This week’s list for my Friday Frugal Five was easy to come up with since we’re a week and a half into “No” Spend November. So far, we’ve had 5 zero spend days in the first 9 days of the month.
If you’re interested in following along, I’m posting a daily update to Instagram to keep myself accountable.
1. I saved $9 on a monthly pet medication by signing up with Costco pharmacy ($10.87 instead of $19.87). I had to wait in line for twenty minutes with an impatient toddler, but it was worth it because this this a medication our dog will be on for the rest of her life, so this is a repeat savings for one time effort.
2. I saved 30¢/gallon on gas by putting in our grocery store rewards. Only saved me around $3.50 total, but that just means I don’t drive very many miles in general so my gas bill is never terrible.
3. We leave for Hawaii soon and have a long travel day on the way there, so I prepared by packing a ton of snacks to get us through the day. Even better, all the food came from what we already had in the house (or truck – my husband has a stash of “truck snacks” at all times), so we didn’t spend anything additional for this preparation.
4. Our roommate cooked dinner for all of us twice this week. We did provide the ingredients for one meal plus a few incredients for the second, but it meant we could spend our afternoon doing other things than prep dinner. Plus cooking for more people always wins for economies of scale.
5. We didn’t eat out once this week even though it’s been really hectic around here. Though I did eat oatmeal for lunch one day when I forgot my lunch at home in the fridge. A few months ago, I would have used this as an excuse to go buy something tasty, so I’m proud of myself for sucking it up and cooking up some oatmeal I had in my office instead.
Overall, the challenge this month to be mindful of every dollar spent has been extremely successful so far. It’s amazing how we got so in the habit of spending even a few dollars almost every single day of the month. This month will now be for reclaiming the zero dollar day.
I’ve learned to keep a pack of oatmeal or ramen with me in case I forget a work meal.
So now I think I need to find a roommate who likes to cook. That would be a pretty sweet perk to have someone else cook.
Yeah, oatmeal saves me sometimes! And trading off making dinner is pretty darn awesome. That and he watches our pets when we travel.
I love saving challenges. Short term is good because it doesn’t feel like a permanent deprivation. I find it very rewarding when a short-term challenge reveals the bad habits that have slowly crept into my daily life.
Exactly – it’s amazing how much what you do is habit and not worth it if you really pay attention.
I need to keep some emergency lunch food at work so I don’t get takeout – oatmeal is a good idea!
Oatmeal is great because it has such a long shelf life and is really cheap. Though it definitely took some willpower to eat it and not find a tasty lunch instead 😉