The 10 Day No Spending Challenge

This challenge is about making a plan for your finances! It's time we all got serious about something every one gets a little squeamish about.

MONEY MONEY MONEY

and 

SAVING SAVING SAVING!!

This challenge will last for a total of 10 days! 

It will be tough, it will make you think, it will make you plan

and most importantly it will help you save!

Here are the steps you need to take in order to prepare

Be Prepared!

The goal is to eliminate any extra spending for the 10 day duration.  So get out your pen and paper and write down everything you need to have a smooth and successful No Spend Week (it's a bit longer than a week )!

Plan out your meals thoroughly! Make a list of every ingredient you need to make your meals right down to the very last seasoning, and hit the grocery store tonight! Make sure you have some leftovers for lunch the next day. Remember, you can't make any stops throughout the week to pick up what you forgot! Be thorough, you can do it! I believe in you!

Fill your gas tank up tonight! Plan out your week, where are you going to go?
Stopping by to see any friends? Have any errands to run? Are you going to run your errands before or after work? Can you make everything in one trip for the day? How many places do you go in one day? One week?

How many times throughout the day do you go home, and then realize you forgot to go to the grocery store, or forgot an errand you needed to run? Being this strict with gas will also get you to think about cutting down on extra stops. If you see you're at a half tank and it's only Tuesday, then you've got to re-evaluate.

Travel long distances to work? What about public transportation or a car pool. Can you do half and half. The point is...DON'T MAKE EXCUSES FOR YOURSELF! Write it down! Think about all the gas you could save if you did everything in one swift movement...

Needs vs. Wants

I mean, do you absolutely have to have that skirt, those pair of shoes THIS WEEK? Or do you need personal hygiene products...

Get Creative 

Instead of going to happy hour after work, have an intimate happy hour at home. Have each girlfriend bring something she already has at home!

Find a new movie on Netflix, instead of spending you money at the movie theater

Encourage your friends to participate in the no spend challenge with you, so they won't temp you when they're out to dinner or having a girls spa day

Instead of money leaving your hands, find ways to put some extra cash INTO your hands. It's a much more gratifying feeling anyway. Go through your closet, sell some stuff!

Just because you're not spending doesn't mean you're banished to your home! Grab a blanket, a good book or even your journal and head to the park! Find some free stuff going on around your city!

So here are the rules for the next 10 days:

No eating out (this includes snacks)

No spending on nails or hair!

No spending on beauty products

NO online shopping 

(only if you have a store credit or coupon that makes everything free and the same goes for grocery shopping too)!!

NO lending money

NO SPENDING!! 

For some this may be a little bit harder than others. People with families, 

for those who work a bit further from home. Use your judgement, be cautious and be reasonable.

Do the absolute best you can!

I'll also be doing some updates so stay tuned!

Make the money honey, don't let the money make you