Comments on: No Spend Months: Preparing http://www.nourishingdays.com/2008/10/no-spend-months-preparing/ real food | natural homemaking | sustainability Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:19:33 +0000 hourly 1 By: No Spend Months « http://www.nourishingdays.com/2008/10/no-spend-months-preparing/comment-page-1/#comment-90 No Spend Months « Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:47:46 +0000 http://simplenaturalnourishing.wordpress.com/?p=355#comment-90 [...] Introduction. [...] [...] Introduction. [...]

]]> By: Alyss http://www.nourishingdays.com/2008/10/no-spend-months-preparing/comment-page-1/#comment-79 Alyss Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:02:46 +0000 http://simplenaturalnourishing.wordpress.com/?p=355#comment-79 Great work! I started a slow year in October too (full moon in Taurus must've inspired us ;) but mine has a little different ground rules. The one hard and fast rule is no buying of new manufactured goods. After that it will be a matter of being thoughtful about purchases of used goods, local foods (as much as possible) and working hard to build savings and pay off debt. Through the summer I was doing slow weeks where I would spend no money Mon-Fri but could spend a little on the weekends and I'll probably incorporate that habit into this slow year as well. I'm glad I found your blog! I'm so going to be reading more :) Great work! I started a slow year in October too (full moon in Taurus must’ve inspired us ;) but mine has a little different ground rules. The one hard and fast rule is no buying of new manufactured goods. After that it will be a matter of being thoughtful about purchases of used goods, local foods (as much as possible) and working hard to build savings and pay off debt. Through the summer I was doing slow weeks where I would spend no money Mon-Fri but could spend a little on the weekends and I’ll probably incorporate that habit into this slow year as well.
I’m glad I found your blog! I’m so going to be reading more :)

]]> By: Shannon http://www.nourishingdays.com/2008/10/no-spend-months-preparing/comment-page-1/#comment-81 Shannon Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:42:05 +0000 http://simplenaturalnourishing.wordpress.com/?p=355#comment-81 Mary - That is a sweet story. I'm glad to hear that your son is so understanding. I'm afraid that not all children would have the same response. Blessings, Shannon Mary -

That is a sweet story. I’m glad to hear that your son is so understanding. I’m afraid that not all children would have the same response.

Blessings,
Shannon

]]> By: Mary (Mary's Nest) http://www.nourishingdays.com/2008/10/no-spend-months-preparing/comment-page-1/#comment-80 Mary (Mary's Nest) Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:27:10 +0000 http://simplenaturalnourishing.wordpress.com/?p=355#comment-80 I just wanted to share a story about saving money on holiday shopping... With the faltering economy, our family has to be very conscious - like all of us - about the money we spend. I was explaining this to my son (he's 10) to brace him for the possibility of not too many toys at Christmas time. I started to explain things to him and he said...with a big smile on his face..., "Not to worry Mom, Dad already explained things to me and he said that we'll go shopping in the attic for Christmas gifts. I think it will be great. Besides, Christmas isn't really about getting toys." And then he gave me a big hug!!! I have to tell you - I wanted to cry with joy. He was so sweet and sincere and very happy to simply bring out things from the attic that we had put away from lack of use, etc. Kids can be amazing! So for those of us on a tight budget (and who isn't?) think about those forgotten treasures in your attic or garage. Love, Mary I just wanted to share a story about saving money on holiday shopping…

With the faltering economy, our family has to be very conscious – like all of us – about the money we spend. I was explaining this to my son (he’s 10) to brace him for the possibility of not too many toys at Christmas time. I started to explain things to him and he said…with a big smile on his face…, “Not to worry Mom, Dad already explained things to me and he said that we’ll go shopping in the attic for Christmas gifts. I think it will be great. Besides, Christmas isn’t really about getting toys.” And then he gave me a big hug!!! I have to tell you – I wanted to cry with joy. He was so sweet and sincere and very happy to simply bring out things from the attic that we had put away from lack of use, etc. Kids can be amazing! So for those of us on a tight budget (and who isn’t?) think about those forgotten treasures in your attic or garage.

