The October challenge is to reign in spending. Sit down and make a list of what you and your family needs this month. Look ahead to birthdays, Halloween, etc and write it down. When you go shopping, if it's not on the list, then you don't need it.

You can change this challenge to meet your needs. If you can't go a whole month without buying something you don't really need then see if you can make it a week or two.

Tips to help you with this challenge are to not shop as a recreational activity. If you have a hard time saying no then stay out of the malls, Barnes and Noble, etc. Another tip is to not look at the Sunday sale ads. You might be sucked in to buying something because it's on sale when you really don't need it.

Who is in on this challenge?

I am! Great idea - I do this with groceries and we are trying to not spend money on anything extra, but I'll look ahead to the month!

I am! I just went over the basic budget with my children for the month of October because they don't realize how much things cost or that there is more to owning a house than making the house payment. I also make a list for groceries sometimes, but need to consider all the other little things that add up during the month.

Count me in!

The only exception will be on some food items - I try to stock up this time of year for the winter and also because once it's past Thanksgiving I try to avoid the stores at all cost (too many people). Tomorrow I am doing a freezer session, also.

i'm in. i already have a good handle on the month the kids all have costumes already!!

I'm in for this challenge. I am actually trying to revamp the spending I do so this will help!

I'm in I've been trying to cut our spending back this month anyway because we have a few extra expenses like fire wood and things like that..

I am! Great idea to share - I do this with all grocery/kids shopping and we are trying to not spend money on anything extra, but I'll look ahead to the month. Lets know how everyone goes with theirs. October should be the month of savings as the economy got to a halt in september.

I'm in! At the first of the month I went over the household budget with husband and the kids. Everyone got their allowance at the first of the month for the entire month. It's going to be interesting to see how the kids spend their money and just how fast they run out. This will be a good lesson in saving. They usually get their allowances weekly.