I feel like I’m setting a terrible example with this challenge so far… there was more shopping today. We haven’t done a challenge like this in a couple of years, but I really hope I don’t discover that we’re in the habit of shopping & spending nearly every day. Oy!!
But why today? Well, I had completely forgotten that I have poll worker duty tomorrow to work the local election.
By signing up, I agreed to be at the election precinct building at 6am – and stay to close to 8pm…. without leaving. That’s um… almost 14 hours in a tiny little building with no oven or refrigerator. So if I’m gonna eat tomorrow – I have to take it with me. And ya’ll… I’m gonna eat tomorrow!
I’m not sure if it’s like this everywhere, but the tradition with our voting precincts is to bring food – lots and lots of food – and share amongst ourselves. I think there will be 7 of us there.
Soooo, I needed election day food. My brother and his wife are also working and they’re going to take care of some breakfast food – and I already had things on hand to make Buttermilk Crab Pasta for lunch – but what I didn’t have was snacks and drinks.
And those are necessary. Okay, okay – so they’re not really, technically “necessary”… but when you sit at a voting precinct for that long and you can’t leave or use a computer… you (really feel like you) must have snacks. And drinks. And books.
So I asked my husband to stop by the Dollar General on his way home today and get me some drinks and snacks. And now I’m all set!
Expenses:
Dollar General (groceries): $13.00
OVERALL TOTALS SO FAR (spent so far / budgeted for the month):
Groceries/Toiletries: $162.60 / $1200
Clothing/Home Products: $55.70 / $240
Entertainment/Eating Out: $10.00 / $300
Gas: $25.75 / $400
See ya next time!
I made 100 cupcakes last night for my sister in law (election commissioner) for the poll workers at her 10 precincts…didnt realize yall couldnt leave at all…have fun!
I’m not sure if the rules are the same everywhere but in our county – we have to stay put!
Hi Rose,
I think this no spending challenge is such a great idea!
A quick thought: I’m finding my cake and cookie orders have slowed down tremendously during this summer. I haven’t seen much of your baked good either but besides your vacation, are you finding that things slow down during summer? Just wondering?
Good luck and anxious to see where you end up financially at the end of August
Melissa
Thanks Melissa! My orders are pretty steady all year long, but I have a very established client base and I have to turn down several orders a week because I’m booked so far in advance. Plus, I’ve deliberately slowed down and chose to cut back my cake business to better take care of my family. I used to do 3-5 cakes a week (8-10 cakes before that) and now I only take 1-2 and sometimes none.
Hi Rose,
Thanks for taking time to respond. You are so much in demand and fortunate for a loyal customer base. You’re also a very smart business woman to balance business and family… life!
I’m so impressed!
Continued success and I look forward to your new creations.