My name is Anna Newell Jones. I used to have a ton of debt and now I have none. Through the Spending Fast process I've become a getting (and staying) out of debt pro. I can show you how to do it too!

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Wednesday
Dec302009

My Self-Imposed Spending Fast Guidelines

DateDecember 30, 2009

by folksky

So, I know some of you are thinking "Well... you've got to spend SOME money this year don't you!?" and my answer to all of ya'll (imagine that with a southern twang) is "Yes, I will have to." Oh yeah, I'll HAVE TO. Force me why don't you. I imagine that this will kind of be like a person who is in Overeaters Anonymous who must still eat but can only consume the "right" stuff. Where it would be a whole lot easier if you could just eliminate it completely from your life.

The goal of this whole spending fast is to get my spending back on track, save some money and get rid of a lot of the clutter and time sucking that comes along with having a lot of stuff and buying the new stuff. Managing it, maintaining it, cleaning it, rearranging it, you know. 

Plus, I want my priorities to go like this: people and relationships are #1 and I don't want things to be at the top or even close to the top of the list. Where as now, that can become questionable sometimes.

Setting up my priorities like that makes sense.

Obviously, situations will happen this year that I won't be able to predict, so I'm gonna have to weigh those unexpected situations and remember that my motto has to be "Make Do and Mend" rather than "Make More to Spend, More."

Ok. So. Here is the brutal break-down of how things will be going down this year:

 

What I will have to spend money on:

Rent

Utilities (keeping lights and water off as much as possible; keeping the thermostat at 68 and wearing a hat and long johns inside, if needed)

Cell phone (taking the internet off of it- that's unneeded) 

Food (store bought, off brands, in season fruits and veggies and only when I run out of stuff in cupboards)

Gym membership (local gym, it's reasonable and health is important)

Doctor co-pays

Medicine

Photography exhibits (done inexpensively)

Car payment

Some gas

Bus eco-pass

Box hair dye (hey, I have needs)

 

What I'm NOT spending money on:

Gifts (sorry friends and family... homemade crafts or re-gifting will be happening. Hopefully you all like macaroni magnets.)

Coffee at coffee shops (sad face)

Clothes (remember: "Make Do & Mend!" and in honor of that I need this. haha!)

Trinkets

Etsy stuff (another sad face)

New make-up

Eating out

Movies

New business cards (I have a bad habit of getting new ones because I like a different design better)

Coats (see Clothes above)

Shoes

Bed linens

Towels

Fancy html email service (down-sizing it)

Decorative house stuff

Fancy haircuts at fancy hair shop

New music from itunes

 

There you have it. There's no way it can be completely comprehensive but I think it's a good start. 

And, my new name is Mrs. Cheapskate. Nice to meetcha'.