The challenges of getting through the day without spending any money.
Not a tough day. I waited until 12:10 to pick up some random food on Saturday just for the sake of it.
As estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.
Shelter = $13
Food= $3
Gas = $4
Total = $20
An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.
It was a very positive experience going through the fast. I will start to eat healthier and not go out to eat as much. I am going to do a week long fast once a week every year, just to remember my lack of dependence for money. I will be able to save $2000 this month, and I could reasonably save $1500 a month in September. It sure feels good not being dependent on a ton of money.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Fiscal Fast: Day 4
The challenges of getting through the day without spending any money.
Again, it was not a tough day at all. I became a little bored randomly in the afternoon, but no big deal.
As estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.
Shelter = $13
Food= $3
Gas = $3
Total = $19
An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.
I am starting to realize that it is possible to live a pretty good life with very little money. I learned some really interesting recipes that I want to cook next week, and I am definitely eating a lot healthier during the fast than I would otherwise. Eating healthy is also cheaper than eating with a high grocery bill. The bottom of the food pyramid is grains, fruits, and vegetables, all of which you could buy for under $1 a pound, while meat and dairy is quite a bit more than that. Eating cheaper naturally seems healthier. I am lowering my budget for food by $50 a month, and I will end up eating out less due to cost and health. Today was another day where my Roth IRA made as much money as it cost to live, totally rocks!
Again, it was not a tough day at all. I became a little bored randomly in the afternoon, but no big deal.
As estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.
Shelter = $13
Food= $3
Gas = $3
Total = $19
An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.
I am starting to realize that it is possible to live a pretty good life with very little money. I learned some really interesting recipes that I want to cook next week, and I am definitely eating a lot healthier during the fast than I would otherwise. Eating healthy is also cheaper than eating with a high grocery bill. The bottom of the food pyramid is grains, fruits, and vegetables, all of which you could buy for under $1 a pound, while meat and dairy is quite a bit more than that. Eating cheaper naturally seems healthier. I am lowering my budget for food by $50 a month, and I will end up eating out less due to cost and health. Today was another day where my Roth IRA made as much money as it cost to live, totally rocks!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Fiscal Fast: Day 3
The challenges of getting through the day without spending any money.
There really weren't any challenges that I could think of. It was a very laid back day. If I had to bring up one challenge, it might be that I have about 2 meals of chicken left.
As estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.
Shelter= $13
Food = $4
Gas = $5
Total = $22
An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.
Today was a really easy day. I didnt really feel like I had to spend money on anything today. I read a lot: mostly Diary of Anne Frank and Adrift: 76 Days Lost at Sea (great book!) I had a good day today; it looks like I dont need to spend lots of money in order to enjoy life. In other good news, I made enough money in my Roth IRA to cover my costs of living today! That is an amazing feeling, it will be even better when this happens when Im older.
There really weren't any challenges that I could think of. It was a very laid back day. If I had to bring up one challenge, it might be that I have about 2 meals of chicken left.
As estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.
Shelter= $13
Food = $4
Gas = $5
Total = $22
An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.
Today was a really easy day. I didnt really feel like I had to spend money on anything today. I read a lot: mostly Diary of Anne Frank and Adrift: 76 Days Lost at Sea (great book!) I had a good day today; it looks like I dont need to spend lots of money in order to enjoy life. In other good news, I made enough money in my Roth IRA to cover my costs of living today! That is an amazing feeling, it will be even better when this happens when Im older.
Fiscal Fast: Day 2
The challenges of getting through the day without spending any money.
The toughest challenge I faced today was not eating after I went to the gym. I went about 4 hours after the gym without eating, pretty much lost any gained muscle there. I also went to the library and looked about 5 minutes for a parking spot that didn''t have a meter, but I didn't have to walk much either so it wasn't that big of a deal.
As estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.
Shelter= $13
Food = $6
Gas = $6 (went to the simonizers and played frisbee golf)
Total = $25
An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.
Today was definitely tougher than yesterday but I still got by fine besides my hungriness for an hour or so. There was definitely more positive than negative though; I found a tutoring client that I will tutor for 4.5 hours a week (thats about $500 a month extra!) I also went to the gym and went on the bike and traveled the same distance as my home to school just to see if I could do it. It took 28 minutes, but it might be pretty different in real life due to hills and occasional traffic. I think I am going to get a bike and occasionally drive it to school (when I don't tutor afterwards). If its reasonable doing this, then I wouldn't ever get freaked out if my car doesn't work! I also just noticed that the Dark Night starts on Friday. It would be nice if I could go to a matinee on Friday and it wouldn't be rediculously crowded, but Ill just wait until next week to go.
The toughest challenge I faced today was not eating after I went to the gym. I went about 4 hours after the gym without eating, pretty much lost any gained muscle there. I also went to the library and looked about 5 minutes for a parking spot that didn''t have a meter, but I didn't have to walk much either so it wasn't that big of a deal.
As estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.
Shelter= $13
Food = $6
Gas = $6 (went to the simonizers and played frisbee golf)
Total = $25
An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.
Today was definitely tougher than yesterday but I still got by fine besides my hungriness for an hour or so. There was definitely more positive than negative though; I found a tutoring client that I will tutor for 4.5 hours a week (thats about $500 a month extra!) I also went to the gym and went on the bike and traveled the same distance as my home to school just to see if I could do it. It took 28 minutes, but it might be pretty different in real life due to hills and occasional traffic. I think I am going to get a bike and occasionally drive it to school (when I don't tutor afterwards). If its reasonable doing this, then I wouldn't ever get freaked out if my car doesn't work! I also just noticed that the Dark Night starts on Friday. It would be nice if I could go to a matinee on Friday and it wouldn't be rediculously crowded, but Ill just wait until next week to go.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Fiscal Fast: Day 1
This is my entry for day one of my fiscal fast. Each day I will write about the following topics highlighted in blue
The challenges of getting through the day without spending any money.
The toughest challenge was right at the beginning of the day when I drove back home from the Simonizer. I was really tired and I had to drive 30 miles back home, and I really wanted to stop and get a breakfast taco and coffee. I still made it back home, ate a good breakfast of bread, eggs and a peach, and got by pretty easily after I took a nap.
As estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.
Shelter = $13
Food = $4
Gas = $5
Total = $22
An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.
In general it was a very positive day. I made a really good pasta sauce that kept me pleasantly occupied, and I read quite a bit of the Diary of Anne Frank. I feel that the fast will keep my mind thinking of creative ways to be entertained. Since it was the middle of the month I also projected out how much I will spend in the rest of the month. It looks like every category will be significantly lower than normal. Including normal debt payments but not including by Roth IRA and savings, I will spend about $2,000 this month. Really not bad.
The challenges of getting through the day without spending any money.
The toughest challenge was right at the beginning of the day when I drove back home from the Simonizer. I was really tired and I had to drive 30 miles back home, and I really wanted to stop and get a breakfast taco and coffee. I still made it back home, ate a good breakfast of bread, eggs and a peach, and got by pretty easily after I took a nap.
As estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.
Shelter = $13
Food = $4
Gas = $5
Total = $22
An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.
In general it was a very positive day. I made a really good pasta sauce that kept me pleasantly occupied, and I read quite a bit of the Diary of Anne Frank. I feel that the fast will keep my mind thinking of creative ways to be entertained. Since it was the middle of the month I also projected out how much I will spend in the rest of the month. It looks like every category will be significantly lower than normal. Including normal debt payments but not including by Roth IRA and savings, I will spend about $2,000 this month. Really not bad.
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