally understandable. but remember that January is the perfect month for super-easy crockpot meals (like these, or these, or even these). My wife and I typically cook a big meal on Sunday and have plenty of leftovers for work, then make one of these on Tuesday night or Wednesday to get us through the rest of the week. Simply throw in the ingredients before work, then have a 90%+ made dinner when you get home!

[sonjak]

I'm in!

I've been thinking about doing a No Spend Year.  This is a good way to dip my toe in!

[Anatidae V]

I think our biggest challenge will be work lunches, and trying to eliminate eating out for the month.

Totally understandable. but remember that January is the perfect month for super-easy crockpot meals (like these, or these, or even these). My wife and I typically cook a big meal on Sunday and have plenty of leftovers for work, then make one of these on Tuesday night or Wednesday to get us through the rest of the week. Simply throw in the ingredients before work, then have a 90%+ made dinner when you get home!

Those are great, but more winter food, and we're in the southern hemisphere - it's hot! Got good cold lunch ideas?

[Fresh Bread]

I think our biggest challenge will be work lunches, and trying to eliminate eating out for the month.

Totally understandable. but remember that January is the perfect month for super-easy crockpot meals (like these, or these, or even these). My wife and I typically cook a big meal on Sunday and have plenty of leftovers for work, then make one of these on Tuesday night or Wednesday to get us through the rest of the week. Simply throw in the ingredients before work, then have a 90%+ made dinner when you get home!

AV is in Perth so it will be super hot, but oooo butter chickpeas look nice. And lasagne in a crock pot, who knew?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I told DH about this challenge and he was not a fan as he reckons we are pretty frugal already. Hmmm. Well, my goals are:

- Eating out/ takeaway only once in January
- No store bought iced coffee (my go to on a steaming hot day)
- We are doing up our bathroom/laundry so we'll stick to that budget and look out for bargains for the fixtures and fittings.
- Minimal car use to avoid filling up the tank.   
- No other spending except $170 on groceries. I've got enough flybuys (loyalty card) points for $130 worth of groceries, so between this, what's in the garden and pantry, we might get through. Our normal spend is $450. I have a rule of buying non-absolute necessities only on sale so I won't be tempted to stock the pantry and freezer in December!

The only event on the calendar is a 1st birthday party but handily we have one small gift left from a bunch I got on sale for such occasions. Winning.

[HappierAtHome]

I eat hot lunches all year round (my office's air conditioning is COLD, and for some reason hot food always seems more filling to me) so I might try some of those slow cooker recipes :-)

[Bracken_Joy]

Update: husband is officially IN for January. Thinks it's a great idea. (Probably because doing 2 or 3 of these last year was key to us saving our downpayment... I think he's finally sold on the idea!) Turns out it'll be good timing, because it looks like his hours may be a bit low this month. Although he's considering taking vacation time. (He works contracts so sets his own hours as needed a lot). Anyway, he's paid once monthly, so that means our January income may be a bit on the lower side than normal.

[englyn]

Got good cold lunch ideas?

Follow the salad equation! Leafy thing (spinach / lettuce) + crunchy thing (celery/cucumber/capsicum/carrot) + carb (leftover roast veg / potato / rice / pasta) + protein (sliced chicken / tuna / salmon / chickpeas / kidney beans) + fat (nuts / seeds / olive oil / avocado) + really tasty thing (torn basil / mint / dukkah / your favourite dressing / gherkin etc).
I generally make 2 of these at once because it keeps fine until the next day in the fridge. Making 4 so that you both have lunch for 2 days wouldn't be much harder. Then you basically only have to make lunch once a week each, if you manage 1 day of leftovers.
My easiest version of this goes: spinach, cucumber and carrot, chickpeas (protein and carbs, I just eat a bit more ie 1/2 can per lunch), dukkah or pickle. Omnomnom. Drizzle some olive oil on today's; next morning, drizzle olive oil on that day's, if I remember.

