Frugaling

Save more, live well, give generously

The 7-Day Buy Nothing Challenge: Day 7

By 13 Comments

Share This:

That's the thing about the Buy Nothing Challenge: You must envision the future-oriented effects of the changes you make in the present. If you can, the reward is a better, freer future.

Read the Entire Series: Day 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

At 6:45 PM on Saturday, July 13th, I stopped spending any money. After a night out for my friend’s birthday, that was the last I touched my credit card or cash. The last thing I purchased was a $10 – extortion-level – ticket to watch World War Z. Then, “The 7-Day Buy Nothing Challenge” began.

I was ready to examine my assumptions in spending and visiting stores. I felt capable of completing the task, but didn’t know what would be required of me. Looking at my Mint.com account, I could see that occasionally, a day would go by without money spent. But honestly, it was a rarity.

Seeing that habitual spending scared me. I was motivated to test these patterns and take control of my financial future.

We Desire What We Can’t Have

Plain and simple, we want things we can’t have. The rarity of things tends to increase their value. Whether it’s related to supply and demand or because it’s a Veblen good, people are attracted to elite and scarce products.

After I ran out of granola, I wanted it; even more so, because I couldn’t buy more. My mouth would water with the dream and thought of getting more. Stopping the urge to spend meant deep psychological restructuring and understanding the power of these more biological urges.

Preparation Is Key

As I’ve mentioned, food storage concerns reigned supreme over this experiment. Preparation is a fundamental necessity for completing this task and possibly extending a Buy Nothing Challenge beyond a week.

Theoretically, if food storage was stronger, I may have had less pressure to go shopping again. At the same point, the urge to spend wasn’t always about shopping. I was often caught by the desire to go ice skating, see a movie, or go to a nice restaurant for a fun little date night.

Reflection For The Future

This experiment taught me a lot about my spending woes and urges. I feel enlightened by my mistakes. But most of all, I’m actually eager to try it again. Pressing pause to credit, debit, and cash really did help my budget and give me a short-term goal that has positive, long-term consequences.

That’s the thing about the Buy Nothing Challenge: You must envision the future-oriented effects of the changes you make in the present. If you can, the reward is a better, freer future.

Day 7: $0 spent.

Thank you for following along!

Read the Entire Series: Day 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Top Frugal Articles Of The Week (7/20/13)

By Leave a Comment

Share This:

I’m reading about personal finance and frugality all the time on this journey to a debt-free life. Finding new content and approaches to frugal questions and budgeting issues is one of my favorite things to do. Every week, I want to share with you the top frugal articles. This is a collection and brief summary of what I found this week:

  1. Some Thoughts on the McDonalds “Budget” by The Simple Dollar
    Trent from The Simple Dollar takes aim at a popular personal finance blunder by McDonalds. A budgeting company sponsored by McDonalds showed a table showing the take-home pay of an employee (a scary $1100), and devised a spending plan that didn’t include necessities like food. Trent posed some new perspectives to the questions of making this budget work. Instead of attacking the so-called “budget,” he decided to use the opportunity to explain why this is a good start and sheds light on what employees need to work on from here.
  2. Why You Should Not Retire Early by Financial Samurai
    Sam slices through the perils of poor personal finance to give his readers tremendous advice. He’s one of the strongest, most consistent bloggers in the community and this article is a keeper. Early retirement and the thrill of saving a solid nest egg is frequently the focus for personal finance gurus. Sam suggests working longer and continuing to contribute to our society through income taxes, if we can.
  3. Save Money While Staying Cool (Video) by The Cheap Life
    This may not be an article, but this has some of the best advice for staying cool on a budget. Whether it’s fans, ice, cold drinks, or cooking outside, Jeff shows you some fun and easy ways to beat the heat. The Cheap Life is sponsored by AARP and may be a bit cheesy, but it definitely does the trick. Turn off your AC and still get cool!
  4. The Bizarre World of Bitcoin Speculation by Money Under 30
    David over at Money Under 30 tackles a difficult financial subject: Bitcoin. He touches upon the bubble and rush of excitement behind this nascent, digital currency. As the currency catches on, you’ll be able to buy anything you could with cash or card; at least that’s what speculators hope.

The 7-Day Buy Nothing Challenge: Day 6

By 2 Comments

Share This:

The major hurdles are complete, as I'm about to complete "The 7-Day Buy Nothing Challenge." In this sixth day of abstaining from credit, debit, and cash, an ease set in.

Read the Entire Series: Day 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The major hurdles are complete, as I’m about to complete “The 7-Day Buy Nothing Challenge.” In this sixth day of abstaining from credit, debit, and cash, an ease set in. There’s only one more day left. I can see the finish line, and I’m looking forward to crossing it.

