How’d We Do? {No Spend September in Review}

No Spend September -how’d we do??  Well, I was feeling a little down about the whole thing, and I didn’t really want to write this post, cuz the truth is we did spend.  I felt like we had failed, but the balance in the bank was showing a pretty good front.  So, I thought – how can I determine how we really did??  I decided to look back through our bank statement, (and a couple of credit card statements) from August, and tally up what I would consider to be “extra” spending, and then do the same for September.  And here was the shocking, albeit, good news!!

I’m amazed at how we can so easily squander money out the window.  So much so that I don’t even notice. {I honestly cannot believe I’m sharing these numbers with you, but I know that you guys will not judge me in my excess.  :)}    
We had spent a little over $900 less in “extras” for September!! Wow.

I did hold to my “no-spend month” in my home projects this month.  I kinda shared my list of freebie projects to get done with you in my first post, and here it was it looks like now.  I didn’t get it all done, and a couple of things managed to get added to the bottom, but I feel really good about what I got done!!  

Aren’t lists great that way?  I know I am not the only one that puts things on the list just so you can cross them off.  You know those things that weren’t originally on the list, but you did them anyway.  Ya, I see your hands ;).

So, I would say that No-Spend September was overall a success in that it helped me to alter my mindset about spending and shopping in a way.  It caused me to think a little outside the box, to check my resources before running to the store, to stay away from the temptation of the store :), and mostly to evaluate purchases more by need than want.  Peeps, I love buying new things just as you do.  I love being able to text my hubby and say “I’m too tired to make dinner”, and him sweetly saying “I’m on it” without hesitation.  But, I also understand that there are times in all our lives when we must curb our habits and keep our money in our pockets.  

I’m thankful for the experience, and may very well try it again and see if I can do even better!! And, I have to admit I am super excited that the pressure to not spend is off!!  HA!!  {someone please keep me away from the stores!!}

As I said yesterday I have decided to participate in The Nester’s 31day blogging challenge.  In a nut shell, you choose one topic to blog about for an entire month – ultimately every day during that month – hence the 31 days.  This is definitely quite a challenge for me, but I am excited to take it on.  I’m not sure there is anything out there that I know enough about to write about it for 31 days, but I am going to go with it and hopefully I can provide some good information, great inspiration, and if nothing else a little bit of fun and grace in the process. Monday evening is the big reveal of the topic.  Check out The Nesting Place then for MANY other bloggers that will be linking up!!  

My hand is cramping, just thinking of all that typing!!  🙂