April No -buy Spring into savings!

[sarahk0204]

Well, I spent money today, but I only picked up DH's prescription and nothing else.

April 1 - $0
April 2 - groceries
April 3 - groceries and prescriptions and dinner
April 4 - Easter gifts
April 5 - breakfast and Sam's Club and groceries and boy's shoes
April 6 - drug store (including Easter candy) and groceries
April 7 - printer ink and light bulbs and dinner
April 8 - $0
April 9 - groceries
April 10 - $0
April 11 - gas
April 12 - $0
April 13 - prescription

 

[stayhomemom77]

As usual, I am just going to be tracking the WAM (walking around money) cash purchases and anything that is purchased outside of the regular budget.

Goal is 15 No Buy Days

6-$0
7-$0 (Got a sick kiddie, so we're homeward bound today)
8-$0
9-$0
10-$0
11-$0
12-$75 Dinner out (got our tax refund so we decided to splurge)
13-$0
14-$0
15-
16-
17-
18-
19-
20-
21-
22-
23-
24-
25-
26-
27-
28-
29-
30-


8/15 No Buy Days

 

[pjlla]

April 13: Took DS to Nashua to use his Christmas indoor skydiving gift certificate. The place allowed us to take pictures (which they didn't in the past when we did indoor surfing) so no $$ spent on overpriced pictures!!

Headed to Costco after that, since we were in town already. Spent about $275 on grocery items. That seems like a lot, but it was big quantities of cat food, fruit and veggies, yogurt, supplements, peanut butter, milk, nuts, a bit of meat, and cheese. Veggies will be gone soon (except for the grapefruits), but the peanut butter should last a month or so, as should the cheeses (I freeze cheese) and supplements. We steered clear of the junk, books, and temptations. So we spent a lot, but it was well spent.

Then off to the regular grocery market to spend another $150 on a few other bits of produce and meat, a few frozen and dairy items, and some coffee and spices I needed, plus of course, stuff they don't sell at Costco like rice milk, flaxseed, all-natural frozen pizza, Boca burgers.

Except for dairy and produce, those two stops should last us well into May and beyond.

April 14: I worked, brought my lunch, and didn't go any where after work and DH didn't go out. No money spent.

April 15: I worked double jobs, brought my lunch and made my green tea at home between jobs, so no stop for a coffee or drink. DH didn't go out. No money spent.

April 16: I worked, brought my lunch and didn't go any where after work and DH didn't go out. No money spent.

April 17: I am working. I am leaving here early to drive to RI to pick up DD for the long Easter weekend. I will have to gas up the car at some point during the ride. I will make a cup of tea here at work before I leave to drink along the way. I plan for DD and I to eat dinner on campus (parents eat for free) before we head home again. I'm planning to spend NO money other than gas, but I can't guarantee I won't need some caffeine along the way, as it will probably end up meaning 6 hours of driving for me tonight (depending on traffic). PLANNING for no money spent (other than gas).

April 17: Not sure yet. Planning to relax with DD and clean the house, but I will have to head to the market for a few things either Friday or Saturday morning. ....................P

 

[wishesuponastar]

April 13: Took DS to Nashua to use his Christmas indoor skydiving gift certificate. The place allowed us to take pictures (which they didn't in the past when we did indoor surfing) so no $$ spent on overpriced pictures!!

Headed to Costco after that, since we were in town already. Spent about $275 on grocery items. That seems like a lot, but it was big quantities of cat food, fruit and veggies, yogurt, supplements, peanut butter, milk, nuts, a bit of meat, and cheese. Veggies will be gone soon (except for the grapefruits), but the peanut butter should last a month or so, as should the cheeses (I freeze cheese) and supplements. We steered clear of the junk, books, and temptations. So we spent a lot, but it was well spent.

Then off to the regular grocery market to spend another $150 on a few other bits of produce and meat, a few frozen and dairy items, and some coffee and spices I needed, plus of course, stuff they don't sell at Costco like rice milk, flaxseed, all-natural frozen pizza, Boca burgers.

Except for dairy and produce, those two stops should last us well into May and beyond.

April 14: I worked, brought my lunch, and didn't go any where after work and DH didn't go out. No money spent.

April 15: I worked double jobs, brought my lunch and made my green tea at home between jobs, so no stop for a coffee or drink. DH didn't go out. No money spent.

April 16: I worked, brought my lunch and didn't go any where after work and DH didn't go out. No money spent.

April 17: I am working. I am leaving here early to drive to RI to pick up DD for the long Easter weekend. I will have to gas up the car at some point during the ride. I will make a cup of tea here at work before I leave to drink along the way. I plan for DD and I to eat dinner on campus (parents eat for free) before we head home again. I'm planning to spend NO money other than gas, but I can't guarantee I won't need some caffeine along the way, as it will probably end up meaning 6 hours of driving for me tonight (depending on traffic). PLANNING for no money spent (other than gas).

April 17: Not sure yet. Planning to relax with DD and clean the house, but I will have to head to the market for a few things either Friday or Saturday morning. ....................P

Yay on staying away from the junk foods and temptations at Costco. They got me last week with frozen Quesadillas LOL

 

[QVCshopper]

4/1 Spend
4/2 Spend
4/3 No-buy #1
4/4 Spend
4/5 Spend
4/6 Spend
4/7 No-buy #2
4/8 No-buy #3
4/9 No-buy #4
4/10 No-buy #5
4/11 Spend
4/12 Spend
4/13 Spend
4/14 No-buy #6
4/15 Spend
4/16 Spend
4/17 Spend

No-buys 6/12--half way there!

 

[QVCshopper]

4/1 Spend
4/2 Spend
4/3 No-buy #1
4/4 Spend
4/5 Spend
4/6 Spend
4/7 No-buy #2
4/8 No-buy #3
4/9 No-buy #4
4/10 No-buy #5
4/11 Spend
4/12 Spend
4/13 Spend
4/14 No-buy #6
4/15 Spend
4/16 Spend
4/17 Spend
4/18 Spend
4/19 Spend
4/20 No-buy #7

No-buys 7/12

 

[sarahk0204]

April 1 - $0
April 2 - groceries
April 3 - groceries and prescriptions and dinner
April 4 - Easter gifts
April 5 - breakfast and Sam's Club and groceries and boy's shoes
April 6 - drug store (including Easter candy) and groceries
April 7 - printer ink and light bulbs and dinner
April 8 - $0
April 9 - groceries
April 10 - $0
April 11 - gas
April 12 - $0
April 13 - prescription
April 14 - $0
April 15 - milk and Easter candy
April 16 - $0
April 17 - dinner and Easter gifts and Easter clothes
April 18 - breakfast and museum admission
April 19 - groceries and gas
April 20 - $0

I am starting to see some patterns. If I run low on milk, I have to make another grocery store run. The last time I bought groceries, I bought milk, even though I wasn't that low. Hope this will keep me out of the stores some.

 

[sarahk0204]

April 1 - $0
April 2 - groceries
April 3 - groceries and prescriptions and dinner
April 4 - Easter gifts
April 5 - breakfast and Sam's Club and groceries and boy's shoes
April 6 - drug store (including Easter candy) and groceries
April 7 - printer ink and light bulbs and dinner
April 8 - $0
April 9 - groceries
April 10 - $0
April 11 - gas
April 12 - $0
April 13 - prescription
April 14 - $0
April 15 - milk and Easter candy
April 16 - $0
April 17 - dinner and Easter gifts and Easter clothes
April 18 - breakfast and museum admission
April 19 - groceries and gas
April 20 - $0
April 21 - gas and dinner
April 22 - $0

Today will be a buy day, but I am planning ahead so that tomorrow will be no buy.. Go me!

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Can somebody please help me understand this whole no-buy thing? If I skip grocery shopping or gas today to have a no-buy day, won't that just be spent tomorrow?

Is the idea just to cut down on small impulse purchases that add up?

I feel like there's a big part of budget that you just can't no-buy your way around. Do your no-buy days translate into monthly savings? I would think it would even out. Maybe that's just the way I spend?

 

[QVCshopper]

It's going to be close this month!

4/1 Spend
4/2 Spend
4/3 No-buy #1
4/4 Spend
4/5 Spend
4/6 Spend
4/7 No-buy #2
4/8 No-buy #3
4/9 No-buy #4
4/10 No-buy #5
4/11 Spend
4/12 Spend
4/13 Spend
4/14 No-buy #6
4/15 Spend
4/16 Spend
4/17 Spend
4/18 Spend
4/19 Spend
4/20 No-buy #7
4/21 Spend
4/22 No-buy #8

No-buys 8/12

 

[QVCshopper]

Can somebody please help me understand this whole no-buy thing? If I skip grocery shopping or gas today to have a no-buy day, won't that just be spent tomorrow?

Is the idea just to cut down on small impulse purchases that add up?

I feel like there's a big part of budget that you just can't no-buy your way around. Do your no-buy days translate into monthly savings? I would think it would even out. Maybe that's just the way I spend?

The idea behind it is to not buy extra stuff you don't need and/or stay out of stores. I don't track gas or bills, others don't track food shopping.

Some of the months I do a no-buy are very successful, and I find myself spending the least I have in six months. I do find that I do best during my first month or two; after that I have moments of weakness or just need things. Or, sometimes I find a great sale and it would be silly not to buy it just because I want a no-buy day.

Earlier this year, we paid for our Disney hotel for a week out of our pay checks for that month because we did so well on the no-buy. To me, that says a lot... Paying for a big chunk or a vacation without touching savings is a good accomplishment. The next month we did airfare.

Right now, more than trying to get no-buy days, I'm also trying to cut down on the "stuff" I buy. Edible, consumable things are ok, I'm talking clothing, toys, etc. I'm also on a de-cluttering kick and selling some stuff. But, I have three kids and stuff in inescapable.

 

[Angeejoe]

I'd like to join along when you start for May. At the end of march DH & I sat down to figure out ways to save as we've been considering buying into a resale DVC & want more in savngs. We realized that too much of our budget went for dining out & last minute grocery shopping with poor planning prior to the shopping (ie going with out coupons & a list). My husband had $100/wk that he used mainly to buy lunches & some odds &ends or cold beverages at gas station, but used our checking for his extra expenses like gas or going out with friends or hair cuts. It was just too much money for a 30 minute lunch that he would then complain to me was "not even that good." DH said he just liked leaving work for a break & hated eating in the lunch room. I'm lucky as I'm a social worker at a hospital part time so I have access to an inexpensive cafeteria where my lunches are like $3. we also ate out like 4-5 meals a wk together. This is just ridiculous.

So our new plan is now (we started March 31 since it was a mon)
1. DH packs lunches
2.I still buy as so cheap, but on days off have not been meeting friends for lunches (usually happened a few times a month)
3. I grocery shop every Friday for next wk (as a local grocery store was having lots of fri/sat only sales, & I hate busy sat shopping) with a list with meal plan, with paper & digital coupons
4. DH gets $40 a wk to spend on extras just for him or an occasional lunch out with friends
5. DH gets a fun money envelope that I've been putting away for him each wk to do as he wishes
6. We only get 2 out to eats together for the wk

Results thus far:
1. DH likes his packed lunches, but still hates eating in break room (people always ask him questions). Sometimes he just eats in his car to escape
2. DH has found most wks he never used his whole $40, last wk he had $20 left, the wk before he had $15. So he took the extra & added to fun money & started new wk with new $40
3. I like knowing I'm stocked up with a meal plan for the wk, no last minute runs to the store. I think I only had 1 so far when I misjudged how much milk we already had
4. We had 1 wk with an extra out to eat & it was a day I was sick & it was cheap fast food. We had another wk it was an expensive meal- we took FIL out to Cheesecake Factory for 72 bday, it was $143 for 4 of us, eek! But we said special occasions still get to happen no matter the budget & FIL loved it & we only ate out 2x.
5. I have found most of my days are no buys this month with preplanning! I also really question myself if i really need something or would I rather have a healthy savings & own DVC.
6. I miss lunch with my friends, but now that it's finally getting nicer (it snowed here April 15!!!) maybe we can go for walks instead.

Next month I know my big extra expenses will be mothers day & finishing landscaping we started this month

What ways have you cut back? Im looking for more, maybe outside of food? We do plan to do a veggie garden again this year.

Angeejoe

 

[QVCshopper]

4/1 Spend
4/2 Spend
4/3 No-buy #1
4/4 Spend
4/5 Spend
4/6 Spend
4/7 No-buy #2
4/8 No-buy #3
4/9 No-buy #4
4/10 No-buy #5
4/11 Spend
4/12 Spend
4/13 Spend
4/14 No-buy #6
4/15 Spend
4/16 Spend
4/17 Spend
4/18 Spend
4/19 Spend
4/20 No-buy #7
4/21 Spend
4/22 No-buy #8
4/23 Spend
4/24 No-buy #9
4/25 No-buy #10

No-buys 10/12

 

[QVCshopper]

4/1 Spend
4/2 Spend
4/3 No-buy #1
4/4 Spend
4/5 Spend
4/6 Spend
4/7 No-buy #2
4/8 No-buy #3
4/9 No-buy #4
4/10 No-buy #5
4/11 Spend
4/12 Spend
4/13 Spend
4/14 No-buy #6
4/15 Spend
4/16 Spend
4/17 Spend
4/18 Spend
4/19 Spend
4/20 No-buy #7
4/21 Spend
4/22 No-buy #8
4/23 Spend
4/24 No-buy #9
4/25 No-buy #10
4/26 Spend
4/27 No-buy #11

No-buys 11/12

I should make my goal!

 

[charming23]

This month has gotten away from me. Too much spending. I will be back in may to get back on track.

 

[wishesuponastar]

The idea behind it is to not buy extra stuff you don't need and/or stay out of stores. I don't track gas or bills, others don't track food shopping.

Some of the months I do a no-buy are very successful, and I find myself spending the least I have in six months. I do find that I do best during my first month or two; after that I have moments of weakness or just need things. Or, sometimes I find a great sale and it would be silly not to buy it just because I want a no-buy day.

Earlier this year, we paid for our Disney hotel for a week out of our pay checks for that month because we did so well on the no-buy. To me, that says a lot... Paying for a big chunk or a vacation without touching savings is a good accomplishment. The next month we did airfare.

Right now, more than trying to get no-buy days, I'm also trying to cut down on the "stuff" I buy. Edible, consumable things are ok, I'm talking clothing, toys, etc. I'm also on a de-cluttering kick and selling some stuff. But, I have three kids and stuff in inescapable.

Congrats on having the savings for your trip!!

 

[wishesuponastar]

Angeejoe- sounds like you have good plans on cutting the budget. The best things I can do to save is eat out less, spend less on groceries and buy less clothing.

 

[wishesuponastar]

Fairestofthemall- being a part of the no-buy thread keeps me from buying extra stuff.

 

[sarahk0204]

April 1 - $0
April 2 - groceries
April 3 - groceries and prescriptions and dinner
April 4 - Easter gifts
April 5 - breakfast and Sam's Club and groceries and boy's shoes
April 6 - drug store (including Easter candy) and groceries
April 7 - printer ink and light bulbs and dinner
April 8 - $0
April 9 - groceries
April 10 - $0
April 11 - gas
April 12 - $0
April 13 - prescription
April 14 - $0
April 15 - milk and Easter candy
April 16 - $0
April 17 - dinner and Easter gifts and Easter clothes
April 18 - breakfast and museum admission
April 19 - groceries and gas
April 20 - $0
April 21 - gas and dinner
April 22 - $0
April 23 - groceries
April 24 - groceries (Yeah, I know, but the store is very close to where the kids take piano lessons)
April 25 - gas
April 26 - Scout activity with DS. (Yes, I spent money, but it was so much fun! Totally worth it.)
April 27 - household stuff

I will likely be buying the next 3 days, so I will only have 7 no buy days (my goal was 10). I am not going to beat myself up, though. I've learned some things about my spending habits, and I will be ready to try again in May.

 

[pjlla]

April is almost over~!! Unbelievable!

April 18: DD home for Easter weekend. The four of us went to see Disneynature Bears movie. Got matinee prices this time and DD and I brought our own popcorn and seltzer and a chocolate treat. The men spent $$ on popcorn and soda. So $42 on tickets and $20 on treats for the men....

April 19: Easter Saturday, my parents came for a visit. I went to the market early in the day and spent $125.

April 20: Easter Sunday, road trip to DSIL's and then dropped DD back at school. No money spent other than gas.

April 21: Stopped at Costco on our way home from the Marathon. Spent about $200 on grocery items, plus the men wanted dinner out, so they stopped at Five Guys ($21.96), but I don't eat there, so I had them pop by Chipotle for a salad for me with a free cup of water ($7.04).

April 22: Cleaning and then working that evening. No money spent.

April 23: DS has friends over (school vacation week). I offered to buy pizza, so $24.53 for two large take-out pizzas.

April 24: Quick grocery stop by DH $40.

April 25: Drove to visit my parents, shopped a bit at their church rummage sale, but Mom paid!

April 26: Spent $4 at the rummage sale plus a tank gas. Skipped the temptation of a cup of coffee or a soda on the drive from my parents to my DD's school. But ended up taking DD out for dinner, rather than eat on campus..... $41. (But SOOOO worth it!)

April 27: Produce from the market and from Costco.... yes, we eat a LOT of produce!! Costco $100, Market Basket $57. Also stopped at two thrift stores trying to find dishes, etc for DD's summer apartment. Spent $53 on dishes, flatware, glasses, coffee maker, and a few audio books for me.

April 28: Worked at school, nothing spent.

April 29: Home today, working for WW tonight, no spending.

Just a few more days for April! I am a bit shocked looking back at how much I spent on groceries! We also had many more Costco stops than usual (it is an hour from home, so we usually only make it there once or twice a month).............P