I declared early in December that January would be a “no-spend” month for us so I could quickly replenish our emergency fund because our EF is taking a $1000 hit this month. Our Emergency Fund currently has $2000 sitting in it, which is “ok”, but $3000 is definitely the lowest amount in my “comfort zone”, so I’d like to top it back up to $3K ASAP! With our large family living on a single income, i’ve come to accept that we’ll never have a $10K Emergency Fund like some others, but as long as I have a small emergency fund & am in the habit of saving regularly, i’m ok with that!
So, this is where my “No-Spend” January comes in! 
I’ve been crunching the numbers and in order for us to pay all of our bills and save $1000 in a single month, we’re going to have to literally watch every single penny!! No straying, no impulse buys, no cheating! If I make it through the month on our extremely meager budget, I’ll be quite impressed with myself!! lol!
Here’s how I plan on saving $1000 by the end of January:
GST Refund: $126.03
Weekly EF Deposit from hubby’s paycheck: $219
Total: $1002
Which leaves us with a mere $21.00/day, $3.50 per person, or $651 for 6 people, (2 adults, 4 kids aging from 4-17) to live on for the month of January! Lord help me, I must be crazy! lol! I know many others in this world live on FAR less than we have, and they aren’t starting with all their bills paid, a warm & safe roof over their heads, and food in the cupboards & freezer! We are blessed!
Here’s what we’ll be starting out our month with:
$80 in Gift Certificates to Metro (We cashed in our air miles. I was planning on using these to buy our Christmas dinner turkey & fixins’ but I think I’ll use cash instead & save these for next month, when they may really be needed!)
3 Gift certificates to the Movies
Family Pass to the Children’s Museum
Bus Tickets for kids & I, bus pass for hubby.
Random food in our pantry, cupboards, & freezer.
I’ve also decided that whatever money I have left from my December budget will be used to “top up” our January budget. So depending on how we make out with our budget over the next couple of weeks, we may have more in our budget. I’ll update before my “No-Spend” challenge begins!
My Rules:
1. Track purchases! Write down every single penny we spend!
2. Continue with my “sealed pot challenge”. Any coins smaller than $1.00 go into my pot!
3. Menu plan & shop from a list! This will probably be the best single way we’ll be able to stick to the budget!
4. Find free & cheap activities to have fun!
5. Focus on simplicity, organizing, & donating/tossing. Before my January challenge starts I’ll be posting a list of projects I’d like to accomplish during the month.
6. Medicines/medical care doesn’t count. If something comes up & we need meds, I’m buying them.
7. No “pre-stocking-up”. I won’t spend $800 on groceries the week before my challenge starts in order to “get by”. It’s business as usual this month.
And I think that about covers everything! I’m actually excited to begin my no-spend challenge & can think of no better time to have a “No-Spend” “famine” month than after December… A “feast” of a month!
Anyone else plan on joining in? Either for a set number of “no spend” days, a week, or a full month like myself?! If so, please let me know so I can follow along & cheer you on! 
Sounds like a great plan! I for sure will join you for the full month!
I’m in. For the whole month.
! I will post once a week in January to see how it goes, but I’m hoping to save about $1,000.00 too! 
!
I will join you too..it’ll be a good way to start the year
I Like it! Hmmm…maybe I can convince the husband to hop on board and we can join you on the challenge.
I KNOW you can do this!!!
Sounds great! I will probably shoot for a fixed number of no spend days – I’m hoping to get in 10!
Not exactly sure what I can do. I’d like to do a no-spend challenge, but my no-spends are naturally high in numbers, though I cheated a ridiculous amount of times this month and would like to purge myself from such impulses.
By “no-spend” month, you mean no spending over a set limit? Or are you taking the $651 cash and counting that as a bill at the beginning of January?
I will be right there with you in January! I love the fact that this will delay gratification. If there is something that I want, I have a month to decide whether it is really worth it!
Hi Carla
I will join you for jan. I am like you excited at the prospect of a fresh new year in all ways. I think you do so amazing especially with 4 children. We can cheer each other on!. xx
So glad I have so much support!
Tanner, you just have to pick a number that will work for you! $21/day is the best I can do & still reaching my goal, and being able to feed my family at the same time. So mine isn’t really a complete “no-spend”, but a very low spend!
I’ll be taking $651 over the course of the entire month for food, clothes, fun, etc… Probably splitting it into weekly allotments. Hope this helps!
count me in……..let me sort my numbers out and I’ll get back to you. I will also post about this on my blog with a link back to you,
Gill
I’m in Carla – ugh, I don’t want to think about January YET but soon I will figure out my budget for the month. It’s hard because I have no idea what my paycheques will be as CPP deductions kick in again Jan. 1st so that will REALLY make things interesting!
Count me in too!! I have to crunch some numbers too!!
You should consider using the local library too – you can usually rent out DVDs for free and I know our library lets you also take out free passes to all the local museums. I plan on making a lot of use of the library when I’m on mat. leave!!
Great idea! Think I will join in as well. We have moved into the rental condo and pretty much stocked it with what we need so I don’t see us needing to spend too much next month and lord knows we could stand to add some money to our emergency fund too!! I look forward to seeing how you stretch your money with so many people to take care of!!
Gill, thanks for joining in!
Jane, don’t you hate that?! Hoe it’s better than you’re expecting!
AMD, we use our library a LOT! I love ours! Without it we’d never watch new movies! lol!
April, Moving will get you every time!! Thanks for joining in!
