Expect Less

I haven’t spent anything since my last No Spend Month update, so it looks like I’m going to make it with $2 left.

I’ve already covered most of what I learned about how I spend my money - I need to eat out less and I need to drink at bars ever less. As I remove those temptations from my life and I become more willing to suggest alternatives, even if it means me cooking for or with friends, it’ll be easier and easier to keep my budget under control.

What have I missed during all of this? Not much. I ate pretty well, especially since I could get fresh veggies at the farmers markets several times a week. I also had a lot of food on hand already, which gave me an advantage over someone starting with nothing.

Of everything, I miss going out for a casual meal. Even if I limit myself to a few times a month, those meals out with friends are pretty great. I love trying new dishes, but I rarely take the time to cook something new on my own, so eating out is where I expose myself to new dining ideas. I also enjoy exploring new restaurants with my friends, and that’s something I don’t think I could give up completely. But I don’t have to give it up, I just have to keep it in check.

I didn’t miss going out to bars. I liked having a couple drinks at home with a few friends more than going to the bars. We’re usually just out to talk amongst ourselves anyhow, so why not just talk at home? We can open beers on our own, we can mix drinks ourselves. Again, an occasional trip is nice, especially when you do want a special ambiance. But most of the time, home is just fine.