2008 BAN Wagon Support Group

[angelmom]

As a FYI, AngelMom, I used the Mickey head today you made out of a Mickey coaster for the first cruise swap waaaaay back. Looks cute.

Glad you could use it.

 

[missesdisney]

Confession time.....

Good news is I got a lot done this week - most of my MGM swap - planning my character swap and total of 26 pages in a week (wow that swap stuff comes in handy when you sort it and use it).

Now I am not really going against anything I committed to, but I did buy a sizzix die today at Michael's after leaving it yesterday and really thinking about it. Used a 40% coupon and bought nothing else. AND, I used it for one of my elements for the MGM swap and have plans for it for the character swap too!

Last night at crop, bought only the specific bazzil I needed for another swap so that's good too.

So I really was pretty good but felt the need to confess anyway.

Hubby won fantasy football so I have given myself permission to buy the design studio since no one got it for me for Christmas with a small portion of the cash and rest to bills! Have to wait for that to come in though first - I will not buy it until I have that specific money!!!

 

[MazdaUK]

I was soooooo good yesterday. We decided we didn't need most of the stuff we'd planned to go to the mall for, so DH suggested I take DS(8) to get some paintbrushes. BUT I knew if I went I' be tempted by scrap stuff so I declined. Yay me!

But I do have to order an album from CM today and will have to be strong not to add a load of extra

 

[Lisa]

I think everyone is doing really well. Seems to be everyone is thinking and rethinking before they spend. I haven't seen any signs of impulse buying. Yeah to everyone for cutting back!

 

[NemoMom07]

I say Kudos to everyone, especially with those darn Sunday ads. I almost spent over $100 for the ancestory.com k&co. kit on qvc. I was going to get 4(3 for christmas gifts). I went and canceled my order. I saw one review that was not great for the product, so I am going to wait till I have the time to work on it intensely and to see more reviews. Does it count when you buy kits to make for other family members for gifts?

I will be heading towards ACM to get some cardstock for swaps and restock up on white and black. They are on sale for .25. Use my coupon for a 1.99 sticker pack I need for a swap and that will be it. May go to Micheals to get a album kit to use for a Christmas present. They are 50% off. I am feeling quility about this one. Am I falling off... it is for a gift?

 

[happycampers]

Does it count when you buy kits to make for other family members for gifts?

On my list of exclusions, I included scrap/craft items for gifts. The way I look at it is, I was going to spend money to buy a gift anyway, so I can spend a little less and get materials to create a nicer gift for less money. I can either use the savings to buy a little something extra to add to the gift, or if money's tight, I can pocket the savings. As long as I don't get out of control and use the gift excuse to justify overspending, I feel that I'm okay.

 

[Lisa]

HappyCamper and NemoMom, I wouldn't count cost of supplies for gifts as part as your budget. As you said, you would be spending money on buying gifts anyway. This way you are making a treasured handmade gift, and that is priceless.

 

[aroyer]

I agree with Lisa. (although the last time I agreed with Lisa I got sent to the naughty mat. )

 

[Lisa]

I agree with Lisa. (although the last time I agreed with Lisa I got sent to the naughty mat. )

Stick with me, my friend, we'll have fun.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Good job resisting the ads over the weekend. No naughty mats for anyone
I'm still on the wagon too, but might have to check out Mikes for the cart sale (I have a GC from x-mas) so technically won't be spending any $$.

I agree with spending money on gift albums, so good ahead and get them!

 

[jennyL]

I've been real good and havne't bought anything this year yet. LOL but its pretty easy when I'm too tired to go out when I get home. I have been keeping out the coupons from the Sunday papers but I haven't been using them. I just recycle them the next Sunday but incase something came up I would have them ready to go.

I really should be pretty good until after the baby gets here and then I'll need more baby stuff.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I was good today, I drove past ACM, Mike's and Target. Even got stuck at the red light by Target and Mike's but I drove home. Well I did stop at Starbucks to get a Carmel Macchiato, there are some things a girl just can't give up. But I didn't buy any goodies, even if the dollar spot was calling my name.

 

[Yzerbear19]

I was good today. I went into HL and didn't buy anything. I just wanted to see if they had gotten any new Cricut carts or the Disney Cuttlebug folders in yet, but no. I haven't even gone to Joanns or Michaels. I might go to the LSS on Wednesday to get some cardstock for a couple projects since its double punch day. I think staying away from the stores really helps. It eliminates the temptation. Now if only I could stay away from the book stores I would be in good shape!

 

[TPCShauna]

Hi Ladies!

I've been going through withdrawal! We've had the worst storm of the past 20 years come through this past weekend. I was without power at work on Friday so got sent home early to arrive at home with no power for 19 hours. Our cable is still out so no Internet access at home and no TV! Our apricot tree fell and took out the power and cable lines and they still haven't fixed it yet so our backyard is covered in "Caution" tape. There is no ETA on when either will be repaired at this point so I don't even know how long I'll have to suffer.