[frooglepoodle]

I think our biggest challenge will be work lunches, and trying to eliminate eating out for the month.

Totally understandable. but remember that January is the perfect month for super-easy crockpot meals (like these, or these, or even these). My wife and I typically cook a big meal on Sunday and have plenty of leftovers for work, then make one of these on Tuesday night or Wednesday to get us through the rest of the week. Simply throw in the ingredients before work, then have a 90%+ made dinner when you get home!

AV is in Perth so it will be super hot, but oooo butter chickpeas look nice. And lasagne in a crock pot, who knew?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I told DH about this challenge and he was not a fan as he reckons we are pretty frugal already. Hmmm. Well, my goals are:

- Eating out/ takeaway only once in January
- No store bought iced coffee (my go to on a steaming hot day)
- We are doing up our bathroom/laundry so we'll stick to that budget and look out for bargains for the fixtures and fittings.
- Minimal car use to avoid filling up the tank.   
- No other spending except $170 on groceries. I've got enough flybuys (loyalty card) points for $130 worth of groceries, so between this, what's in the garden and pantry, we might get through. Our normal spend is $450. I have a rule of buying non-absolute necessities only on sale so I won't be tempted to stock the pantry and freezer in December!

The only event on the calendar is a 1st birthday party but handily we have one small gift left from a bunch I got on sale for such occasions. Winning.

Iced coffee is very simple to make yourself! I make a large batch every few days during our summer - 115g of grounds in 1 gallon of water, let sit for 24 hours, strain through a normal coffee filter.

[Kansas Terri]

Already I must withdraw from being frugal in January! It looks like I will be traveling!

Still, it is a terribly USEFUL thing to do, and so I will see how much I can eat out of the cupboards and pantry with the exception of Christmas.

So, today I will boil up the ham bone from Thanksgiving, and use it to make a small pot of ham and beans. I will season it with garlic, just a snitch of hot peppers, a dash of liquid smoke, salt and pepper. When it is almost done I will see if I have any celery and onions to add. DH is from the South, and once in a while he really enjoys a pot of back eyed peas or ham and beans. With corn bread, of course!

I will serve it up with what I call "fried popcorn". Fried popcorn was what happened when tried (and failed) in my attempt to make arepas, which is a fist sized piece of cornbread that is very popular in Venezuela. II did not get an arepa but what I DD get tasted very good!

Basically, first I grease a skillet. Then I mix corn flour and salt and water, flatten it out until it is very thin, put it in the skillet and stick the skillet into a VERY hot oven. I take it out when it STARTS to brown on the edges, and it tastes like across between corn bread and popcorn. 

I guess in the long run it does not matter WHEN I am frugal: either way it will take the sting out of the cost of Christmas!

[BuffaloStache]

Follow the salad equation!

Definitely didn't read Anatidae V's location before responding- my bad! But englyn has the right of it- Salad is a way to go! I'm also a fan of hot leftovers in the summer, hummus/veggie meals, or even a hearty pasta salad (pasta + veggies + protein ) that can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Either way, good luck!

[Novik]

I love the frugalwoods blog, so definitely jumping on this to some degree.

Not sure about rules/exceptions yet since we definitely have a few spendy plans* for the month but going to try and get my boyfriend involved too. Budgeting is not something he's experienced with, and he's just started his first post-university job in December so after a month of startup costs it would be great to get into good habits together.

*we haven't gone on a money-spending date out since he moved in (mid Nov) so we have a few things saved up. Use 2 for 1 movie ticket coupon, probably try the restaurant around the corner he's super keen about, and maybe go snowboarding for the day/weekend. Which I'm super nervous about since I know nothing about it!

[Juslookin]

I'm in for sure.  I joined Frugalwoods challenge last week as well.  This will fit in nicely with my goal of no clothes shopping in 2017.  I don't think I can  do No Buy all year, but I would like to try taking a smaller bite at it with No Buy months.  Uber Frugal January sounds perfect to me.

