Okay, I have decided on the terms of my "Spending Freeze" that will begin on September 1st, but I have changed the name to a "Spending Challenge". I made up a contract for myself that you can read below. This is to help control my spending but also to make sure I can still spend, because going cold turkey is madness. Even $150 is more than I want to spend each month, but I figured I would make it a little more JUST in case XD. I'm planning on spending less than that.
*There is a splurge exception for getting a digital video camera since I will need one IF I'm invited to interview at the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows premiere for my site. My travel/other expenses for the premiere will also not count*
In my sidebar I will keep a tally of how much I have spent and on the first of each month I will do a post stating how much I spent and what I bought. This way I can find out if I'm buying things that I don't really need.
If you want to join me in this, make a contract for yourself, post it on your blog and the first of each month do a recap of how much you spent and what you bought.
AMENDMENT ONE: As of November 2010 the budget is now $250 since I got hired full time and can afford to spend a little more. I will still try to stay under $150 though.
AMENDMENT TWO: As of January 2011 I have decreased the limit to $200 to account for my 2 big vacations of the year. Also, any money I make advertising or from babysitting/anything not related to my real work will be put into a fund that I can use on a splurge item(s).
AMENDMENT THREE: As of May 2011 the spending limit has decreased to $150 and my budget is only for clothes. Based on my spending I feel that this is a much better way to control myself because my problem with shopping is clothes. I don't buy much else and when I do buy things that aren't clothes its very infrequent and something I need. So when I do need to buy other things I don't want that to hinder my clothing budget. But I did feel like I needed to lower the budget since it is only for clothes.
Are you woman (or man) enough to join in?! ;)
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There is so much you can get for $150!
ReplyDeleteI think you will do great with the $150....watch for sales, and itll really make you RETHINK if you want the item....thats almost #38 per weekend...if you try, you can really do it:)
ReplyDeletethis is such a good idea
ReplyDeletestyleaccordingtome.blogspot.com
GREAT IDEA! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna be posting my own spending pledge soon. Thanks
xoxo jaz
cool deal! i didn't spend that much ($150) a month though; me and my sister are still students, hahaa. good luck with your pledge! :D
ReplyDeleteCastor Pollux
great idea :p
ReplyDeleteGood luck doll! I may join you next month. ;) xo- karrie
ReplyDeletewww.hellopretty.net
You know I'm of course on this path already, but I was only thinking in terms of clothing/accessories/shoes -- as for those other 'non-essentials' I have really been counting, I've gone out to eat, to the movies, gotten lots of coffees... which all adds up, and I'm not really watching it. I also really want a new lens for my camera which would be a splurge purchase indeed, at $600...
ReplyDeleteChic on the Cheap
I'm really excited to follow your progress on here! I know for sure that I couldn't do this.
ReplyDeleteI'm in but my purpose is to spend any money that I don't NOW, in October when my girlfriends and I go to NY.
ReplyDeletegood luck with this (and i'm afraid to say i'm not man/woman to join in for now) :)
ReplyDeletei've been on a fashion diet for a while and so far have been a good girl... after a while you start to realize your bank account looks really healthy and your European trip doesn't look impossible anymore... have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I think that you are on the right track to financial freedom....
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
such a quite worthy & timely challenge, which i applaud you in first undertaking yourself by example & then extending to all "to step up..." in similar manner & spirit! i definitely & eagerly accept such!
ReplyDeleteI think this sounds like a great way to hold yourself accountable. I need to seriously look at my shopping budget. I was doing so well... then I'm not sure what came over me!!! BUT I am happy to say that all recent purchases are items that will last and I will get a decent cost per wear ratio out of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, im so happy that it's finally over! Haha. This idea sounds very good! I think 150 dollars for me is even to much.. But im not much of a big spender either.. Good luck on the challenge, but im sure you'll do great.. You probably should now that the WHOLE world is watching you haha :p
ReplyDeleteLove,
Sjanna from wehavebeenexpectingyou
Sounds fab! Do u include things like take out? Cos thats my downfall!
ReplyDeleteJenna
Http: //ukfashiontrends.blogspot.com
such a good idea! and you can get so many great things for only 150$ :) good luck to you!
ReplyDeletehttp://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/
That's a great pledge. Often deciding what will last for years or not is the hardest part. All the best!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, great pledge! I would love to join you but I donated a lot of clothes to charity before my move and need fall clothes now!
ReplyDeleteHAHHAHA!I love your statement. I wish I could join but I am not strong enough to make this promise to myself. :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
B* a la Moda
Wow! I'd love to say I will try but, I know I won't be able to resist....Good Luck I'm holding thumbs!!
ReplyDeleteWendy
www.wendylifeinthefashonlane.blogspot.com
This sounds like a great idea, good luck!!
ReplyDeletexx
www.milkteeths.blogspot.com
I would join in if I didn't have pre-orders from Karen Walker and Lover coming out in the next couple months!
ReplyDeleteGood luck x
http://pagesixxx.blogspot.com
Great idea! You will get a lot for $150.:) My budget is horrible at the moment, I have only about €30 to spend on non-essential items p/m. Ughhhhh!!!!! Someone give me a job. haha SarahD:)
ReplyDeleteoouuww, great idea ! ;)
ReplyDeletedianaurora.blogspot.com
This is a cool idea!
ReplyDelete¡Besitos fashionistas!
http://stylefashionfamous.blogspot.com/
good luck hunniie: )
ReplyDeleteI am back from SH come checkout my blog~
xx
vnikali
www.vnikali.blogspot.com
Hah! With your bargain hunting abilities, $150 could keep you shopping most days of the week! Seriously though, I think it's a good idea. I couldn't possibly post my spending habits on my blog though; I would just end up lying. Too many years of lying to my mother... ; ) Anyway, I'm fairly well behaved, so I feel justified on the odd splurge!
ReplyDeleteI'm in! I think I'm going to try to keep it under 100 though or less. We will see :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a fantastic idea! I definitely encourage you in sticking with it :)
ReplyDeleteI'm in!
ReplyDeleteI follow you :) xx
http://lady-gabby/blogspot.com
Oh geeze good luck! I've already got that spent for september! Well actually I was thinking about not buying everything I wanted! Great Idea I will Try!! xoox Camille @ NeverNaked.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of admiration for you! I need to do this too, thats for the inspiration.
ReplyDeletecheck out my blog, www.wearandwhen.blogspot.com
I think blogging is a good way to let out creative energy without actually spending money on clothing etc.
Thanks
I am taking the challenge! My month starts today anyways because this is when my billing cycle ends.... I will post sunday on my blog with my expenses!
ReplyDeleteI love that you're doing this! I have a half-written post about my spending evaluation - and impending budget. I love that you wrote your spending amount in the sidebar to keep you accountable.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good idea! Since leaving college a year ago and being on my own, I've struggled with ways to save money and not buy dumb stuff, and this may be a great idea for me, too.
ReplyDelete-RB
http://justaddwaterlife.blogspot.com
Good luck! And congrats on your full time position!
ReplyDeleteJust Better Together
Just wanted to let you know you inspired me to do The Spending Challenge! Such a great idea and the posting of the spending I think will help me be held accountable!!!
ReplyDeleteI did a post on my blog and gave you credit!