40% Savings in Feb

[Kamikaze Emu]

I finally pushed past the mid 30s barrier I'd been bouncing around at and made 40% savings in February.  I'd done 40% before but that was in months after I had maxed out certain employment taxes so I don't count those as I had additional income then.  Feels great!

A few things I focused on to push me over the edge:

- I only clocked in ~290 kms on the car this month.
- Aside from our anniversary we did not eat supper out this month.
- Ate less meat, more veggie meals.
- I only bought one book this month.
- Kept a tight leash on little misc cash expenditures. 

Onwards and upwards!

[Mrs MM]

Great work Kamikaze Emu!! (love the name, by the way)

How did it feel?  Did you feel like you were giving things up?  Or did you feel happier?  How did you get your car kms down?

Just curious... 

[Kamikaze Emu]

Thanks Mrs. MM.

It was a good month, and I did not feel deprived at all.  Some of the things I did without (forgot to mention I cut back on my drinking as well) I actually benefited from in non-monetary ways.  In addition to helping my stache less meat, beer, and restaurant food made a positive impact on my body and mind. 

I think the fact that February is a pretty slow month here in Ottawa helped as well.  There are not many occasions in Feb and the weather was very cold and uninviting.  This really made it easy to get a set routine and just knock down the days via work/exercise/cooking good food, etc.  I wasn't burning down the days just to get them over, but I found a nice balance of routine and being just busy enough.

The sun also started to set a bit later each day so I was not leaving work into darkness each night, which I find is a real pick me up in itself.  when I am feeling good naturally I find I am less tempted to seek that feeling via other, more expensive means like going out to restaurants, etc.

To get the kms down on the car I walk to the grocery store/other errands as much as possible.  I am a public transit user anyway, so that takes care of my commute.  With no occasions to head out of town (family is at least 100km away) it really kept the driving down.

All things said and done, mind, body, and stache are leaner (except of the stache) and meaner then at the start of Feb and that feels damn good.

I am going to carry over my reduced meat/beer consumption, as well as the walking more for errands.  I think I may even have convinced myself to start running home from work when the slush/small lakes clear off the streets.

Hope you and the family are doing well!

Cheers.

[Mrs MM]

The sun also started to set a bit later each day so I was not leaving work into darkness each night, which I find is a real pick me up in itself.  when I am feeling good naturally I find I am less tempted to seek that feeling via other, more expensive means like going out to restaurants, etc.

Nice work!  I think what you said above is really key.  It happens to many of us and it's a good thing to be aware of.  Sometimes when you feel like going to the mall or going to a restaurant, then going for a walk or being outside in some way would benefit you all the more.

[GregK]

Nice work Kamikaze! Not to one-up you, but I had a killer month in February as well -- saved 59%! It's sort of cheating, because I got my annual bonus, and saved all of it, but still. Spending was one of the lowest I've had, despite buying a $600 bike (finally)! Feels awesome.

My girlfriend and I have gone Vegan recently, and I was worried it would be more expensive (lots of organic produce). We've spent more on groceries, but less (than our already low amount) on eating out. We just don't have a lot of options at most restaurants / convenience food stores. It's turned out to be a wash, which means we're coming out way ahead (health = wealth)!

[Kamikaze Emu]

Nice work Kamikaze! Not to one-up you, but I had a killer month in February as well -- saved 59%! It's sort of cheating, because I got my annual bonus, and saved all of it, but still. Spending was one of the lowest I've had, despite buying a $600 bike (finally)! Feels awesome.

My girlfriend and I have gone Vegan recently, and I was worried it would be more expensive (lots of organic produce). We've spent more on groceries, but less (than our already low amount) on eating out. We just don't have a lot of options at most restaurants / convenience food stores. It's turned out to be a wash, which means we're coming out way ahead (health = wealth)!

59% is pretty boss!  My goal is to work up to a 50% month, so it is good to see others out there smashing that barrier.