No spend November- who's in?

[FunkyChopstick]

I did a no spend July and it was great. We saved a ton, actual amount not calculated, but it was a nice re-set push toward the light. Flash forward to now: Just took a job that is a literal 20k year cut. I was making 52, now I will be making 32.... I want to do a no spend year but I am pumping my breaks with a no-spend month.  I realize most of us do a version of this already- but this is no eating out/snacks on the run, no amazon prime shipments, nada. Time to tick things off the to do list and tighten the financial belt given the new salary.

This is just the basics for the month: utilities, mortgage, minimal food to emphasize eating from home and scratch cooking, etc. Anyone in with me?

[gannowar]

I would love to but my wife would revolt haha let me know if anybody knows how to get their spouse onboard with “no-spend”

[Fru-Gal]

I really am tempted. Maybe just for myself, not the family? But going in to the holidays it could be very hard. We also host Thanksgiving. And I worry a bit about rebounding in December (or perhaps the rebound would be well-deserved?).

[gannowar]

I really am tempted. Maybe just for myself, not the family? But going in to the holidays it could be very hard. We also host Thanksgiving. And I worry a bit about rebounding in December (or perhaps the rebound would be well-deserved?).

Good idea. For all my brain power, I didn’t think about just doing it for myself haha I practically do every month as no-spend though.

[FunkyChopstick]

For getting the other halves on board:  I told my husband about it and he is all in... as a supporter. In fairness he is quitting smoking in November. Smoking is such a drain!!! I guess all addictions are a drain but as he is quitting smoking ( nicorette patches are already purchased and stare him down in the AM) in 2 weeks and already a very low spend partner then I am happy.
I figure when a partner sees how much is going to go to a fun fund, vacation? , it is pretty hard to turn that down :)

I know we are all happily white-knuckled with the wallet as in but this is an extra measure.
Things I am putting off this month:
1. buying bulbs for the yard that will bloom in spring. Sigh, it can wait. I have tons of annual seeds I can work with instead
2.  buying picture frames for some art prints that we bought earlier in the year. I am going to put the word out and see what comes back my way. I can also ask my handy FIL to maybe make plain wooden frames. Debating since the prints then wouldn't be protected by a cover. Again, not life or death.
3. I have been pining for a bidet for our 2 bathrooms. I feel like this is going on my xmas list instead!
4. Start new job the first week in November. I have been slowly losing weight and was exited for their gym at the business campus new job is at. Gym membership is only 25 or 30 a month but. I figure I could just bring my sneakers and walk around their huge campus outside and still do (roughly) the same job. If not I can always do the dreaded home work out. meh
5. wanted to really finish our spare bedroom and replace the mattress. The current matress me and hubs laid on and loved on for 10 years. The old gal does the trick but isn't highly ranked. Since we really don't have that many sleepovers, friends stay over less than 7 days a year,  we are going to push that back. Again, may pump the word out to be spread thru the grapevine for an upgraded freebie.

Huge expenses this month. AKA where all our saved dollar dollar bills are going toward:
1. We are renovating our back room top to bottom AND as a bonus my handy dandy husband had to replace a cracked sewer line. Fun, fun, fun. Hubs is doing all the work and saving us thousands. Total estimated project cost will be under $1700.
2. Dingbat dog that we adopted in August is a medical nightmare. She has heartworms, and yup they are exactly what they sound like, and that treatment is going to be 800 total plus she had a 2900 surgery for on the 2nd. I love her but she has met her annual quota in the first 2 months of living here. We have pet insurance so they should cover 90% of her surgery. That little monster....the looks have saved her.

   So yeah- home improvement and vet bills. Woo hoo

[Linea_Norway]

For us this will be difficult. We will probably have to pay expenses when we sell our home, litt the photographer, the real estate broker, seller insurance etc. Also, if we want to visit family in abroadistan for Christmas, we will typically book either flight or ferry in November. And I might even order some Christmas presents in November already. At some point in time we will even buy a used trailer, though I'm not sure whether that we be in November.

Still, posting to follow what you will do. I guess I can refrain from buying stuff for myself in the next month.

[SunnyDays]

I'll join!  My only expenses will likely be groceries, and few at that, since my freezer is pretty stuffed and I want to get it emptied so I can defrost.  Don't need clothes for a looooong time.  So, just utilities, a bit of gas for the car, and pet food.

 I feel your pain for the vet bills.  When I adopted my previous dog from the neighbours a few years ago, she too came with heartworm.  I also paid $800.00.  She got through the treatment okay, but it was hard keeping her quiet for 2 months while the worms died.  Make sure the vet prescribes enough pain killer.  My dog was crying in pain the 2nd day and I had to call back for approval to increase her meds.  50 mg of Tramadol wasn't enough for an 85 pound dog - she needed double that.  She ended up being fine though, until she developed cancer 4 years later and I had to put her down.  She was a great dog.  Best of luck with treatment!

