<h3><img title="Penny Mathews" src="http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/ANOTHERNEWSEASON/607703_20247491.jpg" alt="" width="536" height="402" /></h3>
<h2><span style="font-size: large;">Starting October 1st we will be embarking on one month with NO SPENDING!!!</span></h2>
I first read about doing this in July when Rachel over at <a href="http://smallnotebook.org" target="_blank">Small Notebook</a> wrote about her new annual tradition of having a month with NO SPENDING!

She outlines how she does her No spending month <a href="http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/01/the-no-spend-month-challenge/" target="_blank">here</a>
<h2>Why are we doing this:</h2>
This was completely my idea. I've been overspending a lot lately and after a conversation with my a good friend  I realized that I have lost a very important reality - the value of a dollar.

This really worried me. My husband goes to work daily for our family and I was spending without really thinking! This can't keep happening, I've got to take control of this situation.

I knew September would be a busy and expensive month with all of the birthdays so I thought October would be a great month to do this.
<h2>How it works:</h2>
We will pay all of our usual bills. After that we will have $250.00 to spend for the rest of the month. This includes groceries, gas, clothing, and entertainment. Today it sounds completely crazy to try to do this but we're determined!
<h2>Our Plan:</h2>
<ul>
	<li>We will have groceries to start off and both cars will have a tank of gas.</li>
	<li>We've set aside money for expenses that we can't avoid (like oil changes and a new microwave - ours caught on fire last month).</li>
	<li>I will stay home more! (no more random drives to Starbucks, Target or to the park.)</li>
	<li>We will find ways to entertain ourselves at home.</li>
	<li>We have Netflix so we'll have regular movie nights. During the days we'll be spending more time outside playing before the weather gets cold.</li>
	<li>I've planned out a month of meals trying to use mostly food we have in the freezer and pantry. We'll have weekly pizza nights, roast a  chicken and use the meat for several meals. There will be rice and beans a number of times. Our dining may not be fancy but we will eat!</li>
	<li>We'll be making coffee at home. I'm determined to break my Starbucks addiction (at least for the most part!).</li>
	<li>I hope to use this extra time at home to get things listed on Craigslist or priced for a yard sale in the spring.</li>
	<li>I also hope to keep busy making several gifts for Christmas. We're hoping to have a "handmade Christmas" this year.</li>
</ul>
<p class="alert">Have you tried one month with no spending? I'd love to hear how it went or what tips you have for us!</p>