I have put myself on a No Spending Ban for the month of November. This means no online shopping, no small purchases, no ‘oh well I’ve always wanted this’ and absolutely no sales! The whole reasoning behind the ban is to prepare for the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales where I know I will do some hefty shopping and put a large dent in my Christmas shopping list. It’s time for my credit card to take a little break before the big day! I thought ahead about this plan and made some necessary allowances based on the events I knew I had coming up in November.
I made myself two allowances. I could buy whatever was legitimately essential. Thing like food (duh!) and personal essentials (I was out of razor heads and I am not forgoing shaving my legs for a whole month). The other allowance I made was for the Sephora VIB Rouge Holiday Shopping event. I had been waiting for this event since this time last year, knowing that it’s the only time Sephora gives a 20% discount to their VIB Rouge cardholders! Now, I wasn’t just going to give myself free reign to spend willy nilly. That would totally ruin my plan for no spend November! I had to come up with a decisive plan outlining what I really needed to buy.
I’ve had my eye on replacing my broken Clarisonic for months now, but I could never justify the hefty price tag associated with it. I decided that the 20% off event was the perfect time to finally pick it up and with the holidays coming up, they even have a little holiday set for it! Now, I budgeted before the ban to ensure that it wouldn’t put a dent in my no spend ban plan so it’s a guilt free purchase!
Other than that, my credit card will stay safe and warm in its little spot, while I window shop away and create all of my mental wish lists for the end of the month! It’s yet another reason to be excited for the coming of Thanksgiving!
What about you? Have you ever instituted a no spend ban for yourself? Any tips to share?
I think I may jump on the bandwagon and do this as well! I need to save up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday as well and I have such a tough time not making small frivolous purchases throughout the month. My birthday is at the end of November so maybe I'll save up to treat myself to a little something as well. This is a GREAT idea 🙂
Briana
RoyallyPink.blogspot.com
I love no spend months! They're hard but well worth it.
I'm on a book buying ban til January except for E-book holiday romances not available at the library and only with my tip money 🙂
Black Friday sales…you said it! Thanks for the tip on the spending ban…I just might consider it too 🙂
We buckled down and are doing this this month as well! Good luck! We can do it 🙂
I LOVE this! I have to huge trips coming up for Christmas and New Year's so I need to make sure to have enough money when I go o vacation! I've been trying to stop spending so I can save up for my trip and Black Friday <3
It's a good idea especially since Black Friday and Xmas are coming up – need to save for that kind of shopping!
I wish I have the willpower to stop spending too LOL!
I did something similar for 100 days last year.. it was really tough! i need to do a no spend november too to save for holidays.
I've actually been thinking about doing a no spend challenge. I don't do a lot of holiday shopping but I have some traveling I want to do next year and stopping impulse buys would be helpful.
What a great idea. I might join too
Rosie
http://www.rosedogandco.blogspot.com.au
This is an awesome idea! I'm sure it's crazy hard. At least for me it would be!
I always do this a couple of months before christmas or make it a deal that it can never be for myself but for Christmas presents.
This is such a good idea. I am trying to do a little saving to prep for the holidays. It's rough!
I have a girlfriend that did a no spend month. I have thought about doing it.
I'm on a bit of a budget and save campaign too. Great idea!
wow you're really brave for putting a spending cap on before the holidays! good luck! it's gonna take a lot of will power! i'm sure you can do it!!!! =)