No Buy ~~ March 2013

[PrincessNancy96]

Since some of us are looking for some financial freedom this year, I figured this would be a good place to try a new thread.

Rules are simple: you decide what to track, how to track it and what your goals are. While many people choose to try for as many $0 days as possible (hence the "no buy" title), if some other target works for you, then go for it!

Good luck to everyone!!!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Alright, I did pretty well last month..and I hope to do even better this month!!!


I'm setting a goal for 12 - no buy days. DD is home from college in a week so I'm sure we will do some extra things while she is home...

3/1- Bills/Groceries (only off list)
3/2 - 0

No Buy Days - 1

3/3 - 0
3/4 - 15.00 cleats on sale for DS12
3/5 - 20.00 gas DS16; 60 game tix for this weekend
3/6 - 17.90 for haircuts (had coupons x 2); 20 for dinner (had coupons)
3/7 - 20 milk
3/8 - 10 for boys lunches
3/9 - 0
3/10 - 0

No Buy Days - 4

3/11 - 0
3/12 - 50 gas for DH
3/13- 20 milk
3/14 - 0
3/15 - 55 for prom ticket; 38 for track sweatshirt & tshirt; budgeted amount for groceries; 35 for DD's new jeans (3 pairs at Plateo's closet); 50 for needs at Walmart; 15 for needs at dollar tree; pay a few bills that were budgeted already the rest of this extra check goes into savings for other events...
3/16 - 40 gas for DD to go back to college
3/17 - 0

No Buy Days - 7

3/18 - 300 for new alternator in DS16's car (ERRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!) + 94 for a new battery because of alternator issue (double GRRRRR!!!!)
3/19 - 0
3/20 - 20 milk; 50 gas
3/21 - 0
3/22 - 0
3/23 - 150 new scrapbook albums
3/24 - 0

No Buy Days - 11

3/25
3/26
3/27
3/28
3/29
3/30
3/31

 

[rebeccalb10]

New to the thread. I'm going to try a modified version of this.

I have 20 work days in March ... I'm going for 10 no buy lunch days. This is really big for me since I buy lunch every day.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

New to the thread. I'm going to try a modified version of this.

I have 20 work days in March ... I'm going for 10 no buy lunch days. This is really big for me since I buy lunch every day.

Feel free to modify it anyway that it will help!!
My DH takes his lunch about every day to work... He even calls and asks permission to eat out w/ co-workers... I have to laugh at him.. he earns the money; he can spend it when he wants too... He's like raising another kid! LOL

The kids take their lunches to school because they both dislike the school food. Can't say that I blame them!

 

[dsneprincess]

New to the thread. I'm going to try a modified version of this.

I have 20 work days in March ... I'm going for 10 no buy lunch days. This is really big for me since I buy lunch every day.

My husband used to have this same problem. It is a hard habit to break. He changed locations & there no one goes out, so he isn't tempted. Good luck!

 

[dsneprincess]

My "no buy" goals for the month:

No more than 1 dinner out per week, prefer 1 every 2 weeks.
No clutter purchased
No cleaning products or HABA purchased unless completely out & no alternative in house.
2012 contributions sent to IRA, so I can work on 2013
Going to throw my destash goal for March here too, so it's all in one place: 1 full truck this month or 4 small dropoffs at donation center.

 

[Reddy]

OK my goal is to "BUY" disney gift cards to pay for my OOP character breakfasts that I have planned
then hoping for a 25 giftcard per day of trip for odd things that we want - but this can go into next month

so I need to figure out how much with tip for my breakfasts - 2 adults in Norway then 6 adults for Pooh
Norway is going to be me & my Sister only so girl time

also work on getting swimwear for boys

& stay on task - no silly spending

 

[bearbear]

ok so I am going to try this month to see where our money is going.
I made an excel spread sheet to put on the fridge so we have to log every penny we spend.
We go on vacation at the end of the month and have to buy supplies for that, but we usually go overboard so I'm hoping if we see it everyday on the fridge, we will be able to control the spending.
I am hoping for only 1 ordering out in the next 2 weeks. I have dinners planned. I also am not going to order out at work. I have to resist the temptation of ordering. The food is so good from the place we order from. I may need some encouragment. They deliver ice cream
I keep remembering I have to be in a bathing suit the end of the month
No scrap supplies!
Good luck to all that are participating.
Cindy

 

[fireplug]

GO GO GO No Buy Group


I dont make it to town unless I am buying something so not sure how well I would do with this BUT I will cheer like hell for those of you who are doing it!!


GO GO GO No Buy Group

Squid

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Thanks for the cheers Squid!!!


I need to plan my goals out, haven't thought about it but I tanked February, right along with January.

Goals:
Continue banking 52 weeks of savings
5 Starbucks visits
lunch out once a week - made progress with this by using divided containers for left overs at dinner.
Dinner out 2 times, one will be DD's birthday dinner.
Pay cash whenever possible
Mark 3-4 designated no buy days on calendar. This will help immensely!

