Comments on: Spending moratorium starts Wednesday

By: marci

marci — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:34:37 +0000

I think groceries should be on the moratorium…. I once stayed 7 wks out of the grocery stores – but that was in garden season Sure saved on the impulse spending tho, and used up some of my surplus storage!

I agree with logging the personal gas miles – don’t go over one tank of personal miles.

Your ‘allowances” are the budget I am already on, so I’m with you! Not hard, once you get used to it!

By: tammy

tammy — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:16:34 +0000

Hey Julia! Is your significant other going to go on this spending fast with you?
I admire you BB!

By: Tamara

Tamara — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:27:57 +0000

I am going to join you on this spending moratorium adventure for July, but I have two weddings to go to in July, and I want to know what you think about buying wedding gifts. does that count against me, or can I purchase those gifts?

By: bargainbabe

bargainbabe — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:09:12 +0000

Thanks to Dan, Frugal Dad and Jenny for your concern about my business. I was planning on allowing business expenses during the moratorium but I also said I would not re-fill my gas tank, so I see where the confusion came in. I’m going to try to get by on one tank of gas during the July moratorium, but if I’m empty at the end of the month and need to drive for business, I’ll fill up with a clear conscious.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:41:56 +0000

I agree that you need to be able to buy gas.
This makes Three votes that you should be free to
buy gas to do business and necessities, you are
now officially allowed to do so by majority vote!

By: Christine

Christine — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:30:23 +0000

Good for you for doing this. Be careful on the groceries, though, Ralphs (et.al) sells things that aren’t really groceries and it’s easy to get carried away. Not that you BB would do that though. :>

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:39:06 +0000

I agree with Dad and Dan!

By: Johnd38

Johnd38 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:37:13 +0000

The moratorium is quite timely since it is July 1 when the Sales Tax in LA County goes to 9-3/4%. I for one will be very cautious about needing anything & will visit the surrounding counties (Ventura, Riverside, Kern) that still have 8-1/4% . Enough tax already.

By: Dotty Grant

Dotty Grant — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:34:59 +0000

Hang in there Julia. The moratorium can be very freeing for the soul if you keep the right attitude. Lots of great movies to be had from the local Library. Good time to experience some bartering too. Think out of the box. Just think of all the new networking you can do also . Getting back to basics is very humbling and develops finite appreciation of everything. Lots of luck to you. Being of natural frugal mind I will be curious to hear what you find the most challenging during your moratorium. Hey, shouldn’t this be a ‘less’aturium not a moraturium, LOL.

By: FrugalDad

FrugalDad — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:16:09 +0000

I agree with Dan. If you use your car for business, those miles shouldn’t count against your one tank of gas for discretionary driving. Just log your driving as either personal or business.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:29:00 +0000

I think that you should allow yourself to purchase gas. You use your car for work and should not place unnecessary limits on your business. Additionally, it is not safe to drive around on an almost empty tank. You could get stuck and have to get towed ($$$$).

I think you should limit your personal use mileage to whatever your average miles per tank is for the month. That way your personal spending moratorium will not affect the growth of Bargain Babe. Don’t forget…. you will need your car to set up for the huge party!