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February 14, 2015

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 14 Recap

FriendsForever

Hello again, savvy savers! Happy valentine’s Day! I hope everyone has had an awesome, fun-filled, budget-friendly love fest today! And if you didn’t, then I hope your day was spent taking time to nourish, pamper, and enrich the most important person in your life, yourself! So, today I challenged you all to consider ways to participate in today’s festivities, No-Spend Style! 

Did you know that the average American will spend nearly $150.00, per person today? Well, not those of us, huh? The beauty of a No-Spend Month Challenge, is that we all have the ability to plan incredible holiday events without depleting out bank accounts in the process, and today was no exception! I am really excited to say that my husband Daniel and I had an awesome day!

My Desk- (2)

Here’s what we were able to do:

  1. I started today’s holiday last evening, when I changed my bed linens to a more romantic theme, which turned out well in my opinion. 
  2. We started this morning with a free breakfast. I surprised my husband with Chick-fil-a Minis, paid for using a free card I received from Chick-fil-A Mom’s Group, the cards from my yearly Chick-Fil-A Calendar, as well as this months promotional free iced lattes
  3. From there, I whisked my husband away to a free tour of our local Folk Art Museum, which we both loved!
  4. We then headed to Winn-Dixie. Using free promotional coupons I received in the mail and squirreled away, I was able to “buy” my husband some awesome freebie snacks, including World Peas, Snicker bars, 5 free 12-packs of Coca-Cola from My Coke Rewards,, and while in-store,  scored free cups of coffee and two free carnations for myself!
  5. We then headed to a local Day Spa, where using a free 15-minute chair massage coupon I received from my Secret Santa at work, treated my husband to a chair massage! 
  6. Next, we headed out to our local Sam’s Club. We both participated in today’s Free In-Club Health Screenings, and then had lunch, by way of 32 free, in-club samples! While at Sam’s, I picked up two boxes of chocolate truffles I previously ordered at customer service this week; I paid for the truffles using my Walmart Gift Card, funded from rebate money earned using the Walmart Savings Catcher. We also used what was left on the card to finish filling up our gas tank, too. I surprised my husband with the truffles and the free Valentine’s Day card I scored online last month, tucked away in my purse; I placed the gifts in the driver’s seat of our car while he pumped gas for us. Always the gentleman, that one! 
  7. Following this, my husband and I went to out local historical theater, and caught a free afternoon matinee of Casablanca! 
  8. Time for dinner! This evening, I treated my husband to a free dinner at Chili’s. I used a free gift card won on Crowdtap, and scored free salsa and chips from Chili’s Email Club! I used a free gift card from P&G from summer 2014 to pay for tax and tip!
  9. On the way home, we stopped by CVS to scoop up a Ben & Jerry’s Mini Cup, free after rebate this week from Saving Star, and paid for my purchase using ExtraCare Bucks!
  10. While outside CVS, we also scored two free Redbox Kiosque rentals using free text codes. 
  11. Once home, my husband fired up our patio fire pit, using several of my DIY Pine Cone Fire Starters, and we watched the sunset together!
  12. We are going to finish the evening with a few fun films, Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, and each other’s company! 

So today we experienced a fun, full day of quality time together, and so I feel my challenge was a resounding success!  We both made the most of your Valentine’s Day, without having to spend a dime!

The retail cost of today’s events: $208.34

What I paid: $0.00!

As well yesterday I was also able to accomplish:

  1. As part of my #Choose30 Daily Challenge, I woke up at 7:25, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
  2. Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner, before heading out this morning.
  3. Read my daily devotional.

Yesterday I saved:

  • I planned a free Valentine’s Day with my husband.
  • I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.

Total amount I saved my family: $212.02

This months savings goal remaining: $132.84

 
So, savvy savers, did you take up today’s challenge with the one you love today? I’d love to hear about, so please leave me a comment!  Be sure to check back tomorrow morning for the final day of our weekly cleaning aspect of out No-Spend Month Challenges, as well as frugal President’s Day & Mardi Gras Ideas!

