Project: How to Save a Little Dough!

First of all, I would like to start off this "How To:" with a brief testimonial-

I love this idea!

I have discovered and re-discovered many of my

super crazy spending habits.

It will change the way you look at your money,

what you can live without vs. what you really need.

PLUS-this is a great opportunity to rotate food storage,

it gives you a real reason to use canned food items before their expiration date :)

I first heard about the idea from HERE

Rules to a "no-EXTRA-spend" month:

1. You have to spend money on bills, medical needs, tithes, food, and gas...there is no getting around it :)
2. The ONLY shopping-is for groceries and hygiene items.
3. Meal preparation should be frugal, yet complete.
1. Recipes requiring items from the garden, food storage, and pantry are encouraged :)
2. Meal planning is a must, every meal will have to be from the grocery store.
3. Restuarants are definitely OFF the menu.
4. Entertainment can be tricky...anything that costs money, is a no no.
1. Recreational spending such as gas for ATV's, Boating, Sunday drives, movie rental/tickets count as EXTRA spending and are therefore, not allowed.
2. Traveling, unless for Dr. appointments, is also considered EXTRA spending.
3. Remember: board games, cards, hiking, biking, walks, the library, any sport/games with the family, friend's movie collections, etc. are all FREE!
5. The money saved, goes to the Savings account!
1. Do not just roll over your money to next month's spending budget. Put it away and use it for Christmas, braces, tires, medical bills etc.

You have to be commited! You have to get the WHOLE family to buy into the idea, allowing everyone to help make it work! You will be surprised at how easy it is to put things into your cart, or how much money you spend to enterain yourselves, and just how many dishes you will have to clean because ALL of your meals are made in your own kitchen!

Good luck! Let me know how it goes.