What Happened When I Stopped Spending Money for a Whole Year

New York Post ^ | January 10, 2017

[nickcarraway]

A woman has saved tens of thousands of dollars after she vowed to buy nothing for a whole year.

It may sound extreme, but caught up in a consumerist society, Michelle McGagh thought it would change her relationship with money forever.

The personal financial journalist became a minimalist, and stopped cluttering her house with possessions and making unnecessary purchases. Now she is about $27,000 better off for it.

[HarleyD]

What is she going to save the money for...to give it to her kids to spend? Life is a balance. It’s very important to save, especially for retirement, but don’t forget to live a bit.

[wally_bert]

Not a single luxury.....

[PhiloBedo]

good one!

[Bigg Red]

What did she eat?

[Fightin Whitey]

Porcht like the soup?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Mainly the headline is being mocked.

Mostly because it is a lie.

She did not "stop spending money for a whole year".

She "quit buying luxury items for a year and went on a budget."

But that does not sound nearly as sexy.

[MNDude]

80% of people (myself included) read only the headline.

If your headline is false, the entire thing might as well be.

[capt. norm]

The objects we think we own tend to own us. The more money we spend on an object, the more ownership it exerts. Before long our lives become cluttered with objects, much like what becomes of hoarders like they show on cable tv shows.

When we die, the ownership passes to someone else....thus the admonition: "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

[Secret Agent Man]

Spending money on only essentials is not stopping spending mkenymfor a whole year.k its what i have been doing since ohole came into office. The tagline aint just for show.

[boop]

Exactly.

She spent PLENTY of money.

Food, mortgage, utilities, toiletries.

So she didn't go to the pub for drinks or buy new clothes for a year.

BFD

[CyberAnt]

This is very encouraging .. because I plan to do this .. in only a very slight alteration - I’m writing a book which will require ink .. otherwise, I’ve already cut my food budget in half - and I’ve actually lose a few unwanted pounds.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Exactly.

What she is describing is something many of us do as part of living.

I have not bought any clothes in two years. And that was because we went on a trip and forgot the clothes hanging behind the door. Those were our church clothes.

We went out on Saturday to the local thrift shops, I found a nice dress and he found a dress shirt and pants. Total spent. $20.00.

If you don't spend on anything but basic necessities you will save money? WHO KNEW? Aside from everybody.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

Six figure property taxes? Holy cow!

[ConjunctionJunction]

Good to know!

[tflabo]

Money is just a tool. Use it but dont let it use you. Just try to have income revenues exceed outgoing expenses and stay out of debt. Buy what is needed and a little of what is wanted too by following the above and dont worry.

[bankwalker]

Money is stored up work.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Money is just a tool. Use it but dont let it use you. Just try to have income revenues exceed outgoing expenses and stay out of debt. Buy what is needed and a little of what is wanted too by following the above and dont worry.

Not forgetting at least some generosity . . .

“more blessed to give."

[teeman8r]

Better than what they call their cigs

[wardaddy]

Never heard of a Rolex watch?

[wardaddy]

I’m in commercial real estate biz

My home is only 5800/yr