First of all, I just have to say a huge thank you to all of you for your kind words, tweets, Facebook shares, comments & emails after Friday’s post. Seriously, WOW! Who knew there were so many people on board with the idea of completely ruining our children’s childhoods? 
And now…..on to business! If any of you read The Nester (and if you don’t, you should–she is awesomesauce in a jar!) you probably already know that every October she hosts a series called 31 Days of Change, where she writes a 31 day long series on some profound topic and invites other bloggers to do the same.
Last year I thought about participating but I was too lazy to blog every day for 31 days straight, er, worried that my topic wouldn’t be relevant to my readers. Yeah, that’s it.
But THIS year I’ve got something relevant to blog about and minus 2 blogs, I am UP for the challenge! My topic is 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero and I am SO excited to share with y’all the fun stuff–and darling free printables–I’ve got planned.
If you’re wondering why I am telling you this now, when there are still TWO WHOLE WEEKS to wait before all this awesomeness, it is because I need you all to get ready to join me! I know when I mentioned our spending freeze this month I didn’t give you any warning, and, let’s face it, sometimes you just have to gear up for a big lifestyle change like that.
So consider this your warning. Get your ducks in a row, stock up on anything you absolutely can’t live without for an entire month, convince your friends and family to join you….whatever it is you gotta do, just do it. But come October 1st, I want as many of you as possible to commit to 31 days of zero spending. My job will be to make it as fun and painless as possible. Oh, and don’t forget to grab some ink for your printer–you’ll need it!
If you are a blogger, I hope that you will join me and blog about your progress. I will provide weekly link parties so that we can all check in. Grab a button below to let everyone know. Those of you who don’t have blogs will still be able to share in comments and in the LWSL Facebook Group.
Can you tell I am excited? ‘Cause I am. And if you’re wondering if I am going to do it too, even after doing a spending freeze THIS whole month, the answer is yes, yes, YES!
So who’s with me?
Sharing this post at: Hip Homeschool Hop, Women Living Well Wednesdays
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Amanda September 17, 2012 at 9:18 am
Sounds like fun! I’m in!
Ruth September 17, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Yay Amanda!
Denise September 17, 2012 at 9:26 am
My husband and I have talked about doing something like this for years but we’ve never quite gotten around to it. I can’t wait to tell him!
Ruth September 17, 2012 at 2:13 pm
My husband was very excited when I first suggested it.
Alisha September 17, 2012 at 9:33 am
You know I’m in! Can’t wait to see the results!! Thank you for all of your amazing inspiration — we love you!
Ruth September 17, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Thanks Alisha! Can’t wait to hear how it goes. xoxo
Crystal September 17, 2012 at 9:33 am
Excited about this. It’s a challenge for me, for sure!
Ruth September 17, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Yay Crystal! Hopefully I’ll keep you so busy that you won’t even notice you’re not spending any money.
Jeniece September 17, 2012 at 9:53 am
I am totally in!
fyi : i LOVE your site! i read it everyday and i just started blogging myself and i pray i can get to the level of your awesomeness :0)
Ruth September 17, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Yay Jeniece! I can’t wait to read about your progress. And thanks for the compliment–you are very sweet.
Linda Dietz September 17, 2012 at 11:29 am
I love the premise…but a couple of thoughts come to mind. Isn’t it kinda cheating to spend to prepare to not spend? And…we try to eat healthy using as many unprocessed foods & fresh fruits & veggies as possible. These types of foods will not last for a month! Answers, please!
Ruth September 17, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Linda, that is a good point. I didn’t mean prepare as in “go out and buy as much as possible this month so you don’t need anything next month,” but more like a mental preparation to prepare yourself for the idea of not buying anything for a month, as well as a practical preparation to make sure you have taken care of basic needs. (Like in my case, stocking up on coffee!
)
On Day 1 you will do a worksheet to set out your own guidelines for the month & decide which things you are allowed to buy. It will probably be a little different for everyone. For our spending freeze this month, my husband and I decided that we wanted to use up as much frozen and pantry food as possible so we can only buy milk, eggs, bread, cheese, & a little produce. If you don’t stockpile that type of stuff, you will probably have to buy more. It is more about cutting out all the unnecessary spending–you still have to eat!
Melissa September 17, 2012 at 11:41 am
Sounds fun….I’ll think about joining
Ruth September 17, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Yay Melissa! I hope we get to read about it on your blog!
Lesley September 17, 2012 at 1:36 pm
I definitely would love to try something like this! But I have a question – is it spending zero as in nothing at all on anything? Or just nothing on non-food items? Thanks! (I just can’t imagine being organized enough to not spend anything. I’m a LONG way from that!!)
