No Spend Month - Final Recap

Hi Friends! I feel like I have so much to tell you all - it seems forever since I've been here with you, sharing the tidbits of my little mountain top life!

I've missed you all!

It was a busy, busy weekend in my world, unfortunately much of it involving that dreaded 4 letter word....WORK. 

I'm sorry it kept me away from all of you but I'm back now and I'm excited to share the results of my very first no-spend month with you all. 

Well.....I just about made it through the entire month without spending a dime! 

I made it right up until the day before it ended. 

What happened to break my no-spend month, you ask?

My gas light came on!! I had to pull into my local Cumberland Farms and fill up the tank. And while I was there I ran in for some bread, half and half, and Doritos. 

Yes, you heard me right. Doritos. 

I didn't mean to....it just happened. Hey, I'm not perfect!!

I also had to buy some scratch offs for a dear colleague who was retiring this weekend. I wanted to put them in with her retirement gift.....hey, you never know, right? 

Back to the no-spend - here were my tricks for making it through:

1. I stocked up. I knew I was going to really give this a try so before I began the challenge I made sure I had what I needed in the house as far as groceries and supplies went. 

2. I limited my trips in the car. Right before I began the challenge, after I ran all my errands and stocked up, the last thing I did was pull into the local gas station and fill my gas tank to the tippy top. I would have made it through the whole month without filling up again if it hadn't been so cold! I had no choice but to warm up my car well before driving to work. Oh well, it is what it is!

3. I used credit card points. I have my Chase Freedom card linked to my Amazon account. I use my Chase card for many, many things to collect as many points as possible. Whenever I get Chase points, they show up as a credit on Amazon that I can use whenever I want. I saved them this month for any "emergencies" that may come up....like buying a retirement gift for my colleague! 

4. I had my daughters chip in. They are both off the mountain much more frequently than I am and I had no qualms about asking them to bring back fresh produce. I'm still waiting for the wine to be restocked. I guess I won't hold my breath.  

5. My sweetie helped out. We have a 'deal' that whenever either of us is going to the market, we check in with the other to see if there's anything we need. I did not take advantage by any means but when I ran out of Greek yogurt, my sweetie picked it up on his trip. 

6. I shopped my freezer and my pantry. I used the fresh produce first, obviously, but as that ran out I went to my freezer and pantry for canned and frozen fruits and vegs to get me through. Meals were planned around what was already in the house. I even made a fabulous cake for the retirement party from what was in my pantry....I'll share the recipe another day. 

7. I kept lists. Instead of running out to pick up a few things as they were needed the items were simply put on the shopping list. One shopping at the end of the month, and we're all stocked up again. Since I absolutely hate grocery shopping I might try to do this more often!! One big shopping, once a month!

8. I kept busy. I did projects around the house using things I already had, which gave me the feeling of having something new without actually buying anything. Win/Win!!

9. I made do. Isn't that what it's really all about? Going back to a simpler way? Back in the 'old days' if you didn't have something, you made do. Today we are so quick to go out and buy what we 'need' or go online....but do we really need it? Really? 

I think my biggest challenge through it all was not feeling 'free' to go out and do what I wanted to do, as I was strictly trying not to spend money for the month. No days off the mountain to just visit a nearby village and wander around the shops. No bringing home Chinese Food when I didn't feel like cooking....although Sweetie did bring in a pizza this weekend. No stocking up on wine even though I'm pretty much out of whites. No splurges, no treats. No "I feel like getting a manicure." No new shirts or shoes. 

But all in all, it was a good challenge and I will most definitely do it again. January is a great time for this type of challenge - it's good to rein in the spending after the holidays and also to bring a little 'discipline' back into the routine. Let's face it, we all let things slip a little during the holidays - we eat too many sweets, drink too much eggnog....spend too much money. 

Do you think you could do it? Do you think you could go an entire month without spending on anything other than bills? 

No Spend Month - Week Three Recap

I can't believe it's been three weeks since I began my first no-spend month! I doubt that there has been another time in my adult life when I went three whole weeks without spending any money (other than on bills, of course!) and it feels amazing that I have made it this far!

The challenges have been few, as apparently I did quite a good job of prepping for my no-spend month. We certainly haven't struggled with food, that's for sure! I've been using up the perishables first, of course, and then going to the freezer to supplement. 

