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One Frugal Girl

Can I Avoid Paying Full Retail Prices for 30 Days?

July 6, 2008 by One Frugal Girl 7 Comments

Last night, on the way home from dinner with my family, my husband issued me a challenge. He asked if I could avoid paying the full retail price for everything I purchase over the next thirty days. I’m always up for a good challenge and this one has really peeked my interest.

There are three ways I can meet the challenge requirements. First, I can purchase items that are on sale. Second, I can purchase items that are full price, but use a coupon to receive the item at a discounted price. Third, (and the best option of all), I can purchase a sale item using a coupon.

The challenge applies to every single item I purchase with the exception of gasoline. That means food, cleaning supplies, clothes, items for the home, etc. cannot be purchased if they are not on sale and/or I do not have a coupon. Also, shopping at discount stores, like Marshalls, will not fulfill the requirements of the challenge unless the item I purchase is on sale there.

Workarounds are permitted for this challenge. For example, a few days a week I typically purchase lunch in the cafeteria. Clearly, I can’t receive discounts on those lunches, so rather than purchasing lunch at work, I’ll need to search the sales circulars and begin packing a lunch for myself. Throughout the challenge I will also keep track of alternatives to spending. For example, modifying something I already own in an effort to avoid purchasing something new.

I plan on starting the challenge tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to it. It will certainly force me to monitor my spending habits more carefully.

Filed Under: Save Money

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Comments

  1. Adam says

    July 7, 2008 at 3:50 AM

    That is a great challenge! I know it would be tough for me, especially when shopping for groceries. Do discount brands count? I imagine not! Good luck and keep us posted! http://www.moneyrelationship.com

    Reply
  2. Kelly from Almost Frugal says

    July 7, 2008 at 8:52 AM

    At first this sounded easy, but reading further on I realized what a challenge this is going to be! Good luck, and I’m looking forward to reading about your progress. I’m also going to include this post in my weekly roundup.

    Reply
  3. LP says

    July 7, 2008 at 12:35 PM

    I love this challenge! If nothing else, it forces you to seriously consider every item you buy; you have no choice but to spend conciously.

    Reply
  4. Renee says

    July 7, 2008 at 11:16 PM

    Great challenge! I love it! I would add in rebates too if I were doing it. Walgreens, CVS, and RiteAid would help a lot health and beauty items.
    Good luck!

    Reply
  5. One Frugal Girl says

    July 8, 2008 at 2:48 AM

    Thanks for all of the kind wishes. I plan to provide weekly updates of my successes and failures.

    @Renee — I forgot all about rebates. Those will definitely count in the challenge.

    Reply
  6. Today's Budget says

    July 12, 2008 at 1:25 PM

    What a great challenge!

    Reply
  7. My Journey From Debt says

    July 14, 2008 at 5:41 PM

    Wow, I think that sounds extremely difficult. Even though I generally don’t spend lots of money, I don’ think I could do it!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Jewels. I am a forty-year-old wife, mother, blogger, personal finance enthusiast, optimist, former software developer and achiever of financial independence. This blog is my story. Welcome to my little corner of the Internet.

Contact: onefrugalgirl @ gmail . com

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