It’s been a long time since we’ve done a spending diet – what we like to call a “No-Spend Month”.

Starting next Tuesday, Nov. 1, we’ll be doing just that.

You can read previous posts in the No-Spend Month category to see how it went last time.

But first, a few updates of what has changed in our life:

• We’re the proud owners of a car! But this comes with a much larger monthly transportation bill. That said, we felt we needed it since…
• We’re expecting our third child in December – my “infant” is now a strapping 18 month old, and my toddler is now a 3 year old “big girl” [Read more...]

It’s time to wrap this up with the questions I answered on “Afternoon Schmooze” on Rusty Mike Radio. You can listen to the podcast here.

And now, the Q&A:

You went on a spending diet. Why?

As our income has increased, our spending has increased dramatically with it. In short, we’re making too much money not to be saving more. We would like to buy a home in the next year, so a little belt tightening will make the difference between renting for another year or having a sizable down payment.

What’s included in your allotment?

What I like to think of as judgment spending – groceries, furnishings, clothing, dining out, entertainment, and anything else that isn’t non-negotiable.

What isn’t included: rent and other utilities (though we are also trying to be a bit more careful on the utilities and other flexible expenses), business expenses, medical expenses, charity, and transportation.

You actually spent a lot of money on things that one would think you wouldn’t, like NIS17 for iced coffee.

Yes – and it was money well spent. We also had a meal out to eat as a family, and I wouldn’t change that. Frugal shouldn’t be a synonym for miserly.

Did you starve?

Not at all. The reality is that NIS 1000 can probably go a long way toward supporting a family of four (admittedly, the two kids are very little right now) for a month. Meat and poultry are expensive. We spend a lot on milk – we go through 6-8 liters a week. But the vast majority of our other food items can be had for very little. Cakes can be made from scratch (indeed, it’s the only way they get made in this house – trust fund or not). Most of us aren’t going broke on buying fruits and vegetables (though I came close with the watermelon). It’s the processed junk, cleaning products, prepared foods, and toiletries that get us when we’re at the supermarket. That’s what we try and keep an eye on.

Did you actually only spend NIS1000?

Nope – we were attacked by children’s sandals. We finished at NIS 1543.

How did your friends react when you told them you were going to try this? Family?

We didn’t prepare anyone in advance, but we got a lot of positive reactions. Some people thought maybe times were tough. But most people agreed it was a good idea – some even suggested they would give it a shot.

What have blog reactions been?

Interesting to say the least. The funniest thing I noticed is that people would email me or contact me in Facebook, but were leery to comment publicly. Money is still too taboo to discuss. I was also amazed at how many notes I got saying “I’d love to do this but my spouse isn’t on board with it.” Especially when I got that note from both spouses in a couple.

Are you going to do this every month?

No. But I think once or twice a year might be beneficial.

Thanks again for all your comments, emails and feedback! Let me know if I’ve inspired you to give it a shot.

My apologies – that was … uh … a bit of a long week. And/or month.

I forgot that I was about to get hammered at work with a ton of new projects. This time of the year is crazy busy for me since it’s when most of my major clients go on vacation. They leave, and leave the work to me. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not complaining! I’m very glad to have it.

When I last left you, we were at the end of No-Spend Month. The final tally?

We spent NIS 1543 – well above our goal of NIS 1000, but still dramatically less than we spend every month. Our grocery bill alone is usually well above NIS 1500.

When I wasn’t looking, my daughter’s feet attacked our budget.

She outgrew her sandals. We live in Israel. We live in sandals.

Have I mentioned how insane the cost of kids shoes are?

I’m a bit ridiculous when it comes to buying for my kids. I like to get nice stuff, but rarely buy anything that isn’t on sale. Even when we aren’t trying to stick to a budget, I just can’t handle paying NIS 80 for a sweater and seeing it on sale for NIS 20 two weeks later. With the added fact that kids clothes seem to follow the same ridiculous seasons (it’s in the upper 90s here right now and I saw the first snowsuit at Fox today), I see no point in buying at full price when I can either a) buy a year ahead when the previous season goes on clearance and stockpile or b) buy mid-season and get them on clearance.

As a result, I have clothing through size 5 for my daughter, who turns two on Sept. 3. Admittedly, she is the height of a 3-4 year old, so a lot of her clothes are sized much larger. For shoes, I buy only even sizes and started at 22 – sandals at 22, sneakers and sandals at 24, sneakers and sandals at 26, etc. In short, I buy many months ahead when there are good sales and always buy from the same store to take advantage of the club card.

I just dropped the ball on this one.

And so we went shoe shopping. It was a much better deal to buy two pair (25% off the first pair, 50% off the second) than just buy one, so we broke our budget to do it. It was still a good deal (NIS 220 for a pair of sandals and a pair of tennis shoes), but we hadn’t planned for it. That and a few other odds and ends pushed us over our limit.

I’m not complaining. Indeed, buying that day, we signed up for the club card. The card got us another NIS 50 off in every month where someone in our family has a birthday (Aug., Sept. Jan. and April) and another NIS 50 off of a purchase in the next 90 days. We made a return trip about a week ago and got two pair of sandals (including one for our little man – he’s only 4 months old right now, but he’ll need them eventually) and a pair of tennis shoes for him too. We also got six pair of socks free using our customer card points. Total spent – NIS 250. Total without sales, discount card, etc. – NIS 680. Mission accomplished. We saved about NIS 400. That’s more than $100.

Today, we also got Abby a pair of Crocs – on sale for NIS 100, paid for half with Leumi card points, total spent NIS 50. Chalk one up for the good guys. I’m heading back tomorrow to stock up on Crocs for the whole family.

And on that note, it’s back to a more frugal, but regular, life.

As the end of the month approaches, it would be fair to say we’ve … uh … fallen off the wagon a bit.

Perhaps jumped off the back of the wagon and ran the other way might be more accurate. Like an Oregon Trail leader on bare bones rations. Okay, I’m probably exaggerating a little bit.

While I’m going to save our final accounting for my next post, I wanted to give you a preview of things to come.

Items of note that you can eagerly anticipate:

• My dear daughter needed new shoes. Have I ranted yet about how expensive kids’ shoes are? Don’t worry, it’s coming.
• The siren song of the mall finally won – a couple times. Darn you, Azrieli.
• The store that stole my yogurt money has mischarged me a total of NIS 86 this month – and yes, I’ve fought to get all of it back and have won. In Hebrew. For which I deserve an award. In other news, I’m going to avoid shopping there like the plague going forward.
• I have no self restraint when it comes to watermelon.

Our final tally is coming on Thursday, July 1. You can also join me on Thursday when I’m interviewed on Rusty Mike Radio (click the “Listen Live” button) by Nettie Feldman on Afternoon Schmooze – the program airs from noon to 2 p.m. and I’m expected to be on around 1:20 p.m. Israel time. Topics to be covered:

• You went on a spending diet. Why?
• What’s included in your allotment?
• You actually spent a lot of money on things that one would think you wouldn’t, like NIS17 for iced coffee.
• Did you starve?
• Did you actually only spend NIS1000?
• How did your friends react when you told them you were going to try this? Family?
• What have blog reactions been?
• Are you going to do this every month?

Hope to see you later this week!