Fiscal Fast Day 3

The challenges of getting through the day without spending any money.

Not a bad day today either. I mostly stayed at home, and I went to my open enrollment meeting for health benefits.

An estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.

Housing = $13
Food = $4
Gas = $1
Total = $18

An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.

I made a pizza from scratch which was really fun and came out better than I expected. I read a lot of an economics book, and played some video games. The stock market went way down today, but it is what it is.

Fiscal Fast Day 2

The challenges of getting through the day without spending any money.

It was a really easy day, mostly because I was treated to lunch from my principal, and dinner from a special someone. The only challenge I had was to bring lunch and dinner on the road because I wasnt planning on staying home during the day.

An estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.

Housing = $13
Food = $9 (if i paid for buffet, $2 is I dont count it)
Gas = $4
Total = $26

An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.

It was an easy day considering I was treated to two meals. Money is not as important as the relationships and friendships you build.

Fiscal Fast Day 1

The challenges of getting through the day without spending any money.

It was an easy day. I stayed home literally all day. Saw the wilmington final, and cooked a huge chicken casserole. I figured that the casserole cost about $6 to make and it will be about 5 meals. Really good deal and good for you.

An estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.

Housing = $13
Food = $3
Gas = $0
Total = $16

An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.

It was good to start this fast after doing it last year. I thought a lot about money today and my goals for the future. I have come to realize the importance of an emergency fund, and I have also thought more about how to spend money on things I love, and not on things that I do not really care about.

Fiscally Responsible Independence Day Fiscal Fast Week

This year I have decided to begin the fiscal fast the day after independence day. It just seems appropriate to do it now as a way to have stronger feelings about the dependence of money.

I encourage you to read about last year's fiscal fast by clicking on the label for it on the right side of the screen.

A few details...

Last night I filled up my gas tank at the nearest gas station to home.
I did go to the grocery store on Thursday last week and spend about $30. However, I did not plan to do the fast this week so it seems ok.
If there is a genuine emergency such as my car breaking down then I will break fast (no pun intended).
I will continue the fast until Friday.

I will be leaving a journal entry each day next week concerning the following...
The challenges of getting through the day without spending any money.
As estimate of how much money I would have normally spent that day.
An observation (positive or negative) about my fiscal fasting experience that day.


The main reason why I am doing this is to find ways to enjoy life without depending on money. Also, I want to find places where I could lower miscellaneous expenses and I think by fasting it will show me ways I have not thought of.


Please leave comments of your thoughts or encouragements.

Review of Quizzle.com

By reading other financial blogs I have just completed my information on quizzle.com
This website gives you a fairly detailed financial picture after entering some basic information.

This website is great! You enter your address, your income and expenses, and questions regarding your credit history and the website provides you with your experian credit score, budget tips, and a financial score, ALL FOR FREE!

I highly recommend trying out this website. It took about 5 minutes to provide all the information. The free credit report and score was really helpful, and you could easily see how your budget holds up.

Balanced money formula

Over the past few months I have not been as ridiculously analytical as I have been when it comes to my budget. I pretty much know that I will spend about $300 on food and $100 on gas each month. What I have been doing which I feel works well is to automatically put the amount of money I want to save immediately in my savings account, and then simply live on the rest.

This is a simple formula and I have been enjoying it. I also feel that I am putting more priorities in my spending this way, just like the book "your money or your life" states.

As for a proper money formula, I recommend Elizabeth Warren's balanced money formula. 50% of your income should go to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings. Some expenses can be considered wants or needs (Do I really need to spend $300 on groceries? I could get by just fine on $200). Other expenses could be considered needs or savings (Is paying the minimum on your credit card all savings, all needs, or a bit of both). However, I feel that if someone can save 20% of the money they make that will give them plenty of options in the future.

Backpacking across the midwest?

Im seriously considering taking a train to Dallas, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago then flying back to Austin in early July. The train rides with all the stops to Chicago is about $200 using Amtrak and my AAA discount, and I could fly back to Austin using a southwest voucher I have. If I can find affordable rooms using hostels that should be about $25 a night. The whole trip would probably be about $500.

Any thoughts?