Involuntary No-buy January - lol! What a wake-up call!

[Minnie_me]

On top of Christmas over-spending, which I can usually easily pay off in January, we had about $900 in "unexpected expenses" (ranging from appliance and car repairs to medical expenses and more). It really put me in tough shape financially.

I told my teen DDs that we were going to have a "No-Buy January", and I explained to them what it meant.

We have had the best month!! Here's a sampling of what we did when we couldn't spend any money:

We made creative meals and desserts

re-watched old favorite DVDs

read a lot,

played/practiced instruments and sang songs

played games

took walks in the snow

taught the dog a bunch of fun new tricks

worked on the house (we have a 100-year old house - lots to do!)

The girls went through their closets and swapped a few items (really cool that they wear the same size now!). They even went through MY closet and took a few things for themselves. Then we did the same with jewelry and shoes - LOL!

After we took down the Christmas decorations, we rearranged a few rooms in the house and switched around furniture, wall decor and knick-knacks.

We realized that we go shopping a LOT for things that we "NEED", when we really don't need them, and that we go shopping when we're bored. We also tend to eat out a lot because I hate to cook, and I'm often "too tired" to make dinner (meaning lazy, lol!). We haven't eaten out at all this month, and we're doing fine.

I'm on board with this No-Buy theory now! We're going to see how long we can keep it up, and hopefully it will help us save for a trip to Universal!

 

[arielmomma]

Glad it is working out well for your family! We are experiencing similar "involuntary" circumstances. Blown tires, burst pipes, water damage, car accident, crumbling chimney, and some definite over-spending during the holidays. 2014 has started out rough!

I know, I know, I should simply be grateful that we are all healthy, and I am, but the new year has been very frustrating so far. As a result, we have been forced into an "involuntary no-buy."

It won't be so bad. We did the no-buy all last summer to save for our WDW trip and we are willing to do it again so that we can go back in May. SWW here we come!

If nothing else, it definitely brings our family closer!

Hope it keeps going well for you.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

What a frightening beginning to a new year...The stress of it all would break many folks' spirits.

Good for you and the girls that you are surviving better. It sounds like you've really made the best of this situation.

Keep it up!

 

[scottmel]

Awesome!!!! Love stories like that...

 

[StephMK]

I'm sorry for both of you starting out with rough 2014 expenses but way to go on making the most of the situation!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Great work! We had the expenses too, in 3 months we needed a new fridge, new dishwasher and a major repair on the washing machine. It's been nuts!

I need to get more creative on the food part though. We do eat out a lot too because I hate to cook and no one wants the same thing. No matter what I come up with for dinner, at least one person complains.

 

[Darcy03231]

Great work! We had the expenses too, in 3 months we needed a new fridge, new dishwasher and a major repair on the washing machine. It's been nuts!

I need to get more creative on the food part though. We do eat out a lot too because I hate to cook and no one wants the same thing. No matter what I come up with for dinner, at least one person complains.

Tell the complainer that they're in charge of dinner the next night. That's what I did and its funny, no one complains anymore.

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

Good idea about the complainer I think I am going to do that as well.

 

[wiigirl]

Awesome!!!! Love stories like that...

 

[Narnia_girl]

On top of Christmas over-spending, which I can usually easily pay off in January, we had about $900 in "unexpected expenses" (ranging from appliance and car repairs to medical expenses and more). It really put me in tough shape financially.

I told my teen DDs that we were going to have a "No-Buy January", and I explained to them what it meant.

We have had the best month!! Here's a sampling of what we did when we couldn't spend any money:

We made creative meals and desserts

re-watched old favorite DVDs

read a lot,

played/practiced instruments and sang songs

played games

took walks in the snow

taught the dog a bunch of fun new tricks

worked on the house (we have a 100-year old house - lots to do!)

The girls went through their closets and swapped a few items (really cool that they wear the same size now!). They even went through MY closet and took a few things for themselves. Then we did the same with jewelry and shoes - LOL!

After we took down the Christmas decorations, we rearranged a few rooms in the house and switched around furniture, wall decor and knick-knacks.

We realized that we go shopping a LOT for things that we "NEED", when we really don't need them, and that we go shopping when we're bored. We also tend to eat out a lot because I hate to cook, and I'm often "too tired" to make dinner (meaning lazy, lol!). We haven't eaten out at all this month, and we're doing fine.

I'm on board with this No-Buy theory now! We're going to see how long we can keep it up, and hopefully it will help us save for a trip to Universal!

I love to hear this!! What a wonderful example of the importance of spending time together rather than spending money. Sorry your hand was forced, but what a way to see the positive.

 

[QVCshopper]

Good for you! Every month I do the no-buy on here, I swear my credit card bill is hundreds of dollars less than when I don't. You just make different choices, which translates into savings. And that's coming from a fairly frugal person in the first place.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Tell the complainer that they're in charge of dinner the next night. That's what I did and its funny, no one complains anymore.

I will try that. I do have kitchen helper as one of their daily chores thinking that would help. They get to meal plan, help prep and set the table. That worked for a while, especially when they did dinner by candlelight, but now it's just another thing to complain about.
I get why DS17 doesn't want to help, he works in a kitchen every day at school (we have a restaurant on campus) but he could at least set the table.

 

[writermommy6]

We're in a no spend eating out challenge and reducing electronic challenge. We've gotten creative with snacks and meals as well as spent more time reading and playing board games together.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

We're in a no spend eating out challenge and reducing electronic challenge. We've gotten creative with snacks and meals as well as spent more time reading and playing board games together.

We call that no technology Tuesday!! They aren't allowed video games during the week but we also skip the internet and TV on Tuesdays. This is also the day we usually do candlelight dinner. They like the show Revolution and between that and a power outage, they got hooked on candles for dinner.

 

[WanderLuster]

Great work! We had the expenses too, in 3 months we needed a new fridge, new dishwasher and a major repair on the washing machine. It's been nuts!

I need to get more creative on the food part though. We do eat out a lot too because I hate to cook and no one wants the same thing. No matter what I come up with for dinner, at least one person complains.

Just wanted to point out something that's worked well for some of my friends that I thought might work particularly well for you since it looks like you have 6 total in your family.

Each week, each member gets to pick the dinner menu for one night. Night seven is smorgasboard night to use up leftovers from the fridge and/or pizza/takeout/eat out night. Night seven is also planning night where everyone makes their selection for the upcoming week.

My friends that use the technique swear it cuts down on whining and complaining. Some allow for an opt-out option - if someone REALLY doesn't like a selection the can make themselves a pb&j sandwich. But no special catering beyond that.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Just wanted to point out something that's worked well for some of my friends that I thought might work particularly well for you since it looks like you have 6 total in your family.

Each week, each member gets to pick the dinner menu for one night. Night seven is smorgasboard night to use up leftovers from the fridge and/or pizza/takeout/eat out night. Night seven is also planning night where everyone makes their selection for the upcoming week.

My friends that use the technique swear it cuts down on whining and complaining. Some allow for an opt-out option - if someone REALLY doesn't like a selection the can make themselves a pb&j sandwich. But no special catering beyond that.

Cereal is my back up option. LOL That way, I don't have to make it!
I did the kitchen helper who picks the meal, but they are such buttheads I still get complaints. Tonight DS17 asked for pot roast. I know 2 will complain and the third will complain about the potatoes and carrots. Eat around them boy, eat around them!

 

[Pooh2]

Well done, OP!