by Hope
We are almost half way through the month of January. And we have spent NO Extra Money (I did pay our rent and utility bills, of course.) Unfortunately, it does look like I will have to spend some this week.
Our Pot Bit the Dust
First, one of our 4 cooking pots bit the dust. Not only did the bottom come off, but it also almost caught fire. I honestly was going to try to make it through the month without replacing it, but with us cooking so much and only having 3 pans now, I really need too.
Thankfully, I received an Amazon gift card and a Walmart gift card for Christmas, so I won’t have to spend any cash to replace it.
Grocery Store Run
We are also running low on some of our essential groceries. Since I didn’t pre-plan for this no spend month or do a month long meal plan like I did for our No Spend October, I was less prepared with stocked shelves this time.
Therefore, I don’t feel super bad about having to spend some money on groceries. We are still primarily eating through the freezer and pantry, but there are some things we need. I will report back on how that goes. I’ve been putting it off and haven’t even made a list yet.
As a sidenote, we did run out of propane tonight. Discovered when Sea Cadet tried to make us burgers. We ended up pan frying them which was fine. But I’ll be adding propane to my February list.
Is anyone else doing a #NoSpendJanuary? How’s it going?
Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.
But life has a way of rewriting your plans.
A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.
Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.
Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.
She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.
I’d say that pan is definitely toast! My other suggestion for a new pot is to check the thrift store. It’s possibke that people received new cookware for Christmas and sent their other stuff to the thrift store for someone else’s use. Then you can save your gift cards for other things.
Great idea – might find a nice pot with a stronger bottom too!!
Good to hear from you! I was wondering how your month was going. Glad to hear you are doing well sorry to hear the pot is not. As the poster above mentioned thrift stores are often great sources for kitchen ware.
I LOVE the thrift store idea. Unfortunately, our pickings are quite slim in our tiny town.
I’ve checked in a couple of times this past week with no luck – no pots or pans of any kind.
BUT I am travelling to the larger city Gymnast was training in on Wednesday to meet with a couple of clients so I’m going to check there as well. They have some pretty large thrift stores. I’m hopeful I’ve found one there.