30-Day No Spending Marathon

It was a Canadian from Vancouver who invented "Buy Nothing Day", an annual 24-hour challenge to Canadians-and now people around the world-to not buy a single thing for one day. That means no gas, groceries, or any other kinds of purchases. Seems easy, doesn't it? But it takes a surprising amount of preparation, making sure you have the food you need and gas to get where you need to go, to not make plans with friends (that cost money) and so on. But this challenge is to try and go 30 days without spending money. Think you can do it?

Here are some challenges. Choose one or more. Challenge your family and friends. Get as many people as you can to join in. Even make it a competition with prizes, or put some of the money not spent towards a favorite charity.

Can you not charge anything to your personal credit card for 30 days? Reflect pretty seriously on every buy before you make it, for the next 30 days. If you make it through, ask yourself what you've been chocking up on that card that's got you knee-deep in debt today?

Bag your lunch, use no vending machines and skip buying coffee. Every time it occurs to you to go buy lunch, pick up a chocolate bar, or down some java, put that money into a sealed jar. Even consider labeling the jar, "30-day Challenge". You'll get lots of people-especially at work-joining in. Make it a competition. Buy the winner a pound of coffee and a great lunch box.

No DVDs or movies out for 30 days. These entertainment costs can take a huge bite out of your pocket book-and some people suffer serious withdrawal when they stop going to the movies or buying DVDs. To make it a bit easier, remember that the library carries lots of great television series (remember "Get Smart"? It's a great family show many libraries carry) and old movies that you can get for free. Hold a "summer movie night" and invite friends to see some of the great classics.

No take-outs. That means no pizzas, sub sandwiches, Chinese food or other late-night favorites. Instead, go to the grocery store and buy the equivalent and make it at home. That big white thing with the 4 black round things on top? It's a stove. Make it your friend and learn how to use it. Put the difference between the take-out cost and what it cost you to make your late night treats at home into a jar, and see how much you don't spend in 30 days.

These are just a few ways to try and save for 30 days. There are plenty more, like only buying with cash, budgeting your groceries, comparison shopping before you buy, and many more ideas you and your family can think of. So try not spending for 30 days-and good luck!