Today we are hosting another $100 giveaway! Who doesn’t like giveaways, especially cash giveaways? As usual, enter via the rafflecopter below. The giveaway will run from January 17th to the 21st.
The theme of this giveaway is No Spending Challenge. There are a couple things that I specifically try to not spend money on:
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Books and DVDs
Photo by Colby Gutierrez-KraybillI used to buy lots of books and DVDs. Watching DVDs and reading are two things that I enjoy to do in my spare time, so I would spend hundreds of dollars on books and DVDs each year. I stopped buying DVDs and books a couple years ago, and now get all of them from the library.
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Breakfast and Lunch
Photo by Matt SeppingsAnother thing I spend no money on is breakfast and lunch. Just kidding. BUT I do try to make breakfast at home every morning (including coffee…can’t function without it) as well as pack my lunch for work. Granted, sometimes I cave and go out for lunch, but for the most part I save a lot of money by not eating out for breakfast or lunch.
I am not opposed to “no spending” challenges, but overall I think sometimes people can become obsessive about cutting expenses and not spending money. It’s important to be reasonable about savings goals.
On to the giveaway! If you want to enter $100 cash giveaway, enter via the rafflecopter widget below. Best of luck!
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Nice giveaway!!!
Greg has a million books but he won’t let me sell them on ebay. Maybe one day?!?!?!
@Holly at ClubThrifty Haha if he won’t let you sell them now, I have a feeling he won’t later on : ) If anything he might start collecting more!
“I am not opposed to “no spending” challenges, but overall I think sometimes people can become obsessive about cutting expenses and not spending money. It’s important to be reasonable about savings goals.” Very well put DC! Too often we can get caught up in the need to save money that we can be impractical. Finding that balance is important.
@FrugalRules Definitely, as with most things it’s best to be practical and find some balance.
Brown bagging is a terrific way to save and it reduces food waste as well. You can usually beat the dollar menu pricewise. Also more healthy. I’m always surprised at those who eat out every day. It would not be a treat if you did it all the time either.
@Eyesonthedollar Definitely, even though I love to go out to eat, packing lunch and making breakfast at home makes it more affordable to go out for dinner from time-to-time as well as on the weekends with friends.
Thanks for co-hosting DC! I do the same thing about breakfast and lunch. I never purchase these things except the items to make them during our grocery store visits. It has saved me quite a bit of money.
Love the library tip. I would also add to do a swap with friends. I have a couple friends that have more movies than they can store, so I borrow them all the time! Glad to be co-hosting this with ya!
@KyleJames1 Good point! I love borrowing my books to friends, and I like borrowing stuff from them as well.
I wish there was a library around here, I swap books at a friend’s hotel but travelers aren’t known for leaving great literature on hotel shelves.
@RFIndependence Ah yeah in your spot I would definitely be willing to spend money on books
Glad to be a part of a giveaway with you! I need to go to the library, I don’t even know where the closest one is.
@SenseofCents If it ends up being too far away it may not be worth it, but more likely than not it’s probably not too far from your house.
I love my local library. They have a website so all I have to do is find the book/movie I want and put it on hold, they call me when it’s in. :)
@lifeisfullofsunnydays I do the exact same thing!
There is a library 1 block from my house! I’ve been spending a lot more time there. One thing I used to buy is magazines. Then they would sit around my apartment. Now I just go read them all at the library. Actually I think you can even check them out. Bonus.
@Beachbudget Wow one block! That’s awesome! If I freelanced full-time I would go there even more often.
@DC @ Young Adult Money one of the many reasons i could not move from this place. The location is just too awesome. right now the weekly farmers market is also going on, also one block from my house.
Happy to co-host with you!
I also try very hard not to spend extra money on breakfast and lunch
@The Happy Homeowner Very happy to co-host with you as well!
I wish I could have been a part of this giveaway but I just have no time at the moment. I think you are right though DC, people can go a bit overboard with the whole no spending thing.
Moderation is the key.
I almost always make breakfast and lunch (and dinner!), but I do think it’s important to allow yourself to go out either once a week or once every other week. That way I can maintain motivation, knowing that either I have something planned a day or two from now, or that it’s ok to go out to lunch if I really need it, but then I can’t for X amount of days.
Thanks for co-hosting! I’ve been trying to avoid buying books as well. There are some series though that I will read and re-read over and over again. I don’t feel bad about buying books from those authors. :)
I really don’t have a need for a challenge like this because I don’t have a problem with controlling my spending. I’m pretty frugal already.
I think I would gain discipline from the challenge