My October Challenge

 This is my first blog.  I wanted to blog and share my October challenge.  The challenge that I signed up for is a zero spending challenge. (I signed up with LivingWellSpendingLess.com) This means, that in the month of October, I can't spend any money.  I know it is still September, but with the month of October looming, I am getting nervous about this commitment.  I have discussed this with my family, they have been warned!  I have two teenage daughters and my husband. After reminding them yesterday, I received a lengthy list of items they wanted me to buy from the grocery before the month of October arrives.  I have been to the grocery, twice in the last week.  I do not consider this cheating.  I think of it as planning.  Fail to plan, plan to fail.  I am still thinking that I should head to the grocery once more before Thursday.  

To be honest.  I have several things planned in the month of October that were already in place before i decided to sign on for this challenge.  My best friend is getting married and I can't miss it.  And I have to take my little dog to the vet.  (this appointment was scheduled in September, but I cancelled it so that I could go to work for the Magnet visit.)  ( love Magnet, love my job!)   I also am going out of town with my husband to a Marching Band competition in Saint Louis.  (We already had the hotel booked and those are always a ton of fun.)

So how will I get through the month without spending money?  Not going to happen.  I have planned for my friends wedding by getting the card and setting aside a gift already.  I also had a huge garage sale and made a little money to use for the vet bill. (we usually make more money at the garage sales, but it rained all day).  We already booked a free tour of the Anheuser Busch factory in Saint Louis.  Saturday we will be watching bands from all over and that is a lot of fun and great entertainment.

Why on earth would anyone sign up to spend zero money?  Well I was really hoping to accomplish a couple of things.  I hoped to save a little money in the month of October.  I also hoped to spend a lot less.  I want to find new ways to be creative in using the food that is already in the pantry as well as finding free and fun things to do in the Cincinnati area where I live.  Cincinnati is a great and beautiful city with tons of great things to do.

So it is my plan to blog this challenge and share the ideas, frustrations and all the exciting things I learn and do as I accept this challenge.  Please feel free to share any great and easy recipes that may help me out as well as any free things to do that you know about and I will share them here as well as try them out myself.
   Speaking of free.  These pictures are some that I took at Spring Grove cemetery.  It is beautiful and in the fall I image, it will be stunning.  I may just check it out.  If I do, I will share some more pictures with you here.