I knew this would happen.
Just when I signed myself up for a month of not spending, the temptation began.
On Feb. 1, right off the bat, the opportunities for especially good deals began to roll in from the 24-hour deal sites such as Groupon, Living Social and Twongo.
If I hadn't been on the Dollar Diet, I'm fairly certain I would have pressed the button on a Living Social deal for half off a tour of a Fuquay-Varina brewery. It would have made the perfect birthday gift for my husband.
Two days later, I was sorely tempted again by Living Social with an offer for tickets to Raleigh's downtown IMAX theater at less than half price, with popcorn and a drink thrown in. My 12-year-old daughter would have loved that one.
Then today, Groupon offered up a $20 Barnes & Noble credit for $10. I know I would have gone for this deal too. But I didn't.
On top of those bargains, all the grocery store circulars this week were practically screaming at me with their Super Bowl food sales. Cheap popcorn, cheap ice cream, soda, chicken, hot dogs. Cheap, cheap, cheap.
I've been a savvy shopper long enough to know that more deals, and possibly better deals, will come around again. With any luck, after Feb. 28.
I also reminded myself that a vacation from spending also means a holiday from coupon clipping and deal hunting, which, like anything else, can turn into a chore.
I chucked the ads in the recycle bin and went for a walk in the neighborhood to soothe myself. I'm only partially exaggerating.
Four days into our quest to spend no money in February, we're still holding steady at $0.
(If you haven't sworn off spending for the month and are interested in checking out the daily deals on the Internet, go here to see my colleague Sue Stock's handy list of all the daily deal sites that have offerings in the Triangle. The list is located along the right hand side of the Taking Stock blog.)
Comments
The deals roll in every day
Sat, 02/05/2011 - 16:39 — nancyncI can appreciate your dilemma on the cheap deals you see in the store ads and passing them up, knowing it would cost you pennies on the dollar!
But as you say, since you've couponed and deal shopped for years, deals always roll in, sometimes better than the ones you pass up for any reason.
I think what you're doing is awesome and interesting as well as inspiring. It joggles the brain a bit to think just how much we spend without thinking about each dollar and where it goes, what it provides, what is necessary and what isn't.
I'm enjoying your blog very much!
Thanks guys!
Sat, 02/05/2011 - 17:13 — AmyDunn (author)Thanks for taking the time to comment and cheer me on, Nancy and Tas.
Dollar diet
Sat, 02/05/2011 - 16:26 — tasinncI am enjoying your blog and rooting for you to be successful. Spending and shopping are addictive and hard to shake, but I know you can do it!!
Dollar Diet
Sat, 02/05/2011 - 07:55 — jenclong1I read your article on Sunday and am completely on board. Okay...I'm not willing to give up my Starbucks gift card so I have gotten coffee this week. But does it really count if I didn't pay for it? The "diet" has been easy until this morning when I am finding myself having Target withdrawals! So far: $0 spent!
Welcome!
Sat, 02/05/2011 - 09:56 — AmyDunn (author)Welcome to the Dollar Diet, Jen.
So glad to have some company on the February challenge. In my frugal universe, everybody gets to make their own rules so I think it's fine to use your Starbucks card. In past challenges, we have allowed ourselves gift card use but this year we had SO many gift cards, I didn't think that would be playing fair. Keep in touch and let us all know how life without Target turns out.