First I’d like to thank everyone for their encouraging comments on my post yesterday! I’m in better spirits & ready to go! Like everyone said, even if I meet some of my goal, at least it’s something to strive for & more than what I had before right?! Onwards & upwards!!! 
You guys are THE BEST!!! Bar none!
Movings onwards… It’s Day One of my “Decluttering & Low-Spend” challenge! Are you ready to clear out some cutter & save some money?! I thought so, me too!
Low (no) Spend Challenge
Let’s start with my low-spend part of the challenge! Do you have your budget in place for the first week? A financial goal for the week? I do!! Starting tomorrow we have $240 in our weekly budget for food, misc, fun, etc… $40 of that is left from our January budget. This will be the only week this month we have this much, so I’m hoping to *stretch* it! I would love to only spend $120 of that & be able to tuck the other $120 into my gifts savings! I have a menu plan ready to be followed, (that seems to be the kicker for me!) and will only pick up what’s needed, and only when we run out!
Here’s my menu plan for the week:
- Chicken strips & fries
- Brown Sugar BBQ sandwiches on homemade buns
- Garlic pizza bread & veggies
- Turkey & all the fixins’
- Hot Turkey Sandwiches on homemade bread
- Soup & sandwiches
- Pasta (no idea what kind yet, anyone have suggestions for a sauce that’s dairy-free?)
I have no plans for the week that will cost money, but we’ll be visiting grandma, going to Church, & just sticking close to home. That’s one thing winter is good for, it’s too cold & crappy to go very far! 
Decluttering Challenge
Now onto my decluttering part of the challenge! The first weeks challenge is “Personal Space”. I’m choosing to sort, purge & organize my closet which holds clothes, gifts, photography equipment, etc. It’s a complete mess & like many others, I’m dreading posting pictures on my blog for all to judge see!! lol! Seriously!! I plan on completing this challenge on Friday as its the only day my hubby is off, and since he works midnights, it’s my only chance to get this disaster area challenge accomplished! I will be posting before & after pics on either Friday night or Saturday morning… stay tuned!!!
What did you choose for your first decluttering challenge? Have you started it? Have you already completed it like Debby & Little Lamb!!
Some of you have voted on my poll about prizes… Most said it was up to me, and the rest voted for 1 prize a week. So I’ve decided to have one small prize a week, that way 4 participants have a chance to win something, rather than just one! So in preparation for today, I did a bit of sewing last night & came up with this super cute zippy wallet! It’s big enough to hold cash, (8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″) change, coupons, cell phone, lip gloss, etc… It’s bright, colorful and fully padded/lined for durability! If its not your style, it would make a great gift! It comes from a (usually) clean, non-smoking home! I hope everyone likes it!!
In order to have your name put in the draw to win this zippy wallet I’ll need everyone to post a direct link to their completed challenge/financial update on ***THIS POST*** to their *week one update* by next Wednesday (8th) morning as i’ll post the winner when I post my next challenge. Even if you’ve already linked me up, please comment again with a link so I can add your name into the drawing pease! Also… if you don’t subscribe to my blog either through RSS/email, or have me linked up on your blog roll, I’d consider subscribing so you don’t miss any updates!
*Week One Bonus Challenge*
My *bonus* challenges are going to be about giving back & making someone’s day brighter throughout the month! I truly believe that we’re all connected and by simply doing a small act of kindness, it will be passed on over & over again! This weeks challenge is to donate at least one item of food to the food bank. Either a new product when you shop this week or go through your pantry & find an item to donate. Simple as that!
And that should kick off this week! Good luck!!!
PS – Don’t forget to donate, toss, or give away one item today!! I’ll post mine tonight!
Tired & confused here. The challenge/financial update is for January? LOL, I feel behind before I get started ! Good day for you. Dark, grey and overcast here Just North of Wiarton this morning, hope the day is productive.