My daughter also picked up a few bits of fresh produce when she was at Trader Joe's so that helped. 

As you can see, my produce tower still looks pretty well stocked. Take note of the bananas and avocados in the second tier - my daughter bought those and they are still there because I happen to be allergic to both bananas and avocados! Otherwise they would have been all gone by now. 

I'm on my last bag of sweet onions. My potatoes are starting to grow eyes so I'm using them up these days. The sweet potatoes will need to be used in the next couple of days as well. I generally just wrap them in foil and pop them in the crock pot on low - they are cooked perfectly when I get home. Just remember to line the crock pot with foil as well - sweet potatoes leave an awful mess when they 'leak' out of the foil wrappers!

I'm starting to work my way through the fall produce now - I left it until later in the challenge as it lasts so much longer than things like fresh green beans, spinach, etc. 

See that monster green squash? I grew that baby in my little veggie garden - I had no idea what it was until my dear friend Maureen identified it for me! 

Apparently it's a Hubbard Squash - it seems the squash plant I purchased at the nursery was mislabeled as Acorn Squash. I still don't know what I'm going to do with it but at least now I know what it is. 

I still have that beautiful pumpkin also that I bought ages ago at the farmers' market - I had no idea what I would do with it but after that absolutely incredible Pumpkin Lasagna I made over the weekend I am definitely going to do the same with this pumpkin!

I'm completely out of fresh fruit and have been resorting to frozen fruit on my Greek yogurt in the mornings. I was also out of Greek yogurt but my sweetie picked up some when he was at the market - thanks, Sweetie! I just pop the frozen berries in the microwave for about 30 seconds before dumping them on my yogurt and it works like a charm. 

My grocery list is growing and growing....

....I have no doubt that next Monday when my challenge has ended I will need to hit the market on the way home from work!

My gas tank is a little over 1/4 full. I'm not sure I'll make it through to the end but we'll see. 

My wine supply is dwindling.....I'll have to re-stock after the challenge. Of course, I am still waiting for my daughters to replace all the wine they drank....ahem. 

I'm still puttering around the house, doing this and that, but not spending any money on the updates. 

My recent post on the lack of a proper entry in my house prompted me to finally hang some hooks by the kitchen door. 

I bought a few of these hooks back when I was moving into this house - there's one on the back of the other door that leads to the deck, also. And one in my daughter's room, by her door. I think I have one more, possibly two, in my utility room, just waiting for the right spot. You can't have enough hooks in my opinion!

Over the weekend I moved my Fiddleleaf Fig into the dining room so it can get some more sun. It seems to be kind of naked on one side, probably because I had it over next to the fireplace. Hopefully it will start to fill out now. 

And then I read Sarah's post about her Fiddleleaf Figs and how she makes the leaves shine - guess what I did last night while dinner was cooking?  It works like a charm - thanks, Sarah!

After dinner, when I went out to let the pups out, the moon was incredible and the sky so beautiful I had to run back in for the camera. 

And yes, I am still putting on my holiday lights every evening. I haven't unplugged the lights around the eaves yet....that will happen soon. The lights on the deck railing will stay - I use them all season when I sit out on the deck in the evenings. 

Seriously, just look at that sky! Gorgeous!

I'm thinking the full moon last night must have had something to do with the beautiful sky this morning as well. 

I feel so blessed. 

No Spend Month - Week Two Recap

It's a bitterly cold day in the mountains today with wind chills in the negatives. 

A great day to stay indoors if ever there was one!

I wish I had that option. Instead I was traipsing around out in the frigid wind with my contacts freezing to my eyeballs. 

What does this have to do with my no spend month, you ask?

Well, this frigid weather might be the cause of me breaking my no spend month!

These photos are of the beautiful frost on the windows in my garage. The frost makes the most gorgeous lace window coverings!

It also means I have to run my car for a while before I ever head out of the house. 

Which means my full tank of gas may not last the whole month as I had hoped. 

I'm at a half tank right now. It's not looking good to make it through to the end. 

However, my remote start is such a blessing on these frosty mornings I couldn't possibly complain!

Other than that, my no spend month is going quite well!

The shopping list on the fridge is growing by the day. 

But there are still plenty of meals left in my freezers and pantry so no worries there. 

I have been unpacking some last boxes of items from the move - things I bought ages ago and didn't know quite where to put them.  They've been hanging out in the garage until I figure it out. 