My goal is to save money on groceries, we have a fully stocked freezer.  No eating out at all, no clothes shopping and no spending on entertainment.  I will allow for the spending of gift cards, we have some movie gift cards I've been hoarding since last year so this will be the perfect opportunity to use them. DH and DS already have a road trip planned in January, but the spending money is put aside for that and I'm not going to consider that here.  They already have a travel budget that they are adhering to.

[kaleidoscopicalkris]

Posting to commit to participating, even if I'm not sure my exact goals yet. I will sit down with my budget this evening and see where I need to shave off spending. My current (vague) goals are:

1. Cut down on buying coffee. I have a perfectly good french press at home.
2. Meal planning - this has consistently been the best way to cut down on my grocery spending. I often have low energy days, and need something prepared to take away the temptation of takeout.
3. No clothes spending - I have been dipping me toe in with the idea of a capsule wardrobe, and this will be a good way to force myself to develop one without spending too much.

I'll come back later this evening or tomorrow to firm up my goals.

[BuffaloStache]

I have been dipping me toe in with the idea of a capsule wardrobe

I've pseudo fallen into a capsule wardrobe purely by going as minimalist as I can with clothes. Granted I'm not at a real capsule level (I think I have somewhere around 60 articles of clothing), but I'm definitely working at it.

[choppingwood]

I notice a couple of people who are trying to buy things they need in December so they won't show in the January numbers. That isn't saving anything and is missing the point of the exercise. If you need an item, you need an item. It is stopping the unnecessary spending that makes a difference to your bottom line and stretches the frugality muscles.

Also, the exemption lists seem unnecessary to me. If you need it, for physical or social survival, that's part of your real cost of living. The challenge is to look at every expense and see if you can live without it or find a way to do it at a modest cost.

Good luck to everyone.

[alleykat]

I am glad you mentioned it choppingwood.  I thought it was a super frugal challenge and didn't want to join with all of my exceptions.  I was going to challenge myself to curb all unnecessary compulsive spending in the new year anyway so this challenge will keep me accountable and started on the right foot.  I am in.

I really need to curb silly spending once and for all. This will be a challenge.

[Bracken_Joy]

I notice a couple of people who are trying to buy things they need in December so they won't show in the January numbers. That isn't saving anything and is missing the point of the exercise. If you need an item, you need an item. It is stopping the unnecessary spending that makes a difference to your bottom line and stretches the frugality muscles.

Also, the exemption lists seem unnecessary to me. If you need it, for physical or social survival, that's part of your real cost of living. The challenge is to look at every expense and see if you can live without it or find a way to do it at a modest cost.

Good luck to everyone.

I think people specify (I specified, at least) because a lot of the uber frugal month challenges done on these forums (vs inspired by the frugalwoods) are phrased as a certain % of your typical spending- like 85% or something. If you then go and replace a water heater (*raises hand*) that gets blown out of the water.

But yes, I agree with you that buying stuff ahead of time to cheat your numbers misses the point!

[choppingwood]

I think people specify (I specified, at least) because a lot of the uber frugal month challenges done on these forums (vs inspired by the frugalwoods) are phrased as a certain % of your typical spending- like 85% or something. If you then go and replace a water heater (*raises hand*) that gets blown out of the water.

I hear you. I tend to avoid the percentage approach and focus on absolute dollars and necessities. A water heater or health spending or recognizing key people's birthdays in a reasonable way are things that need to happen. Those don't seem like exceptions to me, but planned and thoughtful spending. This is different than planning and giving oneself an exception on unnecessary spending.

Also, I really like that you try to anticipate all the spending you will face and problem-solve around that. This changes the exercise from a month of deprivation to a self-teaching and planning tool.

[Bracken_Joy]

I think people specify (I specified, at least) because a lot of the uber frugal month challenges done on these forums (vs inspired by the frugalwoods) are phrased as a certain % of your typical spending- like 85% or something. If you then go and replace a water heater (*raises hand*) that gets blown out of the water.

