I've "celebrated" No-Spending January, April and October and Low-Spending February, and now I'm adding September to the No-Spending list. Adding September to the list came to me when I was thinking about my glorious week on the river. There was lots of talking, reading, movie watching and visits with friends. One thing I didn't do was shop. I did spend twenty minutes in the college gift store, but without the intent to buy anything. I just enjoyed looking. We did do some grocery shopping, but I wasn't stocking the kitchen. Thanks to K's organization and thoughtfulness we had great meals and there were snacks and coffee whenever I wanted.
I've been an organized shopper this summer, but I've been a shopper. I bought exercise clothes, makeup, new sneakers, a tote bag, sweater and socks. These are all things I've needed, but a lot more than I've bought for quite awhile. For the last couple of years I've kept a list of things I planned to buy when I retired -- bigger purchases -- and I checked the first item off that list, too, my new and beloved iPad. It was a lot of shopping for someone who has tried to refrain from buying things.
I've decided to that it's time for another No-Spending month, and officially declare this No-Spending September. Whatever I own can last for the next month. The search for the out-of-stock lipstick I've been looking for can resume in October. Halloween decorations can be bought next month, too. Michael's won't be sold out.
One of the things I heard most before I retired was that I would save money if I wasn't working. I am spending more money. I brought my lunch most working days for years, didn't frequent pricey coffee stores and didn't invest in a lot of work clothes. Now I have time to meet friends for lunch, coffee and dinner seven days a week and there's a cute place on every corner in the neighborhood. Being at home during the day during the hottest summer in years has given me truly horrifying electric bills. I go through paper goods at an astounding rate. I don't want to feel deprived or be a candidate for an extreme thrifter reality show, but I do want to find ways to be economical and still enjoy living in New York City. I've got some ideas for grocery thriftiness, but that's for October. One month at a time!
I did get some of my errands done today, but a mishap in the middle of the day derailed me. I slipped on a puddle in the entryway of the grocery around the corner. At least four women shoppers offered to help me up and they couldn't have been nicer. My foot isn't too badly swollen, but it isn't as it should be despite spending the rest of the day elevating it with ice. If it's not better in the morning I will get an x-ray, but I wanted to give the ice a chance to work. I also couldn't see sitting in the emergency room on Labor Day for hours. I'll keep you posted and of course, appreciate prayers.
Always enjoy your visits and hope you had a much less eventful Labor Day than I did. Sweet dreams!
I've been an organized shopper this summer, but I've been a shopper. I bought exercise clothes, makeup, new sneakers, a tote bag, sweater and socks. These are all things I've needed, but a lot more than I've bought for quite awhile. For the last couple of years I've kept a list of things I planned to buy when I retired -- bigger purchases -- and I checked the first item off that list, too, my new and beloved iPad. It was a lot of shopping for someone who has tried to refrain from buying things.
I've decided to that it's time for another No-Spending month, and officially declare this No-Spending September. Whatever I own can last for the next month. The search for the out-of-stock lipstick I've been looking for can resume in October. Halloween decorations can be bought next month, too. Michael's won't be sold out.
One of the things I heard most before I retired was that I would save money if I wasn't working. I am spending more money. I brought my lunch most working days for years, didn't frequent pricey coffee stores and didn't invest in a lot of work clothes. Now I have time to meet friends for lunch, coffee and dinner seven days a week and there's a cute place on every corner in the neighborhood. Being at home during the day during the hottest summer in years has given me truly horrifying electric bills. I go through paper goods at an astounding rate. I don't want to feel deprived or be a candidate for an extreme thrifter reality show, but I do want to find ways to be economical and still enjoy living in New York City. I've got some ideas for grocery thriftiness, but that's for October. One month at a time!
I did get some of my errands done today, but a mishap in the middle of the day derailed me. I slipped on a puddle in the entryway of the grocery around the corner. At least four women shoppers offered to help me up and they couldn't have been nicer. My foot isn't too badly swollen, but it isn't as it should be despite spending the rest of the day elevating it with ice. If it's not better in the morning I will get an x-ray, but I wanted to give the ice a chance to work. I also couldn't see sitting in the emergency room on Labor Day for hours. I'll keep you posted and of course, appreciate prayers.
