In case this is your first time reading The Dollar Diet blog, my family and I are on a quest to go the entire month of February without spending any money. No kidding. We'll pay the monthly bills, put gas in our cars to get to and from work and spend just $10 a week on milk and produce, but that's it. If it's discretionary, it's off limits. Click here to read the introductory post.)
So how are we doing one week into our frugal February?
It's time for an update.
Beyond paying the mortgage and our other regular monthly bills, along with some gas to get to and from work and school, we have yet to spend any money this month.
I can't say it's been all that hard. Not yet, anyway. The pantry and freezer are still fairly well-stocked, though I am noticing a few bare spots.
I've had a few moments of retail withdrawal - most notably after passing up those enticing deals of the day offered on the Internet. But for the most part, I've enjoyed the holiday from spending.
I would have to say it was my daughter who faced the biggest no-spend challenge of the first week on our Dollar Diet.
After a walking tour of Historic Oakwood in the rain on Friday, her class went to the Person Street Pharmacy for lunch.
I think she was a little anxious about it because the night before she began wondering aloud if someone might share a french fry or two or a sip of a milkshake.
If she was also wondering why she was the one who had to have the mother with the oddball ideas, she did not voice it.
Turns out, a friend did share her fries. And she wasn't the only kid in the class who brown bagged it.
Score one for the frugal team!
In other areas on the frugal report card for the week:
*As promised, my husband arranged to carpool one day a week to RTP with a coworker who also happens to be a neighbor.
*Then Mr. Dollar Diet took it one step further and arranged to telecommute one day a week.
*We took full advantage of the freebies that came our way during the week, including free bagels at Brueggers today. Talk about a well-timed promotion for my family! We also redeemed coupons for a free full-size bag of chips at Target and a free large soda at Chick-fil-A.
*When cooking supper last night, the recipe called for egg noodles but when I searched through the pantry, I discovered we were out so I substituted bowties. I'm sure this won't be the last time I do some creative substitutions as the month wears on.
*And finally, I graciously accepted an invitation from my mom for lunch out.
One week down, three to go.
