JULY NO BUY!

[Debbie]

Im still stuck at four days no spend, but its not like Im just spending on random stuff. That at least is progress for me. It seems my bigger problem are the vending machines at work. That $1 in the machine turns my No Buy day into a Buy day. The chocolate bars call to me. But anyways my overall spending is down this month so Im pleased.

Happy Friday!

It sounds like you are on track but for that vending machine. Any chance of planning for that snack-but bring it from home? I always had a bag of licorice, a box of Sweet 'n' Salty, or a chocolate bar in my cupboard for those cravings. (Still do, even though I am home for the summer. )

 

[Debbie]

My goal.....to limit my OWN spending for 15 days, with a total household no spend of 8 days.
July 1 $0 1/8 1/15
July 2 $50
July 3 $55 2/15
July 4 $75
July 5 $50 3/15
July 6 $0 2/8 4/15
July 7 $5
July 8 $42
July 9 $0 3/8 5/15
July 10 $0 4/8 6/15
July 11 $140
July 12 $78
July 13 $0 5/8 7/15
July 14 $51 8/15
July 15 $75
July 16 $20
July 17 $245 DH bought vitamins for himself and bromine for the pool Nothing for me, today. 9/15

 

[nickle831]

Since I've joined thread 2015 debt down thread, I'm going to join this one as well. July is one of my more expensive months. Vacations, birthdays, increased electric bill and increased day care bill. Ugh. Since it's already 2 weeks in I'm setting my goal a little lower with 8 no buys. Not counting groceries. I'll start with yesterday.

July 12th-$5 breakfast, $10 carwash
July 13th-$3.88 breakfast, $5 lunch (ugh I need to start bringing my lunch to work),Target beauty boxes $11, lol dang enablers.
July 14th- No buy #1
July 15th-$150 on birthday items for this weekend
July 16th-$11 sandwich supplies
July 17th-$70 birthday supper, $20 scratch offs, $22 lunch

 

[jm0925]

It sounds like you are on track but for that vending machine. Any chance of planning for that snack-but bring it from home? I always had a bag of licorice, a box of Sweet 'n' Salty, or a chocolate bar in my cupboard for those cravings. (Still do, even though I am home for the summer. )

I do try to plan for those snacks. This week was my fault cause I didn't get to the grocery store last weekend like I should have.

 

[wlake]

I'm STILL avoiding this thread because of how poorly I've been doing. I don't know what's been going through my head lately.

July 1 - 7: vacation
July 8: groceries, clothes for DS
July 9: new dish towels (so much for no new things in the house! Mine are so stained and these were so pretty….)
July 10: dinner out, a new boogie board for DS (not counting as a non-consumable because the broken one went right in the trash)
July 11: errands
July 12: errands
July 13: no buy #1
July 14: A BIG spend day, but I'm registered for the Princess Half!
July 15: groceries, checks, clothes and shoes
July 16: blueberry picking
July 17: no buy #2
July 18: groceries, clothes for DS, ice cream
July 19: (Calling it now!) gas, wholesale club

goal: 2/8 days
6/0 non-consumable items purchased (clothes for the boys don't count)

 

[Debbie]

I'm STILL avoiding this thread because of how poorly I've been doing. I don't know what's been going through my head lately.

Don't avoid the thread. No one is judging, and, to be honest, sometimes my purpose is just to be accountable so that I am aware of where/when we are spending our money.

 

[EpiStitch]

I haven't been keeping up with this well, but I'll try to update at least once a week.

July:
1-No Buy #1
2-so close, but the bus was delayed and I would've been late for my workout class so I had to catch a cab
3-groceries
4-No Buy #2
5-bought dinner after watching the World Cup Final
6-No Buy #3
7-No Buy #4
8-No Buy #5
9-bought lunch at work, at least it was only $6
10-groceries
11-needed new workout clothes
12-gas (not a frequent expense for me)
13-coffee/groceries
14-dinner out
15-No Buy #6
16-happy hour
17-No Buy #7
18-had to buy sunscreen because I walked out without any despite having 3 at home.......grr


7/15 Days So Far......I have to do better!

 

[wlake]

Don't avoid the thread. No one is judging, and, to be honest, sometimes my purpose is just to be accountable so that I am aware of where/when we are spending our money.

Thanks for being so kind! I'm not avoiding you folks -- I'm avoiding myself! If I don't list it out, it didn't happen, right? Actually, the only true impulse buys were the clothes and shoes for me and the dish towels. I suspect my sons outgrow clothes faster than I can cut tags off so I'm always on the hunt for good deals for them (and I got t-shirts from Children's Place for $2.40 apiece, so I stocked up for next summer!). The rest, well, I should be planning my days better because then I would be using less gas and would have more time for the important things, like the beach.

