Spend-less

The buy nothing month is going well so far. Work has picked up a bit so that has helped keep me busy. The only challenge has been making sure that I always have a lunch prepared so that I can follow my 'no buying lunch' rule. It really is ridiculous how much more expensive it is to buy lunch vs. make lunch. I never, ever used to buy my lunch, and then I started being lazy and not making them. I'm hoping that after this month is over that I am back in the habit of making lunches and keep it up, except for days when I plan ahead to go out. Sometimes we go out as a group at lunch. But laziness should not be an excuse anymore. But so far my allowance idea is working out well. I haven't spent over, but I also don't feel overly restricted. I don't want to feel like binge spending after the month is over, and the allowance is helping me feel like I still have a bit of freedom. I think I will continue with it afterwards, but slightly higher and less restrictive on what I can spend it on. Really I just need to start budgeting again, and actually following the budget. Making the budget is easy, but I tend to have poor follow-through on sticking to it.

I've also inspired another friend of mine to do her own buy-nothing month. She hasn't started yet, but she's interested and kept asking questions about how to do it, so I think she might actually commit. I hope she does! My roommate that is doing it with me isn't taking to it very well (in my opinion). I think she's trying to completely spend her allowance, rather than using it as a max. We'll see how she does for the rest of the month. I don't think she's as committed to it as I am.

My timing is perfect for restricting my spending. I'm getting my tax refund next week, and this will stop me from going and wasting it on something frivolous. Instead it's going straight into savings. And hopefully I will keep it there. I am still undecided, but I am considering buying stock. I'm very hesitant though, because I am afraid of the stock market. Kind of silly since I have a finance background in university and with work, but I still am. Which is why I made it a goal to invest in a stock. Time to conquer my fears. We'll see how it goes. Since I'm on a payment plan for my school debt and there's no benefit to me to repay it early, I can pretty much do whatever I want with any extra money that I come into. Deciding what to do with it is the hardest part. I am a big ninny and am afraid of making a decision and taking a risk.