Our "No Spend Month"

That's right..the Jenkins are taking the challenge!

March will be our no spend month.

Sure, we still have a mortgage, insurance and bills to pay, but all other unnecessary expenses will be cut.

Groceries are going down to the essentials. Bread, milk, eggs, meat. 

No chips, no cookies, no coffee creamer (that one hurt, but we really are serious about this).

No going out to eat, which means sucking it up when I am tired heading out of the office and making a meal when I get home.

Now, don't think we aren't going to be eating.

You'd be surprised when you inventory your pantry and freezer, just how many meals you can make out of what you already have.

I believe I counted over 35 meals that were nearly effortless to come up with, and with a little creativity, I'm sure we can muster up a few more.

This isn't just to "do" it and say we did. We truly are aiming to save money and make 2015 a fiscally responsible year and one that helps us build a solid foundation for our future.

During this time, I have other goals too. 

I'm selling back old textbooks to bring in a little more cash over the month and hope to try my hand at selling some odds-and-ends on eBay as well.

What better time to devote myself to cleaning up, clearing out & putting a little more money toward paying off our debts. 

Besides, no trips to the grocery store will clear up some free time! 

In that free time, I want to read and be crafty and accomplish more than I have the first two months of the year.

When the days get long at the office and all my energy seems to be spent, I fail to reserve myself some time for me. 

I want to LIVE! 

So, March 1 is tomorrow & here goes nothing!