[HeartMyBoys]

My partner and i have decided next year will be a year of nothing. Basically we will only buy essentials, pay our bills, and go nuts on our debt. No going out or partying (which is easy for me cause im pregnant ).
I know im up for it and my partner is adamant he is too. He works a lot so we shouldnt drive each other too crazy........i hope.
Anyone else have a big new years resolution that may be hard to stick to?
I'd also like to come up with a bet i could make with him, if he doesnt stick with it......any ideas?

[eyesabove]

Good luck OP! i would love to so this but DH is resistant. Loves his stuff

Some helpful blogs/resources:

http://www.theminimalistmom.com talks about living a minimalist life.

David Ramsey's blog/book/program for paying down debt.

http://smallnotebook.org/ does regular no spend months. You can pick up some good concepts here that might help your DH to see that it works for others.

Would love to hear your updates in the year next year!

[HeartMyBoys]

Thanks so much for that info. So keen to succeed at this.

And i'll definitely keep u posted

This post has been edited by HeartMyBoys: 10/12/2012, 08:19 PM

[YellowKittyGlenn]

ill join you on that one next year. Only essentials like bills & groceries no new clothes unless desperate (currently losing weight) going out limit to peoples birthdays ans save save save!

[MoonPie]

Cool! You should blog it?

[*Finn*]

I am Absolutly desperate to lose weight. 2013 is the year for it!!

Off to find some motivation to stick with it! And maybe some councilling too.

[HeartMyBoys]

15148060[/url]']
Cool! You should blog it?

Hmmmm, never written a blog, but could be a good time to start.

[casime]

I like the idea, and I'm doing a similar thing, but I think you need to include some allowance for activities/celebrations/treats/etc. Maybe set aside a certain amount that each of you could use for going out/treats. I am allowing myself one bottle of wine per fortnight and $10 per week towards 'entertainment'. That may be saving up towards theatre shows, or going to a movie. I think you need to include some 'play' money or you might find it more difficult.

[HeartMyBoys]

15148318[/url]']
I like the idea, and I'm doing a similar thing, but I think you need to include some allowance for activities/celebrations/treats/etc. Maybe set aside a certain amount that each of you could use for going out/treats. I am allowing myself one bottle of wine per fortnight and $10 per week towards 'entertainment'. That may be saving up towards theatre shows, or going to a movie. I think you need to include some 'play' money or you might find it more difficult.

Thats a great idea, thx.

[kpingitquiet]

Yep, I'm with ya. Our biggest weakness is occasional takeout. Japanese and Pizza Capers (who have ruined us for all others lol) are our kryptonite, but I'm vowing at least 2 months with no takeout, and a year with no non-essential purchases. We'll obviously have to buy kiddo some clothes halfway through, and we'll replace essentials that break/die, but I'm sick of seeing the credit card bill stagnate.

Bills, my schooling, general essentials, healthy food, and hopefully new-baby related stuff (again, essentials plus a couple special items as we already have lots from kiddo) is more than enough consumerism for us. Thankfully, we've JUST finished all our birthdays (except husband) and Christmas is covered. Husband isn't getting anything but a dinner out as we agreed our US trip was anniv/bday/Xmas for both of us for the year. Our "treats" are my school tuition and occasional cans of paint as we slowly (hopefully!) raise the value of the house.

Man, will it be tough not to order out on a tired night, though! My only tip is to make up some homemade "fast food" like pizza and crumbed fish fillets for the freezer, keep a jar or two of good pasta and curry sauces laying around and use those if you, like us, you need the occasional no-cook night. Good luck!