Menu-Planning and Meatless Mondays and The Compact

A twitter friend of mine Abbie over at Farmer's Daughter posted her goals for 2011 and one of those goals was to participate in the "I'm Not Buying It" challenge.  Basically the I'm Not Buying It challenge is based on "The Compact" a group started in 2006 with the intention of not buying new items for 1 year.  The I'm Not Buying It challenge is for 6 months or what ever you want to try.
Since LO has been in my life I have noticed that my spending has gone through the roof..I mean..the Daily Tea Collection is to die for, and I didn't have an infant girl that I got to dress up in cute little outfits, and I've lost 20 pounds so I get new clothes too..right..oh and I have to have books to read on my iPad!  So basically I have been a spending fool and I have to get control of myself....
I'm not sure I can do 6 months..that is a REALLLLLLYYYYYYYY long time..(okay not really, but it seems like it) so I have decided that I'm going to shoot for 2 months with the option of extension if I'm doing well..

Here are my ground rules:

1. Not to buy anything new for 2 months either in store or online..
Exceptions:     Food-but I am going to try and stick to menu's and not over buy, which I have the habit of doing.
                        Diapers (I have to have disposables for visitations)

Bottles, nipples and pacifiers

Underwear and Socks

                       Running shoes (If I ever get back to running again)

Services-because my job requires me to “be the face” of my company I have to have haircuts and color, I stretch this as long as I can usually once every three months, but I have to have it.

                        Medications, vitamins and glasses

Washing Machine-I know I can get a used one, but I'd rather get a new washer and a used dryer.

Work Trips-If I'm away on a trip and I need something new as long as its small I can purchase it..means I can't just go shopping at Kohl's because I'm away.

                       Expendables-tires for the car, light bulbs, etc
2. To borrow, barter or buy used.
                       For items I buy used-one in/one out. So if I buy a used pair of jeans I have to donate or recycle a pair of pants or shorts.


3. To have a gift and exceptions budget of $300.00 (except for a washer of course)

We'll see how it goes. This is a tougher challenge then blogging everyday for a month.


So in keeping with my new Compact...my Menu for the week:  

Monday-Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk with Gruyere Grill Cheese Sandwiches
Tuesday-Tacos
Wednesday-Pasta Carbonara
Thursday-work trip
Friday-Work trip
Saturday-Ricotta Pancakes with Strawberries

Sunday-Salt-Roasted Porkloin with Fingerling Potatoes

So what do you think?  Do you think you could stop buying anything new for 2 months, 6 months or even 1 week?  Let me know in the comments below!