No Spend May

I am going to try a little something new this month. I don't know how it will work out but it's worth a shot. I'm going to avoid spending any unnecessary money during the month of May. Since going back to work I took a pay cut by only working 32 hours a week. I also have serious spending issues. Both of these make it very difficult to save any money. I didn't save a penny in April and I'm feeling pretty guilty about it. Although I love all the new things I was able to purchase for Jack he didn't need any of them. Same goes for me. I've bought things for myself that I did not need. I'm the kind of girl that buys things because I think I deserve them and work hard for them when in fact I can barely remember what I buy. I have closets overflowing with stuff, cabinets overflowing with makeup and hair care products. What really matters is not buying insignificant stuff. It is the people who love and care for you that matters. 

I've decided not to spend anything unnecessary but there will be 2 purchases for my mother and mother in law for Mother's Day. 

What I won't be spending cash on:

- Eating out

- Coffee

- Clothes

- Shoes

- Accessories

- Toys for Jack

- Clothes for Jack

- Make up

- Cable- We already canceled cable last month and we are already saving $53 a month.

- Anything from Home Goods because I'm addicted

I will admit I have several gift cards. I am not opposed to using them this month. I'm no saint! I have some Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Macy's and some local restaurants I will probably use during the month.

In addition to my spending freeze I plan on doing some of the following to help save cash.

- Clip coupons

- Use on line garage sales and consignment shops to try and sell our unnecessary items

- Meal planning

Has anyone participated in anything like this?

Tips and hints on ways to save?

Wish me luck!

My Life Lately

Well, honestly my life lately hasn't been overly eventful. I wish it were so I had some sort of excuse for my lack of blog posts. I guess my blog rut is still in full affect. My lack of creativity is still lingering. While my creativity still sucks here are the things going on around here;

- For the last month I have been trying to spend a lot less. I haven't bought a Starbuck's coffee in over 3 weeks. I'm also trying to avoid shopping and over spending. I tend to overspend and it's about time I grow up and budgeted better. We've reduced our cable bill by $20 a month. I'm looking forward to seeing the difference in the next few months. 

- Getting back to the Starbucks thing. I have given up caffeine. Crazy, right?!?!? If you know me well that is barely believable. Not only have I given up coffee but diet soda too which means no more fake sugar either. The first week was awful! AWFUL!!! I had a headache for 7 days but after the first week I felt fine. I'm sticking to water! 

- We are getting stuff done around this house. I finally put my foot down and wrote a "Sh*t We Need To Do" List. I'm hoping sh*t gets done. This list hangs on our fridge so we both have to look at it each day. We have only crossed one thing off our list. Slowly things will get done. 

- We have also tried to do daily chores rather than waiting for the weekend to get everything done. I'm usually the cleaner around here so it's been nice getting a little help each night. I like coming home to a house that is neat and clean.

- My best friend is due to have her baby today. Although we don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. That baby is nice and comfy where he/she is. She has been home from work for the last month and we have been spending lots of time together before baby comes. Our husbands have been doing Insanity together so it gives us time together almost every night. 

- It's finally feeling like summer around here. We broke out the first fire of the season and with fire come S'mores! 

What has been going on in your life lately?