Cut Spending Challenge - 1

For the first step in cutting my spending in 2013, I have cancelled my home delivery of the newspaper.   I do read the newspaper and I sometimes benefit from the coupons but I think the benefit decreases more and more.  The Sunday newspaper is really what I read and I am sure at times I will still pick up the Sunday newspaper.

Home deliver cost about $175 for the year and even if I pick up the paper once a month at the store, I would still save about $125 for the year.  This is over my $50 minimum spending cut to qualify for the challenge.  I don't know that I will pick up a copy of the paper at the store more than 3 or 4 times so this had really become wasteful spending on my part.  I am not cutting something I need but something that I like but don't really make as much use of as I once did. 

This would be an example of 2 kinds of debt potholes that are described in other posts.  For one, this was an automatically renewing subscription that I was not intentional about reviewing and renewing each year.  Secondly, this was something I used, but my usage was decreasing and again allowed me to automatically keep spending for something I was not using.

So, 1 down and 51 challenges to go. 

Savings tally:
1)  cancel Newspaper  save $175 / year

Have you cut any spending yet this year?  This small beginning does not cover the 2% loss in my paycheck from the tax changes, but it's a start.

Cut Spending 2013

Cut Spending in 2013 by taking Steps in Stewardship

We seem to be fighting to get congress to cut spending to reduce the multi-trillion dollar deficit, but have you set a goal to cut your own spending?

Unfortunately, congress seems to represent us well in their inability to cut spending and assuming or presuming upon an increase in income.  So I am challenging myself to cut spending this year and I am hoping that you will accept the challenge as well.  Even though you can afford something, doesn't mean that it is wise to buy it.  Very little effort is required to find at least some ways to cut spending.  So this is the stewardship challenge for 2013.  Find ways to cut spending all through the year.

Consider some goals for this challenge:
      1 cut per month
      2 cuts per month
      3 cuts per month
      4 cuts per month
       1 cut each week!!!!  That's 52 items in 12 months.

Those numbers sound actually pretty easy if you are thinking you can count cutting out lunch.  So let's say that a cut has to save you $50 in order to count.  Should the standard be higher?  Let's just get started and find out.  January is almost half over so don't delay.  If you cut 52 items of $50 then you would save $2600 this year.  So maybe we should make it a goal of 1 item per week per $50,000 of gross income or portion.  For example if you make $40,000 your goal would be 52.  If you make $68,000 per year, your goal 104 items.  If you make $130,000 your goal would be 156 items or 52 items at a minimum of $150 each.

The rules or goals are not really important.  If the hurdle is too low, raise it.  One thing we know is that God promises to give wisdom when we ask for it.  Solomon asked God for wisdom.  There is wisdom in diligence so keep trying to find new things each month.

Check in to see how we are doing and share ideas.  Together we will......

Related posts for this series can be found by searching for tag:  Cut Spending

Grace to you and May God grant you wisdom and diligence in your efforts to take steps in stewardship.