Usually, I know the feeling. This month, however, I can't relate. And it feels like pure freedom.
I added up the amount I spent last month and compared it to this month. Wow. Although my main goal was not to save money, that just sort of... happened. Here we go:
- Groceries
- Last month: $191.29
- This month: $181.75
- Eating out
- Last month: $157.79
- This month: $19.18
- Entertainment
- Last month: $25.76
- This month: $11
- Transportation
- Last month: $314.57
- This month: $115.85
- Personal/Clothing
- Last month: $144.58
- This month: $58.25
(After adding in my bills)
Total spent last month: $1063.91
Total spent this month: $605.95
Holy crap. I spent $457.96 less than I did last month. Not only did I spend less on groceries even though I wasn't eating out, everything I bought in the "Personal" category was either medicine, necessary for my safety or a hair cut (which, sorry, but I deemed that necessary). Transportation is a bit skewed because I spent some money fixing up my bike, but even still it's a huge difference.
I'll be honest, I'm surprised. Even though I kept commenting on how money was adding up quickly, I was completely unaware of how much more quickly my money had gone away the previous month. It was too much to keep up with, and the combination of my checking account and credit card didn't help.
This is great. But the greatest part about it is that I'm not special, a martyr or more disciplined than anyone else. Anyone can do this. Because one thing I've realized during this challenge is that while the idea of "everything in moderation" is prolific in the US, our idea of moderation is actually excess. Everyone has wants and desires, and it's perfectly fine to fulfill them sometimes, but there's no reason to be driven to the brink of insanity for them.
Because if we're all insane, there wouldn't be much pleasure in that, would there?
Next 30-Day-Challenge: Maybe I'll stick to poetry.
Yay!!!! You did it!!! So proud of you! You basically cut your spending in half! Thats pretty awesome. Nicely done, Tiff:)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. Congrats. Have you considered doing sort of the opposite: gifting someone something every day for a month?
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! Caleb- that is an awesome idea.
ReplyDelete