Homework

I don't think I fully explained this on the site before. But now you will know the full story to my money saving for September.

Tales of an addictive shopper:I am usually quite good at keeping my spending down. However, once I start, I have a tough time stopping. I remember a time when I spent a ton of money at Rite Aid when I was in first grade (about 20 bucks). I got in serious trouble. I think it included a star wars coloring book and a toy from a show I can't remember when I was little. It involved a guy who had a sword that was split in half. He and the bad guy had the two parts. Horrible show.. but anyhow.. back to the present
I shut down my spending to save for the roof and gutters. Then, I saved up for my car. But now, I have somewhat of a surplus... And I want to keep it. That way, when there is something I really want (or more importantly need) down the line.. I can have it without any big struggle.

In that light, I decided not to spend money for 1 month from the day I bought my car. Now this isn't just keeping my spending down. It is not spending a single cent.

The rules:

• Bills don't factor in. Any utilities or mortgage payments go as planned. Credit card bills from previous months will be paid as well.
• Standard income can not be used (salary, rent)
• Previously acquired gift cards can not be used
• Debts (like owed lunches, borrowed money and such) can be called in
• Poker winnings/losses can be included
• No credit card purchases
• I can return things to stores to get income
• I can sell things I already own for income. Selling the Camry doesn't count though since it's sale was previously setup
• Any borrowed money must be paid off before the end of the month

The Verdict: Most of the people I told thoguht I was kinda nuts. "how will you eat?" came up the most often. For food I did my best to clear out things in the pantry that had been taking up residence. I limited my purchase at the grocery store to some generic brands and to things that would make use of the products I had at home already. Dining was pretty easy. I had lunch at my desk more. When I went out, I was able to bring in a lot of owed lunches. It worked out pretty well.

I was able to return a lot of things to stores and sold off an air conditioner that was sitting around. For things I couldn't sell, I donated. But I didn't count that as income at all. I even remembered that I had bought a pair of glasses that the store never called me about. I was able to return them and ge a lot of money back. Poker was back and forth. I imagine I about broke even. I bought a pair of shoes and a few tanks of gas here and there. I don't think that I bought anything terribly exciting. Some stain and brushes. But that was money I got from returning similar items to stores. I even had a free trial subscription to Blockbuster online. I got to watch tons of movies for free!

So yeah, I pulled it off. Best of all. I cleaned out a lot of my room, basement and shop. With it all put together (spending and returning) I made around 250 dollars that month. Not too shabby!