How long could you go without spending any money?

[alaskaguy]

I ran across the following article where an individual challenged himself to go a full week without spending a cent.

Link:
Embrace Your Inner Cheapskate | Life Soul : RealSimple.com

I really believe that I could have went a full week myself without spending a cent when I lived in Northwest Alaska. I'm not so sure though that I would be up to the task in my current surroundings.

Any thoughts on how long you might be able to go without spending a cent?

 

[crash_zone]

How did he count rent/gas/bills that are once a month deals?


Edit: I'll just stop being lazy and read the article and see if it is addressed there.

 

[superdorf]

This is dumb... Of course you "could" do it... but did you really not spend any money?

If you have a home you pay, rent or mortgage, electricity, etc... If you have a car and you drove it... then that cost you something.

I think it is a good exercise in being frugal, something I wish I was, but the premise is flawed.

 

[alaskaguy]

This is dumb... Of course you "could" do it... but did you really not spend any money?

If you have a home you pay, rent or mortgage, electricity, etc... If you have a car and you drove it... then that cost you something.

I think it is a good exercise in being frugal, something I wish I was, but the premise is flawed.

Going forward I still find it an interesting exercice.

When I lived in Alaska, I owned my dwelling and had no mortgage, I burned free pallets in my wood stove to generate heat, rode my bicycle when possible, my electricity was generated by an oil powered generator that I owned. I understand that I had to purchase the house, the bicycle, and the oil generator, and oil, but nevertheless my weekly cash purchases were nominal.

And I've traveled to many of the Native communities in the state of Alaska where the premise really isn't flawed. Many of these people live a subsistence lifestyle. The few purchases they make throughout their life are by bartering as opposed to using "money." What good is money anyway in these communities if you are hundreds of miles from the nearest bank and there are no restaurants, or stores to shop?

 

[superdorf]

And I've traveled to many of the Native communities in the state of Alaska where the premise really isn't flawed. Many of these people live a subsistence lifestyle. The few purchases they make throughout their life are by bartering as opposed to using "money." What good is money anyway in these communities if you are hundreds of miles from the nearest bank and there are no restaurants, or stores to shop?

They don't start their days playing handball... so I'll agree with you here.

In that kind of environment I can totally see that money isn't needed... but in the America that most live in... its impossible not to spend money.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I've come pretty close to doing that without necessarily trying. At times, I run home to eat, and bring my water bottles with me. Of course, I'm not eating free food at home.

 

[LindenCy]

I think it is a good exercise in unnecessary spending.

 

[CloneIce]

I could make it until I ran out of beer.

 

[Irresponsible]

I once lived a week on Honey Hill Mac-n-Cheese I bought at 7 for $1. Not cash free, but pretty close. Until my cardiologist got hold of me and made up for lost time...

 

[ericlambi]

That guy didn't go a whole week without spending money, he just begged/borrowed money when he needed to spend it.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I could make it until I ran out of beer.

Excellent point! Can my wife buy me beer?

 

[Jetta]

Excellent point! Can my wife buy me beer?

According to this guy, yeah.

Apparently according to this guy, gold-diggers should be revered as the most frugal people on the planet.