Now that it’s over, I can look back and say that Superfrugality February went pretty well. I did slip up a few times, but overall we managed not to spend too much money on superfluous items and not to eat out at all. Well, D managed not to eat out. I...I’m another story.
The highs:
-This month I saved about $300 on not eating out, not buying stuff, and generally being more frugal than I usually am. As promised, that money is going to Planned Parenthood. I just love that organization.
-I did go to Banana Republic last weekend for their Presidents Day sale, but thanks to a giftcard I didn’t spend a cent. In fact, they gave me money back! I managed to find three tops for under $25 (the amount of my giftcard) and since the remaining balance was only about $2.50, they gave me that amount in cash. Which I promptly spent on Starbucks. Hey, it’s not money out of my own pocket so it doesn’t count, right?
-I also spent an Amazon giftcard that I got for Christmas, and so carefully shopped that my total came to 8 cents over the gifted amount. So I guess I could more accurately say I spent 8 cents. Totally worth it.
The lows:
-D was out of town a bunch this month, which meant that I was fending for myself on the cooking front (I don’t cook, like, at all). One night I came home from a particularly tough workout at the gym and, upon realizing we didn’t have any food in the house and I was on my own, panicked and ordered a pizza. Yeah, I could have probably found something to make but I was shaky hungry, it was late, and I couldn’t face cereal for dinner. Oh well.
-We had already made plans with friends and had to push them into February due to scheduling constraints, so we went out for drinks the first weekend. Hardly made a dent in the ole pocketbook (what can I say, I’m a cheap date), and great fun was had by all. I don’t feel guilty about this one little bit.
-I continued to buy coffee, ahem, pretty regularly during the month of February. Don’t tell D. I feel very guilty about this one.
So we weren’t as strict as past frugality months, but overall I’d say we did pretty well. I love to do this little exercise once a year and reset, so to speak, the lifestyle inflation that I know creeps in. I’m all about spending money on little pleasures, but I don’t need every little pleasure that’s out there. Partaking in austerity measures like these for a month make me appreciate the stuff I do spend on that much more.
March’s challenge is to try to cut out extra sugar, especially at work/during the week. I am so not excited about this.
The highs:
-This month I saved about $300 on not eating out, not buying stuff, and generally being more frugal than I usually am. As promised, that money is going to Planned Parenthood. I just love that organization.
-I did go to Banana Republic last weekend for their Presidents Day sale, but thanks to a giftcard I didn’t spend a cent. In fact, they gave me money back! I managed to find three tops for under $25 (the amount of my giftcard) and since the remaining balance was only about $2.50, they gave me that amount in cash. Which I promptly spent on Starbucks. Hey, it’s not money out of my own pocket so it doesn’t count, right?
-I also spent an Amazon giftcard that I got for Christmas, and so carefully shopped that my total came to 8 cents over the gifted amount. So I guess I could more accurately say I spent 8 cents. Totally worth it.
The lows:
-D was out of town a bunch this month, which meant that I was fending for myself on the cooking front (I don’t cook, like, at all). One night I came home from a particularly tough workout at the gym and, upon realizing we didn’t have any food in the house and I was on my own, panicked and ordered a pizza. Yeah, I could have probably found something to make but I was shaky hungry, it was late, and I couldn’t face cereal for dinner. Oh well.
-We had already made plans with friends and had to push them into February due to scheduling constraints, so we went out for drinks the first weekend. Hardly made a dent in the ole pocketbook (what can I say, I’m a cheap date), and great fun was had by all. I don’t feel guilty about this one little bit.
-I continued to buy coffee, ahem, pretty regularly during the month of February. Don’t tell D. I feel very guilty about this one.
So we weren’t as strict as past frugality months, but overall I’d say we did pretty well. I love to do this little exercise once a year and reset, so to speak, the lifestyle inflation that I know creeps in. I’m all about spending money on little pleasures, but I don’t need every little pleasure that’s out there. Partaking in austerity measures like these for a month make me appreciate the stuff I do spend on that much more.
March’s challenge is to try to cut out extra sugar, especially at work/during the week. I am so not excited about this.
6 comments:
I think that's awesome you're making such a generous donation to Planned Parenthood. If only we could all be as frugal and as generous as you!
Also, I want to know about D's lows for the month. I mean, it's one thing to beat yourself up over the coffee if he was perfect, but entirely another thing if he was sneaking purchases, too. =)
I love your phrase "lifestyle inflation." I've never heard that before, but it really does happen!
You have now joined the growing pgh hipster population! Congrats.
Kudos to you for donating to such a great organaztion!
I think you did really well! And how generous of you to donate what you saved to an organization you are passionate about. Alot of people would probably just pocket those savings.
I have been trying to be frugal as much as possible lately, too. I am sticking with 1 latte a week, and I have been good about only eating lunch out once a week - which is tough as I am surrounded by so many options (hello, Chipotle) and so many of my co-workers eat out every day!
My boyfriend just bought a Breville espresso machine so he can make his own iced lattes each morning. He claims it'll pay for itself in less than a year. This is yet to be seen, but an interesting idea.
Post a Comment