Feb No Buy! Short Month! We can do this!

[Tiggerish]

The February budget is $850 with 12 no spend days.

Auto $70 / $40 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $85 / $64 left
Giving $10
Groceries/Household Goods $250 /$200 left
Medical $25
Misc. $75 / $42 left
Set bills $335 / $144 left

I have two exceptions to my budget this month - - everything related to my cataract surgeries and an over night business trip (legal stuff) to Chicago.

No spend days goal of 12 / 6
Coupon savings $39.48
Christmas '11 running total = $8
---------------------------------------------------------------------

2/1 $0
2/2 $0
2/3 Auto $30 (gas); Groceries $3; Eating out $5
2/4 $0
2/4 Misc. $33 (birthday present for my brother-in-law)
2/6 Set bills $191 (Church, hosp., Dr. and dentist)
2/7 $0
2/8 $0
2/9 $3 Eating out
2/10 $0
2/11 Groceries $12; Eating out $13
2/12 Groceries $35

 

[thebeesknees]

2/1 - $0
2/2 - $0
2/3 - $0
2/4 - $0
2/5 - $0
2/6 - $0
2/7 - $22 Dollar Tree, $66 Target, $13 Walmart, $3 McDonald's
2/8 - $200 Sam's Club
2/9 - $19 Walmart, $1 Dollar Tree, $17 Thrift Store
2/10 - $0
2/11 - $0
2/12 - $14 Safeway, $35 gasoline

8 of 12 no-buy days so far.

 

[Virgderon]

Feb 9 It's been a pricey couple of days! $64 moving supplies, $10 Inta Juice

Feb 10 $30 Home Depot-more boxes, $40 gas, $18 medical, $22 driver's license, $33 date night with DH

I'm confused! You are getting moving boxes but I did not see where you found a new house? Congratulations if you found one!

 

[3goofyboys]

I'm in again this month!

Welcome new faces, hope you love the thread!

I've shooting for a goal of 12 no-buys for the shorter month. This month both DH and I have birthdays, plus v-day so that ads some extra expenses. Thankfully, we aren't having major birthdays this year so no big parties and we never do anything big for v-day. We are planning on buying a new house in March or April, so we need to do some saving to prep for the extra moving expenses.

Feb 1 I like to start the month with a no buy, but no such luck today. $70 had to register the boys for soccer and swimming, but I found out I had a big credit on my account (yay for found money!) so that took care of half the bill, $60 groceries.


Feb 2 It was errand day today, so $$$! $170 groceries, $40 gas, $25 filed my taxes. Hopefully this will take care of any spending through early next week.


Feb 3 We got caught out unexpectedly at lunch time, so we had to hit Subway. I could have waited, but DH gets very cranky if he isn't fed on schedule ! $15 Subway.

Feb 4 $6 dinner with my parents, $23 gas

Feb 5 woo hoo! Finally a no buy day!


Feb 6

Feb 7 $21 lunch, $40 dinner, $89 paperwork that need to be ordered. I feel terrible that we had lunch AND dinner out today. But, we're in the middle of crazy loan/house stuff and after dealing with that and a preschool board meeting today plus babysitting a friend's little boy, I did not have cooking dinner in me!

Feb 8 Calling it early because the roads are awful and we're staying inside!

Feb 9 It's been a pricey couple of days! $64 moving supplies, $10 Inta Juice

Feb 10 $30 Home Depot-more boxes, $40 gas, $18 medical, $22 driver's license, $33 date night with DH


Feb 11 $14 groceries, $12 car wash

Feb 12

4/12 no buy days

 

[Debbie]

February goals: No spend days: 12
Food budget: Try for $200 for the rest of the month
Save: $800.00
Medical $150
Cash: $100 for 2 weeks, starting 2/11

Feb 1: $0
Feb 2: $62.50 Groceries
Feb 3: $0
Feb 4: $0
Fab 5: $40.00 prescription
Feb 6: $27.60 Chuck E Cheese, GM #2 birthday party
Feb 7: $0
Feb 8: $10 CEC to have lunch and use leftover tokens. (Money from spendable cash, last pay period. Payday 2/11 start over with $100/2 weeks)
Feb 9: I just got home from working 13 hours. I also have to go back to do it again in 9 1/2 hours. That is why I can post now and be 100% sure this will be a $0 day!! Sleep, eat and clean up for work.
Feb 10: $0
Feb 11: $92.00 groceries and Valentines Day; $90, Credit Cards (used 1 x mo. and paid off each month); $800.00 to savings; $103 to Med cushion; $142 Clothing cushion.
Feb 12: Working tonight so $0!

