13: A Romp with the Ol' Calculator and Some Eye Opening Numbers

"Just the facts, ma'am.'" 

~Sgt. Joe Friday (Dragnet)

Do you want to take a little peek at something with me? 

No! Not like that. Put that curtain back down, you naughty thing! 

Though in truth, showing the amounts I'm spending on bills and especially what I'm about to show you regarding what I have spent in the past does feel a little like being eyeballed by peeping toms. It's a smidge uncomfortable, but incredibly eye opening. 

When I ran these numbers this morning, it blew my mind and I knew I had to share it with you (Wait, someone is reading these blog posts other than me, right? H-Hello? Is that an echo I hear?)

Okay, empty stadium or no, here goes!

So far I have been on my No Buy resolution for 365 days. In addition to that I have begun being more conscious on the amount of money being spent on groceries. I know I have room for improvement, but already it's impressive. Let me show you why: 

For the 13 days that I have been limiting my consumption and expenditures I have spent 213.98 USD on groceries. 

Wait, wait! 

Before you pelt me with a bunch of rotten veg, let me explain. I know that is still a high number. Yes, I purchase organic and ethical food products when I have the option. I know that boosts my grocery number, but those matters are important to me. Even still, I'm sure I can lower the value in time. But for now, it's still a damn sight better and I'll show you why. So just follow with me here and lower that tomato!

For the 13 days immediately prior to this resolution I spent 201.40 USD on groceries. 

Wait, I'm higher now? What kind of cockamamy is this . . .

BUT let us dig a little deeper. 

Within those 13 days immediately prior to this deal my husband and I also ate out for a total of 163.48 USD! 

This equates to a total of 346.97 USD in food expenditures prior to this 365 No Buy budget. 

That makes for an overall difference of 150.99 USD that I have not spent by eating out this month. Now consider that grocery bill of 213.98 USD and that's one helluva change! In fact, just from the numbers alone this is a 41.3% decrease in food expense! Yes!

Now, let's be a little more hardcore, hmm? 

Obviously the 13 days previous to my resolution enacting we were both still spending at the stores. Steam sales for video games, Etsy purchases, clothes, what-have-you frivolously here and there. Nickel and dimes that seriously added up. 

Phew. Give me a moment to prepare myself to admit this. 

Okay, here goes. 

As I rather crudely titled it when I was doing the math here is my "Random Shit Bought Before Resolution" at a staggering total of 189.08 USD. This is nearly 200 dollars spent on random stuff between two people in JUST THIRTEEN DAYS. 

Let us add that number to the grocery and restaurant totals (prepare to wince. I know I am): 536.05 USD. 

That's right. A little over half of a thousand dollars in groceries, restaurant bills, and random crap that we don't even need. How freaking embarrassing. How fiscally irresponsible! No wonder my savings account was only inching up higher a little at a time! 

So let's take a look at this in context, yes? 

Within the immediate 13 days prior to the resolution my household spent a total of 536.05 USD.

Within the 13 days of the resolution my household spent a total of 213.98 USD. 

A difference of 322.07 USD! 

In other words, we have experienced a 60.1% decrease in overall expenses. Yes! Hot damn!

Pay Up Time!

What did I buy on day 13 of my 365 days of No Buy, No Way, No How?

I am proud to report that I have purchased only:

• 1 bunch of organic kale
• 1 box of non-gmo flour
• 1 large glass container of organic lemon juice 
• 5 organic apples
• 2 organic pears
• 1 large bottle of Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap
• 1 stick of deodorant (You don't want to smell me without deodorant! Good god, it's inhumane)
• 2 bunches of organic bananas
• 1 container of organic mushrooms
• 1 bag of organic grapes

This comes to a whopping total of: 44.57 USD!

And yes this amount was totaled into the math listed earlier! Squee!