Gas - $400 - 110.01= $289.99
Food - $800 - 171.01 = $628.99


3/1 groceries $46.62
3/2 gas $20.01; coffee shop $23.14; contacts $68; lunch $120
3/3 no buy day
3/4 gas $90; target $18.15; Walmart 4.76; Taco Bell 14.30; Wendy's 21.95; Starbucks recharge on card $50; stop and shop $124.39
3/5 no buy day
3/6
3/7

3/4 - DD's unexpected costume purchases for the play, had a $20 gift card from Target though so saved $20. She was asked last week and the play is this week. Dinner out ( should have resisted). Starbucks reload for DH, used expense money for that. Grocery never shop with kids and no list! Gas because I put it off, saved 20 cents a gallon though with grocery points.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I know I'm saving some extra money unless our basketball team goes to state, I'm not going to any additional games... I'll let DH and DS16 go and I'll stay home and scrap.. we can get 2 games in for the price of 1 if DS12 and I stay home!

I know this month I need to send 75 w/ DS16 for his convention/competition downtown.

I'm need the weather to cooperate so that the electric bill goes down and I can push a few extra dollars towards a credit card...

I like the idea of paying things w/ cash more.. it does definitely make you think more about those impulse purchases..

 

[morgansmom2000]

I find I spend less if I have to use my debit card. I get embarrassed to use it for a small amount, so I don't buy

This could be a tough month for us, but I'm going to do what I can.

 

[JJ&JHsmom]

I'm in for this month. My goal is to stick to my budget, only 2 nights takeout and only buy what I need for swaps.

3/1 dinner with friends $74
3/2 no buy
3/3 groceries $119.62, gas $44.64, Julia's lunch for month $60

3/4 no buy
3/5 no buy
3/6 dance tuition
3/7 no buy
3/8 no buy
3/9 lunch at Papa Ginos
3/10 dinner at crop $8, gas $38.47 groceries$67.94

3/11 no buy
3/12 no buy
3/13 gas $38.59
3/14 no buy
3/15 paid bills
3/16 shopping with Julia $139, including dinner at Panera
3/17 groceries $99.70, gas $22.31

3/18 $400 toward disney trip
3/19 no buy day
3/20 no buy day
3/21 no buy day
3/22 bday breakfast for sister $15
3/23 baby shower $35 for gift
3/24 groceries $130.56 , gas $37.85

3/25 no buy day
3/26
3/27
3/28
3/29
3/30
3/31

 

[Reddy]

I picked up 2 gift cards yesterday so I need 8 more of the $25 ones for our trip - still need to see how much those breakfasts is going to cost (I think I"m afraid to find out)

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Akershus

Note that the price of this meal varies based on the time of year (peak seasons vs regular season), and even on the day of the week (weekday vs weekend). The general price ranges for this meal are as follows:

Adult price range: $40.46-$46.85; Child (ages 3-9) price range: $24.49-$27.68

Tax is included; gratuity is not included. A standard, non-alcoholic beverage and desserts are included in this price.

Crystal Palace

Note that the price of this meal varies based on the time of year (peak seasons vs regular season), and even on the day of the week (weekday vs weekend). The general price ranges for this meal are as follows:

Adult price range: $24.49-$28.75; Child (ages 3-9) price range: $13.84-$15.97

Tax is included; gratuity is not included. A standard, non-alcoholic beverage is included in this price.

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

Just discovered this area of the dis! I'd like to join too. This is going to be a rough month as we have field trip money due, dance money due, an out of state commitment AND no extra hours for me at work. I think seeing what is spent will help me--plus all the dis encouragement.

My goals
1) pay everything I can w/Amex or discover for the cash back--BUT subtract from check register when I make a purchase.
2) round up my credit card payment to the nearest $25 increment.
3) SHOP ONLY OFF THE LIST!!!
4) 12 no spend days.

3/1-paid bills w Amex. No other spending.
3/2- Starbucks ($5) and gas ($70)
3/3 no spending (1 down)
3/4 no spending-- plus I made a list based on coupons plus ads. Now lets see if I follow the list tomorrow.

Heather

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Heather!!!

Glad you found us!!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Had an unexpected no buy day today. I have marked my no buy days in the calendar and had 16, hopefully we will make it.

Sent from my iPhone using DISboards

 

[fireplug]

Stopping By To Cheer You All On



NO BUY NO BUY NO BUY


Squid

 

[Reddy]

Akershus

Note that the price of this meal varies based on the time of year (peak seasons vs regular season), and even on the day of the week (weekday vs weekend). The general price ranges for this meal are as follows:

Adult price range: $40.46-$46.85; Child (ages 3-9) price range: $24.49-$27.68

Tax is included; gratuity is not included. A standard, non-alcoholic beverage and desserts are included in this price.

Crystal Palace

Note that the price of this meal varies based on the time of year (peak seasons vs regular season), and even on the day of the week (weekday vs weekend). The general price ranges for this meal are as follows:

Adult price range: $24.49-$28.75; Child (ages 3-9) price range: $13.84-$15.97

Tax is included; gratuity is not included. A standard, non-alcoholic beverage is included in this price.

Thank you for looking that up for me
let's round up & go with the highest amount so $100 plus tip for Norway
then $30 * 6 = 180 for Pooh
so $300 for Breakfast & DH & Richard aren't eating any of it

hmmm if I do what I been doing & using $250 out of my checks to pay for it out of the next check with $50 I already had then I just need tip money (I think Sister will pick that up)

then my next check will be short 6 days (what I get for having Spring Break off) so I"ll have to see how much to go to $25 per day stay gift cards

it is going to be great to get to Disney with the only worry being Richard fussing/meltdowns or having a siezure or James running to Splash Mt