I hear you. I tend to avoid the percentage approach and focus on absolute dollars and necessities. A water heater or health spending or recognizing key people's birthdays in a reasonable way are things that need to happen. Those don't seem like exceptions to me, but planned and thoughtful spending. This is different than planning and giving oneself an exception on unnecessary spending.

Also, I really like that you try to anticipate all the spending you will face and problem-solve around that. This changes the exercise from a month of deprivation to a self-teaching and planning tool.

I think this second part is key to listing 'exceptions' too, at least for me. It's attempting to foresee unusual spending, and from there I can see if there are any obvious alternatives. Ex- last year when I did an uber frugal month I had a baby shower. Knowing it was coming up, I put an ask out on my local Buy Nothing for a tea pot. I ended up with a perfect, pristine tea pot and cups set that was the color of the bride's kitchen she had just repainted. Better than I could have even planned! But there have been other attempts that have fallen flat, and so I've paid full dollar on addressing those. I could see though how it would feel like people weren't going to try at all though. I think the most important thing is just that people don't say "ah well, there's an event I need to buy a gift for, so that's it, let's go to the mall" without thinking through other potential alternatives.

[choppingwood]

I think the most important thing is just that people don't say "ah well, there's an event I need to buy a gift for, so that's it, let's go to the mall" without thinking through other potential alternatives.

Yes, that's it. I think that all the spending needs to go through the same review process, including considering whether it needs to be done at all. In an "Uber Frugal" month, the process needs to be especially rigorous. But that doesn't mean you pause life, because that isn't and shouldn't be sustainable.

I love your teapot story! Not knowing whether it will work out is just part of the adventure.

[Guava]

I notice a couple of people who are trying to buy things they need in December so they won't show in the January numbers. That isn't saving anything and is missing the point of the exercise. If you need an item, you need an item. It is stopping the unnecessary spending that makes a difference to your bottom line and stretches the frugality muscles.

Also, the exemption lists seem unnecessary to me. If you need it, for physical or social survival, that's part of your real cost of living. The challenge is to look at every expense and see if you can live without it or find a way to do it at a modest cost.

Good luck to everyone.

I think people specify (I specified, at least) because a lot of the uber frugal month challenges done on these forums (vs inspired by the frugalwoods) are phrased as a certain % of your typical spending- like 85% or something. If you then go and replace a water heater (*raises hand*) that gets blown out of the water.

But yes, I agree with you that buying stuff ahead of time to cheat your numbers misses the point!

I specified for this reason too. Yes, technically I will have a negative savings rate, just I like do every month tuition comes due. If I don't say that somewhere and then post I only spent $6,xxx in January  and my savings rate was -50% I will get face punched right out of here even though I spent the last four months preparing for this expense and have high savings rates every other month.

[BuffaloStache]

I specified for this reason too. Yes, technically I will have a negative savings rate, just I like do every month tuition comes due. If I don't say that somewhere and then post I only spent $6,xxx in January  and my savings rate was -50% I will get face punched right out of here even though I spent the last four months preparing for this expense and have high savings rates every other month.

Good point- if you know you have a huge expense like that coming up, and you have a high savings rate before, during, and after that expense so that you have more than enough saved to cover it, I think you are doing pretty good.

[Anatidae V]

I think the most important thing is just that people don't say "ah well, there's an event I need to buy a gift for, so that's it, let's go to the mall" without thinking through other potential alternatives.

Yes, that's it. I think that all the spending needs to go through the same review process, including considering whether it needs to be done at all. In an "Uber Frugal" month, the process needs to be especially rigorous. But that doesn't mean you pause life, because that isn't and shouldn't be sustainable.

I love your teapot story! Not knowing whether it will work out is just part of the adventure.

That is why I wrote out my "exceptions" - because now I can add them to the list that needs to be looked at extra closely. Seeing where I go "oh but I need an exception for that" tells me where my assumptions about "needs" are. I was going to write, for instance, "baby stuff is fine", but no- I can challenge by spending the effort on second hand options for as many things as possible instead, which is a hard thing I might not otherwise do.

