A couple weeks ago, we tallied up our expenses for the beginning of April to track our progress in our No-Spend challenge. We had an average spend rate of $18/day and 4 no-spend days. Not bad. We patted ourselves on the back. The last two weeks saw a shift in our spending habits and we found ourselves taking out our wallets more often. We spent an additional $925, bringing the monthly total spend on un-necessities and variable expenses (i.e. ones which we have control over on a monthly basis) to $1199 for the month with 13 no-spend days over a span of 30 days.

Note, our mortgage, condo maintenance, internet and phone bills, charitable donations, daycare expenses were not tracked during this challenge. They are monthly fixed costs.

Where the Money Went

In the past 15 days we spent a grand total of $583 on un-necessities and variable expenses (i.e. ones which we have control over on a monthly basis), averaging over $61/day (which is more than 3 times what we spent during the first half of the month). Here’s what it looks like:

[table]Date, Amount Spent, Item
April 16, $0, No Spend Day
April 17, $30.00, Lunch at Kensington Market
April 18, $0, No Spend Day
Apil 19, $6.00, Baos at the Chinese bakery
“”, $8.00, Milk and eggs
April 20, $26.00, Lunch after church
April 21, $4.00, Bus pass for Daniel to get to work (I took the car that day)
“”, $51.95, Groceries
“”, $15.00, Lunch with girlfriend
“”, $151.15, Electric shaver for Dad’s birthday
April 22, $27.00, Subway Tokens
“”, $6.77, Lunch
“”, $67.23, Gas
April 23, $4.74, Lunch
“”, $80.00, Used clothes and shoes for the kid
April 24, $4.00, Bus pass for Daniel to get to work (I took the car that day)
“”, $11.00, “Chocolate truffles, a small gift to me from Daniel”
“”, $71.97, “Groceries, including pre-made roast chicken for dinner”,
April 25, $0, No Spend Day
April 26, $8.00, Baos at the Chinese bakery
“”, $10.00, Used toddler bike helmet
“”, $30.00, Used tricycle for the kid’s birthday
“”, $52.23, Gas
April 27, $0, No Spend Day
April 28, $0, No Spend Day
April 29, $177.40, Clothing for me
“”, $82.48, Baby bike seat
April 30, $0, No Spend Day
TOTAL, $924.93, “”[/table]

Time off Work

Daniel and I tacked on a couple of paid-time-off days to the Easter long weekend which we spent out and about. One day, we went to aquarium and had lunch at Kensington Market; the other day, I went to visit friends and bought lunch again.

Children Gear

The baby, it seems, grew a couple of inches overnight. While dressing him one morning, we found that his pants were either too tight or too short. He needed a wardrobe upgrade. We bought a giant lot of used clothes and shoes which should last the little guy through to the end of the year.

The clothing is a necessity but on the other hand we also spent money on kid-related un-necessities. With warm weather forecasted and an upcoming birthday, we bought the kid a tricycle and bike helmet. We also bought a center-mounted child bicycle carrier so we could take him along on our bike rides.

Clothes

Skimpy bikinis and party dresses were mentioned during a conversation about an upcoming bachelorette weekend in Las Vegas. I, not owning anything skimpy and decidedly not Las-Vegas-bachelorette worthy, went into a “I have no clothes” lament. I’m embarrassed now, but I did spend a few days completely self-conscious about my wardrobe which resulted in an online shopping frenzy.

Looking at party dresses made me realize I don’t want anything skimpy in my closet and can make due with wearing what I have. I did not buy anything specific for Vegas, but while searching for party dresses, I decided I wanted a new shirt and tote. Since my sister was in France at the time, and the desired items are cheaper abroad, I asked to buy a few things for me.

Last Word

I started the challenge with the intent on trying to reduce consumption by discerning between needs and wants. I soon realized that our list of necessities, the bare minimums, is, well, bare; there is little that we need, especially from a survival perspective. Does baby need a birthday present for his general well being? No. Did we need buy a child bike carrier to live? Of course not. With the original challenge intent in mind, we did not fare well with our April No-Spend challenge, but we also do not regret our purchases.

The question to ask when making purchases is not just “is it a need?”, but also “does it bring value to my life?” and “how does it bring value?” It is important to stop and evaluate the intent and purpose of a purchase. In the case of the baby bike carrier and helmet, it means the kid gets to actively participate in our family activity. Similarly, Chinese baos and gifts to others are valuable in their own way; breakfast together outside of home is a simple pleasure while the latter are expressions of love.

Now, my clothing purchases are a bit controversial. They are undoubtedly not needs, but whether they bring value to my life is debatable. In my perspective, they fill wardrobe gaps, and therefore brings value; Daniel thinks otherwise and that I’m simply satisfying a want. However, we both agree that consumption of wants- a splurge or indulgence- is fine, given the act of consumption is deliberate. Often we buy things because for the wrong reason: other people have it, it’s new and shiny, or it’s on sale; the wrong motivation for purchases lead to excessive consumerism and dissatisfaction and for some, debt.

My remaining spending purchases in April are limited to lunch, three days in a row. One meal was due to convenience; the other two was because I forgot my homemade ones at home. I also purchased a pre-made roast chicken at the grocery store one day, a result of poor meal planning that week; the chicken was small, dry and tasteless and the worst money I spent that week.

To avoid those regret buys, question the motivation behind a wants, assess the value a purchase will bring, save up for quality purchases and simply, be deliberate.

Lastly, this challenge has shown me that if need be, or even if willing, we can cut our expenses significantly.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Daniel and I both purchased travel packs. The purchase was made in May so it doesn’t count 🙂