Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Low (no) Spend Challenge and Decluttering Challenge for February


Carla is hosting this challenge and I thought I would like to participate.  My answers are in red.


Here’s how the Low (no) Spend Challenge will work:
1. Choose a financial goal for the month!

I hope to stay under $75 a week on my grocery bill.  That in itself will be an achievement if I can do that.  I already added a little extra to our weekly mortgage payment last month so can't count that.  I also want to add money into our savings account and will aim for an extra $200 for the month.


2. How will you achieve your goal this month?

By actually writing a shopping list and sticking to it.  Using as many coupons where and when possible.  Checking out the half price racks.  Menu planning.  Checking all the flyers and shopping for sale items.

3. How will you allot your spending this month?

I take a specific amount of cash out of the bank each week.  Once that money is gone it's gone and we have to wait until the following week.

4. Track your purchases!


5. Are there any “exemptions” for the month?


- Do you have any previous engagements, birthdays, events, etc.. that simply won’t fit into the month? Then choose your exemptions & plan from there how you can still reach your goal!


We have five birthdays and a wedding this month.  Luckily four of those birthday's are just birthday cards to be sent, but one is a special birthday and I will be purchasing a gift and it will have to be put on my credit card, as it's for a family member in Britain and it will be sent directly to them.  The wedding gift is cash and I saved that up over a period of six weeks @ $50 a week.  Yes a standard wedding gift now is $300 a couple, and I spent another $150+ on a Bridal Shower gift. Oh and Valentine's Day is on the 14th!!

I do need to buy dh a new shirt for the wedding, but hope to pay for it out of the money I take out of the bank weekly.  Also I  must buy dog food this month and that is $90 a sack that lasts around 6 weeks, have $50 put aside for that, so only need to come up with the other $40.


Here’s how the Decluttering challenge will work:


1. There will be 4 main challenges for the month. I pick the theme, you pick the challenge!

Week One: Personal Space Challenge


Our bedroom closets and drawers.


Week Two: Family Space Challenge


Living room wait until you see the before photos with that one!!!


Week Three: Productivity Challenge


Big one this week, is the kitchen cupboards.........

Week Four: The “Dreaded” Challenge


The ruddy old basement.......this is a big job!!!

2. Bonus Challenges!

- I will be giving you 4 *bonus* mini challenges throughout the month! Fast & easy to accomplish! Oh joy!!!!!


3. Purging!!

- Toss, sell, or donate 29 items! One item for every day of the month in February… Easy as pie!

This is one thing I need to do and should be a doddle to do.....

Now the only thing that will throw a spanner in the works is if I get my hand operated  before my February 28th operation date.  I am on the cancellation list, and if I get called I will go in and have it done earlier.  That shouldn't affect my low/no spend challenge, but it could affect the decluttering challenge.  Just thought I'd mention it.

18 comments:

Boopnut said...

I might try this!
Deb

Jane said...

I'm so glad I did my basement before Christmas, then it got another good cleaning when our hot water tank broke and flooded the basement. It was the worst! You have me intrigued about the state of your living room~

Nancy said...

Wow! You are really sticking to your program, Gil. Good for you! :)

~Carla~ said...

Great goals gill! Do I detect a *hint* of sarcasm with my bonus goals?! ;) lol!! Good luck!

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

Sounds like a good plan, Gill. I might follow a similar suit on the declutter challenge.

Andi's English Attic said...

I was doing quite well with my plan until I went into a charity shop.

Well a girl HAS to have clothes! xx

Little Lamb said...

Ambitious month! Times like this (decluttering) I am thankful my home is small :)

Meri said...

You are going to be a busy lady.
Good luck with your goals, they all look very achievable.

simplicityinthemaking said...

Now it is written, you must comply! I am doing the same tasks here. Keeping busy in February makes the month fly by. My site will be down for a few days so I can concentrate on accomplishing things without disturbance from the computer. Un-plug sort to speak. But I'll be back with the happenings. Great job Gill.

Piece by Piece said...

Sounds like a good plan, good luck.

Patricia

DeniseinVA said...

Great list! Thanks Gill.

Lena said...

Great goals, Gill! And you are so great with wedding gifts!! I think the most we got when we got married was $50 at a time!! And I was so grateful even for that!! Your gift will definitely be such a huge help for a new family!

EG CameraGirl said...

I love the decluttering challenge. I'm already pretty frugal about my grocery purchases but clutter blooms everywhere around me. :)

First, though, I have to help my husband lay the new tiles on our kitchen floor. We've already taken up the carpet (there when we bought the house) and the layer of vinyl tiles underneath - except for under the stove and refrigerator. What a job!

Unknown said...

Wow! Gill you're one woman on a mission.

Really looking forward to following you on the Grocery Challenge!

Sft x

The Witch said...

Gill,
Your goals are very reasonable and I sure you will have no problem accomplishing them. I always purge and now when I'm shopping and see something I would really like, it has to have a purpose of use not just a pretty item. I hate dusty so this has worked very well for me.
Meal planning has worked wonderfully for us along with coupons while I do the shopping.

Maggie said...

Hi Gill, goo going with the saving pots, i'm having the same problem with putting in my sealed pot, i usually badger DH when he comes home at the weekend to contribute, lol.

good luck with the de-clutter/cleaning jobs. At the new year i started making a list on a sunday of (bigger) jobs to be done in the following week, i just list about 10 things to do extra to the normal chores and cross them off when i'm done - it's working well so far. Because my OH is away all week i have always made him his own list of jobs to do at the weekend, chopping wood, cleaning drains (things i don't like doing!) It does work and he doesn't mind because he can see what's to be done and i don't have to nag!

Look forward to your progress report, you are so organised, you are an inspiration :-)

John Going Gently said...

I might try this too

Kaisievic said...

The Best of British luck to you, Gill. You can do it, I know.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

{{{SIGH}}}

Tuesday was a mixed bag type of day. Had the appliance repair guy come again to install another circuit board in the fridge.  When hubby got...