[HappierAtHome]

Given the discussion around exceptions, I will restate that each person knows best what parameters will challenge them; you do not need to comply with anyone else's idea of the challenge to be welcome here.

Discussing ideas around what it means to be uber frugal is great and helpful, but let's be clear that nobody is doing this challenge ''wrong'' if the rules they define are different from another poster's. It's up to each individual to define what the challenge is for them. You do you, and I'll cheer you on!

I've quoted the relevant part of my OP below.

Let's make this thread an inclusive, supportive place where we can encourage each other and celebrate our victories.

Modifications and exceptions to the challenge (e.g. uber frugal but you get to spend your Christmas gift cards, or uber frugal but you're still spending $100 on a present for your 95 year old granny) are welcome - you know best how to challenge yourself and that's what this is all about!

[HappierAtHome]

There's a new part of the challenge for me: not buying snacks at work. A new challenge because it's a new problem. Between being hungry (pregnancy) but also unable to eat most foods due to severe food aversions (pregnancy) I've found myself wandering over to the snack box and buying crisps a few times a week for the last few weeks.

I need to work on the range of snacks I have readily available in my desk so that there's always a good option that *doesn't* involve spending $2 on a tiny bag of chips.

[choppingwood]

Given the discussion around exceptions, I will restate that each person knows best what parameters will challenge them; you do not need to comply with anyone else's idea of the challenge to be welcome here.

Discussing ideas around what it means to be uber frugal is great and helpful, but let's be clear that nobody is doing this challenge ''wrong'' if the rules they define are different from another poster's. It's up to each individual to define what the challenge is for them. You do you, and I'll cheer you on!

I've quoted the relevant part of my OP below.

Let's make this thread an inclusive, supportive place where we can encourage each other and celebrate our victories.

Modifications and exceptions to the challenge (e.g. uber frugal but you get to spend your Christmas gift cards, or uber frugal but you're still spending $100 on a present for your 95 year old granny) are welcome - you know best how to challenge yourself and that's what this is all about!

I'll stay out of this thread. Good luck to everyone with the challenge.

[HappierAtHome]

Given the discussion around exceptions, I will restate that each person knows best what parameters will challenge them; you do not need to comply with anyone else's idea of the challenge to be welcome here.

Discussing ideas around what it means to be uber frugal is great and helpful, but let's be clear that nobody is doing this challenge ''wrong'' if the rules they define are different from another poster's. It's up to each individual to define what the challenge is for them. You do you, and I'll cheer you on!

I've quoted the relevant part of my OP below.

Let's make this thread an inclusive, supportive place where we can encourage each other and celebrate our victories.

Modifications and exceptions to the challenge (e.g. uber frugal but you get to spend your Christmas gift cards, or uber frugal but you're still spending $100 on a present for your 95 year old granny) are welcome - you know best how to challenge yourself and that's what this is all about!

I'll stay out of this thread. Good luck to everyone with the challenge.

You'd be very welcome to participate here with your own version of the challenge! I for one would be cheering you on; it sounds like it would be pretty badass.

[katscratch]

I'll stay out of this thread. Good luck to everyone with the challenge.

I for one would like your participation -- I plan to be very literal in my interpretation of necessary.  Your posts so far are helpful to me. 

[scissorbill]

I'm in! I'm new here and new to the FIRE concept.  We are out of debt and budgeting and investing every month.  But our grocery budged for a family of five is $1250 so I'm going bare bones for January and have already found $1300. 

[Bracken_Joy]

I'm in! I'm new here and new to the FIRE concept.  We are out of debt and budgeting and investing every month.  But our grocery budged for a family of five is $1250 so I'm going bare bones for January and have already found $1300.

