amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,635 
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Post by amom23 on Jun 28, 2021 22:23:22 GMT
How long have you done a spending freeze for? I've only been able to do a month at a time (done a few different times over the years). I've seen people on social media who have documented their whole year spending freezes. I know myself and I could never make it that long. It is just so hard for me to do although I do admire people who are able to curb their misc. spending.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jun 29, 2021 3:50:23 GMT
Longtime spending freezes can be done.
I am a year and three months, into being on self imposed spending restriction.
Not by choice, by necessity. Mandatory shut down for almost two months, then working part time for the past year.
It's been very humbling.
I will never again take for granted the little things, like..... being able to go through a drive thru, buying a few scrapbook goodies, buying the "fancy" ice cream(magnum double caramel) instead of the less expensive brands, ect.....
I surprised myself, by how disiplined I've been.
No unnessasary spending unless I have a gift card.
No wants, only needs.
Thank goodness for Christmas and Birthday gift cards!
This too, shall pass. But it's feels like it's taking forever.
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Post by redshoes on Jun 29, 2021 4:06:52 GMT
I decided to use up ALL of my yarn stash before buying any more…took me 15 months. I had a handful of projects that I couldn’t finish by the end, so that’s when I allowed myself to buy more, just to finish those. Now, I get yarn as a gift or I buy only what is needed for a specific project. Very happy I challenged myself. I’m considering doing the same with scrapbooking supplies/paper as I’m expecting to have some time coming up to dedicate to catching up on my scrapbooking.
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Post by redshoes on Jun 29, 2021 4:08:25 GMT
How long have you done a spending freeze for? I've only been able to do a month at a time (done a few different times over the years). I've seen people on social media who have documented their whole year spending freezes. I know myself and I could never make it that long. It is just so hard for me to do although I do admire people who are able to curb their misc. spending. . You might surprise yourself…what if you chose only one thing to freeze? |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:48:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2021 4:37:30 GMT
While not on a spending freeze, starting next month we are only buying necessities. We are trying to save as much money as we can in case either CCS, IRC, the law firm, or an appeal with the insurance agent group falls through and we have to pay for DS' formula at the tune of just under $24,000 a year.  |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jun 29, 2021 5:29:43 GMT
While not on a spending freeze, starting next month we are only buying necessities. We are trying to save as much money as we can in case either CCS, IRC, the law firm, or an appeal with the insurance agent group falls through and we have to pay for DS' formula at the tune of just under $24,000 a year. Time for some phone calls. The manufacturer, your US Senators and Representatives!! Your situation is unacceptable!!!! |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:48:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2021 6:12:19 GMT
While not on a spending freeze, starting next month we are only buying necessities. We are trying to save as much money as we can in case either CCS, IRC, the law firm, or an appeal with the insurance agent group falls through and we have to pay for DS' formula at the tune of just under $24,000 a year. Time for some phone calls. The manufacturer, your US Senators and Representatives!! Your situation is unacceptable!!!! I have done 3 appeals (1 state level), called Washington DC Child Services, NORD, GORD, Abbott (we make too much and if we didn't it is only 6 cans a month for a year. He goes through 42 a month.), written my district rep, my governor, my senator, and VP Harris. Other than Abbott and the appeals, no one has called or contacted me. 🤷♀️ |
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Jun 29, 2021 7:02:23 GMT
I was determined one year to use up all of my make up and samples before buying new, thinking it would only be 3-4 months but ended up 16 months! It was fun rediscovering some favorites and trying all the samples, and I weeded through everything that should be tossed. I lost my VIB status at Sephora that year but it was worth it.
Aside from that one event I don’t do spending freezes because I find them too restrictive mentally. Instead I try to be very mindful and deliberate about my budget. That way it feels like a choice (which it all is, of course). I start the month deciding I will spend x amount on coffee, or clothing,, or on fast food…whatever it is you’re trying to limit, That way I still get to buy what I want, just far less than I might’ve if I didn’t think about my budget.
