$$$
My spending habits have slipped lately. I’ve been dipping into Starbucks for their reduced-fat turkey bacon and egg sandwich in the morning, and a big cup of adequate coffee, to go. Five dollars and change several times a week. A stop at the grocery store yesterday and out flew $75 on the small stuff. Not a whole meal in the bag. Hardware store, $40 on a humidifier for my son’s bloody noses… I’ll get around to a humidifier for my bloody noses oh… maybe in February.
I’m not comfortable spending all money right now. The economy is tanking, my office is talking about ‘restructuring’ — and while I know the office talk is a good thing, it’s not reassuring to hear it when friends across the country are talking about layoffs and difficulty making ends meet.
I feel sorry for whichever man inherits this country’s woes as the next President of the United States.
Maybe they can learn from us frugal single mothers. What advice do you have for your government?
I know it’s not possible for a government to have a zero dollar day. But I am going to challenge myself to as many zero dollar days as I can. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to put some more money on my farecard this week so I can zoom around town on public transportation, but I’m hoping that will be my only necessary expenditure this week. I’ll pack my lunches (mmm, curried carrot soup! Peanut soba noodles! Carrot cake muffins!), walk to work, make coffee at the office. The King of Everything and I won’t eat out this week. I’m going to aim for four out of five days this week as zero dollar days.
It’s the best way I can think of to celebrate a new President.
Can you do a zero dollar day this week?
Sounds crazy but I had tried this method and not long after I felt my son needed some new toy or new “something.” This time around im sticking to about 5 $ or less instead of 0 bcuz it was nearly impossible for me but im glad to say that most days it actually is a 0 dollar day!!!! It is unbelievable what a difference it makes to take your own lunch
Kelly, I know! I saw a Starbucks ad on Facebook and found out that Starbucks, Ben and Jerry’s, Krispy Kreme, and possibly Chik-fil-A is giving away stuff today.
Gonna get a free cuppa later this afternoon, and maybe bring the boy to the ice cream store tonight if we don’t just collapse. The excitement!
Speaking of zero dollars and the election, there are some places that are giving away free things to voters today. More info here: http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2008/11/04/election-day-freebies-abound-for-voters-starbucks-krispy-kreme/