I had to do some thinking on if i wanted to do a No Buy November as it can add a level of stress when i am already a little augh on a few things however the fact is its a excellent way to keep yourself from finding yourself at the stores with all the little gifts, treats and more that are filling for Christmas an holiday cheer and suddenly at the end of month. when you do the math between a meal or two out, stopping for a special coffee out once or twice, a few treats and early Christmas presents and you are a couple hundred less in the bank account.
I have a expense heavy month in Nov, including renting a 30 foot garbage bin, fall tune ups and winter tire switches on vehicles, possible dental floating on horses and a hefty vet bill coming for Remmi’s Alter and more
Still i do think i can save up to a extra couple hundred that can go towards the Christmas feast and fun fund. Its the Black Friday Sales that for me will be the most tricky.. I have a list of items that i want for the farm/barns/critters/house that i watch for sales on and if they hit up a good one on Black Friday i do not want to miss it.
We also have a motel cost coming in this month as we have a early morning medical at a hospital that is not close to the farm and we are booked in three blocks away to stay over the night before, i am counting that spending as Essential.
So yes, i will do the basic tracking of Essential vs Non-Essential and keep a running total for the month, but i also think to add a wee bit of fun to this. if i spend money on a IFFY, i will own up to it and put it the vote here on a Yes, that made sense of course you had to get it, or NO! you clearly broke the rules
Its in good fun, so everyone needs to be kind but sassy is allowed 🙂 otherwise, i will just decline your comment, all comments are moderated before being accepted or declined here on the blog.
And with that, it starts today so no coffee for me when in town for the first vehicle fall oil change and so on.
Just another Day on the Farm 
I’d never heard of ‘no buy months’ until I started following your blog so long ago.
I got a like minded friend to join in – we just pick random months and go for it.
For me…it’s always about the groceries.
Hubby and I both being mechanics, we don’t pay for any vehicle maintenance or repairs. Our winter tires are on their own rims, so it’s just a matter of swapping – not dismount, mount, balance.
I seldom but anything on Amazon – but I do have a ‘wish list’ – it has to be pretty darn cheap for me to buy though, or absolutely needed. I prefer online shopping though – for the fact that I can pitch something in the cart and simply leave it there. Eventually I just delete it 😁. If I were in town shopping I’d be more likely to be ‘in the now’ and buy it.
Anyway, good idea. Think I’ll do a no buy November and see where my pantry stands 👍🏻
I love that your heard about your no buy months from the blog so many years ago, no buy feb was a big thing for the bloggers way back when! Happy to have your join me, we are in flux here on the grocery as i adjust to having a teenager that can put away as much as two ground adults and clear the bowls afterwards lol I am use to plating up and even measuring portions over the past five years and suddenly we are family style on some things going on the table. Todays grocery bill was bonkers but i also drove to a further town then normal for a store we don’t have and picked up some sales, and there were some good ones on some staple items . I look forward to hearing how it goes with you!