$0 Days: 7. Tomorrow should be $0 also, as I already bought potluck ingred.

Good stuff!

This month is a total flop. But a good flop.

We have been sticking on budget for the most part.

Sometimes life just gets in the way though.

I had to go out and buy a new downfilled coat. My current one is getting on in age, is not long enough and the zipper keeps popping open or jamming. I work 4 hours a day outside so I need to be dressed properly. I bought one - cost me $280.00 which was definitely not budgeted for. I am going, to another store tomorrow, to see if I can find some comparble for a cheaper price. Hope so!

Plus we are taking a bus trip next weeked to go to a relative's surprise 50th Birthday. So, there goes $250.00 on bus fare. We don't have to pay for a hotel as we will stay with relatives (they just don't know it yet since their son is the one organizing everything). However, we will have to spend some money eating out and plus giving some money towards the birthday gift.

Plus DD and I went and got our hair cut and streaked. It was long overdue - cost us $130.00.

We recently found out a friend is moving away sooner than planned. He actually left a few weeks ago but will be back in town this week and a few of us are taking him out for supper. Oh dear - more money.

Then, dd's school is having a family night fundraiser which cost us $55.00. There will also be raffle tickets for sale.

Then we found out our oil bill (pre-payment July to June) have doubled from now to June.

Good thing we tightened our belts on everything else this month.

I wonder how March will be. Just found out of a planned 75th Birthday party for a dear family member which is being held at a restaurant. There are other birthdays in Feb & Mar but those have been planned for.

Oh well, a penny here a penny there - it all adds up.

Yes, sometimes we are so intent that we forget that Life DOES get in the way, and that is just a fact of....Life!

I decided that I needed a new suit for job interviews so that I could go into them with full confidence. I went to Ross and found a Calvin Klein suit . It had a $178 price tag on it, and I paid $50. I also got shoes and a nice black skirt so that I would have a little variety. I never spend this much on myself so I feel a little light headed, but hopefully it will be worth it.

Running Total: Spent $592
$1200 budget... 608 left
$0 Days: 3
Goal is 8 or more!
coupon/sale savings :61

Groceries budget- $250-25-14-45-31= 135 left

Feb. 1 : 45 (groceries and laundry detg, snacks for hockey game tonight, 10 for parking at hockey game tonight)
Feb. 2 : 0
Feb. 3: 24 (10 shipping DDs e-bay stuff, 14 pop and bread)
Feb. 4: 23 (Cracker Barrell)
Feb. 5: 250 (205 car repair, 45 groceries)
Feb. 6: 0
Feb. 7: 20 (dr. co-pay)
Feb. 8 : 62 (32 bowling, 6 food at bowling, 14 Walgreens pop & misc, 10 Walgreens prescription co-pay)
Feb. 9 : 0
Feb. 10 : 58 (27 Walgreens, 31 Publix - got some good bogos today!)
Feb. 11: 16 ( card and small gift for DH for Valentines day)
Feb. 12 : 93 ( 88 Ross for clothes, 5 gas - the stupid pump ran out and I did not have patience to go to another one)

Good savings on the suit! We moms often forget to spend on ourselves, so when we do it IS a heady experience. Congrats to the bride-to-be, too. (really busy at home and school right now, so just getting caught up a wee bit)

1: $20.89 gas ($2.86/gallon)
2: $0!
3: $0!
4: $0!
5: $138.70 Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, SaveALot, Rouses, Winn-Dixie, Wendy's
6: $0!
7: $0!
8: $0!
9: $0!
10: $0!
11: $0!
12: $0!

$0 Days: 10
Spending: $159.59/$475= 34%
Days Passed: 12/28: 43%

Goal: To keep spending to within $475 for food, gas, and miscellaneous. I do not track bills; I only track "point of sale" transactions.

WOAH! Look at those zeros...and your end "scores". Well done! Keep up the good work!

The February budget is $850 with 12 no spend days.

Auto $70 / $40 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $85 / $64 left
Giving $10
Groceries/Household Goods $250 /$200 left
Medical $25
Misc. $75 / $42 left
Set bills $335 / $144 left

I have two exceptions to my budget this month - - everything related to my cataract surgeries and an over night business trip (legal stuff) to Chicago.