Throughout this experiment, I’ve learned that food storage and preparation are the largest concerns. Shopping malls, credit cards, and convenience stores weren’t really difficult to stay away from when compared to questions about my next meal. Lasting, diverse provisions are an important variable for future challenges.

My foods have quickly disappeared. Cupboards are now vacant caves. Getting creative is a necessity.

Becoming A “Prepper”


There’s a particular breed of survivalist junkies that calls themselves, “Preppers.” These people imagine apocalyptic, tragic, disaster scenarios to prepare and prevent loss of life. Sometimes it can lead to underground bomb shelters, years of dried, preserved foods, and FEMA-like trainings.

The Amish are an example of this lifestyle. Usually, they grow their own foods, build furniture, travel eco-friendly (horse and carriage or walking), and prep for difficult days. This intense preparation pays when economic downturns occur and/or emergencies swallow up traditional food and money sources.

Living this way, with whatever’s left in the pantry, has enlightened me. In the future, I know that there are things I should be doing to better prepare for a lights out, no spending period of time. From more frozen/canned fruits and veggies to sealed packages of chips and breads, all of these will be incorporated to better prepare and save money.

Windfalls And Belt-Tightening

Yesterday, I spoke about being invited and treated to a meal. Some called it cheating. Maybe it’s true that being treated to a meal is a circumvention to the Buy Nothing Challenge. But, I’m hesitant to say this is a failure or mistake.

Life is full of belt-tightening and windfall periods. There are a variety of political reasons for economic distress and growth. These polar events have long been correlated with boom and bust cycles that we experience.

I’m a firm believer that a no-spend week can simultaneously exist with a surprise opportunity or offer.

Learning To Make Do

When I was in high school, I went on a canoe trip across the northern border into Ontario, Canada. The small group of us lived out of hefty backpacks and paddled our way across expansive lakes. I had the time of my life and learned to love getting by.

Food options were limited on this journey, but it never detracted from the pleasure of paddling along beautiful landscapes and working together to travel tens of miles. Seven days passed then, as seven days will pass now. Each time I jump into these treks, I feel more capable and realize the simple joys.

Day 6: $0 spent.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s report and follow along!

Read the Entire Series: Day 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The 7-Day Buy Nothing Challenge: Day 5

By Leave a Comment

Share This:

Read the Entire Series: Day 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Motivated by an eagerness to curtail wasteful spending and take control of my budget, I started "The 7-Day Buy Nothing Challenge."

Motivated by an eagerness to curtail wasteful spending and take control of my budget, I started “The 7-Day Buy Nothing Challenge.” Five days have passed since I plunged into credit, debit, and cash darkness. My wallet is empty, as I prevent any spending and stay accountable.

Today I received a surprise text message from old friends from Colorado. They were driving through the Midwest and wanted to catch up. Because of this week-long experiment, I couldn’t take them out to eat. Before I could explain, they offered to treat. Suddenly, rejuvenated, I knew I could make it.

Stepping Up To Spend

My girlfriend has repeatedly mentioned that if she treated for a meal or bought groceries, it would essentially be cheating. She’s right, too. If I couldn’t make it on my own, but allowed her to help, I would be defeating the purpose of this challenge.

Throughout the journey, she’s been interested in helping. Without a doubt, it comes from a wonderful place. But she also wants to support me in following this goal. The latter has won out, thankfully.

Then, my friends from Colorado came into the picture. They stepped up, treated from a kind-hearted place, and gave me the leftovers. In a way, it feels like I’m cheating. But, sometimes there are unexpected windfalls and surprises in life. I’ll roll with this one.

Stuck With Staples

Frankly, I planned inadequately with my food storage. As I mentioned in past articles, I’m low on fresh fruits and vegetables. I’ve been sticking to staples like rice, beans, spaghetti, and turkey sandwiches.

Next time I try this little experiment, I’ll plan for more diverse food options and meals. When variety is hampered by food shortages, there’s an increasing desire for more, different. As I walk and take buses, passing nearby restaurants, my mouth seems to salivate to imagined meals.

For Those With Less

I’ve never been impoverished. I didn’t grow up in a ghetto, low-income household, or economically-disadvantaged upbringing. Now, even with nearly $40,000 in debt, I don’t necessarily see the effects of this financial conundrum. I’m in a privileged position that enables me to potentially delay financial concerns, but I’m done with debt. I want out.

This experiment has helped me develop a greater empathy to those who suddenly run out of money and must make do with what’s left. Whether it’s accurate or fair, I suddenly empathize with the struggle that arises when budgets are crimped.

Day 5: $0 spent.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s report and follow along!

Read the Entire Series: Day 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Best Of

Recent Posts

Follow