Here are some helpful threads and websites to help you with the grocery budget =)

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/i-need-help-from-fellow-frugal-healthy-eaters-groceries-are-killing-us!/
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/off-topic/the-ultimate-mustachian-food-guide/

http://www.budgetbytes.com/

[BuffaloStache]

I need to work on the range of snacks I have readily available in my desk so that there's always a good option that *doesn't* involve spending $2 on a tiny bag of chips.

For my wife this has been individual servings of Hummus (sold at our Costco, although I know there are significantly fewer of these down in Oz) + pita bread (stored in her work fridge), granola bars, and/or fruit snacks. We probably wouldn't typically buy the individual servings of hummus (higher $/oz), but it's still way cheaper than a $2 bag of chips and helps her keep her sanity at work during the pregnancy.

[Bracken_Joy]

I need to work on the range of snacks I have readily available in my desk so that there's always a good option that *doesn't* involve spending $2 on a tiny bag of chips.

For my wife this has been individual servings of Hummus (sold at our Costco, although I know there are significantly fewer of these down in Oz) + pita bread (stored in her work fridge), granola bars, and/or fruit snacks. We probably wouldn't typically buy the individual servings of hummus (higher $/oz), but it's still way cheaper than a $2 bag of chips and helps her keep her sanity at work during the pregnancy.

It's funny, at least at my costco, those individual pods are less per oz than the big containers they have. (That being said, I should go back to making my own hummus, especially since I have a food processor and instant pot now! Cheapest of all, and quicker now)

[lifejoy]

I think our biggest challenge will be work lunches, and trying to eliminate eating out for the month.

Totally understandable. but remember that January is the perfect month for super-easy crockpot meals (like these, or these, or even these). My wife and I typically cook a big meal on Sunday and have plenty of leftovers for work, then make one of these on Tuesday night or Wednesday to get us through the rest of the week. Simply throw in the ingredients before work, then have a 90%+ made dinner when you get home!

Thank you!! Those slow cooker meals look awesome :)

[Bracken_Joy]

New post up about Uber Frugal Month! http://www.frugalwoods.com/2016/12/19/uber-frugal-month-the-ultimate-guide-to-saving-more-money-than-you-ever-thought-possible/

It includes a homework to do list, which is pretty similar to what people have been doing here!
1. Establish your goals
2. Review last month's spending
3. Categorize expenses
4. What can I eliminate entirely?
5. Embrace the art of substitution
6. Reduce discretionary spending
7. Insource!
8. Examine your habits
9. Plan ahead
10. If you do buy stuff, buy used
11. Banish excuses
-Consider major life changes

This post is a magnum opus of frugal implementation. Pretty sure I'll link to this on every case study from here on out =P I'm finding it SUPER helpful!

[BuffaloStache]

New post up about Uber Frugal Month! http://www.frugalwoods.com/2016/12/19/uber-frugal-month-the-ultimate-guide-to-saving-more-money-than-you-ever-thought-possible/

Thanks for the link!

[MonkeyJenga]

I'm in. I am already pretty bare-bones, but I moved recently and need to consider which purchases are necessary, which can be found for cheap/free, and what can be forgone entirely. I'm living with roommates and don't know how long I'll stay here. I'm also half-planning on being a nomad once I FIRE, so my inclination is towards owning less stuff.

Right now I'm considering:

A curtain. I'm hanging a sheet up, which works well enough, but isn't attractive. Verdict: WANT, DO NOT BUY.
A top sheet. (Hey, maybe I could steal my curtain!) I have blankets and a fitted sheet only. The blankets are enough in the winter. Verdict: NEED EVENTUALLY, PROLONG/BUY CHEAP.
A second towel. Need to see if my solo towel can last between laundry days. Verdict: HMMMM.
Spices and shit so I can make chili. Occasionally free options come up at work. Verdict: PROLONG, BUY WHEN NEEDED.
Hanging stuff for my art. Verdict: SELL THE ART INSTEAD.