Personal Space challenge completed. Dresser and closet cleaned out. More than 29 clothing items waiting to be donated. Yay!
http://o2bdebtfree.blogspot.com/2012/01/more-decluttering.html
Personal Space was finished up this morning!! Will update my blog again tonight. Lots of really nice clothes are going to goodwill on my next trip out. How cool for the bonus challenge, it just so happens the Boy Scouts left a grocery bag on all or doors yeaterday for a food pick up. I can do this challenge without spending, thinking or leaving the house!!! Thanks for the shout out!!
@ Cindy, I’m sorry, I’m not sure as to what you’re referring to? But I’ve been up since 5:30am & am running on about 3 1/2 hours sleep…. This post is for my February challenge. I reread & can’t find what you mean… (?) Sorry!
@ Little Lamb, awesome! Thanks!!!
@ Debby, fabulous job!!! You inspired this *bonus* challenge!
I have my bedside table cleared and my dining room table is slowly getting organized. I am compiling items as I go along for a donation to the Women’s shelter, Diabetes Association and Salvation Army. Was going to do a drop off at the end of the challenge…will that be okay? I have Barilla pasta in my pantry that we cannot use due to the discovered labelling of “This product is manufactured on equipment that processes products containing eggs” Darn…I forgot to add that to my blog today! I have two boxes of Ditali and one of Capellini that I will drop off on my errands today. Love the ‘zippy’ wallet! I will be posting my update on Personal Space on Monday.
Meant to add…check out my recipe for Spagetti and Meatballs. The sauce is scrumptious! (dairy free too) Have you tried Nutritional Yeast? I am addicted to it! I am loving it on my salads…would be great on pasta! It’s by Bragg.
Great job on the menu planning! I know that it is hard for you to do!
Just a little note, the “their completed challenge/financial update on ***THIS POST***” doesn’t have any links attached to it.
And I think I already have the items I want to donate. Now to sneak into the church and drop them off before Friday…
Sounds like your month is starting off well!
My favourite pasta sauce is a simple tomato sauce with lentils. Chop an onion and garlic, saute til softened, add a can of tomatos and some sage/thyme and few dashes of hot sauce to taste (hot sauce optional if you don’t like it spicy), allow to cook down for about 15 min, then add a can of rinsed lentils and heat through. Toss with pasta. (I add parmesan at the end, but you said dairy free, so omit if necessary). This is yummy, cheap, and easy to have everything in the pantry.
@ Susan, good stuff!! I’ll be picking a small project to do today too… I’ve tried the yeast… wasn’t a fan, need to learn how to use it I guess!
Easier for me to track who wants to be in the drawing that way… That’s awesome that you have all your items ready to go already!! Wow!
Thanks for the recipe! Sounds great, my BFF would especially love it!
@ Sharon, thanks!
@ Tanner, there is no link because I want replies to *this actual post*.
@ Sarah, how are you?!
That wallet is adorable; I guess I better get cleaning:)
catching up with what has been going on with you all.
I have achieved my one decluttering/getting rid of something everyday goal and that is a bag of paperwork for the Church Cookbook I put together last year. It actually hasn’t left the house as such, but will go to the Vicarage next time I pass by. It is now sitting in an envelope on the kitchen table ready to go.
Gill
I did my closet the other day. I need to go through the linen closet and clean that out. We have two huge boxes to sell in a garage sale that our apt. Complex is putting on this spring.
Hi Carla,
I don’t have blogg but I love yours and that cute wallet.. I would love to order one can you tell me how to get to where I can buy one or two thank you in advance
My email deeanna88@gmail.com
Thanks again
DeeAnna
@ The LostGoat… yes, get to it! Not like you have newborn twins or something…
lol!
@ Gill, great job!!
@ Allison, way to go!
@ DeeAnna, I’ve emailed you! Thanks!!
I cleaned out my laptop bag, so I’m feeling good about that. I also cleaned a bunch of papers off of my desk at work. Up tonight is to go through one of the drawers in my bathroom & clean it up/dump what I no longer need.
Just finished up the February budget!
Finished the Office this morning.
Thanks to all, you are great inspirations.
