Does anyone else like to challenge themselves?
I've never been a very competitive person, didn't play sports growing up, but I love to create competitions with myself. Whether it's saving money, or reaching a new PR while exercising - I like to set a goal and smash it! I thought I would share how I made it through a "No-Spend Week" because, at times, it really did feel like survival.
With Easter just behind us, there has been a lot of talk floating around about withholding from oneself, and how fasting is a good practice. Pair that with the constant buzz around 'juicing and cleansing' that come with living in Los Angeles, and it's easy to feel like you're missing out on all the fun.
Now, I will preface by saying that, every day of the year, I'm a pretty frugal person. I like to think I'm crafty, but I definitely make a conscious effort to not eat out, make my breakfast, lunch, and dinner almost every day, and save my pennies for the next adventure awaiting. But, the 'No Spend Week' was new to me, and to be honest, sort of unplanned.
I just purchased some plane tickets to Italy, and bought my little brothers as well; mostly out of excitement that we'd be traveling together and because he's in college and I don't want him spending his loan money on family vacays. So, I was thinking of ways to first, pay off my credit card, and still make it to the next payday. Queue 'No Spend Week'.
I didn't even realize it was happening until Tuesday or Wednesday, and once you're halfway through, the competitive nature in my bones took over and I had to complete the challenge.
A few tips on how I made it a week without spending any money:

1. BUY IN BULK

Saturday to Saturday without buying groceries is difficult, especially for someone that's cooking every day. Being able to turn to my pantry to supplement my meals with things like quinoa, brown rice, panko bread crumbs, and spices is essential.

2. DON'T FEAR THE CANS

While I'm not a huge fan of canned veggies, because the fresh kind is just so much more delicious not to mention holds more nutritional value - I had to get over my fear of cans. There are a ton of canned goods that you can keep on hand, to spruce up a dish, a salad, or add some protein to your meal. I generally keep a few different types of beans on hand: black beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, and kidney beans. You can use them for everything from a burrito bowl to a chili, etc. Plus, they are super cost-effective and man do they last. I also always have a few cans of canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Whether you're making a tomato sauce from scratch, meatballs, or chicken parmesan, the possibilities with canned tomatoes are endless. Last canned good I always have on hand, Tuna! Usually buy these in bulk from Costco or another wholesale grocer, but the number of times I've turned to Tuna, Mayo, Salt & Lime in an open-face pita for a quick snack, is countless. Always delicious. You can also remove the wrapper and save those bean tin cans for your next DIY project.

3. PLAN AHEAD

When it comes to my proteins I like to buy them in bulk. Why buy one 2 oz piece of salmon that will serve for one meal, for $8, when you can get an entire fish for $20? It just doesn't make much sense. Don't fear the freezer. Buy the big stuff, when you get home, cut it into 2-4 oz pieces and put them in individual zip locks in the freezer. When you leave for work in the morning, throw one in the fridge to defrost, and dinner will be so much simpler when you get home. This goes for really any protein, bulk packs of chicken, beef, or fish are always more cost-efficient, and will save you a trip to the grocery store every few days.

4. TAKE UP A FREE HOBBY

This one sounds a little funny, but hear me out. I just started learning to hand-letter. It's something I've always wanted to do and is much more challenging than I anticipated. But, with my design background and love for typography and lettering - the natural progression was for me to develop my own font families and be able to put pen to paper any time I want. So, I've been spending a lot of my free time practicing my drills from the "Show Me Your Drills" Challenge by Becca Courtice a.k.a The Happy Ever Crafter. I was surprised to find that when I was really invested in something I wanted to learn, I was more inclined to do what some might find as busy work, instead of going out for drinks. Now, you're talking to a girl who LOVES brunch (all girls, really), and a good night out with the ladies. But if you're trying to make it through this, 'No Spend Week' filling the empty moments with something that challenges you, and teaches you a new skill - is a great start.
That's all for now, if I think of more tips for you guys - I'll be back.
Happy Saving!