Overall goals:

No eating out for any meals. I usually don't, but dating regularly makes this harder.
No Clif bars as meal substitutes.
No entertainment costs or cabs/Uber. This is typically low to nonexistent, but my newly cheap rent might entice me to loosen up in other areas.
No clothes shopping. Exception: use Amazon credit to buy warm socks so I can go for walks in the cold.

[EngineerYogi]

Posting so I don't lose the thread. I need to sit down with Mr. Yogi to set our expectations.

[HappierAtHome]

So is anyone else planning to do some bulk freezer cooking to help with grocery and eating out costs in January?

I have next week off work and I'm going make a heap of food to freeze for those rough times when we'd otherwise order takeaway.

[Mezzie]

I'm on a quest to squeeze $500 out of my already tight spending to add to savings each month, so I'm in! My exceptions are:

1. We've already scheduled necessary house repairs (for which we are paying cash already budgeted).
2. The tread on my orthotic shoes is dangerously worn. I need new ones. I consider this both a medical and safety expense. This comes out of my personal spending money.
3. I'm hoping to get new glasses by the end of the month. If not, it'll happen in January. That money is already set aside. Life has been a bit blurry lately.

Otherwise, I can do a no shopping but essential groceries month.

[pancakes]

I want to participate as this will be our last full month on a double income so I'd love to save as much as possible but I've also found it helpful to give myself a break and indulge in some costly convenience while still working full time (on my feet most of the day) and suffering the general exhaustion that seems to come with growing a baby. I can see myself not being able to commit to a completely frugal month but will aim to target a few key areas instead.

I'm definitely on board with not buying lunch in Jan. I've been spending $9 a day most days on my lunch for the last few weeks which is ridiculous. Also aiming to cook more at home and cut back on the processed grocery items that have started to creep into out basket these last few months.

I'm also going to have a read though all the baby links in the frugal woods post too. Jan will probably be the month where we start buying baby things and I definitely don't want to get too carried away. We need to spend as spend as we currently have next to nothing but will be looking for second hand and questioning what we really need as much as possible.

[frugalfelicia]

So is anyone else planning to do some bulk freezer cooking to help with grocery and eating out costs in January?

I have next week off work and I'm going make a heap of food to freeze for those rough times when we'd otherwise order takeaway.

I have not done this before, but I also have some time off - what sorts of things are you planning on making to freeze?

[TightFistedScot]

Really looking forward to the launch of this challenge! I have a few other friends in real life also doing this with me.

I'm going in super strict and eliminating the 1-2 coffeeshop friend dates I do per week and the 1-3 beers I purchase in bars/pubs I do per week. The only spending I will allow is groceries (including a few pre-made items), a few beers at home per week, and if there are any emergency house related things (unanticipated). I will also likely host a dinner or two for socializing.

The hardest part I'm imagining - I'm single and in a bit of a dating phase...... So I either have to a) go on no dates; or b) explain to a new date that I can't do the standard first date coffee/drink/dinner.

Do you folks have any suggestions for first date ideas that involve zero spending? And gracefully declining coffee/drinks suggestions?

[MonkeyJenga]

I've decided I do need a top sheet. I also need more Tupperware for my chili freezing.

The hardest part I'm imagining - I'm single and in a bit of a dating phase...... So I either have to a) go on no dates; or b) explain to a new date that I can't do the standard first date coffee/drink/dinner.

Do you folks have any suggestions for first date ideas that involve zero spending? And gracefully declining coffee/drinks suggestions?

I tell people upfront that I don't drink but am fine meeting them at a bar/coffee shop. I go and drink water. Nobody has had a problem with that. Dinner is a bad idea anyway because if you hate each other there's no graceful exit.

[Novik]

Do you folks have any suggestions for first date ideas that involve zero spending? And gracefully declining coffee/drinks suggestions?

Does the Toronto library offer free museum passes? I took my boyfriend to the art gallery for free a couple weeks ago. (maybe not the best *first* date but an option)

Outdoor public skating rinks (if you already own skates and the weather is cold enough)  [this was my first date with the above boyfriend, ~3 years ago so it works!]