How little can you spend in one week?

I read an article in a magazine last month (can't recall which one) and the author tried to see how little he could spend in one week. I was amazed, and wondered if I could take the challenge. If I did it, I'd like to pick the week, pay for things in advance, or later, and then maybe I'd do it. Oh, I don't think that's what it's all about.

Anyone want to take the challenge and report? It sounds like a good idea, but if I'm doing it, it needs to be before the holidays approach.

Can't start today, that's for sure! We just got a new fridge and I have to go to the store this afternoon and stock up.

Dotsie, I think I read that too - - didn't he do it for a month? Or maybe what I read was for a year? Anyway, it was harder than he thought, but he managed to survive.

I TRY to do this every week and I spend very little.

Seems most weeks (since I work from home) don't involve spending money on things I HAVE to have..but things I want...mostly ingredients for cooking something.

I could take this challenge pretty easily, I'm thinking...so I would not be a good one to test it.

OMG, I'm the one who should take the challange! I spend way too much! Can I do it? Let's see, I could start on a Monday and see how I could save money. I need to spend money but I can cut it down and see how I fare.

Wow, this could be HARD for me, no question.

Dancer, good idea!

I think I have tried this for real ..when I was unemployed for 18 months...a few years ago. It was tough..because I started to obsess about just buying a cup of coffee. I think I bought myself a pair of leather, tie-up shoes ..and a dress jacket...in terms of clothing within that time period. Oh yea, forgot about the pair of running shoes also. Very practical pieces of clothing. Thank goodness I already have a sizable wardrobe..but not necessarily the most fashionable.

Oh yea, I forgot..I had to get a haircut.

The reality was I had no interest in dipping into my savings big time during that time period. That is for the future when I get old and frail.

Does the "not spending" include bills?

I've been car pooling and bringing lunch every other day, thus on the days I don't drive and bring lunch I feel a bit enlightened for not having spent any moola!

I live like that for the most part. For me, the challenge is going out and spending!

I doubt it would not include your bills because you have to pay them and for only a week that doesn't make sense. Now if doing this for a year maybe one could cut back on the bills in some way. And not make any new ones.

I too am not a good one for this challenge as I too work from home and rarely need to spend on much except postage and food stuffs. I usually make and eat meals at home. No clothes to buy, rarely any gas for a car that rarely moves. Plus even when it does, everything I need or want is within a five mile radius of my home. Remember I'm the one who drives a 2002 car with only 6,008 miles on it. I also jump on my bike for shorter journeys.

Okay, the article I read was in Real Simple magazine. I fished around on their site to see if I could find a link, but I couldn't. It may have been in the October issue. Anyway, the guy didn't spend money for one week, and it was all on incidental type things. It didn't include his bills.

Is anyone up for the challenge?

I'm not doing it, but am certainly thinking more about what I'm spending.

Dancer, sounds like DD, and you and I should take it.

Hmm..I would like to try it. I need to try it. Traveling to the US for Christma..as you know..with my 2 oldest grandkids..but they aren´t my nightmare financially..my son, soon 19, is. He´s already there..and he´s already talking about a computer when I come. And I am getting totally nervous about my financial situation..due to my trip. And the trouble is that I WANT him to have a computer because then I´ll have much more contact with him..

So I´ll do this...

Shall we try it beginning this Sunday? I think I'm game. It will make me aware of what I'm spending on. I know the answer. IT's my kids. I enjoy buying them little things to mail or give them the next time I see them. Yep, I bought a lamp shade for my son who just bought a house because I saw one at Target and thought it would work. He's had a lamp without a shade since he moved in and he hasn't been using it so I figured, why not... I also bought a shirt to send to my son in NY and a bra (with a coupon) for my daughter who's away at school.

Okay, I'm game. Starting Sunday, I'll keep a list of what I WOULD have bought, and the cost, if we weren't doing this. It will be interesting to see how much I saved. I may also keep a list of what I bought that I probably could have lived without, to see how much I spent that wasn't necessary.

Hmm..good ideas there, Dolphin!

I´m game from Sunday!

Gotta tell you, ladies..that I kept a close watch on my spendings this week..and it was much LESS than usual!

I will do a run of errands tomorrow, Saturday. But I didn´t do alot of small purchases during the week..which I usually do. Very interesting!

And tomorrow I get help from my partner to carry all the stuff home..and he´ll probably help pay for some of it too.

Hmm..good idea here ladies!