I should probably start by stating that we are not rich by America's standards. My husband works hard to provide for our family. We have a monthly budget, we rent a modest townhome, but we are generally pretty wise with our money. We have completed Dave Ramsey's Finanacial Peace University. We don't use credit cards. We have money in savings, some money invested, and a small savings account started for our daughter. But... this challenge isn't about money. It's about going without and enjoying what we have. It's about cutting out the distractions and it's about beating the desire to aquire.
I thought back to our time in India and it's hard to believe it's been nearly 2 years. The children there live so joyfully on practically nothing... I read once that America spends 20 BILLION dollars on ice cream a year. That's enough money to provide everyone in the world with clean water and food... doesnt' that just make you want to hang signs in the freezer isle of the grocery store? "ATTENTION SHOPPERS: Please be advised that we could irradicate world hunger and thirst by simply not buying ice cream this year and instead donating the amount we would spend to our brothers and sisters around the world. Thank you for considering the needs of others." WOW. Can you imagine? The Baskin Robbins in our town has "dollar scoop night" every Tuesday and half the town shows up. What a difference even one little Tuesday could make.
Anyway, I have gotten a little off-track. Back to the Haugen Family Challenge of a "no-spend" month. Realistically it's a "no spend except for the ABSOLUTE essentials month" challenge.
Where we live, it seems like we are constantly being confronted about things that will make our lives better, easier, more fun, whatever. Sometimes the products are helpful, but overall -- it's wasteful. That daily message to buy, have, and make things nicer never stops, it consumes our time, and it can make us not see what we already have.
We’ll take a break from trying to add more. The tight budget is for accountability.
Details:
We have a total budget of $250 to spend on anything we would buy for ourselves this month. Is that exteme? YES. However, we will rise to the challenge.
Included:
- Groceries & eating out
- Gas
- Clothing
- Household items
- Entertainment
Not included:
- Rent and bills
- Health expenses
- Work expenses
- Savings and investments
- Tithes and gifts
What we’re starting with:
I will have gas in my car and groceries, plus the food we normally have in the fridge and cabinets. Since we live in a townhouse, we don’t have an extra freezer to store more food or anything like that. We’ll be getting creative with some of the leftovers in the back of the cabinets, but primarily using this month’s budget for our food expenses.
What’s the point?
What’s the point of depriving ourselves? Shouldn’t we be able to enjoy life?
Yes, and that’s exactly why we are going to do it. When we take a break from spending, we learn to appreciate what we have. Dinners out become a special treat, our favorite foods are savored, and everytime we put gas in the car -- thankfullness should overwhelm us because even having the opportunity to do so is a blessing. We stop taking things for granted. (And let’s not forget all the money saved from not eating out or making impulse buys.) It's time to get creative.
So that's it. It's going to be a challenge and that's what we want. I'm excited to see what God reveals to us during this time. Should be interesting! Pray for us, if you think of it.
Love,
Liz
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