No spend days goal of 12 / 6
Coupon savings $39.48
Christmas '11 running total = $8
---------------------------------------------------------------------

2/1 $0
2/2 $0
2/3 Auto $30 (gas); Groceries $3; Eating out $5
2/4 $0
2/4 Misc. $33 (birthday present for my brother-in-law)
2/6 Set bills $191 (Church, hosp., Dr. and dentist)
2/7 $0
2/8 $0
2/9 $3 Eating out
2/10 $0
2/11 Groceries $12; Eating out $13
2/12 Groceries $35

I am envious of your numbers! WOW!

Thank you. 3goofyboys... Think we're breaking out of ICU today.

Hope things are going better!

As for my update, we didn't like the house today (home of a smoker) so we will continue to save. Thinking maybe we should stay put for now... Did spend today, but will update later.

That's a good thing...save today for an even better house 'tomorrow'.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I have been MIA for a couple days. Now that I am feeling better, I have 1000 things to catch up on. 1 of 3 days I have to record were no buys, but I have to go get the receipts.

I feel bad, I missed some stuff!

Virgderon, Congrats to your family. How exciting. It is so sweet how he got the ring made and so nice that yo ureally like him.

Charming, sorry I missed saying Happy Birthday, I am glad you had a good day. (I know you didn't make your trip to the zoo, we love that zoo.)

 

[3goofyboys]

I'm confused! You are getting moving boxes but I did not see where you found a new house? Congratulations if you found one!

No new house yet. We found a house that we love and want to make an offer on, but we want to get a tenant for our current house first (the less time I can spend making two mortgage payments the better). In order to spiffy up our current house, we packed TONS and TONS of stuff up. Our hope and plan is to close on the new house April 1st so we shouldn't be too long without most of our stuff.

 

[QVCshopper]

Ack! I've been spending the past few days... Getting ready for V-day, got two Wii games, more food, and take out. Will try to be better tomorrow.

6/14 no-buys
* Used coupon

2/1-$0
2/2-$35 Wegmans*
2/3-$0; 1.5 miles
2/4-$5.75 Target*, $4.50 Michaels*, $4.25 PetSmart*, $22.50 Genuardis*, $18 Chinese Food, $1 Library, 2 miles
2/5-$31.75 Pottery Barn Kids, $29 Disney Store, $2.50 Chuck E Cheese
2/6-$24.50 Genuardis*, $47.50 Wegmans*
2/7-$0, 6 miles
2/8-$0
2/9-$0, 6 miles
2/10-$0
2/11-$28 Wegmans, $70 Target, 1.5 miles
2/12-$22 Great Clips, $7.25 Wegmans, $25 Genuardis, $1 Borders, $6 Auntie Anns, $9.50 Chinese Food, $1.50 Sears

 

[QVCshopper]

No new house yet. We found a house that we love and want to make an offer on, but we want to get a tenant for our current house first (the less time I can spend making two mortgage payments the better). In order to spiffy up our current house, we packed TONS and TONS of stuff up. Our hope and plan is to close on the new house April 1st so we shouldn't be too long without most of our stuff.

That's great you found a house you like--hope it works out for you! Around here, the ones in the good schools that are priced right sell in days. We're realizing that we will have to act fast when the right one comes along. I'm going to start making improvements soon, maybe tonight. And we are saving up b/c we will need a mortgage again to get into one of the school districts... Anyway, good luck!

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $920.25
$0 Days:4/10

Groceries ($252-$9/day)- $135.91
Eating Out ($196-$7/day)- $60.49
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($1008-$36/day) $622.85 $330 Planned left= $92 Great America, Have $224 left for Ohio Hotel, $14 Metra to see Musical[/COLOR]
Gas $200?- $25 (2/3), $48 (2/6), $28 (2/8) = $101

