Can you get through a month with only $250?

I could not.  I know for a fact that my family spends at the least $100 a week on food and non necessities.  At worst, we might spend $200 a week.  This does not include housing expenses, savings, and insurance payments. 

Monthly Budget Experiment #1

I just read an article at Small Notebook where they spent the month of July (both this year and last) with a budget of only $250.

Of course, that $250 did not include money spent on tithes and other gifts, rent, insurance, bills, health expenses, work expenses, savings, and investments. 

The items that were being limited were food, gas, clothing, coffee, household necessities, and entertainment. 

The goal of the experiment turned yearly tradition was “to stretch ourselves to become more mindful and disciplined about the money we spend, and to save some extra money in the process.”

In the end, the bulk of the money was spent on food and gasoline.  They managed to splurge a bit at the end of the month on coffee.  So basically, they were able to do without buying new items for the home and clothing for a month.  They also forced themselves to eat foods they already had in the pantry and freezer.  Writing about their progress has inspired many others to do the same. 

This group was not alone...

Cutting back on expenses and saving a little money here & there doesn't mean sucking all of the enjoyment from your life. 

You can still get ice cream treats with your family.  You can still have the occasional shopping spree. 

On those days when I feel that I will burst if I cannot spend some money, here's what I do...

You've made a budget and stuck to it.  You've clipped store coupons, purchased food in bulk, and bought store brands.  You feel a little squeezed, but overall, you are proud of the fact that you actually managed to put a few dollars into savings this month. 

Then the phone rings.  A loved one needs money. 
 
This loved one is the type that spends every dollar as soon as it comes in.  They call you foolish for passing up that new outfit in order to pay off your credit cards.  They refuse food in your home because it is not name brand.  Still, they want some of your money because they did not manage their own well enough. 

What do you do?

Sure, you could yell, scream, bang your head on the table, or visualize smacking them in the head.  Chances are however, you will write them a check, and start your savings account all over again. 
 
If any of this sounds familiar, here are some steps you can take when dealing with a loved one who cannot or will not save money, or at least manage their money better.

If you are currently planning a wedding, there are a few things you can do to make sure you don't spend too much money on your wedding and stay within a budget -- keeping your wedding expenses in check.

Some simple wedding budget tips...

Should I buy this?  Do I really need that?  Why can't I purchase anything just for fun? 

For many people, shopping for themselves can bring on feelings of guilt, anxiety, and doubt.  However, the process of deciding what to buy this month, and what can wait until next month does not have to be so hard. 

What follows are some helpful tactics for when times are hard and money is tight. (Bonus: They will also help when money is flowing, as it will allow you to make purchases guilt-free!)

While my advice won't make you giddy about a bad financial situation, it will help you to get into a state of mind where money does not haunt you. 

You see, the people who are most worried about money are the ones who are spending more than they are earning.  How can you help but worry when you do that? 

The plain fact is that you need to stop spending more than you are making in order to put your worries in check. If you make more than you spend (or spend less than you make), then you will finally be comfortable month-to-month. And you might even be happy about your finances for a change!

Here's how to become happy with your current financial situation and get a grip on your money...

Managing money that you cannot see (as it is in the bank) is a difficult concept for many people. These people tend to have an inflated idea of how much money they actually have, and they tend to overspend and begin to rely on an unreasonable amount of credit to live.

The best way to teach a person to manage money is to have them actually handle the money. The Cash Envelope System is an excellent way to have people come to terms with their incoming and outgoing expenses.