Oh well! I'm trying to get caught up at lunch.

I was so good - I DELETED my Hobby Craft e-mail with the sale info, even though they have 25% off a heat-it tool and I could use it sometime with my embossing powders, because I don't use them for scrapping I have seen that X-shaped Xyron adhesive thing reduced down to £2.99 so I mgiht get that, as I have said I ned adhesives (and I can use it to make serendipity squares to make my paper go further ) BUT I resisted the cute new bradlets in the same catalogue.

And they said she'd never make 4 days without spending

Good for you for deleting the email but I think you should go for the small Xyron sticker maker. It has been such a time savings for me and has saved me money on Zig pens. Not to be an enabler, but I think it would help you save in the long run. Plus, that's a GREAT price! It's less that I paid for mine!

A cool tool tried to get in my cart, but I spoke very firmly to it, and it went back on the peg. I'll see it again on 2/29.

Congrats on being firm!!!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

So sorry Shauna! I hope they get things up and running again soon.. With kids, I'd be going crazy about now w/ no power/cable. especially since the battery to our portable dvd player is acting all goofy...

It's a balmy 66 degrees today and the kids are out back playing baseball..

 

[TPCShauna]

on resisting the urge ladies!

we are having one doozie of a storm here, so no going out for us today, I keep watching our trees incase they decide to fly away

TPCShauna, heard Sac was really getting hit hard, hope you're staying warm and dry too.

Sorry y'all got hit, too! My storm update is above. We got it pretty bad. I'm just thankful that our stove, heater and water heater run on gas so we could at least cook, take hot showers and stay warm!

Hope all is OK in your neck!

My MIL bought me an paper holder that the lid has an area to hold stuff also. She got it at Joanns. I told her I would give her the money and she said no because you are doing that BAN thing. How nice is she!!!

Can you have your MIL call my MIL and splain things to her? I need one, too!

Usually, I'd go in and get a $1.99 hot spot item, then get the free one. I didn't even do that. I put the coupon back in my purse. Maybe I missed a good deal on something ($2 isn't really a lot). But I can't think of anything in particular that I need right now. I don't need what I don't need. DH commented that I stayed on the wagon. I think it really surprised him that I didn't even go in the store.

Good for you! I didn't even go down the scrapbook aisle at Target and DH asked if I was feeling OK. I told him I couldn't think of anything I needed!

i did buy a few things there too. but all in the clearance bins. i could not pass by the bargain. i'm sorry guys. i admit it. i have no will power.
no what do i do??? do i have to say any hail mary's or somethin'?? please help me back on the wagon.
(hanging my head in shame- i'll walk away now)

No SHAME!!!! You get back on the wagon and try again. The important thing is to be aware of what you are buying.

 

[TPCShauna]

Ohana!!! We can't leave you behind, ever.

Nancy, not to enable you or anything but Walmart has clearanced out a ton of the older carts.

Please, no enablers!!!! I'm going to start an enabler thread so everyone can just post something telling everyone to visit the enabler thread. That way, we'll all have a choice of whether or not to visit and read about them. BTW, thanks for the tip!

Well I did spend .60 cents last night at the crop I went to. I had left all my paper in the car and then I needed one piece. I did not feel like walking to the car. I was nice and warm in the store. I should have walked to the car. Oh well. before the ban I may have browsed a little and could have spent a lot more.
Cindy

I firmly maintain that the best part of this BAN is making us actually think about our purchases before we make them. That, in and of itself, is half the battle.

May go to Micheals to get a album kit to use for a Christmas present. They are 50% off. I am feeling quility about this one. Am I falling off... it is for a gift?

I don't think gifts count. One - you will probably spend less $$ on the items to make the gift than if you bought something pre-made and TWO - something you make will be nicer.

 

[TPCShauna]

Welcome to our two newbies - plgrn and vanyel.

Congrats to everyone for staying strong and resisting those purchases and even better, thinking about your purchases before you make them. That is way more than half the battle!!

I have a couple of success stories. Thursday evening, DH and I had to swing by Target to some things including a new crock pot since our old one died. All of the items we purchased were in the neighborhood of the scrapping aisle but I didn't even look. I also didn't browse through all the scrappy stuff I saw hanging out in the $$ spot. DH kind of just looked at me and said, "You really are serious about this, aren't you?" in a perplexed tone.

Friday afternoon saw us at Target again since our power was out and we needed some electric lanterns. DH asked if I wanted a treat since I was having such a bad day. I just shook my head and said no since I honestly couldn't think of a single thing I needed.

I'm really loving this thread and all of the support everyone is sharing. It is making the journey much easier. Thank you all!

 

[happycampers]

Wow! That's strength, Shauna. Way to go!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Good job Shauna!

So which crock pot did you get? DH and I are looking into getting one but have no idea what kind.

Sorry you are having such a terrible time with the weather.

I'll delete my enabler post and re-post on the new thread.