No Buy Challenge: Phase I

This year I am going to save at least $2,000. I would like to save $5,000, but I got to start somewhere right?!?! I am starting a No-Buy Challenge. Yes, that is right, I will not be buying anything but the necessities for the next 60 days starting January 15th and lasting until March 15th. There are a couple of rules to this challenge, and they are as follows:

• No purchases other than food(from the grocery store only), gas, and monthly bills (i.e. rent, credit cards, utilities, ect).

• You are allowed two free passes--no more than $50 each.

• You are allowed to by the bare necessities. For example, you need to brush your teeth, so get some toothpaste. You are able to buy anything that runs completely out, so shampoo of the same kind or in the same amount that you paid for the product you are replacing. Why? Well, I have natural hair and there ain't no telling how conditioner that I will need. So, I will replace whatever that I have with something comparable or that costs the same amount of whatever it is that I ran out of. No NEW PRODUCTS!

• Try to use cash as much as possible. So, if you normally spend $40 a week on gas, then take out $80 when you get paid and put that amount in an envelope. Got some left over, save it for when you need have one of those weeks when you do a little bit extra running around.

To track how much you save, this is what you have to do. Take the amount of your checking account before you get your next check. Lets say it's $500. On March 15th, see how much money you have left in your account after you paid your bills.

This is just the first phase--there will be more to come! I am thinking about doing a no-buy clothing challenge in the summertime.

Want to join this challenge? Just leave a comment below and let me know that you're with me!

Eating Clean...

NO MORE DIETING!! With the new year here I am going to make a lifestyle change. This is something that I will be doing gradually: Clean Eating. Its basically eliminating all of the processed food from your diet. Yup, no more boxed, preservative filled, sodium loaded foods. It also involves using portion control and eating every 3 hours. To be honest, this will not be a problem during the week, but on the weekend...its going to be really hard. Hard? Yes. Impossible? No? This is just something that I will have to get used to...on the weekends. This weekend I will be going food shopping and stocking up on some 'clean foods' and making a meal plan for upcoming week. Stay tuned!

Upcoming Posts for the New Year!

Its a new year! Woohoo! 2013 is here! Well, almost. With a new year comes new goals, dreams, and opportunities. Here is a list of posts for the new year:

Hair Products & Reviews-I notice that I get more views on hair product reviews, so I guess people like them. If you are a company or small business and would like for me to review a product, please email me at walkingthroughhoney@yahoo.com

Clean Eating-A new lifestyle that I kinda do, but not all the time. I currently have the Clean Eating Recharge book, so when I finish there will be more posts about that and how I am doing, challenges and recipes.

Fitness-I know that I said that I wasn't concern with losing weight anymore, but I feel like I need to do something for myself. I am going to do a little somethin', somethin' in the new year, but once again a lifestyle change.

Books, on Books, on top of Books-In 2012 I seriously slacked on reading books, other than the bible, I got nothing. I really miss just getting away from technology and letting my mind run wild and reading a good book.

Money Mondays-Saving money, buying a house, no buy challenges, yup, its on in 2013.

I'm thinking about opening back up my 360 in 365 list again, because I didn't accomplish as much on that list that I wanted to. And also there will be the normal posts about life, dating, Words of Wisdom, and Spiritual Sundays.

What posts would you like to see in 2013?