I am going to aim to have a day each week where I do not go grocery shopping and will watch all frivilous spending…sticking to the basics. I will continue to check the flyers for specials and try to plan our meals accordingly. There are no birthdays for the first half of the year, so that ususally keeps me from the malls where temptation lies. You are all so inspiring!
This sounds like quite a challenge but I know you’re up to it! I’ve been brainstorming a spending-control plan for January, too, but I must admit I was planning to pre-stock.
X 
/ ;oD
oops… my smilies always come out wrong. Let me do them again:
: o X
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; o D
I will join in! I never ever have a no spend day, so my goal will be low, but it’s still an improvement!
@ Susan, little things add up! Watching the flyers & planning around thend helps! That’s what I’ll be doing too!
@ 444, interested in hearing about your “spending control” plan!
@ Michelle, no-spend days are tough! Glad you’re joining in too!
Sounds like a great plan. Would love to join you but January will be my last bit of time with P before she leaves for school so I don’t think it is the best idea. I would take a go at it for February since that would be my actual end of holidays. Hmm I just might. I think just like you pointed out it would be a good way to balance out after the holidays.
I wish you the best in your challenge.
I think that I will be in for a majorly reduce spend challenge! Gosh knows I will need to rebuild my funds
I’m in even though January seems like months away at the moment. This is the best time of year for this. We can do it!
Lizzie
I’m in, I did this last year and it was pretty cool, I did end up spending a little on some after New Years sales to get a start on the following Cristmas gift giving. Jan is a great month to enjoy some peace and quite!!
Good luck with all this. I am a locavore, and I believe in supporting local businesses. We have to reboot this economy. They employ a lot of people in our town and region. We are living off of our investments, and live frugally. We splurge on the grandkids, though!
Hi Carla, I have already began a Don’t buy any meat for the Freezer Challenge with my recipe group a month ago, however I am sure I would definitely be into a “No Spend” Challenge for January 2012. Sign me on, & I will do my best to be at my best.
I am in. I am so glad that you have blogged this challenge. Please drop by my blog at Jazzy’s place.
Great way to start the year. I’ll be aiming for a dozen “no spend days” for the month. Maybe a baker’s dozen… Probably use the extra savings to pad the vacation fund for 2012.
Count me in, this is a brilliant idea.
I will just do the very best I can over the course of the month.
Man, if you can do this with your 3 dozen kids, I bet I can do it with just me & my cat. Sounds like a great way to start off 2012 on the right foot!
You and me both sister! lol
Sound like a great challenge. Count me in. I’ll be having a short post on my blog this cup coming Sat the 17.
Coffee is on.
We’ll be joining in, We are moving in march and need to save every last penny these next couple of months!!
Thanks for joining in ladies!! I’ve added to to my “No-Spend” blogroll!
I am in. Our savings took a HUGE hit this month with (a whole butchered cow, a full tank of propane and dental work) I have to get it back up to pay for (more dental work next month and another 800gal of propane probably in March).
Sounds great, I would love to do this as well.
Last year or the year before, I spent $25 for a week for our family of 4. I don’t know if you make food from scratch, but that saves a ton of money. I am thinking of doing a “No Spend January”, but we have been using up food in the freezer, etc. for December. I would miss fresh eggs and produce. Are you really spending No money or just spending much less? I wasn’t quite sure.
Patti & Cathy, thanks for joining! I’ll add you in!
Spendwisewoman, I do cook from scratch as much as possible… It’s not a total no spend… I’m budgeting in $21/day. If I can make do on $21/day I’ll be able to bulk up my emergency savings by $1K!!
I hope you’ll join in, you’re welcome to make your wn rues to fit your family! $25/week is amazing… wow! I’ll still need to buy food, etc.., I’ll just have to choose carefully!
I am planning on doing Michelle Singletary’s 21 Day financial fast from Jan 8 to 29.
Count me in!
I had already decided to have a no-spend January so I’m in and I’m super excited to have the company. My only spending besides our bills are gas and a few groceries. I plan to make meals based on what’s in the freezer and pantry and except for milk, bread, and fruit, I’m staying out of all stores and restaurants for the month of January ’12. Bring it!
So I’ve officially gone crazy *whistle* I’m going to play along for the month … working on my goals and what my budget will look like. Post coming soon.
I’m joining you. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time but with 4 kids, 2 in college, and living in an expensive area I haven’t had any momentum. We’ll see how it goes.
I’m in for the month!
I would like to join in too. For the whole month. I was planning on going to the hairdresser, but I’ll cancel that and save the money instead.
A great idea in great company! I’m taking two courses in January, so saving money sounds like a good idea. What the heck, count me in, too!
I am in
I just posted about it on my blog!
good luck everyone and a Happy New Year to you all.
I would like to do the no spend challenge . Happy New Year!
I’m signing on too (in my own little way
!)
I will join in also. I didn’t stock up so I will be cooking out of my freezer and pantry,
I have a family of 4 and plan to spend 25.oo a week for food.
I will pay cash only , I had 25 dollars left over from last month so will use that for the one birthday I have this mnty
Lauraleah
I’m easing in by actually assessing this month and starting to make small concrete goals. Gotta start somewhere!
I’m in! Just a couple questions… kids school activities? ie fee to be in a school play? Gas money? Are these included?
Totally up to you!
You make your own rules & goals. We’re all different and have different priorities & obligations, so I find that making the challenge fit your lifestyle works best! 
I’m in!
Nice! I’m going to give this a go too! Except it will be a “no-spend til Jan 27″ kind of thing instead. (Going to hong kong…I can’t not buy anything there!)
Good luck
I’m in until January 27th!
Good luck everyone