Always enjoy your visits and hope you had a much less eventful Labor Day than I did. Sweet dreams!
17 comments
That is a great idea! A no spending month. I'm not sure i could pull it off. Kudos to you for doing it! :)
Dear Carol, I am trying not to spend too!! I agree with you. What I have will do. I am joining you in no spending Sept..
I hope that your ankle is feeling better in the morning. It will probably take a few days though, but better safe than sorry.
Blessings dearest and a hug, Catherine xo
So sorry about your fall and hope ankle is better this morning. I could've easily told you that those who said you'd spend less in retirement were wrong. And no need to go into any detail cause you did that just fine in your post. You've got it figured out and are well on your way to working it out. I constantly tease Bill about how much more toilet paper we use when he isn't in school!! LOL!
I hope the ice and rest does the trick in healing your ankle. You are a relatively new retiree, I am retired for 4 years and find I don't spend more money than when working. I am out and about a lot but it is by choice now. Hurray for retirement.
Sorry about your ankle. I you need a cane you can borrow mine.
On the other hand, you gave your self a gift or gifts as a retirement treat.
From my experience things settled down in terms of spending. I bought the things I hadn't had time to buy when I was working - like a pan, etc. I did have fun until I got the second Amex bill that sent me gasping. Then i tamed it.
You've earned the right to have fun and spend some money.
I love your idea of designating no-spending months. I can live without "stuff", but I do need to go out and meet with people and spend money on consumable goods. My husband and I do go out to eat too often, but sitting in the house staring at each other would drive us crazy. Then there are the grandchildren....
I hope you get to the doctor and feel better soon.
Shanna Tova!!!!
Sweet year to YOU - happy New Adventures - AND - Be Well.
Great idea to institute a "no spending month" from time to time. I really had gotten off track on my budgeting a few months back and restarted writing down every dollar I spend since starting my new job. I have goals of certain bills to pay off.
Sorry to hear about your fall, hope you don't have to go to the doctors and it's healing quickly.
Yeah to the NO SPENDING:) I go for a while without shopping but then treat myself to a trip out! I grocery shop every two weeks and cook most dinner meals at home! Muffin at home for breakfast and sandwich in for lunch! Not saying I do that every day or every week but mostly that is my routine with eating! Sorry about the fall! Hope you are all better now! Have a blessed week, HUGS!
Ouch! That foot is no fun! I sprained my ankle for the first time ever LAST October, and it was most unpleasant!
A "no-spending" month sounds good to me.
Hope your foot heals soon. Best to take things one day at a time.
Gosh, but I envy your discipline. Sort of reminds me of the (unsuccessful) week I once tried using only cash to pay for any purchases. Something about having to part with those little pieces of paper gave pause!
Hope your foot heals quickly and tomorrow doesn't find you in X-ray!!!
Hugs,
Myra
I try hard to not spend money unless I have to. We just don't have it to spend. It takes every penny we have to just exist. Alas, that is the life of a pensioner! Good luck on your no spending September! xxoo
I have tried no spending, not an entire month and still didn't succeed, I like this challenge! I do hope your foot is okay, and that you have no breaks still you'll need to treat her gently for a wee while, slowing down some ;-).
I'm good at doing the no spending thing as long as I keep away from shopping, but get me out and about like I've been doing with some day trips and somehow I spend like crazy. Not a good thing at all. Still I enjoy what I've bought so it's not necessarily bad either. My retirement budget has been revised several times and still needs more world. Take care with that foot. You are in my prayers for a speedy recovery.
You're doing great! I like the idea of a low spending month. We went on a day trip today and only spent $2...we talked about it on the way home. Best of luck my friend!
I am playing catch-up - - had read most of your blogs but am trying to get some commenting done. Good for you on 'no-spending goals'. My mom used paper goods a lot, too. She said she wanted to spend her time doing better things than washing dishes. Her co-op apt did not have a dishwasher and the kitchen was a small Pullman. It got crowded with only one person in it!
I am sorry about your foot - - - have read later posts and know that it's broken. Was it the fault of the store for not posting a wet spot? A friend had that happen outside a store here and the store paid her medical bills. It had something to do with the sidewalk needing repair.
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