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Post by mikklynn on Jun 29, 2021 11:40:27 GMT
I'm trying to be mindful of my spending, so not quite a freeze. We have a lot of extra expenses coming up in the spring when we move to a new townhouse. I've had to do a real freeze, like ScrapbookMyLife, when the construction industry pretty much crashed in 2008. DH had to stop paying himself in order to keep his business going. We did about 2 years of buying nothing non-essential. We shopped Walmart, not the nicer grocery store, we couponed, thrifted, etc. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jun 29, 2021 14:11:13 GMT
I have done 3 appeals (1 state level), called Washington DC Child Services, NORD, GORD, Abbott (we make too much and if we didn't it is only 6 cans a month for a year. He goes through 42 a month.), written my district rep, my governor, my senator, and VP Harris. Other than Abbott and the appeals, no one has called or contacted me. 🤷♀️ #1 Shame on them for not responding!!!! I do not understand that, at least have the courtesy to respond, I'll look into it or say no. The help you need is beyond income issues. It is life for your DS. (((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))) |
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Post by tc on Jun 29, 2021 14:25:18 GMT
I do "No Spend September" each year. This will be year 4 or 5. I picked September because we don't have any family birthdays or events; my son goes back to school in August so those back to school expenses are out of the way; and before I start holiday spending, I like to see a little more cash flow in my banking accounts. My self-imposed rules are no eating out; only buy what is on the list at the grocery store; no extraneous shopping. I don't even let myself grab a drink with coworkers for a Friday afternoon happy hour (wasn't a problem during 2020). I make exceptions for emergencies (car or appliance repairs) and charitable giving (I think it was my first year that there were two hurricanes that month so I gave to the Red Cross twice). I also budget for anything I'm going to spend that month such as my son's only yearly school fundraiser is typically that month so I do pay for that during September. But other than that - no craft supplies; no "but it's on sale!" shopping; no stopping in the convenience store when I fill up with gas to get a fountain pop; no toys or books for my son; etc. What I discovered is that most of the holiday catalog stuff comes out in September so by that last week of the month I'm feeling the pressure. It's amazing to me each year when I rediscover how much I use spending money as a stress reliever of sorts.
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Post by workingclassdog on Jun 29, 2021 14:38:15 GMT
I have never done that.. ummmmm.. food for thought. My husband is on the road usually for six weeks at a time. When he is home we tend to spend more money eating out and whatnot.. Maybe I could do no eating out between the times he is gone. Or at least cut it down to once a week. MAYBE that is what I am going to do... Only once a week we eat out while he is gone. He leaves tomorrow so it will begin.
Let's see how I do.. HA....
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Post by Jamie on Jun 29, 2021 14:46:53 GMT
Usually between December and April I don't spend a dime on fun/extra items. I hate being out in the winter for nonessential items and just enjoy being home doing what I want watching it snow. Plus that's my busy time at work so I really don't have time to do anything for myself.
But even now, I'm off next week and have been contemplating going to a quilting store about 45 min away by myself just to have some me time. But keep going back and forth if I want to spend the $. These items could be ordered online that I'm needed (tools) but honestly I think I need to go for my sanity.
Other than that, I don't even spend $20 a month on myself.
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,635
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Post by amom23 on Jun 29, 2021 15:59:13 GMT
My post was geared toward all the unnecessary spending I personally tend to do and how it's really hard to stop. When I was younger I remember how hard it was to stretch every dollar. I really struggled financially and never want to be in that place again. I have many blessings in my life, but have great empathy for how hard life can be for others.
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Post by Linda on Jun 29, 2021 16:13:50 GMT
I need to do this. DS is home on leave right now so I'm going to wait until he leaves again but I think the rest of the summer I need to be frozen - only essentials at the grocery store (from my list), no crafty shopping, no impulse buys, no ALdi aisle of shame, no running out midweek for this and that (except milk but no extras when I get the milk), no amazon purchases....Not sure whether to include photo printing...I do have plenty of photos printed already so it's not like I'll run out...
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