Two cans of Tomatoe juice donated to food bank.
Tossed, and listed some items for sale today.
Now todays big challenge…staying off the computer.(for a couple hours at least).
Good luck to all. Have a great day.
Okay the junk drawer is done and tomorrow I will do the freezers. Great wallet! Is the machine better? I can tell that you are better. I had a foster son that is on his own come over yesterday and I sent him to the studio for an old overstuffed two seater couch that turns into a twin bed. It is heavy and I have wanted it gone for a long time! He is moving into a house and was glad to get it. Then he came back and made himself a pantry out of our storage pantry. Salt, soda, flour,sugar,white, powder, brown, mac-n-cheese (we don’t eat but we do store) soups, tomatoes, macaroni, ketchup, several different kinds of beans, oil, peanut butter, jams, cleaning products, tin-foil, paper towels, toilet paper, mayonnaise, tuna fish,light bulbs, cereals, ramen noodles. We still have onions and potatoes from the garden. He was so grateful. So I will count that as the food bank because I am sure he would have shown up down there. He also picked up the sofa in a truck we had purchased for him on his 18th Birthday! His day of emancipation from his viscous abusive parents. It makes me smile every time I see the old bomb around town. It is his pride and joy. I will never forget him sincerely telling me, “Everything my parents ever took from me you have returned ten fold” now how is that for a compliment to make your day?
@ Hawaii Planner, I did my bathroom drawers recently too… Junk accumulates there SO FAST! lol!
@ Meri, good job! I’m a lot more productive when I stay off my iPad as well!
@ Kim, that’s just SOO awesome! What a blessing you must be in his life!! Thanks for sharing that with me!
This seriously made me cry. You are a good person Kim.
Must be me being more tired, Carla, as I never seen it say “by next Wednesday”. I was sure it had read “Wednesday” ! LOL I am tired ! One night table cleared off, a salad spinner heading down along with one food item to the Salvation Army and a photo of the bedroom closet ready to be posted tomorrow, oh my !
Hey Carla! My goals are up at last.
I’m already feeling behind after reading some of the comments and seeing that some people have already completed the challenges! Way to go! I’m very motivated now… 
@ Cindy, no, you’re right, it did just say Wednesday, I just assumed people would know I meant next Wednesday. Sorry! *blush* I did clarify now with the date… Hope it’s more clear now!
@ Annie, you’re not “behind” at all!
here is my link: http://thatbritishwoman.blogspot.com/2012/02/and-proof-is-in-photos.html
I forgot to postpone my post until 1am like I normally do, so it posted right away!! Must be worn out from all that decluttering…LOL
Gill
*Phew* thanks for clarifying that Carla, I had really thought my mind had completely gone from me …. lol ! I had thought we had to have the first all completed by the end of today, and I thought NO WAY !!! Much more relieved now *Sigh*
@ Gill, saw your post! Awesome job!
@ Cindy, if it had to be done today I’d be the first one to drop out!! lol!
My post will be up sometime tonight – I took my pictures but then needed to recharge the battery before I can upload them lol! I think that wallet is the cutest thing! And I LOVE the idea of giving back! At school there is a teacher who constantly collects food for the food bank and also for needy students. I am going to take in some items he can use for the students tomorrow – granola bars, juice boxes etc. I’ll link up later after I post.
http://lifebeginsatretirement.blogspot.com/2012/02/room-of-my-own-declutter-challenge-1.html
Here’s my link Carla for my Personal Space decluttering challenge – A Room of my Own!
