When I walk down the street temptation calls my name from every doorway
While this could be the opening line from a country song, it's actually a description of why I find it so difficult to adhere to No Spending February. I'm sticking to it, but I find temptation at every step. I was walking up Broadway yesterday and Talbot's was shouting, "You must need something." I replied (silently) that I have all the clothes I need and practically ran across the street to dodge the temptation of 60% off markdowns. Yes, a shirt that's reduced 80% is a good buy, but spending nothing is better.
My tally for the first week of February is $82.19 for groceries and $32.00 for stuff. When I did my post last week I mentioned there were a few things I needed -- mostly Valentine and gift things, and that I budgeted $40.00 for that category. I'm reasonably sure that I can't stick to that number, due to some illness in the extended Buttercupland family and I will be buying gifts to send. I will track my spending, but it's definitely a necessary expense.
Not that restaurant eating is part of No Spending February, but the project makes me think about how I spend money in general, and there's been very little going out to eat. I had lunch out last Saturday, but was treated by generous friends and I had lunch at a favorite Greek restaurant in Connecticut during my visit last Thursday.
Two observations from the first week of No Spending. The first is that I can't imagine that my food bill for February 2023 will match the low of February 2022, which was $185.00. The second observation is one we discuss in Weight Watchers almost every week, i.e., it's important to be thoughtful. I find that spending money frivolously when I'm not thinking about it is not very different than eating anything that looks good, also without thinking about it. At those time I spend too much and I eat too much, and I'm usually unhappy with the result.
In the category of Better Late than Never, the winner of the Frida Kahlo socks is Susan L., one of my first blog buddies and comment number two. Susan, I'll be sending them out to you in the next little while and wishes for lots of happy steps.
My next post is "All About Eggs" and egg prices. There won't be any political commentary, but an observation on the price of eggs in Connecticut and New York City.
As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.
6 comments
Hi Carol. I totally agree with you about the temptation to overspend and/or overeat. I have put on about ten pound this past year, and I and I am not very happy about it, so I like your comment about being thoughtful and mindful when we spend and eat. Thanks for the encouragement! I hope you enjoy the rest of the week.
You live in a spot where the money just flies out of the wallet. No money February is quite a challenge. Good luck.
I've been tempted too. There are a lot of sales going on right now and I like to take advantage of the prices. I spent way more than you on groceries and I've cut back on a lot of the things I used to eat. No more donuts for me. Could be healthier eating is costing me more and I've replaced a lot of things that used to be in my pantry as I strive to go salt free. Unexpected expenses seem to come out of nowhere. I've had a few of those too. Good luck on your endeavors !
It is so easy to overspend when the word sale and a very large % off is listed, but thankfully you did resist. I really dislike clothes shopping so thankfully there's no temptation there for myself. I have made some recent finds at a local thrift store, my favorite type of shopping especially for new or nearly new candles. We do not track out grocery shopping on paper, but I do know that this year we sometimes spend more p[er week, depending on whether we buy non-food items.
You mentioned doing a post on egg prices, but toilet tissue is right up there as well in adding to the weekly bill.
I have had many an online shopping cart that I've abandoned lately myself! They are tempting!
Oh the price of groceries:( AND EGGS:( Well, we have to eat. It is still cheaper to eat in than eating out. So, we eat in mostly. We have some gift cards from Christmas that we will be using soon. That will be nice to enjoy a meal that I didn't have to cook. Enjoy your day dear friend, you will be able to shop on March 1st:) HUGS!
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