WEEK 1 BEGIN:
1- $12.68 (McDonald's-Eating Out), $21.04 (Walgreens-Groceries), $6.34 (Meijer-Groceries)
2- As much as I would like to go out, to get a few items at Dominick's before they are off sale, it is not happening. We got 22" of snow! Only emergency and medical vehicles are allowed on the road.
$0
3- $31.43 (Meijer-Groceries), $4.88 (McDonald's-Eating Out)
4- $0
5- $9.97 (CVS-Groceries), $5.99 (Dominick's-Groceries)
WEEK 2 BEGIN:
6- $2 (Dollar Tree-Papers), $6.37 (Meijer-Groceries), $3/bag, probably got over 50 kids books (Library Book Sale-Shopping), $12.95 (Walgreens-Groceries), $13.98 (Wendy's-Eating Out), $291.60 (Hotel for 2 nights St. Louis in July, staying right next to the arch and we can walk to Busch stadium for the U2 concert), $101.25 (Car Registration-Misc.)
7- $35 (Joe Caputo-Groceries)
8- $200 (Registration for Spring Classes for our 3 year old son and preschool in the fall)
9- $6 (McDonald's-Eating Out), $23 (Post Office-Misc. Needed to send in a DSLR lens that broke on our trip in December, it is still under warranty though, so hopefully this will save me money in the long run, and also bought a book of stamps)
10- $0
11- $0
12- $6.82 (Jewel-Groceries), $2 (Dollar Tree-Shopping Newspapers), $9.80 (McDonald's-Eating Out), $13.15 (Eating Out-Subway)
WEEK 3 BEGIN:
13- Zoo, Meijer, Super Target?
14-
15-
16-
17-
18-
19-
WEEK 4 BEGIN:


Budget: $1656....56%
Month: 12/28: 43%
No Buy: 4/10: 40%

My savings from coupons and sales: $403.87

 

[bigmama67]

2/1 - $21.13 on groceries today, $4.16 on a shirt for DS to be a Sneetch (it's Dr. Seuss week at school), $10 on Shari's Berries voucher (gift for DH).

2/2 - $61.98 on groceries - stocked up on meat and cereal, $516.84 left for the month.

2/3 - $0

2/4 - $50.70 groceries/$466.14; $20.65 household; $6 to see a movie with my friend (didn't buy $nack$ this time, LOL!). Also paid some bills but I don't count that.

2/5 - Planned a "no-buy" day but that went out the window! $8.50 Johnny Rockets, groceries - $16.85 on Amazon and $14.41 at Stop & Shop; $8.01 for beer; $7.48 for LED lights and $40.79 for clothing at Kohls! So much for a "no-buy" day, huh? LOL.

2/6 – Groceries $62.48, coupon savings $70.20! $372.40 left for the month. Also $4.00 for DH and DS to bowl a couple of games.

2/7 - $0

2/8 – Groceries $82.11/$290.29 left for month (also tipped $5 to the delivery guy); $9.99 for Fish Oil for my cats (buy one get one free!); $16.46 on stuff for the house (new pizza pans, etc.); $28.99 for birthday gifts for DS’ (twin) friends; DH put $10 of gas in the car...Paid a few bills too.

2/9 – 50 cents to print documents at the library; $1.61 for a toothbrush, $10 for DH’s tab at a social event. So much for no-buy day #3, next chance for one will be Sunday.

2/10 – Toys R Us $11.32; Groceries $8.08/$282.21 left for month; gas $3 (to keep it going till I can get to Costco for the cheap gas!)

2/11 – DS lunch at school $4.65; Costco $88.96 groceries/$193.25 left for the month but we don’t need much more; cat litter $11.99; gas $31.35; $5.65 for a gift bag and tissue paper at CVS; Gymboree $55.68 (20% off and I'll get $25 Gymbucks!); Target $12.83 (new potty for DD and Pepsi); $9 for a My First LeapPad at the consignment store – I got it for DD because I thought her other one was broken (it turns out it isn’t, but DH said we might as well keep the second one just in case; they don’t make them any more)! Expensive day!

2/12 - Circus Science Day at the Museum (we’re members so at least admission was free): $7 parking, $16 lunch, $10 souvenirs. We had a BLAST though! Groceries $30.75/$162.50 left for month!

2/13 – hope for no-buy day #3

2/14 - Gas for the van, a little more groceries

2/15 – hope for no-buy day #4

2/16 – hope for no-buy day #5...I've never done two in a row before.

2/17 – hope for no-buy day #6

2/18 – DS school lunch, groceries

2/19 – DS starts his bowling league

2/20 – going out to dinner, so food and babysitter…

2/21 – DS is off from school all week, I’ll have to keep them occupied…today we’re going to get our taxes done and then to some Presidents’ Day events so we're having lunch out, not sure what else we'll spend.

2/22 – will be going to Liberty Science Center with friends so this will NOT be a no-buy day!

