Oprah...

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Oprah...
6
Thu, 07-30-2009 - 10:33am

Oprah has had a lot of shows lately about finances and since I recently got a deal on a DVR box, I'm actually able to watch them now. She had a show where she had a few families live without for a week. They had to not buy anything, not use a credit card, not go out to eat and they weren't even allowed to watch TV or use the internet. After seeing the excess that these families were living in and how much they felt their lives changed for the better during their experiment, it got me thinking that maybe I could do something similar.

The three rules that they based this show off of were Suzie Orman's:
1. don't spend money for a day
2. Don't use credit cards for a week
3. Don't eat out for a month

I know I can not spend money for a day, but that seems a little too easy so I was thinking maybe I could not spend money one day a week. We don't have any credit cards, so that's easy as well, but maybe I could change that rule to...don't buy anything personal like clothing, makeup, toys etc for a week and the hardest one of all for us would be the not going out to eat for a month.

So here is my plan. For one month...the month of August, we will not spend money at all one day a week. I'm thinking Monday would be a good day to do this. I will not spend anything on personal/want items for the first week of August and we will not go out to eat for the entire month of August, although I think this rule will have to be broken at least once because my husbands 30th birthday is on August 28th and I'm having some kind of party for him.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
In reply to: abigailnh2
Thu, 07-30-2009 - 10:50am

Interesting challenge.


I have to say that I should really sit down and write my own challenge.


I'm thinking of only spending money one day per week.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2008
In reply to: abigailnh2
Thu, 07-30-2009 - 11:11am

and how about upping the ante, and putting the money not spent (whether it is $5 or $25) into an efund?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
In reply to: abigailnh2
Thu, 07-30-2009 - 11:15am

That program is a rerun. And the not spending money for a day really does work.


Going out to eat is a really big thing. I know when I could not go out to eat it made a lot of difference too.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
In reply to: abigailnh2
Thu, 07-30-2009 - 12:17pm

I often don't spend money on multiple days a month. I also often push back going to the grocery store. This is not an effort I actually put in willingly. It is just pure laziness LOL. I live rurally and I work a lot. I don't have the options to eat out as most people do. I often work until the stores are closed(about 12 miles away) so I really have to plan my shopping trips and meals. It is forced planning but I still put off my trips usually because I am too tired or lazy. I constantly think about what I can make for dinner and try to take something out of the freezer before I leave in the morning or before I go to bed. I am not much of a shopper and rarely use my visa. If I do it gets paid off as soon as the charge shows up online.

I think you are right though. The hard one would be eating out. If I get a chance to eat out I usually do. It isn't that often but probably at least once a month. I already do without in so many areas I guess this is a tough one for me.


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
In reply to: abigailnh2
Thu, 07-30-2009 - 4:17pm

August is a long month, but if you started not going out to eat tomorrow, surely the 28th would give you a month - it would if it was February and not August! lol ;)


Those are good things to strive for, we are going on vacation in August so that might be hard, but I will ask DH what he thinks.




Community Leader
Registered: 07-26-1999
In reply to: abigailnh2
Thu, 07-30-2009 - 7:39pm

I saw that episode last week and DVR'ed the episode today. Its a good idea, DH has decided he wants to try it a day at a time once his son leaves from his visit with us.

Good luck!!

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