Love,

Mary

]]> By: Jess http://www.nourishingdays.com/2008/10/no-spend-months-preparing/comment-page-1/#comment-82 Jess Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:19:33 +0000 http://simplenaturalnourishing.wordpress.com/?p=355#comment-82 I think this is a fabulous idea. I may not be ready for it this month, but I will for sure follow along and hopefully start to put the breaks on. Maybe this will be something I can prepare for and do after the holidays. I think this is a fabulous idea. I may not be ready for it this month, but I will for sure follow along and hopefully start to put the breaks on. Maybe this will be something I can prepare for and do after the holidays.

]]> By: Save Money With a “Fun Allowance” http://www.nourishingdays.com/2008/10/no-spend-months-preparing/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Save Money With a “Fun Allowance” Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:54:12 +0000 http://simplenaturalnourishing.wordpress.com/?p=355#comment-83 [...] Simple ~ Natural ~ Nourishing — limiting spending until the end of the year, including not shopping at the grocery store. [...] [...] Simple ~ Natural ~ Nourishing — limiting spending until the end of the year, including not shopping at the grocery store. [...]

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.nourishingdays.com/2008/10/no-spend-months-preparing/comment-page-1/#comment-84 Jennifer Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:44:04 +0000 http://simplenaturalnourishing.wordpress.com/?p=355#comment-84 First let me say-SUPER GREAT IDEA and good luck....but I do wonder how you plan to celebrate the holidays. I've been finding ways to slash our budget for years but this time of year gets a little out of hand sometimes with the cooking & gifting. We moved quite far from the family this past year so I am cooking our holiday dinners. I know my food budget will be higher than normal ($200/month) so are you planning on cooking a family holiday dinner? If so, how do you do this without spending any money??? Also with small children in my home, "Santa" can get out of hand if he's not kept in check. Short of shopping sales & simply reducing the amount spent for Santa, we are planning a handmade holiday for friends, relatives, and neighbors. We're keeping the budget low ($300/child or less) plus another $300 for supplies and shipping costs for the handmade gifts. I thought I was doing well this year but after reading your post, I need to rethink our entire budget. I look forward to your updates! First let me say-SUPER GREAT IDEA and good luck….but I do wonder how you plan to celebrate the holidays. I’ve been finding ways to slash our budget for years but this time of year gets a little out of hand sometimes with the cooking & gifting. We moved quite far from the family this past year so I am cooking our holiday dinners. I know my food budget will be higher than normal ($200/month) so are you planning on cooking a family holiday dinner? If so, how do you do this without spending any money??? Also with small children in my home, “Santa” can get out of hand if he’s not kept in check. Short of shopping sales & simply reducing the amount spent for Santa, we are planning a handmade holiday for friends, relatives, and neighbors. We’re keeping the budget low ($300/child or less) plus another $300 for supplies and shipping costs for the handmade gifts. I thought I was doing well this year but after reading your post, I need to rethink our entire budget. I look forward to your updates!

]]> By: Shannon http://www.nourishingdays.com/2008/10/no-spend-months-preparing/comment-page-1/#comment-89 Shannon Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:13:14 +0000 http://simplenaturalnourishing.wordpress.com/?p=355#comment-89 Rachel - Thank you and thank you for linking to me on your blog. Mary - I have some ideas, but none that I have used myself. I've heard ebay and Craig's list are good ways to go. I actually just decided to give away a bunch of stuff last night rather than trying to sell it, but there will be more stuff, I'm sure. We get milk & eggs from a nearby farmer. We can also get all sorts of meat from them as well, so if my stock runs out I can get it there. Thank you so much for those book recommendations, I will definitely be looking those up at the library. Gracia - It sounds like your challenge is a good one as well. Perhaps I will shift more towards that direction next time instead of cutting off all grocery spending for two months. I will be checking i on your progress - thank you for sharing. ~Shannon~ Rachel – Thank you and thank you for linking to me on your blog.