Here’s my completed challenge! I can’t believe it but I took today to do it since we have so much going on between Thursday to Monday, I knew that if I waited (PROCRASTINATED, which I’m very good at) that it might not have been completed in time.
http://asimpleplainlife.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/challenge-personal-space-complete/
Donate? Can I take care of the month in quite a few visits? I have 2 garbage bags of clothes (1 from me and 1 from my daughter, lol) just from today. Also have another bag of my son’s clothes and a ton of other things over the past week and a half. I think I have my month taken care of LOL
Is that fair? An item a day — not possible, the month worth in multiple visits –absolutely. Just wait till the challenge this month is over, I have TONS of clutter…which means LARGE donations…:)
Day 1 of the challenge hasn’t been successful for me
I’m glad I’ve got the rest of February to redeem myself. Great job on the wallet – it’s very cute and looks really well made.
http://allenfamilysfinancialjourney.blogspot.com/2012/02/sometimes-wants-disguise-themselves-as.html
Carla, I already love the challenges and writing it down in my blog just reinforces everything that I want to do. That being said, I have “given away” a Halloween costume to my niece, and I have a bag of non-perishables ready to be dropped at the grocery store tomorrow. I think I am off to a great start!
Finally, I joined!
http://canadianhome.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/decluttering-and-low-spend-challenge/
I looove the colours in this wallet – they’re my favourites
Here’s my link to today’s post:
http://www.sammyleiamoneysaver.com/carlas-february-challenges-day-2.html
I posted yesterday too.Do you need that link too? I’m trying to post every day.
I’ll also find a few things in the cupboards to take into the Foodbank when I do my usual volunteering there next Tuesday.
small drawer set, 2 shelves in my closest, a bag of hair stuff and my 3 desk drawers all need to be cleaned out.
http://moneyinmoneyout.blogspot.com/2012/02/de-clutter-challenge-week-1.html
I’ll be working on these things today and though out the week.
Everyone’s doing great!
We don’t have a food bank, so I’m donating 2 nearly new coats to our local charity shop instead.
Here’s my financial update :
http://www.nomorespending.net/2012/02/february-low-no-spend-challenge-update.html
hmmm I will have to look up to see where my local food bank, being in this town for a year now, there is still so much for me to find!
I have my challenge goals for february up but that is as far as I have gotten so far!
hmmmm have to think of personal space here too, when 5 people are in a 800 square foot place, not a whole lot of personal space! LOL its ALL shared living space LOL
http://moneyinmoneyout.blogspot.com/2012/02/de-clutter-challenge-week-1-update.html
Making progress!
http://eboolifejourney.blogspot.com/2012/02/declutter-challenge-week-one.html
Here’s my update on the week one project. I’ll post the financial part later in the week.
Here’s the link to our first week’s project! We’ll post the financials later!
http://talesofablendedfamily.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/week-one-challenge-personal-space/
Here’s our week one!!
http://talesofablendedfamily.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/week-one-challenge-personal-space/
I’m DONE with week 1. Here you go.
http://workingforagoal.blogspot.com/2012/02/de-clutter-february-challenge-1-done.html
(Sorry if this appears twice, it was giving me errors to post this.)
Well I was going to schedule the post for later in the day, but I’m wanting to enter now!
Here’s the link for my “Low (no) Spend Challenge” update: http://aprilfire.blogspot.com/2012/02/low-no-spend-update.html
Hi Carla! Turns out my 1-hour-internet challenge has kept me from keeping up on your blog! oops! Here’s the post for my first week!
http://kissoffdebt.blogspot.com/2012/02/update-week-one.html
Yay! First week is done! http://scrapsbyerin.blogspot.com/2012/02/decluttering-challenge-week-1.html
Personal space challenge is completed. I organized and moved things that were on the shelves in the bedroom which gave me more room in another area, because I moved some of those things to the the shelves that I worked on this week. As for the low/no spend challenge, I worked out the budget for this year and managed to add more to the savings account. Yay! We were already into Feb and I was dreading making the budget but thanks to the challenge, it made me HAVE to do what I was avoiding.
Posted just in the nick of time. I’m buried in work right now and just trying to keep my head above water, but I’m going to try harder next week.
Week 1 of this challenge has turned out to be a success for me after all. I couldn’t be happier since it didn’t start out too well. Thanks for making me pay attention to every single dollar I spend – something I should have been doing a long time ago.
http://allenfamilysfinancialjourney.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-has-been-good-to-me.html