 

[Debbie]

Thanks for being so kind! I'm not avoiding you folks -- I'm avoiding myself! If I don't list it out, it didn't happen, right? Actually, the only true impulse buys were the clothes and shoes for me and the dish towels. I suspect my sons outgrow clothes faster than I can cut tags off so I'm always on the hunt for good deals for them (and I got t-shirts from Children's Place for $2.40 apiece, so I stocked up for next summer!). The rest, well, I should be planning my days better because then I would be using less gas and would have more time for the important things, like the beach.

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

1 - NO BUY
2 - vacation starts July 3, bought snacks and gas
3 - seaside vacation total spent, nearly $3000 Makes disney seem cheap (except for my spring break flight, I hate you jetblue)
4 - vacation spend
5- vacation spend
6 - vacation spend
7 - vacation spend
8 - vacation spend
9- NO BUY #2
10- Just a cup of coffee from DD because I was having a terrible day, but not a no buy day
11- Farmers market, ice cream at blues fest
12 - No Buy #3
13 - NO BUY #4
14 - birthday gifts, coffee
15 - spent on something, coffee? more kid stuff?
16 - dinner out with friends in town
17- Bday gifts
18 - Groceries
19 - peach muffin!

4/12 Not going to make it, but going to do my BEST!

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

I am having a very spendy month. Work is very stressful now with my two major grants closing and two more starting. I have given myself permission to buy things I usually bring from home, like treats, lunch, coffee, and other sources of sanity. August won't be much better, with work still going 100 miles an hour and a vacation and our annual state fair trips. In the meantime, I hold the no buy idea in the back of my head. A small return to spending for comfort doesn't mean I have thrown frugality out the window!

I have seen one theme rising up over and over as I play this money game. I spend money to compensate for lack of attention. Too stressed to play with my kid, buy her a new dress. Too busy to sit on the park bench and read a chapter, buy myself a cup of coffee. Too turned around to think about what my husband would like for his birthday, upgrade a piece of technology. This fall I am going to recommit myself to finding a better balance. Until then, I am SPENDING ON SUMMER FUN WITHOUT GUILT! Ice cream cone anyone?

 

[Debbie]

I have seen one theme rising up over and over as I play this money game. I spend money to compensate for lack of attention. Too stressed to play with my kid, buy her a new dress. Too busy to sit on the park bench and read a chapter, buy myself a cup of coffee. Too turned around to think about what my husband would like for his birthday, upgrade a piece of technology. This fall I am going to recommit myself to finding a better balance. Until then, I am SPENDING ON SUMMER FUN WITHOUT GUILT! Ice cream cone anyone?

I love how you have used the thread to think about your spending habits. That is one of my purposes this month, too. Reflecting is how we grow. I how you are not going to guilt yourself! I need to remember not to guilt DH when he shops daily....that's his thing. I'll have an ice cream, too, please!

 

[Debbie]

My goal.....to limit my OWN spending for 15 days, with a total household no spend of 8 days.
July 1 $0 1/8 1/15
July 2 $50
July 3 $55 2/15
July 4 $75
July 5 $50 3/15
July 6 $0 2/8 4/15
July 7 $5
July 8 $42
July 9 $0 3/8 5/15
July 10 $0 4/8 6/15
July 11 $140
July 12 $78
July 13 $0 5/8 7/15
July 14 $51 8/15
July 15 $75
July 16 $20
July 17 $245 9/15
July 18 $0 6/8 10/15
July 19 $33 DH's weekly trip to grocery after Church 11/15

Looks like the next days could be spendy for us. Today is son/daughter-in-law's anniversary, so I need to buy a card and write a cheque. My DD is flying in on the weekend from Cairo for a visit (been TWO years!!!) and I need to stock up on bacon, dill pickle chips, bacon, fresh fruits and vegetables-and Mediterranean spices-and more bacon. Have to pay off the eavetroughs that we put on in June, and I really do need a new front screen door.

 

[dalmatian7]

I am having a very spendy month.

I have seen one theme rising up over and over as I play this money game. I spend money to compensate for lack of attention.

I agree here too. I find myself thinking I need to buy a new game/toy/craft supply all the time. One thing this thread has made me do is reevaluate what I have already. Found a box of odds and ends in the basement that made for great craft fun. Use up what is in the cupboard instead of buying more of the same. I think I may actually be getting my grocery bill under control. We don't use a lot of premade food, but I don't do a good job of making/using what is in season (therefore cheaper).

