If you would like to start 2012 on the right financial footing and want to do something that is attainable, consider taking a challenge. Two of my favorite challenges are spending challenges and pantry challenges. Take either or both of these challenges, and you will find extra money to do with what you please—to save for a new vehicle or home, to bulk up your emergency fund or to snowflake on your debt to get it paid off faster.
I have already spoken about the spending challenge, otherwise referred to as the No Spend Month as an excellent way to raise money for Christmas gifts, but it is also good to do another time of the year. Choose one month when you limit your spending for disposable items such as groceries, entertainment and gas by as much as 50% of what you typically spend. You will find yourself being mindful of what you spend money on because there is very little money to spend.
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Sounds like a great idea but I don’t know if my wife could take me cutting more then I already do. Maybe if I say its to save for a trip it may fly.
I just did a pantry challenge. How funny. I gave myself $60 for all the groceries for 2 weeks. I spent 56.89. Not to bad and I also bought pork, chicken, meat for hubby to turn into jerky.
That is good! How did you get good deals on the meat?
I shop the clearence meat and had coupons once again from my kroger store. Safeway is usually where I get the best deals on meat. It hepls that I know the guy who runs the meat counter because we have shopped there so long.