Junk Food Delusions: What I've Learned by Saving $2 Daily

I don't eat a lot of junk food, but when I do it really kills my budget. That's the first major insight from my $2 a Day Savings Challenge. The junk food tally has caught me by surprise. With my house stocked with organic veggies, herbal teas and tofu, I've never thought of myself as a junk food queen. I do yoga! I walk miles!


But while trying to save $2 a day, my daily savings candidates have often come from the junk food department: Chips, ice cream, & candy. I'm stunned and the savings were real. In nearly every case, the money was in my hand before I veered away from the cash register.

Of course, I was traveling last week and earlier this week. But still, I see a disturbing pattern.

Here's what I've learned so far from my daily $2 a Day Savings Challenge


1. Hunt down your delusions. On some level, we all periodically lie to ourselves. From shopping rationalizations to bold lies about our savings accomplishments, we aren't always honest about our money and consumption. If nothing else, my little $2 a Day Challenge forced me to realize that I was lightening my wallet and thickening my waist by spending money on junk food.



2. Pack carefully when traveling: I thought I was a careful packer. But while on the road, we overspent because we failed to pack or misplaced a few necessary items. For example, when we switched hotel rooms, somehow we lost my son's dress clothes and spent a tidy sum on a new dress shirt, pants, and black socks. Thankfully, he looked great for the evening anniversary party.


We should have also packed more snacks for the road and the hotel room. Packing more of our own treats would have prompted us to spend less at the Super Target near my parents' home. I'm embarrassed to report that on one mini-shopping trip, we spent $92* and I'm not quite sure exactly what we purchased. (I'm seeking advice about this expense. See below.)


The good news: I felt guilty about our over-sized bill. Therefore, when I walked over to the Starbucks counter at Target, I couldn't bring myself to order a Latte. I put the money back into my wallet and stepped away from the friendly Starbucks server.



Bottom line: saved $3 @ Target
Spent: $92 @ Target

My $2 Daily Savings Challenge

Day 6 Aug. 24: (away from home)

$2.58: daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
$3.00: skipped Starbucks coffee (drank the free coffee from the hotel)

But overspent @ Target

Day 7 Aug. 25: (away from home)

$2.58: daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
$3.00: skipped Starbucks coffee

Day 8 Aug. 26: (away from home)

$2.58: daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings

I also found steep Florida resident discounts for a water park, but someone else paid the total bill, so I can't claim the savings.

Day 9 Aug. 27: (traveling )

$2.58: daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings

Day 10 Aug. 28 (back home)

$2.58: daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings

$5.44: saved on mini notebooks from Walgreens. Full price: $1.29 per book. Sale price 20 cents each. I really use those little books, so purchased five for $1.

Subtotal Days #6 - #10: $23.34

Year-to-Date Total: $201.00*

*By the way, I'm torn about the $92 Target splurge. Should I deduct the amount spent during that -unscripted, undisciplined shopping trip from my daily savings challenge total? Any advice?
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Quick Cash Fixes: Help! I Can't Pay My Bills

Need Cash Quick? The new book: Help! I Can't Pay My Bills by Sally Herigstad, a contributing writer on MSN Money offers several quick fixes for cash leaks. I've outlined/paraphrased her suggestions and added a few comments based on my own experience.

1. Toss out catalogs and weekly sales flyers before reading them.

My comment: I've saved a lot by skipping past the weekly sales flyers from CVS and Walgreen's. I still stock up on sale items, but I limit my regular reading of sales bulletins. I have saved a bundle.

2. Avoid Malls and Movies.

Comment: Don't put someone with OCD into a messy room. Don't give an addict drugs. Don't take a compulsive shopper to the mall. I save a lot by avoiding most of my favorite stores until the once-a-year blow out sales in which merchandise sells at thrift store prices.

3. Skip restaurants and take-out food.

Comment: A $12 pasta dish costs the restaurant about 50 cents to make, including labor. Food industry insiders have shared this tip with me.


4. Carefully consider every purchase of the new gadgets. Ask: Do I really need this and how have I made it so far without this item?

Comment: I'm still feeling annoyed about our $300 camera that now costs $30 new. Or the hot game that drops to one-third or less of the price in just weeks or months.

5. Delete shopping channels from your bookmark list on the Internet. Avoid shopping channels on your cable TV control.

6. Cancel your cable service.

7. Consider DIY service

Comment: I braid my long nappy hair. Savings: about $200 to $300 per month. My husband cuts our boys' hair (saves about $40 a month). I've even learned to give myself a neat french manicure (saves $10 to $20 per week).

8. Up the deductible on your home and car insurance policies.

9. Walk or bike more for errands.

10. Consider ditching the second car: save lots on gas, insurance and maintenance

Comment: One of my best friends shared a car with her husband for years. They saved a fortune

11. Get a second job; sell your stuff; provide services

Comment: I know a woman --an excellent artist-- who offered art classes to young children. Parents were thrilled with this after-school activity and she was able to raise a lot of money.

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