 
Here’s to saving,

misty1

Challenge Links:

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 13 Recap & Day 14 Challenge (No-Spend Valentine’s Day Ideas)

My Desk-11

Good morning, savvy savers! Can you believe we are almost half-way finished with this month! So, yesterday was another organization day, focused on our home offices, bookshelves, craft areas, and/or home libraries. This was a very important challenge for me as I work from home, and so I spend an inordinate amount of time at my desk. You would think that would mean I automatically have the motivation to keep that area neat and tidy at all times.  And while generally speaking my desk is clutter-free, my drawers, rolling cabinets, and shelves are not!  My inbox/outbox too, was a mess, and my vertical files were full of unneeded papers, review guides, and coupons I hadn’t looked in several months. I firmly believe that home are our most important investments, and therefore our most important business. Keeping this space organized is essential to keeping our homes running more smoothly. 

I’m really excited about yesterday’s progress.

 FRESH MARKET

So, I was able to:

  1. I cleared off my desk.
  2. I organized my dining room bookshelves, putting like groups together, and placing non re-reads to a bin for a later book swap weekend.
  3. I took the binders and manuals I previously housed in on my dining room shelves, and placed them on an upcycled shelf in my office.
  4. I turned my former dining room buffet station into an office credenza to hold my craft room staples.
  5. I sorted through my personal files, and established a personal box for my husband and I both, as well as created a new lock box system for credit cards, cash, gift cards, etc.
  6. I cleaned out my coupon binder.

I felt completely overwhelmed when I started, and utterly victorious when I stopped! Woohoo!

 

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As well yesterday I was also able to accomplish:

  1. As part of my #Choose30 Daily Challenge, I woke up at 7:25, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
  2. Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner.
  3. I finished a day’s worth of clerking assignments ahead of schedule!
  4. I cooked from my pantry for each meal.
  5. Read my daily devotional.
  6. I waked two miles.

Yesterday I saved:

  • I eat at home this evening for dinner, saving our family $6.95. 
  • I recycled, upcycled, and composted one bins of deluge, and saved $0.25, the cost of 1 trash bag. 
  • My family drank water today, and saved $0.69, the cost of a 2-liter of soda.
  • I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.
  • I lost a half day’s worth of electricity costs, and saved $3.00! 

Total amount I saved my family: $14.57

This months savings goal remaining: $344.86

 

My Desk- (2)

Now for today’s challenge:

So, with Valentine’s Day in mind, I challenge you to all find ways to make the most of your Valentine’s Day, without having to spend a dime!

A few ideas:

  1. Tour a local brewery or winerymost breweries and wineries offer free tours and tastings!
  2. Have a picnic in the parkPack a few treats, a bottle of wine, a blanket, and your love to keep you warm!
  3. Cook or bake togetherWhat’s more romantic than preparing a meal together, in-kitchen… matching aprons anyone?
  4. Attend a book reading Check your bookseller or commerce  to see what is going on.
  5. Attend a free art showAs it’s President’s Day Weekend, many public museums will be open this weekend, and offer free admission! 
  6. Play a gameBoard games  can be easily made into a couples activity.  
  7. Have a movie night at homeCheck your mobile phones as Redbox will be texting all subscribers with free Valentine’s  Day codes! 
  8. Stroll the beach–What’s more romantic than a shoreline stroll, while holding hands, while watching the waves crash onto shore. I’m a Jersey Shore Girl at heart, so this rocks to me! 
  9. Visit a farmer’s market-Spend a morning checking out the work of local artisans, many of whom offer free samples and will barter! Sing for your supper, if you will.  
  10. Go for a driveTake a ride along a historic parkway, take the scenic mountain pass trail, or follow a Native American path. The options are endless.
  11. Have a spa dayEnjoy a romantic candlelit bath together,  make DIY, organic products at home, give one another foot rubs or back massages. 
  12. Explore a nearby tourist attraction Stop by the visitor’s bureau or chamber of commerce in your own backyard, and see the local sights in a new, romantic light!
  13. PaintDraw a portrait of your loved on, no experience necessary. Sometimes seeing yourself, through someone that loves you, is all the perspective you need to value today! 
So, savvy savers, I challenge you today to plan a No-Spend Day with the one you love today! If your life doesn’t include a significant other, no problem! Plan a day with your family, your parents, your friends, or for yourself! Be creative. Be spontaneous! Be inspired!  

Be sure to check back tonight for today’s recap!

 
Here’s to saving,

misty1

Challenge Links: