February 2008: NO SPEND CHALLENGE

A quick digression while I think of it....

See that little Simple Savings banner above the post here ~ this is a site I have actually paid a membership for each year for the last 4-5 years (although I have a feeling I won a free year with a hint/tip I submitted). with the forum, the hints and the challenges, we paid for our wedding, built a veggie garden; purchased a 4br house on 1/2 ac; got chooks and saved lots! Seriously.

So this is the new challenge for Feb and if you click on the banner you can have a cruise around for free and see what Simple Savings is about. If you do decide to take out a membership, you will change the way you shop, spend and save.

Anyways...We are planning to do the Febraury no spend challenge ~ DH, me, DS17 & DS8.

We've started a stocktake of what is in the pantry, fridge, freezer and what we will have in the garden. We do not plan a 'stock up' prior ~ still hope to stay on or well under our food budget prior.

Effectively - we only have $200 for this fortnight's shop. We didn't use the $50-$80 last week (big shop/little shop ~ or as I say rich week/poor week!!). Animal feed is purchased at the end of each month - we hope to stretch this by being more pro-active with food scraps. Currently our goal is to ensure all amenities are paid (electricity and mobiles fall due); mortgage payments, credit card and the rates which fall in the middle of the month.

Ideally we are going to have an average of $50 per week for nominal groceries - hoping to spend about $200 for the month, with one $21 Challenge week ~ but will have $50 stand-by for specials and bulk purchases (eg. rice, cat food, flour, butter) but hope to impliment some of the 'starving woolworths' strategies. This is something we have not done in the past.

The children have been fore-warned there will be no icypoles, icecreams, extra lollies, tuckshop. After the initial tears, howls and protests ~ we explained that there were desserts such as fruit and custard, puddings, frozen bananas and whatever else we could create. As DH works over 100kms from home, communiting daily ~ we are including train fares and petrol as required (also to get to school as walking is not feasible ~ 20+km and no buses accessible that way).

DH will be staying with MIL to reduce that cost - this is a trade off as he has already expressed his distain for having to forego his morning Gloria Jeans coffee. "only 1 per day..." Trying to coherse this to one each Friday??? Trying... No clothes, shoes, frivolity purchases. Swimming lessons will require payment during this time - more a safety and skill requirment for a very unconfident 8yo 'swimmer'.

No prepackaged food (ok - realitively easy - but no Friday take away pizza!) Doctors, meds will still be required. OOohh - yes a novel. We are following a KISS format - keep it simple stoopid - just to ensure it is basic but good. Kids have been looking a no cost outings, activities. We are also going to include a no-screen clause on weekends. This will include the computers. THAT will be difficult for me. So everyone, adults and children will have their own little personal challenge/sacifice.

With the long weekend we plan to have our 'rules and aspirations' drawn up, menu plan and activity list complete. We will barter, freecycle, trade where we can ~ we do this anyway, but we will document it. We were planning to do this to some degree for a month or two anyway ~ DH has gone from weekly pay with OT to flat monthly pay with TOIL. Due to my injuries and woes,

I am not working. We know I will have a $180 specialist appointment, travelling to Melbourne ~ I will be staying overnight. There are a few more ideas to banter around ~ looking for other things that will enable no spending, reduction of outgoings and achieving more 'active' family time (that does not revolve around TV, xbox, DVDs). We plan to incorporate 1-2 no electricity days (aside from fridge & freezer) - everything will be off stand-by. DH and I really want to see how that impacts on usage and bills - we had the electricity reading today. Good timing!

I think many will think we are doing it 'extreme' ~ others may think there is more we could cover. For one - my parents will think we are crazy!! But I am hoping that this will get us back ahead on CeeCee and add a bit extra to Morty. Also hopefully, get us on track to purchase another watertank - one that is about 3000L or more.

SO: This month we are going to:
Not spend anything, reduce our energy consumption
Our memory trigger will be: . . . not sure yet - needs to work for the whole family
Our reward weekly will be: Picnic at a place locally we have not been before
Our reward for the month will be: No outstanding bills, a new water tank ($825)
Potential savings weekly: $250
Potential savings for the month: $1000

Hopefully we will be ready and finalised by 30 January ~ the day school goes back.