spend less challenge

We're doing it again this year! On Mary's inspiration, we'll be doing a low spending month in October. Last year we tried it, and I was so pleased to end the month knowing that I had spent less than $100 on everything! For us, October is the perfect time to do it too... coming off the summer when it feels like spending gets a little out of control, and right before the holidays when I know spending gets out of control. I have a mental image of autumn's falling leaves, like our falling expenses. Something like that, anyway.

This year it will be interesting to see how it works out since this is baby arrival month. We could incur some extra expenses with convenience foods, parking at the hospital, baby necessities, etc., but I think I've planned ahead through the summer so that this won't happen. Especially in the area of food, I don't foresee a lot of spending. We have our freezer stash, and the ladies from our church are planning to bring a few weeks of meals too. So, in theory, it shouldn't be too hard to spend little and save much.

The plan is simple: Today the girls and I walk down the block to the gas station, withdraw $140 from the ATM, and I put away the debit/credit cards. I keep $100 in my wallet, Eric gets $40. It can be spent on whatever we want, really there's no budget plan. The goal is just to not spend it all! A few areas fall outside of the cash jurisdiction: mortgage, utilities, fuel, and medical bills (which will be adding up soon!). Will any of you join us?!? At least follow along and tip me off to the sweet deals I'll be sniffing out at the grocery store!