 

[Sereina]

7/1 - Spend, waterproof camera and snacks
7/2 - No Buy #1
7/3 - No Buy #2
7/4 - Spend, smoothie
7/5 - Spend, snacks & Mickey Mouse mug & gas
7/6 - Spend, snacks & Amazon order
7/7 - No Buy #3
7/8 - No Buy #4
7/9 - No Buy #5
7/10 - No Buy #6
7/11 - No Buy #7
7/12 - No Buy #8
7/13 - No Buy #9
7/14 - No Buy #10
7/15 - No Buy #11
7/16 - No Buy #12
7/17 - Wedding Shower gift, and a few other miscellaneous things
7/18 - No Buy #13
7/19 - No Buy #14

 

[wlake]

I am having a very spendy month. Work is very stressful now with my two major grants closing and two more starting. I have given myself permission to buy things I usually bring from home, like treats, lunch, coffee, and other sources of sanity. August won't be much better, with work still going 100 miles an hour and a vacation and our annual state fair trips. In the meantime, I hold the no buy idea in the back of my head. A small return to spending for comfort doesn't mean I have thrown frugality out the window!

I have seen one theme rising up over and over as I play this money game. I spend money to compensate for lack of attention. Too stressed to play with my kid, buy her a new dress. Too busy to sit on the park bench and read a chapter, buy myself a cup of coffee. Too turned around to think about what my husband would like for his birthday, upgrade a piece of technology. This fall I am going to recommit myself to finding a better balance. Until then, I am SPENDING ON SUMMER FUN WITHOUT GUILT! Ice cream cone anyone?

What a thoughtful post! Spending for comfort makes so much sense to me (I never thought about it that way), and would explain perfectly why I've been shopping so much lately. Long and sad story, but each purchase makes perfect sense if I look at it through that lens. Thank you for helping me realize that I've been grieving for the past two weeks (and it's not healthy grief) and that it's time to move on.

As to the second -- yes to this too! I like to say you can solve most problems with time or money, and when time is very tight, I try to solve them with money too. For me, summer is easy and fall is crazy, so I'm going to balance now and not worry about spending in the fall.

Ice cream sounds great! (Although I had it yesterday AND Saturday, so I probably ought to pass for reasons other than financial….)

 

[toystoryduo]

1st: Fast food- $6
2nd: Dinner- $37
3nd: Groceries-$150
4th: Donuts- $6; Tickets: $158
5th: Dinner- $40 (Took the kids to a local food/sports place to watch the Women's World Cup Soccer Finals. What a GREAT game! USA! USA! USA!)
6th- Lunch- $9
7th- Notebook/Snacks/Ice-$4
8th- NO BUY #1
9th- NO BUY #2
10th- NO BUY #3
11th- NO BUY #4
12th- Car Part for Repair + Oil Change- $375
13th- Lunch- $25
14th- Snack Run- $16
15th- Walmart- $16
16th- No Buy #5
17th- No Buy #6
18th- Dinner $30
19th- No Buy #7
20th- Breakfast $10; Snack $5

No Buys: 7/10

 

[Nanny oly]

A little late since we started off with a 2 week vacation.....
But I am in for 7 no buys

1: spend
2: spend
3: spend
4:spend
5:spend
6: spend
7:spend
8:spend
9:spend
10:spend
11:spend
12: spend
13:spend
14:spend
15:spend
16: spend
17 **no buy**
18: spend
19:spend

 

[wlake]

Well, kinda sorta a no buy. I bought a couple of new shirts for work with a gift card -- my MIL gave me a hideously expensive coat for Christmas that didn't fit me well, so I returned it and was sent a gift card (and that was after I bought two fleece jackets!). I don't care much for the store but I got a extra discount email from them today so I poked around and finally used up the gift card. I'm counting it as a no buy since I wouldn't have even considered it if I hadn't needed to finally use that gift card. (But obviously I feel conflicted about it since I'm giving you all a long winded explanation, huh? )

July 1 - 7: vacation
July 8: groceries, clothes for DS
July 9: new dish towels (so much for no new things in the house! Mine are so stained and these were so pretty….)
July 10: dinner out, a new boogie board for DS (not counting as a non-consumable because the broken one went right in the trash)
July 11: errands
July 12: errands
July 13: no buy #1
July 14: A BIG spend day, but I'm registered for the Princess Half!
July 15: groceries, checks, clothes and shoes
July 16: blueberry picking
July 17: no buy #2
July 18: groceries, clothes for DS, ice cream
July 19: gas, wholesale club
July 20: no buy #3

goal: 2/8 days
9/0 non-consumable items purchased (clothes for the boys don't count)

 

[DisneyMandC]

So late in the game on this since I just recently started checking out the budget board, but I'm going to start and will definitely be following along in August! Last couple days were SO expensive.

17: spend $275 (professional licensure dues)
18: spend $316 I rarely go shopping and am getting ready to begin a new job where I will need to wear suits everyday... of which I have two. So I had to actually go buy some professional clothes.
19: No buy
20: No buy

Hoping to keep the next couple days as no buy since I will need to take my cat to the vet later this week and also have a student loan payment coming up!