Mindfulness Challenge

I have just spent a week with my daughter and grand-daughter and seen the way that they live compared to my own, simple life.  I escorted them to the city, somewhere I rarely visit as it holds little interest for me. The attraction for them was visiting the many and varied shops to look as well as buy. They were influenced by the signs that said “30% off” and the like, with no regard to whether it really was good value, or was it really needed, and no thought of where it was made so you can weigh up the options. They came, they saw, they bought.

To anyone who has been following my blog, you will realise this is in contrast to my way of doing things. I like to live mindfully and consider valuable things like, do I have a need for it, is it value for money, is it going to end up in land fill, will it add to my debt, how can I satisfy myself without wasting money? 

Try asking yourself every time you start to buy something, “Do I really need this?” Is it completely necessary to spend this money on this thing? So for those of you who enjoy tackling a challenge, I’ve got one for you. Starting today, begin a Money Mindfulness Challenge. Why would you want to do this? Well, for two reasons. First, you will save some money and discover just how much you spend on mindless stuff. Secondly, you might discover some pleasure in living simpler and having less. Here’s how it will work:
1. Get into the Right Head Space
If you’re going to be part of this challenge, you need to prepare yourself mentally. For the next seven days, you won’t be living the lifestyle you have been living up until this moment. This will be an exercise in financial and emotional dieting. But there will be great results in the end if you stick it out.
2. Get A Savings Jar
Get a jar for savings. Pull out any silver or one or two dollar coins you have in your purse and put them in the jar. You can keep any notes, but once you break them, put the change in the jar. You will be surprised at how it mounts up.
3. Plan your Meals and Try to Be Creative with what you have.
Go through your pantry and refrigerator to take inventory of what you have in stock right now. Using the food you have in the house, write a menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the next seven days. If you don’t have enough food in the house for seven days, plan menus using very simple, inexpensive, but nutritious ingredients that you can purchase. Go buy those ingredients at the grocery store, purchasing home brand items if possible but I only consider Australian products. Do not purchase any other items except what is on your list. Remember local foods are best.
4. Credit Cards 
Unless it’s an absolute emergency, do not use a credit card during this week. An emergency is like a hospital visit or a family crisis, not having a pizza craving or having to have that handbag because it’s only on sale this week. Over the long term it is advisable to save an emergency fund of at least $1000.
5. No Café Coffees, No Junk Food
Make coffee at home. Pack your lunch (use the leftovers from last nights dinner). If you regularly purchase coffee or junk food during the week, you will be surprised at how much you save this week.
6. Dinners Out, Entertainment
For the next seven days, you must not eat out. Every meal must be either eaten or prepared at home. Any entertainment must be free. No movies or other activities that cost money, unless you have already paid for them or are using a voucher. Spend some time finding free ways to have fun. Do some research about what’s happening in your neighbourhood. Think about a BYO dinner party where each couple brings a dish whether it is soup, main or dessert. Consider spending time outdoors, playing games with your family, reading (libraries are free), exercising, or doing creative activities. How about using that time to de-clutter, clean, reorganize, and pull out useless stuff to sell or give away. Don’t forget you can sell on Ebay and Gumtree.
7. Spend Mindfully
Any time during the week you start to pull out your purse to buy something, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” You probably don’t, but if it is something you absolutely do need, ask yourself, can it wait?
8. What You’ll Be Buying
Not much. You can pay necessary bills. You may need a few groceries. You may need to pay for parking or petrol, although you might find alternatives to driving like using public transport. Your kids may have events or activities to attend that cost money. If they are optional, can them and think of free alternatives.
9. Make It A Habit
Consider participating in a Money Mindfulness Challenge once a month or at least once a quarter. In between, stay mindful about your spending. Keep asking yourself, “Do I really need this?” Keep a running total of your spending.
10. Consider the implications on the planet that your buying creates.