No Cents: Final Thoughts

This is what you can do with lots of time on your hands!

(please disregard the blue underline...I'm new at this)

As Friday closes, so does my Project: No Cents. I have some final musings before I close the book on this entertaining project.

• Researching free activities and getting creative with completing home projects without spending a cent is TIME-CONSUMING! I spent a good deal of time on the computer looking for fun and cheap ideas (googling mom-groups, and DIY projects!) See pictures of before and after of our home office:
• By today, Friday, I was REALLY missing my retail therapy particularly because we have weathered not 1, not 2, but 3 massive storms this week, hail, thunder and lightning, and a tornado even touched down north of here. It was tough keeping busy without my regular crutches (baby goods and grocery shopping--I love food shopping especially when I can take my time!)
• My bank account got a rest which will be helpful in these coming weeks (a couple road trips on the calendar)
• Lastly, this really makes me rethink all my purchases (ahhh, I can't wait for tomorrow!).
• Well, I can't backspace out of these bullet points so I will close with a thank you for reading and I need Dave to write something quick to leave this post in history!

Project: No Cents Thoughts and Themes

Since I have started this project there have been some recurring themes that come to mind:

1. I am spending cents somewhere

2. I am also earning cents somewhere

3. College

4. My dad

See expanded version of these thoughts below:

1. While I am not debiting money at Target, The Sacramento Coop, or my favorite drive through coffee shop (harder than I imagined to pass without stopping) I am still using the heater in my house (there has been a series of crazy rain storms in Nor Cal), our semi-slow internet, netflix and 13 channel "cable." I guess these are what I would consider our family's necessities and what I am NOT spending money on are extra creature comforts.

2. The cents I am earning are small in amount but they are interest on the money I am NOT spending in the bank.

3. This project reminds me of when i was in college and I REALLY had to go weeks without spending money because I did not have any! Reminds me of how lucky I am now and how far I've come.

4. The last time I saw my dad he told me that every night he unplugs everything in his house except for his alarm clock. He has his energy bill dwindled down to single digits. Kind of thought-provoking. I actually have been unplugging my blowdryer and straightener directly after using after hearing this cool news.

At school when we have projects I ask students to to answer the question: "What have you learned?":

What I have learned that is the most important is that I doesn't take much to entertain a 10 month old. All he wants/needs is me (and maybe some puppy and grandma interactions) and I am so happy that I have been able to give that to him this week.

Agenda for today:

Finish Home Office (two trash bags went to the curb today!)

Tea Party in Elk Grove (bringin my own tea and G-free snacks)

Evening appetizers with gal friends

(I was all prepped to go to my first La Leche League Meeting today ( I know Bear is 10 months already!) But then I realized it was last Thursday! Bummer. Will make it to a meeting before he is 1!)

Project: No Cents

Follow me this week as I attempt to live without spending a cent... with the exception of groceries and gas (bought on Sunday) I will find ways to fill my Spring Break week off with Bear! I have a list of projects that I would like to accomplish and everything I need to do so! I will be checking in periodically to let you know how things are going! If you don't here about this project again, that means I failed miserably!!! Starting my 2nd project now!

2nd Project delayed due to obtaining free 1 week gym membership! They have child care center so Bear will be well-entertained. Side note: Gym managers are kinda like used car salesmen

They say when you clean things out you make room for new wonderful things! Two out of three file cabinets emptied! Found some great stuff... perhaps I will share later tonight! Megan Rall there is something great I found for you!

Project No Cents check-in: I have spent $0 since Sunday night. I have visited a cat sanctuary (Happy Tails), deep cleaned the kitchen, cleaned most of home office and organized, cleared out 7 years worth of junk in filing cabinet, cleaned out purse (no small task). Last night I had happy hour with friends with wine and cheese I bought on Sunday. Today I plan on going to Granna's house and then to the gym tonight!

My friend asked last night: "So why are you doing this No Cents Project?" Good question. The answer is that I usually OVERSPEND when I am on breaks. I usually feel justified in spending all the money that I work so hard to make. So the buck stops here (for this week anyways)!