Elizabeth at Trenches of Mommyhood is challenging herself to spend only $1200 in the month of June, for all expenses.
She writes:
I’m doing this because there are families out there that have no choice in “how low they can go” but are rather trying to make ends meet on $1,000 or less, whether it is due to unemployment, illness, or other factors. I want to walk a mile in their shoes for a month.
A $1200 challenge would never work for us, but the concept would. It is interesting how I am running into all of these blog challenges, essays, and posts all at the same time. Or maybe interesting isn’t the word to use, maybe Providential is the correct term.
Have you ever challenged yourself to a tiny budget for reasons that were not financial (i.e., a job loss)? I have, during my Food Stamp Challenge. The skills I learned when doing it as an option were invaluable when spending a tiny amount on food became a necessity.
And, frankly, it was fun. It was a game. I knew that if I spent more than my allotment, it would be ok. We were not in any danger of starving. But what about people who really do have a bare cupboard and only $10 to last them until next payday?
How about you? Do you make frugality a game?
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
$1200 would never work for us either. I could challenge myself to spend less than $1200 on groceries, gas and fast food, but not bills and such.
.-= Peggy Brister´s last blog ..Don’t you just LOVE serial killers? =-.
We could do it if we didn’t include the rent. Our rent is more than $1200! But we don’t have car payments or credit card payments, so it’s definitely doable.
As a single homeschooling mom, I’ve had to make choices that have lead me to live on $11,000/year for each of the last 5 years. Sure, I could go out and use my education to get a “decent” job, but who would raise and educate my children? And even though it’s a lifestyle for us, we still make it a game as well.
I stock up on pantry and freezer items when I can, grow veggies in my garden (for our little bitty 120 day growing season anyway), can tomatoes from the farmer’s market, and read fabulous blogs like this one for tips of course
On the extra lean months I depend on those stocked up on items and new recipes from bloggy friends & try to see if I can go the whole month only buying milk and salad items – and fresh fruit if it’s a super big sale. I also love to see how many bags of groceries I can get for $25.
My car is paid for, I do not have any credit cards, and I am blessed to live in a pretty decent yet lower cost rental – my biggest expense. About 75% of my income goes to pay my rent. Again, this is a bit of a choice – I could probably pay less, but I don’t want my kids to live in “those” neighborhoods.
But most importantly, I pray. I know that my God is my provider. My budget hasn’t worked out on paper. Yet He makes a way every single time. Sometimes it comes down to the eleventh hour, but He always comes through for us. It is by no means easy to have faith in these situations, but He is ever faithful. I have had the true pleasure of watching miracles unfold as my Father God provides for me and my family. It’s been amazing.