This lantern I originally bought for outside my garden cottage but when I unwrapped it I was concerned the wood would take too much of a beating out there. 

So, in it came....and I moved things around until I found the perfect spot. 

Doesn't it look great on the built-ins in my master suite? 

When my no spend month is over I may get a LED candle with a remote for the lantern. 

Or maybe I won't. We'll see. 

Another little happy spot in my bedroom is this vignette on top of my dresser. My daughter gave me that super-cool gold sparkly peacock for Christmas and it made itself at home nestled in my bird mirror. 

It makes me smile every time I look at it. 

So, the puttering continues, moving things here, there, and yonder for a fresh look without spending a dime. 

I unpacked two copper candle sconces that I'm considering hanging on either side of the TV in the living room. 

We'll see....I'm still figuring it out.  I'm so hesitant to commit to the holes in the walls it's comical!

Keeping busy without buying a thing - I have to say I'm really liking this challenge. I find it refreshing to 'make do' - it's freeing, somehow. Reminiscent of a simpler time. 

Halfway through.....let's see how I feel this time next week. 

How's your January shaping up? Are you sticking to your goals? 

No Spend Month - Week One Recap

What a difference a day makes!!  Yesterday the rains poured out of the heavens all day long, leaving behind raging creeks and flooded areas in the low spots on my property. Temps were unseasonably warm (once again) and the snow was melting off the deck. 

This morning, we were back into the frigid temps expected in January and the snow squalls were fierce!

Can you see the snow out the window? 

Just a few minutes later the sun was beaming through the same windows - so bizarre!!

I'm not complaining - I love it all!

As you know I got off to a little bit of a late start on my no-spend-month so I'm keeping on track with my actual start day of Monday, January 4th. 

That means I've officially made it through the first week of my first ever no spend month - woo hoo!!

For the most part the first week wasn't too tough. I had taken the time to plan and prepare so I was in good shape to start the challenge. 

I think the part I did not take into account were the variables in my life. In my house. 

And by variables, I mean my daughters. 

For instance, I bought a giant package of baby spinach so I would have it to make a few salads or omelets. 

And when I went to use it? Gone. Into a smoothie. 

Also, I knew I had a well stocked wine stash downstairs. I collected it for about a year before I moved here and had a nice collection going. 

So I'll be all set on wine for the month for sure.....right? 

Nope. Apparently many of my white wines got up and walked away....now when I feel like a glass of white wine what happens? 

Mommy was NOT happy. 

Other than that, the no spend challenge is going well. 

The fresh fruit and veggie tower isn't empty yet. When it is, I will revert to frozen fruits and veggies. 

And my daughters can also replenish the tower which is only fair. After all, they are in their mid twenties and working full time. 

Ahem. 

I've been jotting down things as needed, just as I always do. The only difference being this time I'm trying to hold off as long as possible before going to the market. 

This little guy is sure happy I stocked up on seeds and nuts. They go through the seeds so quickly in these cold temps and I'm so glad I can help them out. Hopefully I'll make it through the month with the supply I have stored in a metal bin in the garage. 

I still managed to get a few projects done, without spending anything. 

My sister gave me a beautiful family portrait for Christmas and I've been trying it out here and there, trying to find the right spot. 

When tidying up my utility room this past weekend I came across these other two black frames I had bought last winter. 

Insert free online printables of Parisian scenes and I finally have something hanging in my hallway! And, of course, I can change out the printables on a whim, which I love. 

I've been looking for something for that wall for 9 months now so I'm very happy with the result. The hallway feels finished now.....finally!

Across from the black frames I hung this wreath I got ages ago from Thistlewood Farm's collection at Painted Fox - it's made from the bark from a birch tree and I just love it! It's been in the shipping box, in the Big Green Monster, for months now. Every now and again I would take it out, hold it up on different walls, and put it back in the box. 

Now it has a home.  And my hallway looks fresh and new and I didn't spend a dime!

Another project that was completed this week was swapping out the microwave. And let me tell you something, it's about time!

When I bought the house, the microwave had a crack in the frame of the door. My sweetie glued it and we touched it up with paint and it was ok for a while. 

But over Christmas it became this:

The crack became a full fledged break and the glass inside the door was falling down. Glue wasn't going to work this time! Duct tape to the rescue....temporarily. 