[tungu2]

I was planning to do a no spend November too!

I have one necessary purchase (new desk), but otherwise I really need to catch up on savings after a rough summer.

My additional goals for November:
- not buying sweets (if there are free treats at events I might have some);
- no booze (maybe once if there’s a party);
- limit paper towel usage (mostly for environmental reasons);
- try to plan better around my work lunch allowance. We have a set amount of money daily. I often end up spending leftover money on treats. I think if I actually check the menu beforehand I can squeeze an additional side dish or a salad to take home for dinner.

Do you think buying beauty products with a gift card I already have would be cheating?

[Rosy]

[Do you think buying beauty products with a gift card I already have would be cheating?/quote]
No, I wouldn't consider it cheating - I think it is the same as eating up whatever food you already have in your fridge and pantry.

Good luck with your no spend November - it's more ambitious than I'm ready for. My goal will be to save $1,6K and keep my personal spending to $250 or less.

[Frugalicious]

I am in.  I have been spending like a drunken sailor and I’m considering taking a pay cut as well!  Thanks!

[Serendip]

I will also join. Spendy autumn! Might try to start now until end of Nov.
 
Would love to re-set the frugality habit, we did a no-shopping year (besides food/safety/hygiene) last year which was amazing..but then the past few months, I've slipped back into comfort browsing/buying.

[starbuck]

Count me in. Earlier this year we purchased a very big fixer-upper house. And while we plan on doing a lot of the work ourselves, we recently hired out a few projects (gutters, tree removal, and fireplace insert.) Everything was fine and dandy until two of the three came in at more expensive than expected, plus a $1,400 car repair and boom our cash cushion is gone. So time to buckle down and rebuild the coffers for a few months! In fact, I'm starting now because there's no time like the present. For our budget to break even this month, I have $105 to last until October 31st after the $22 I spent on groceries today. For our family of four that's going to be incredibly tight, but it's still worth trying!

I focused in on food waste the last few days. The blueberries went in the freezer before they could get moldy. We've been given several pounds of apples that I turned into applesauce for the baby, keeping one jar in the fridge and the other four in the freezer. And I cooked up the last of the kale that I really didn't want to eat to go with dinner tonight. Waste not!

[FunkyChopstick]

Do you think buying beauty products with a gift card I already have would be cheating?

Nope. That is free money and just waiting for beauty products ;)

[FunkyChopstick]

Woo hoo. No spend November party up in here. Kudos Comrades.
To pre-game I have bought the following things in the last 2 days:

1.My fav wine. Its boxed and delicious and only $24 for 4 bottles worth. BotaBox RedVolution. We have a friendsgiving in the middle of the month and coming empty handed just isn't cool. Plus I like a nip or two and its cheaper than Ambien.

2.Hair dye. The gods have damned me and I went from colored hair to, BOOM, white and grey parade up there. In my early 30s. Dicks. BUT- I do halve the dye components, never pre-mix then halve, so I get 7-8 weeks of coverage from 1 box.
And sidenote- my trainwreck dog is hanging in there. Still waiting on the pet insurance re-imbursement though.

[Linea_Norway]

Woo hoo. No spend November party up in here. Kudos Comrades.
To pre-game I have bought the following things in the last 2 days:

1.My fav wine. Its boxed and delicious and only $24 for 4 bottles worth. BotaBox RedVolution. We have a friendsgiving in the middle of the month and coming empty handed just isn't cool. Plus I like a nip or two and its cheaper than Ambien.

2.Hair dye. The gods have damned me and I went from colored hair to, BOOM, white and grey parade up there. In my early 30s. Dicks. BUT- I do halve the dye components, never pre-mix then halve, so I get 7-8 weeks of coverage from 1 box.
And sidenote- my trainwreck dog is hanging in there. Still waiting on the pet insurance re-imbursement though.

We are going to a party in November and want to bring a gift. So far, we decided to gift them one of our art pictures from our house. We are planning to move to a smaller house soon and we think they will like the motive.

But we probably need to bring our own booze. We will bring along a tent and set it up in their garden to sleep there afterwards, as it is a bit far driving and we don't drive after drinking. They are outdoorsy people who think that it cool.

[tungu2]

Hi everyone!
How did your first day go? Mine was surprisingly lucky. Some highlights:
- made two sales on a Craigslist-type site. Only 2 and 5 dollars (equivalent in our currency), but my main purpose was decluttering anyway
- my parents went out of town and asked for a small favor at their place. In return they told me to take the food they left in the fringe. So I had a nice home made dinner for free. And leftovers for the weekend!
- checked new monthly bonuses from my bank. One of the local supermarket offers 7 per cent cash back on all purchases. It combines with coupons and sales. So I will be able to save a bit on necessities

Overall, a no spend day. I am planning a slow weekend of more decluttering and listing stuff for sale

[Serendip]

Oh geez--I forgot about this and bought rain pants yesterday (ones I wanted earlier but now when on 1/2 price sale but still!)