2/23 - planning for no-buy day #7

2/24 - hoping for no-buy day #8

2/25 - ?

2/26 - DS bowling league

2/27 - ?

2/28 - ?





Coupon/Discount savings so far: $292.13!! (If ONLY I could bank that…sigh…)


No-buy days: 2/8

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

I'm back on board. Feb should be a money maker for me. I make/sell Valentine's Day candy. I'm readjusting my goals from last month

Auto 90/$240.00
Groceries/Household Goods $111.00 /$150.00[/COLOR]
(dropped this one because I stocked up on meats,storage and spices last month.)
Eating Out/Entertainment $14.00/$100.00[/COLOR]
(I raised this one because we are taking DD out to dinner after her theater performance).
Misc. $36.00.00/$125.00
(also raised this to allow for DD's performance flowers)
Money Made $56.00

No spend days goal is 6/12
(raised this one as well because I did so well last month. Had 17 out of 10
Coupon savings. $34.00

January coupon savings $360.00
no buy days 17/10

02/01 -0- Snowing AGAIN. stayed in and prepared and froze all the chicken breast I bought on Friday. Tomorrow I'll do all the ground beef. For $90 I got 11 different chicken dinners and will have at least 18 meals from the beef.
02/02 -0-Calling it for the day. Not leaving the house again. We're still getting storms. Today is ice and sleet :eek
02/03 -0-Made it into work today..But, still a no spend day. I cooked so much over the past 2 days that I have tons of food to eat. Plus, there was no time to spend money. Today starts my DD's theater productions for the weekend.
02/04 $68.00, $50 gas $18 at Costco's for 2 dz. Roses. These are for 2 of my DD's performances.
02/05-0-
02/06 $11.00 $8.00 at D&D's after church, $3.00 gal. of milk. And we went to Olive Garden for dinner tonight after my DD's last performance. Bill came to $78.00 but paid -0-. We had a gc we forgot about. . The only reason we spent so little this weekend was we just didn't have time to do anything. DD had 5 theater performances in 4 days. We're all exhausted. She did such an amazing job. But, sure am glad it's over.
02/07 -0-
02/08 More snow today Spent $54.00 at Super Walmart on groceries. I saved $22. in coupons I take my DBFF to do her grocery shopping. Today was her monthly BIG trip. This was our first trip to SWalmart (other than the ones in FLA). It isn't close. But, so worth it. Now that we are shopping together I am trying to teach her how to coupon. I think she's slowly getting it. We also went out to lunch. Paid -0- she and one of her friends that came with us bought my lunch for taking them.
02/09 $18.00 in hospital caf food. There was a family emergency and spent the day and night at the hospital.
02/10 By 6:00am I had already spent $6.00 on juice, bagel, and a fruit cup Hospital caf food is outrageously expensive. I'm back home to shower and to pack up food to bring back up to the hospital.
02/11-0- Not only did my DNiece get out of ICU, but, they discharged her. After receiving 18 units of blood and a 7 hr. surgery to save her life. They discharge her 2 days later. Gotta love the insurance company. But, so glad she's home.
02/12 $94.00 $40.00 Gas. Made the mistake of taking my DH to Walmart with me to drop off an RX. He bought seeds and starter soil. And we got a few other things. All food related. So, I'm listing it all as groceries. Note to self..AGAIN! Leave DH at home when shopping.

 

[ronnmel]

No Buy Days : 9/12
Gas : 66$ (let's try 100$)
Groceries : 80$ (250$ max)
Eating out (and snacks) : 23$ (100$ max)
Non-necessities : 18$ (200$)

01/02 : 0$
02/02 : 0$
03/02 : 35$ (gas)
04/02 : 0$
05/02 : 0$
06/02 : 0$
07/02 : 0$
08/02 : 111$ (gas + groceries)
09/02 : 0$
10/02 : 0$
11/02 : 41$ (dinner + clothes)
12/02 : 0$

 

[nunzia]