I ordered a new microwave online and my daughter picked it up the very next day. 

And then it sat in the guest room for a couple of weeks until we could get it installed. 

(Did you notice a pattern here? The guest room seems to be the dumping ground for everything that's temporarily displaced!)

Anyway, the new microwave is finally in and the old one went for a trip to the dump. A one way trip. 

So, despite not spending money this week things are getting done, which makes me happy. 

Almost as happy as the sunshine that was pouring into the dining room when I was packing my lunch for work. 

Isn't that just the sweetest sight on a Monday morning? 

What brought a smile to your face today?

Prepping for My No Spend Month

I'm overwhelmed by the amount of folks who popped in to read my post on my very first "no-spend month" ever - thanks to all of you who came by! And a special thank you to each of you who left me a comment - I really do cherish all your sweet comments and I look so forward to reading them every day!

Today I spent part of the day prepping for my no-spend month. I would have done this prior to January 1st if I didn't come down with that nasty bug. So my month will begin tomorrow morning and go until the morning of February 4th, to make it a full month. 

It is what it is. 

In order to get ready to lock up my wallet for the next month I took stock of what I needed from the grocery store and made a trip to stock up. 

My veggie tower is full of fruits and veggies that will hopefully get me through a good part of the month. 

The Veggie Tower in August

I didn't get a pic of the veggie tower today as it's so dark and cloudy here and it's been flurrying on and off all day. 

The veggie tower is stocked with potatoes, yams, onions, pears, a pineapple, 2 cantaloupes, and bananas. 

The crisper drawer is also full with baby carrots, green beans, red cabbage, endive, radicchio, baby spinach, scallions, lemons, limes, and peppers. 

I have lots of garlic in the pantry from both my garden and the last farmer's market. 

I stocked up on dairy - we're all set for organic milk, cream, sour cream, cheese, butter, and yogurt. 

Our eggs come from a neighbor and I always have plenty. 

The freezers and pantry are full. 

The bar is well stocked. 

I ordered more food and treats for the pups as well as their flea and worm medicines. 

I made sure I am all set with contact lenses and solution. 

My back up supply of vitamins are on their way. 

I even made a special trip to our local Ace to make sure I had enough black oil sunflower seed, safflower seed, and suet for my little critters. 

I even bought a few extra light bulbs. Just in case. 

Last stop was to the gas station where I topped off the tank. 

I am going to try not to have to go to the market at all for the next 30 days if at all possible. If I do need to go it should only be for a few fresh fruits. 

I'm ready - bring it on!!

My Very First No-Spend Month

I wanted to write this post to launch on January 1st but since I've been under the weather it got pushed to the back burner. 

Oh well....can't be helped. 

Anyway!

I first read about the idea of a no-spend month last January from Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick. I was very intrigued!!  However, it wasn't the right time for me to try it at that point. I was waiting to close on my new house and shopping all the good after-Christmas sales in preparation. 

And then it was moving day. And gardening season. And a million projects to get settled into the house. 

And then the Christmas shopping began. 

So....my no-spend month trial was put on hold. 

But I knew, come January 1st I was going to give it a go. Perfect timing, right? Because, let's face it, we all spend more in November/December than we normally would. 

So here we are, 2 days into January. And granted, I haven't spent anything yet. 

But I never got to start off the way I planned, because I was stuck in the house in my jammies with a nasty virus. 

So, tomorrow I will hit up the local market for the few necessities that are on my grocery list, fill up the car with gas, and launch my no-spend month....three days late. 

My plan is simple - I will only spend on absolute necessities for the rest of January. 

That means basically fresh produce and dairy. And perhaps a loaf of bread here and there. 

I will shop the freezer and the pantry for the rest of my groceries. 

Naturally, I'll have to pay all my bills, and if anything urgent comes up I'll have to weigh the situation. 

But I really think I can do this. It will be a good test in living simply for a month and being resourceful. 

My pantry is stocked, my freezers are full, and I believe I have all the beauty, health, cleaning products, and paper goods I will need for the next month. 

The Very Best Veggie Lasagna Ever

I will combine errands to try not to have to put gas in my car for a month. 

And I will ignore all the after-holiday sale emails that have been bombarding my inbox. 

Have you ever tried a no-spend month? If you did, I'd love to hear some of your tricks!

And some of your biggest hurdles. 

Wish me luck!

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Sharing at Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday