2016 March No Buy

[EpiStitch]

Hey everyone,

After closing out the previous month's thread, I thought I'd start the new one.

March
1-No Buy #1
2-ordered dinner after a loooooooong day
3-ordered a new supply of protein bars since I could get free shipping
4-dinner out after the gym
5-family visiting
6-groceries
7-No Buy #2
8-No Buy #3
9-No Buy #4
10-No Buy #5
11-happy hour to celebrate an event
12-ordered dinner
13-No Buy #6
14-got a pizza for dinner for $3.14! also had to pay for bus fare for someone
15-I got lunch out for free, but ended up having to take an Uber home----but I did get that for half price
16-No Buy #7
17-No Buy #8
18-No Buy #9
19-groceries
20-No Buy #10
21-No Buy #11
22-No Buy #12
23-No Buy #13
24-went out to lunch
25-No Buy#14
26-No Buy #15
27-No Buy #16
28-No Buy #17
29-bought the stupid lightbulb and then I couldn't get the glass covering off to install it. Argh!
30-bought team tickets for a work event next month, but I should be reimbursed later
31-No Buy #18

18/18 Days!!!!

I know I have some expenses coming in the next couple of days (groceries and painting my place), but I officially made it this month and I'm looking forward to making some progress in April.

 

[5kidsmommy]

Can you give me a brief description of what to put in here? Is it when we don't spend any money at all? I am trying so hard to get on a stricter budget but with four teenagers at home who eat like pigs, a bunch of animals and a husband who is self employed and always seems to need something for work I seem like I spend money every day. Do people set goals of how many days they spend? Do you list the amounts or whatnot? Help a newbie out, I am really trying to save especially since we have a bunch of mini trips planned that will eat up money and I don't want my husband to say I have to cancel our Disney trip booked for next year.

 

[pjlla]

Totally lost track of the February No-Buy. I"m pretty sure that I hit my 15 day goal, but ran out of time to post! I'm back for March and will try to find a few minutes every day to keep updated! In fact, between my two jobs yesterday I did NOT buy a coffee because I wanted March 1 to be a "No-Buy" day!! Same rules for myself as usual..... I don't count usual bills, gas in the car, or groceries.... just count "extras" spent (the thrift store, coffee stops, etc) and I'll aim for my usual goal of 15 NO BUY days. Early March will be hard because DD is on break and I will be making multiple trips out of state to pick her up, drop her off, and then go back drive her to an interview.... plus we will be trying to fit in a college visit for DS out of state AND the end of the month is Robotics tournament, a family bridal shower, AND Easter!!! I'm going to post in 10 day increments.... so when it is March 11, I'll start a new post!..................P

March 1: No-Buy #1`

March 2: Did not get called to work. No-Buy #2.

March 3: Working and then home.... calling it early as "No-Buy #3"! EDITED: Ended up buying candy for a robotics project PLUS DH begged me to bring him a coffee while I was out running that errand (he was at the robotics lab).... so did NOT end up being a NO BUY

March 4: Day off... picked up DD at school for the weekend (it is spring break but she has to go back to school Monday night to work next week ) Packed my lunch for the trip down, but splurged on Subway on the way home.

March 5: Home by myself most of the day.... DD and DH off to a SCUBA conference... they ate breakfast/coffee at home and I packed lunch and they will be home for dinner. Calling it a "NO-BUY".... but if they buy coffee on the way home, that is out of their allowance, not mine! NO-BUY #3.

March 6:

March 7:

March 8:

March 9:

March 10:

Edited: 3/5 7:30 am

 

[pjlla]

Can you give me a brief description of what to put in here? Is it when we don't spend any money at all? I am trying so hard to get on a stricter budget but with four teenagers at home who eat like pigs, a bunch of animals and a husband who is self employed and always seems to need something for work I seem like I spend money every day. Do people set goals of how many days they spend? Do you list the amounts or whatnot? Help a newbie out, I am really trying to save especially since we have a bunch of mini trips planned that will eat up money and I don't want my husband to say I have to cancel our Disney trip booked for next year.

It's really easy....YOU decide what a "NO BUY" day looks like to you. Personally, I don't count any money spent on NORMAL expenses.... gas, groceries, normal bills, car repairs. But if I spent money for "fun" (thrift store shopping, new shoes, coffee away from home, lunch out) it is counted.

So it is up to YOU to determine what a NO-BUY day looks like!............P

 

[5kidsmommy]

It's really easy....YOU decide what a "NO BUY" day looks like to you. Personally, I don't count any money spent on NORMAL expenses.... gas, groceries, normal bills, car repairs. But if I spent money for "fun" (thrift store shopping, new shoes, coffee away from home, lunch out) it is counted.

So it is up to YOU to determine what a NO-BUY day looks like!............P

awesome! Thanks. Well then that means yay I am into March with two no buy days. Woohoo!!!

 

[Deffenm]

I did horrible in Feb so I have to get back into the swing of things. My goal for March is to eat out only 4 times for the month ( I already have 2 lunch dates scheduled and my birthday), stay within my grocery budget, and try for 25 no buy days.

 

[jevs]

I'm in as well Apart from the usual groceries (no treats) and fuel:
1/3 No buy
2/3 No buy
3/3 No buy
4/3 Buy - chocolate ice cream for treat night.

 

[EpiStitch]

It looks like this thread needs to be bumped! I've been updating my initial post to be more efficient, but it looks like the thread won't bump unless a new post is added.

How is everyone doing?

 

[EpiStitch]

I created a new budget plan for myself yesterday, and it looks like I should save about $170 this month!! I'm really excited to see if I can keep it up going forward. I know it doesn't seem like much, but if I can save part of it and put the rest toward debt, it will make my life a lot less stressful. I've also figured out a way that I can earn an extra $75/month which I plan to save half of it and put the other half toward my student loans.

I'm excited to potentially have them gone in the next 2 years!

 

[EpiStitch]

Bumping the thread again in case others want to check in once we near the end of March.

 

[Shmily1]

I missed it this month and am just now seeing it. I have no idea what days so I think I'll look for April to come around. With taxes due, I probably won't spend a lot that month. lol

 

[EpiStitch]

No worries! I think it's been a busy month for all. Part of the reason I've been able to keep up this time is because I've been working such long hours, I don't have time for much else during the week and no energy to do anything on the weekend. Things should get better this weekend, so I need to be careful in April.

 

[EpiStitch]

Bumping the thread one last time in case others want to account for this month before starting over tomorrow

I barely made my goal, but I did make it and I significantly decreased my credit card spending compared to the previous few months. I'm looking forward to making even more progress in April!