Ruth September 17, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Well it will probably differ a little bit for everyone (and we’ll talk about setting up the rules on day one) but the point is to cut out all non-essential spending for a month and to use, as much as possible, what you have. A lot of our activities for the month will include getting more organized in order to take stock of what you already have.
Lesley September 17, 2012 at 2:24 pm
OK, I can totally be on board with that! Thanks!!
Ruth September 17, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Yay! I hope you will write about it!
Katie September 17, 2012 at 2:45 pm
I’m totally in! The hubby just started a new career as a police officer so we have had a huge salary cut so we are all for not spending for a month. Something I’ve done to cut down on our spending is to purpose three days a week that I don’t go anywhere. This definitely helps save money! So excited to join in!
Ruth September 18, 2012 at 7:44 am
Yay Katie! And congratulations to your husband!
Kim H September 17, 2012 at 7:49 pm
OK !!! Im in, Its going to be hard, but I can do this
Ruth September 18, 2012 at 7:44 am
Yay Kim! And yes, it might be but you definitely can!
Kate E September 18, 2012 at 7:40 am
I’m scared but need a challenge!
Ruth September 18, 2012 at 7:45 am
Yay Kate! You can do it…..it will be great, I promise!
josie September 18, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Hi,
I am in too, especially because it’s going to be so easy since my baby is due next month, but then I will try to make it a habit or a way of life of not spending money for some time. It is really hard if you are a couponner and you dont want to miss good deals and trere are good deals every week.
Ruth September 19, 2012 at 6:00 am
Wow Josie, that is pretty brave to take on a spending freeze challenge the same month as you are having a baby, but I’m glad you will be joining us! I know as a couponer it is hard to pass up deals sometimes, but if you have built up a gigantic stockpile and aren’t using all the stuff, sometimes you just have to take a break. Remember, even when something is a “good deal” it still costs money! (Most of the time. And if it is free then it is allowed!
)
tracy September 18, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Ok…I am in! With 5 kids in the house this should be interesting!!!!
Ruth September 19, 2012 at 6:00 am
Yay Tracy!
Marsha Cooper September 18, 2012 at 7:59 pm
I would totally go for this! But (always a but)….we don’t have enough money now to be able to stock up on food for a whole month. In fact, we never have that much money. He usually gives me $25 a week for groceries. Plus we each put in $25 a week in gas in our vehicles…and I always have to add more to mine.
I do want to read your posts though so hope I can find a way to subscribe by email.
Ruth September 19, 2012 at 6:02 am
Hey Marsha, I don’t want you to stock up on food ahead of time–that would defeat the purpose. The point is to use what you have and to cut out all unnecessary expenses. Food and gas are pretty essential!
I’m glad you will be joining us!
latoya@a peaceful crib September 19, 2012 at 7:19 am
Ooh my this sounds like such a fun topic:) I’m participating for the first time in the 31 day challenge as well. I’m looking forward to reading your series:) I plan to announce mine next week, fingers crossed:)
Megan G. September 19, 2012 at 9:47 am
This idea makes me feel a little panicky – which is probably a sign that I REALLY need to participate! Spending freeze would include no groceries? How do you stock up for a whole month of groceries?
Megan G. September 19, 2012 at 10:05 am
I see that you already addressed this in comments. I get it now. Thanks!
Jenny September 20, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Not spending much money this past month has really forced me to stay home and purge/clean/organize this house. I’ve still got plenty of rooms to do, so I’m in for another month!
sherry September 21, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Wow. I had already read that The Nester was having this series and already I was anxious to see what the topics would be. But I will certainly be checking you out all October. Can’t wait.
Amy @ Pounds4Pennies September 21, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Ok I am excited for this challenge. I have been trying to think up a good challenge for my blog, but I can’t go no spending right now. I am trying to organize the house and that means buying a few things here and there from Ikea to get this task accomplished. I did it for the closet under the stairs and I am so thrilled with it I am doing this in the rest of the house. My closet is next and I am halfway done right now.!
But I don’t know if you covered this and I just missed, what happened with your other two blogs? I have followed you for over two years now and you inspired me to start blogging and I was shocked to read your other two blog babies are gone. I do wish you the best!
Anne September 23, 2012 at 2:23 pm
I’m in. I’ve been meal planning with what I have in the house. But I think I’m still buying too much. Looking forward to cutting back further.
Nicky May 11, 2013 at 11:12 am
I’m in