I paid for a $5 yoga class with No Spend-exempt laundry quarters.
I successfully survived No Spend November.
And no, it wasnt easy.
Penny Hoarder writer Jamie Cattanach bought this bike on sale for only $120 on Amazon, down from about $300. Sharon Steinmann / The Penny Hoarder
But it was so, so worthwhile.
I guess thats what I get for making an impulse purchase!)
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I was also lucky (-ish?)
I was well-stocked and ready.
What could possibly go wrong?
Heres everything I spent during No Spend November.
Other Necessities: $641.11
Groceries:$352.11
I am crazy happy with this number!
Whatever, I cooked the darn turkey!)
Gas: $169
This figures a little steep, especially since I usually walk to work.
My creative work is important enough to me to make a sub-$20 exception.
(My fridge was empty, but it didnt make sense to go to the grocery store.)
But then I put on my Penny Hoarder thinking cap and checked Groupon.
The ticket was $8, and I sprung for the popcorn for $5.25.
#sorrynotsorry
Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales:$178.56
OK, heres where things get admittedly hinky.
Its food, so technically it counts as groceries, right?
And Old Navy… well.
Ill admit I didntneedanother two pairs of leggings or a cute new dress or three.
I have to admit, I did pretty darn well.
And I know the stuff I got will actually be useful I wear Old Navy all the time.
What I Saved
Heres the fun part: WhatwouldI have spent, had I not been participating?
Looking through my records, I usually spendabout $25 to $30at coffee shops each month.
On average, I spendabout $100 to $150per month having drinks on the town.
Big fare sales areneverout of Florida terminals!
(What can I say?
Christmas scents are my favorite.)
(High on that list: Supporting the arts!)
All told,I definitely saved at least $600 this month, and probably closer to $1,500.
Those lessons are likely to save me alotmore money over time.
I also took lots of long walks and enjoyed several sunsets on the beach.
Its just a drink.
Its just a trip to the zoo.
Yes, theyre all experiences but realistically, the vast majority of our experiences are forgettable ones.
Your Turn: How did you fare during No Spend November?
If you didnt participate, would you next year?
Jamie Cattanach is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Her writing has also been featured at The Write Life, Word Riot, Nashville Review and elsewhere.
Find @JamieCattanach on Twitter to wave hello.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
