The Nesting Instinct - No Buy Month

Mar. 8, 2007

No Buy Month

I've been talking to a lot of people lately about how they're going to try a "No Buy Month"--a whole month where they don't do any shopping at all. They simply use what they have, with the exception of milk, etc.

I think it's a great idea, and we've been trying to eat through our cupboards and other such things lately. Here's how blogger Carolyne Aarsen explains her plunge into the No Buy spirit:

Over the years we've had various discussions with our children over money. The main gist of what we've said to them can be summed up in the following - It's not what you make, it's what you spend. I would edit that and say What you make is probably less important than what you spend. Making money is the hard part of the equation and one you often have the least control over. If you are on a salary you are tied to a certain wage with only cost of living increases, the occasional bonus to provide you with extras. What you can control is the other side of the equation. What you spend. This is where you have some control and some say and this is where the self-control becomes the primary factor in how much you will have at the endof the month. I know that this month has been interesting for me. I have a credit on my credit card! How often does that happen! My bank account hasn't dipped as low as quickly and for the most part, I haven't missed much of what I haven't bought. Of course, the real test will be next month when the spending fast is over. Will I binge? I hope not. Anyhow, this is Day 18 of No-Buy month and this is Carolyne, counting her cash.