No Spend Month -July 2011: Update 3

I am half way through the No Spend Month challenge and I could tell so far that is going to be much more challenging. We have lot of things going on, including guests, driving more and so on. But, since I took up the challenge, I am going to report and make a best out of it.

A Few Problems:

There were some unexpected expenses and unforeseen travel (driving) that occurred, so obviously there are some expenses that are out of ordinary. One of them was having my car smog that I had to get it done this month only and I had to find the cheapest place to get it done. While luckily, my van did not need any repair, smog test had to be done and paid for it.

Money We Spent This Week:

I also had some health issues and blood work done but medical expenses and educational expense are not part of $300 budget. I am seeing how easy it is to spend money vs. saving or making money.

Smog test: $50.20

Gas: 97.25 (we had to travel far distance due to visiting a sick friend, so we used up more gas)

Snacks and coffee: $15.73 (We usually carry snacks with us but while we were out we had to buy some hot snacks for kids and coffee for us in day outing)

Making total of $163.18 for this week.  Luckily, we did not had to buy groceries this week, as we are using up what we have in fridge and pantry so far. Soon, we will need to buy milk, yogurt and other perishable items coming week.

I have total spent $268.21 from July 1st-July 17th.  That only means that I have only $31.79 left for 2 weeks, which seems very tough to do but I am sure going to try to make it.

Possible Reasons: Justification for Myself:

There are a few things that are coming in obstacle for my well meaning no spend experience since last time.

• I feel bit alone in this time around somehow.
• Prices of food and gas have increased much more since last year.
• I have been sick (feeling tired, dizzy and so on) to leave much energy to put on life as I did last year.
• There are unexpected expenses as always beyond my control.
• I am lacking motivation myself right now.
• I have been saving money all my life, and when zenguy was without job for 22 months until recently, I did even more drastic savings to survive. I might be all frugaled out!
• Kids are growing and keeping me busy to rest, and my health does not help. I am blogging, commenting less because of that and it has effect on my blog comments as well.

One of the big reason is I lack energy to keep struggling to save, to be better. I am tired as I have 2 busy little boys and I hardly get much time to do anything proper for me. Even though Zenguy has a project/job now, we are still feeling the effect of the no income for so long, we are still paying off late payments, installments now that I feel like, I am taking small buckets of water out of water of ocean, it seems futile.

Not Giving Up: Looking for Positives

I guess I need to read up a few of my own post on overwhelming and find my groove back. I think even if I do not make this challenge, I want to be honest with myself here and try making it without giving up. As giving up would be much easier right now but I am bit stubborn to choose path that is not the easiest.

Your Turn:

How about you? How are you doing on your financial goal regardless of no spend month challenge, we all have some money goals for kids, future right?

If you want to know more about No Spend month and how badly I am doing, check out past articles;

• Upgrading Inexpensive Food In to Gourmet Meal: Ramen Noodle Hacks: Eat well cheaply
• No Spend Month Challenge: Update 2 and Savings Tips : Good week
• No Spend Month Challenge: July 2011- Update 1: Lot spending
• No Spend Month Challenge: July 2011: Introduction
• No spend Month Challenge: Update 4