There is some replacement gear that might need to be purchased for safety this month but other than that--I'll stay on track.

[SunnyDays]

So far, so good, but I do need at least one pair of new jeans.  Don't think I can hold off another month.  That's all I envision buying for this month apart from food etc,

[FunkyChopstick]

- limit paper towel usage (mostly for environmental reasons);

I dig the no paper towels. I am a pretty environmentally focused person who keeps an emergency roll of bounty under the kitchen sink. The kind that have the pre-cut half sheet tear. We maybe use 2 rolls a year. And these are for the unsavory choices- dog having blowout diarrhea, cleaning a yucky toilet rim...other than that I have a bunch of old dollar store towels that look like trash but do my dirty work :) I also got some of my grandmothers fancy dinner napkins that I bang up with greasy fingers and they just keep washing out. It is seriously impressive and also makes me question why the napkin industry exists for home use. Kudos on the goals though! Cheers to No Spend November!

[FunkyChopstick]

 I know it's weak sauce but I am a super visual person and I made a poster of money goals to help with the momentum of motivation. Some are easy peasy, others will be a work in progress to hit and take hard work. My goal is to have almost everything ticked off by end of January.Today was my first day of the new job and that 20k pay loss is ringing hard in my ears. So the No Spend November ( NSN) and my (ridiculously girly and kiddo-esque) poster will help me along the way.

We are 4 days in and I have ticked off 3 boxes; babysitting gig, CHAH shift ( my former and better paying job), and cancelled Amazon Prime. I signed up for 3 more old job shifts this month and have another baby sitting gig lines up. I am already excited to cross them off the poster when they happen.

I put $200 into a ziplock baggie and went grocery shopping and it will be what it will be. Beans are in the crockpot, butternut squash is already roasted, and I have left over rice from the weekend to make lunch. I am envisioning a quasi burrito bowl with some green onions sprinkles on for good measure. I made a onion dip and will have veggies on the side with said burrito bowl.

I have $137 left for the rest of the month and the way I shopped at the store today we should only have to pick up some milk, eggs, and a few pieces of produce next week. I keep meals listed in my notes on my phone and that way I don't get distracted at the grocery store. The struggle is real ladies and gents. I love little challenges and I want to be as positive on 11/4 as on 11/24. Goals.

[FunkyChopstick]

I can't upload the pic of my chart for some reason. The file isn't too big but maybe the MMM gods don't want to see my embarrassing art project.

[FunkyChopstick]

We are going to a party in November and want to bring a gift. So far, we decided to gift them one of our art pictures from our house. We are planning to move to a smaller house soon and we think they will like the motive.

But we probably need to bring our own booze. We will bring along a tent and set it up in their garden to sleep there afterwards, as it is a bit far driving and we don't drive after drinking. They are outdoorsy people who think that it cool.

The art and tent idea are amazing. Seriously, I have a tent. And I drink at parties. And friends have yards. That is brilliant. And backyard sleeping is always fun. Congrats on the house downsize too.

[Linea_Norway]

I can't upload the pic of my chart for some reason. The file isn't too big but maybe the MMM gods don't want to see my embarrassing art project.

Maybe the file format isn't accepted? Try to save in another format.

[tungu2]

I had to buy an overpriced bottle of water today. Tap is not considered safe where I live and something happened to drinking water system at work. Other than that spent very little. Just paid for utilities and bought moisturizer (it’s a necessity, my skin got painfully dry). I am still very far from finishing all the food from the freezer so my food budget is still intact.

[SunnyDays]

A bag of dog food, some canned cat food and $50.00 worth of groceries yesterday.  Oh, and a bag of catnip - it buys me time to get into my bedroom at night without the cats following, so well worth it!

[Serendip]

Have been doing well--spent zero today, yesterday & for a few days before that (and trying to eat through the fridge before hitting up the grocery store).  I have a large tax instalment to pay before the end of the year so that is helping keep motivation high :)

I've also been chatting finances with friends who have major debt loads so it reminds me to stay on top of my own..it slips quickly due to my social circle who love to travel and buy outdoor gear.  :)

[tungu2]

Ok, I slipped up. I was ordering a gift for a family member (smth they told me they wanted) while the store had 30% off everything. It was a good deal because I would be buying this gift anyway. However, I added a t-shirt for myself to the cart. It was cheap, but still a want. Hope it’s my first unnecessary purchase in a couple of months. To offset it, I did some credit card churning and listed some more stuff for sale.

[tungu2]

Overall, my no spend month was a success. I returned the shirt that was an impulse purchase. I bought coffee twice but both times I was stuck in a bank for hours and just needed a treat/caffeine/distraction. Apart from coffee, no unnecessary spending, yay!