Monday, January 25, 2016

February 2016 Wallet Watch


Hello, yeah, it's been a while. 
Not much, how 'bout you?

What does a song by England Dan and John Ford Coley have to do with saving money? Nothing, except that the opening lyrics are hello, yeah, it's been a while...and it has. I used to do wallet watches more often in 2013 & 2014, but in 2015 we paid off some debt, I settled into my spending patterns and didn't really need to be overly careful.

Entering February, I'm coming off of an international vacation and a solid three months of increased spending getting the shore house up and running. In March, we re-open the house and have more stuff to do throughout the spring and in April, taxes are due. I could stand to watch the ol' wallet this month.

I'm not freezing all spending in February, but I am watching my wallet. My rules:

1. Wallet watch lasts from February 1 - February 29
2. Do not purchase any shoes, apparel, accessories, or home goods.
3. No Amazon shopping.
4. Mind the food and household spending - use the food in the freezers and pantry.
5. No purchasing beauty products or makeup unless something runs out and there is not a feasible substitute.
6. Approved spends: hair cut and color, tip for my massage (set aside in January), weekend away February 12-14, M-F Dunkin Donuts coffee
7. I must track spending and share how I did on Friday, March 4.

Do you want to get in on this? This is not a spending freeze unless you want it to be. Otherwise, this is a wallet watch. In the wallet watch, you make the rules - maybe you want to spend $10 less on coffee, $20 less at the grocery store,  pay off $50 more on a bill, save a certain amount for an upcoming vacation, or see how little you can spend period. Your watch, your rules. Whatever goals you set for yourself, be realistic. 

If you're planning to do a Wallet Watch in February, maybe you can join me by sharing or posting your results on March 4?


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22 comments:

  1. Yes. I was already thinking I was going to meticulously track what I spend in February. I started doing this in January, had it in a Note in my phone, got a new phone, and the note disappeared. Starting fresh next week!

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  2. No amazon shopping? I'd panic at the thought! :)

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  3. Thank you for this. I haven't been terribly off the rails lately, but I can definitely stand to tighten up next month. I have a few trips and a wedding coming up (in which I'm the MOH and throwing the shower and bachelorette!) so February is a good month to reign it in!

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  4. good idea. this past month was not good, spending wise so i could stand to use a little wallet watch. i actually started this yesterday...i was in sephora and stood there for a good 5 minutes holding a bobbi brown gel liner that i know i did not need but it was so pretty! after much debating/inner turmoil, i put that shit down and walked away. holla at a bitch.

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  5. Goddess speed to all of us to make the most of what we have and not buy really unnecessary stuff like candy and Junk- and I am talking about myself! It's enough with the extras spent on weather-induced necessities- ice melt, new shovels, new snow blower, ice scrapers.
    I want it to be May!
    Love, Your MOMMA

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  6. This is a fab idea! I totally need to do this as well. My shopping has been out of control as of late.

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  7. I love this idea! February is the perfect month for this too.

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  8. I'm in! It's going to be a total freeze for me, besides (obviously) bills. Like, judging from the cabinets and freezer, I don't even think I'll need to buy groceries.

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  9. wellllllll i would join you, except it's birthday month and i learned from you that one should treat herself during birthday month, so........ yes. haha. i will still hopefully behave, but i am going to treat myself.

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  10. Our business and our baby - I could use a wallet watch. My biggest spend? Apparel. So, that will be my goal. No purchasing clothes or shoes - or anything similar - even if I have an "excuse" like an event or photo shoot. I will wear only what I already have in my closet. Let's do this. (Oh, and maybe I will also watch my grocery spend although I already use a set list. I will actively look/choose sale items.)

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  11. I love the idea of a wallet watch as opposed to a spending freeze, especially since yours still includes daily coffee at Dunkin <3

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  12. Good luck with your wallet watch in February! That's nice that you have a break for Valentine's Day, but I know that I would find it super hard to not buy much of anything for a month. It's on my 101 in 1001 list, so maybe I'd better start soon...

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  13. Good luck with your wallet watch! One day I need to join in!

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  14. Ohhh it's tempting but I'm not sure I can avoid the Amazon purchases completely. The others i can pretty easily achieve. I may give it a go with a few tweaks.

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  15. No Amazon?! If you need someone to talk to during this rough time, you know I'm here for you, right?

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  16. I'm doing this as soon as we get back from vacation!

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  17. Yeah.... I need to get in on this. I feel like I've been hemorrhaging money lately. Of course it's all on food.. SMH.

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  18. I'm in! I have clothing items that I want, but this February Wallet Watch will make me wait until birthday month and accompanying gifts/gift cards to purchase said items. It's a short month. I can do it!

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  19. Count me in! I need to save for vacation and take another gander at the 'ole budget. No Amazon huh? Good luck!

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  20. You've got this!! Here's hoping you make it all back... by not hosting post-prom/grad parties at the shore house. ;)

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  21. I absolutely need to get in on this! Time to put my post and rules together!!

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