I’m not going to lie.
It’s about to get crazy up in here.
That’s right. I’m doing it again. I know, I know. You’d think I would have learned my lesson after the epic fail that was Oktoberfast.
And you’d be right. I did learn my lesson.
I learned that financial fasting without purpose and reward is a recipe for failure.
I also learned that challenges help me stay motivated and keep my head in the game on this Free By 40 journey. Even when I fail, I just get back up, re-evaluate and move forward.
If I’ve learned nothing over these last few years of digging myself out of this pit is that consistency and persistence pays off. I am the tortoise, but challenges allow me to also be the hare, too.
Plus, the first month of the year is a good time for a budget reset after the frenzy that often is December.
Thus, we have No Spend January, also known as No Spenduary.
The Mission
Spend no money on non-essentials during the month of January. Pay all fixed costs, but keep the essential spending like groceries and transportation to a minimum. That means eating from the fridge and the pantry, and walking and biking as weather permits. Sell anything that you think might turn a profit and freelance, freelance, freelance. Weekly updates. (Might as well keep this blogging momentum going.)
The Goal
Quickly save a mini-emergency fund. Anything above that will be thrown at my next savings goal: a fully funded YNAB buffer by March 31.
The Reward
Given my mindset right now, knowing that my mini-emergency fund is chilling in my bank account is its own reward. But I think my reward for accomplishing my mission will be spending $100 on anything I want.
Care to join me?
January 4, 2016 at 6:09 AM
Shalom Ricks! I just signed up for the 34 day YNAB trial…so far it’s been a bit cumbersome, yet I am pursuing debt freedom and Not being on a budget, yet signing up for any/every spending fast blog has gotten me no where! 4Real….
So yes again I say to myself I’m in this thing….if only YNAB could walk me through this process of setting up my account 1on1. …
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January 4, 2016 at 10:11 AM
Shalom DeeRoJ! YNAB definitely has a learning curve. I’m presuming that you’ve signed up for the trial for the new web-based version of YNAB. It comes with courses that you can sign up for that walk you through every aspect of setting up your budget. They are live, so you can ask questions of the teacher. You also can always reach out to their help desk with specific questions. They’re super responsive. Here is the link for the courses. http://www.youneedabudget.com/learn
Also if you find that you really don’t like it, there are other options like Dave Ramsey’s Every Dollar. I hope this helps and I wish you the BEST of luck with your debt freedom journey.
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January 4, 2016 at 6:49 AM
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