Seven years of challenges! It’s hard to believe we’ve been in this house seven years, much less that this blog has been around that long. This post serves as a recap to this year’s No Spend February and Minimalism in March challenges. Let’s get into it!
no-spend february recap
This year’s goals were pretty simple; limit dining out, reduce the grocery budget, and increase savings. Exceptions were pretty much the same as in years past; sports registration, Valentine’s parties and traditions… One thing I didn’t include in the challenge was a specific savings goal.
With the plan to throw every extra dollar from the budget into either our emergency fund or regular savings (and my type-A tendency to like nice, round account balances), we were able to add $982 to our money market emergency fund and $284 to our regular savings account. Most months see at least $100 added to each from the budget, but rarely do we add over $1000. I was very happy with the results.
minimalism in march recap
This year we focused on bedrooms in week one, the kitchen and bathrooms in week two, and the living room and coat closet(s) in week three. Week four was reserved for catching up, unless you’re a Frugal Friend of the blog, in which case you were issued the additional challenge of decluttering your digital files in the weekly newsletter.
Admittedly, we got a head start in February on our decluttering and went camping during week four. I did manage to get some digital files organized after we returned.
So how did we do in the a Life on a Dime household?
- two boxes of outgrown kids clothes, shoes, and toys
- several books
- one coat
- two pair of high-waisted leggings and several summer clothing items of mine
- some Madison Reed hair treatment samples and goodies
- a few cookbooks
- two busted food containers (trashed and not donated, of course)
- a 10+ year old smart tv we no longer use (donated, as it works fine with a streaming stick)
- water bottle
- diaper wipe warmer
- soccer ball
- two outgrown kids bikes, one scooter (donated)
- my old Dyson, which I had to replace well after a decade
- wooden bench
All in all, it wasn’t our biggest declutter ever, but given the new addition to the family expected this summer, I’ve been pretty diligent going through stuff since the fall. The handy hubby was also busy building some furniture. We’re currently in a season of accumulating possessions (baby necessities and said new furniture), which is a different change of pace for sure.
that’s it for this year’s no-spend february & minimalism in march recap
I hope those of you who participated in this year’s challenges were able to at least develop a few new budgeting habits (paying more attention to spending, and reprioritizing money in the budget for a start) and gained some breathing room after getting rid of unused items. The combination of spending and accumulating less can be good for both your financial and mental health.
That’s it for this post, I’ll see you in the next! Until next time, stay frugal and healthy my friends!