#18 OF 45 - JANUARY IS MY NO SPENDING MONTH

WHAT?????

Just typing those words makes my stomach hurt a little!  There have been many times I have had no money to spend, but I have never embarked to spend no money ON PURPOSE.  I am following "Living Well and Spending Less" format.  She sent out the challenge in October and I kept the emails and decided to let January be THAT month.  It's in paperback or Kindle format from her blog.

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/31-days/livingwellspendingzero/

On Day 1 - there is a commitment agreement that you sign and a worksheet for ground rules.  Of course there are necessities that one would need but it's up to you and/or your family to decide those things.  I've had to come to the realization that my Starbucks cannot be listed as a necessity even though I would want to argue that point.  So I have done this.  CHECK---

On Day 2 - The assignment was to clean out your pantry and take inventory and to throw out any items that had gone beyond the expiration dates (my friend Leah Gulledge would be so proud).  Wipe down the shelves so everything is fresh and ready to be put back in a neat, orderly manner.  Although my close friends have equated me with the dude from Sleeping with the Enemy.  I'm just extra OCD about the pantry:  cans on one shelf, boxes on another, all labels facing out, etc.....  it drives me crazy if it's not just like this.  My best friend, Shelley, and some of our other friends loved to rearrange my pantry when I was asleep or not home to drive me crazy!  I don't have quite as roomy of a pantry but it neat.  Here is the efforts of my project today.

Okay - back on topic.....  the point is that you are able to take inventory of what you have so you can start thinking of your meals to prepare for the month.  The idea is to use whatever you have in the pantry and freezer this month.  The things that won't keep for a month (milk, fruits, veges - etc) can be put on the list of "ok to buy" items.  The point is to not stock up before embarking on this plan but to USE WHAT YOU HAVE.  I did have to buy a few things for this week but it was MUCH less than a normal week's worth of groceries - even for a single girl.  Day 2 check, check!  

I will keep my progress updated this month in hope's that this keeps me feeling accountable.