Mary – I have some ideas, but none that I have used myself. I’ve heard ebay and Craig’s list are good ways to go. I actually just decided to give away a bunch of stuff last night rather than trying to sell it, but there will be more stuff, I’m sure. We get milk & eggs from a nearby farmer. We can also get all sorts of meat from them as well, so if my stock runs out I can get it there. Thank you so much for those book recommendations, I will definitely be looking those up at the library.

Gracia – It sounds like your challenge is a good one as well. Perhaps I will shift more towards that direction next time instead of cutting off all grocery spending for two months. I will be checking i on your progress – thank you for sharing.

~Shannon~

]]> By: Gracia Fraile http://www.nourishingdays.com/2008/10/no-spend-months-preparing/comment-page-1/#comment-88 Gracia Fraile Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:47:27 +0000 http://simplenaturalnourishing.wordpress.com/?p=355#comment-88 First of all, I want to wish you the best. I started, at the end of september, a "no-spend end of the year", but was a softie compared to you. I allowed ourselves to a total of 500€ for the rest of the year, including gas, food, everything. We're doing quite well, and yesterday we posted about what we've learnt this past month, you may want to check it out. First of all, I want to wish you the best. I started, at the end of september, a “no-spend end of the year”, but was a softie compared to you. I allowed ourselves to a total of 500€ for the rest of the year, including gas, food, everything. We’re doing quite well, and yesterday we posted about what we’ve learnt this past month, you may want to check it out.

]]> By: Mary (Mary's Nest) http://www.nourishingdays.com/2008/10/no-spend-months-preparing/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Mary (Mary's Nest) Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:53:17 +0000 http://simplenaturalnourishing.wordpress.com/?p=355#comment-87 Oh Goodness! I just realized the dates of your no spending. You will go through Thanksgiving and Christmas without spending! God Bless You. That would be tough for me. I read that you are able to get milk and eggs. Are these your own...or from a nearby farm? Might you be able to get a chicken...or maybe even a Turkey...wild?...for Thanksgiving? Maybe a wild boar for Christmas? (Sorry if this sounds odd...I live in the Texas Hill Country and these things are easier to come by than in other places). Good luck with all of this and please keep us posted. I am anxious to hear how it all goes. Oh - I meant to mention that if you are thinking of doing a window garden of herbs, might you be able to do any sort of outside gardening...maybe even in a cold frame? I worry about you not having enough fresh veggies and/or fresh meats (hence my suggestion on the wild turkey and boar.) For a great book - get it at the library - on container gardening, try... Homemade in the Kitchen by Barry Bluestein and Kevin Morrissey. They also have a second book called the Bountiful Kitchen. See if you can get that one too. They will give you lots of great tips for gardening under less than ideal conditions...and then all sorts of stuff that you can make with your bounty! All the best, Mary Oh Goodness! I just realized the dates of your no spending. You will go through Thanksgiving and Christmas without spending! God Bless You. That would be tough for me. I read that you are able to get milk and eggs. Are these your own…or from a nearby farm? Might you be able to get a chicken…or maybe even a Turkey…wild?…for Thanksgiving? Maybe a wild boar for Christmas? (Sorry if this sounds odd…I live in the Texas Hill Country and these things are easier to come by than in other places).

Good luck with all of this and please keep us posted. I am anxious to hear how it all goes.

Oh – I meant to mention that if you are thinking of doing a window garden of herbs, might you be able to do any sort of outside gardening…maybe even in a cold frame? I worry about you not having enough fresh veggies and/or fresh meats (hence my suggestion on the wild turkey and boar.) For a great book – get it at the library – on container gardening, try…

Homemade in the Kitchen by Barry Bluestein and Kevin Morrissey. They also have a second book called the Bountiful Kitchen. See if you can get that one too. They will give you lots of great tips for gardening under less than ideal conditions…and then all sorts of stuff that you can make with your bounty!

All the best,

Mary

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