Feb 1- Gas $20, Walmart shopping trip during a snowstorm..ack: $106.89 (more than I expected to spend, but dogs have to eat and DH needs his beer) coupons: $8.45
2- $0 (even New Mexico was snowed in today)
3- took a friend visiting from Florida out for lunch $22.87, went to Dollar Tree for hash browns but got my DH his favorite cookies instead since they had no hash browns $5.00, ended up at Lowes for hash browns $1.99
4- $12.00..out for lunch with another friend
5- $0
6- $0
7- $0
8- $0 ( to be fair..I did buy a plane ticket for DH's trip to join me after Expo next year, but that wasn't an optional purchase and money came from trip account..I'm only counting optional things, food and gas, not things that are locked in stone)
9- Big spending day! DH medicine and gas: $20, groceries: $39, Leapfrog site,,they still have some DIDJ stuff on clearance and I bought DGS a Didj for Christmas and he loves it so needed to get stuff before it totally disappears, plus a charger to save on batteries, so $53, and DH had to buy materials to replace the pad to our bedroom carpet that got ruined during the big stupid freeze/thaw we had, so $166 ACK Coupons, $2.50 (PS edited to *** $4.90 to ship Valentines stuff to out of state grandkids..forgot to yesterday)
10- $0
11- $9.00, lunch out with a friend, $9.00 grandkids to Dollar Tree after school
12- $20.45 at my second job, Hastings, for frappe, bagel, magazines for grandkids and part of a wedding shower gift, $45.75 WalMart, rest of the wedding shower gift, a few groceries and WHOOP toys on super clearance put away for future events, $30.00 Bingo night out with son and DIL
13-
14-
15-
16-
17-
18-
19-
20-
21-
22-
23-
24-
25-
26-
27-
28-

6/12

 

[dtr_angel]

I know I'm late in the game, but I'd like to join for the last 2 weeks in February. I found last year when I did these no buy months I did way better with my variable spending.

2/13 - $0 (I'm only going to work & I'm packing my lunch)

 

[charming23]

I have been MIA for a couple days. Now that I am feeling better, I have 1000 things to catch up on. 1 of 3 days I have to record were no buys, but I have to go get the receipts.

I feel bad, I missed some stuff!

Virgderon, Congrats to your family. How exciting. It is so sweet how he got the ring made and so nice that yo ureally like him.

Charming, sorry I missed saying Happy Birthday, I am glad you had a good day. (I know you didn't make your trip to the zoo, we love that zoo.)

Thanks for the birthday wish. I love our zoo too. We decided that even though the rainforest is heated is was just too darn cold. I am excited to go in a few months though since they completely redid the Elephant area.

 

[Tiggerish]

The February budget is $850 with 12 no spend days.

Auto $70 / $40 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $85 / $64 left
Giving $10 / $0 left
Groceries/Household Goods $250 /$194 left
Medical $25
Misc. $75 / $42 left
Set bills $335 / $124 left

I have two exceptions to my budget this month - - everything related to my cataract surgeries and an over night business trip (legal stuff) to Chicago.

No spend days goal of 12 / 6
Coupon savings $39.48
Christmas '11 running total = $8
---------------------------------------------------------------------

2/1 $0
2/2 $0
2/3 Auto $30 (gas); Groceries $3; Eating out $5
2/4 $0
2/4 Misc. $33 (birthday present for my brother-in-law)
2/6 Set bills $191 (Church, hosp., Dr. and dentist)
2/7 $0
2/8 $0
2/9 $3 Eating out
2/10 $0
2/11 Groceries $12; Eating out $13
2/12 Groceries $35
2/13 Set bills $20 (church); Giving $10 (the Gideons were at church today); Groceries $6

 

[ronnmel]

My brother treated my mom and I (and himself) to a day at the spa today. We each got a massage, another treatment, and some time in the jacuzzi/pool. I thought I would spend at least some money, but my mom insisted on paying for lunch, and she refused to let me pay for a necklace she wanted to buy. So hard to spoil a mom!

No Buy Days : 10/12
Gas : 66$ (let's try 100$)
Groceries : 80$ (250$ max)
Eating out (and snacks) : 23$ (100$ max)
Non-necessities : 18$ (200$)

01/02 : 0$
02/02 : 0$
03/02 : 35$ (gas)
04/02 : 0$
05/02 : 0$
06/02 : 0$
07/02 : 0$
08/02 : 111$ (gas + groceries)
09/02 : 0$
10/02 : 0$
11/02 : 41$ (dinner + clothes)
12/02 : 0$
13/02 : 0$

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I realized I had been posting my spending but not commenting on stuff! I think January was the first month I actually posted here for the entire month. I attribute that to the increased amount of conversation with others on the thread. Yes, it can pull it a little off topic at times, but I am more apt to come post when I know everybody better.

Hear, hear! I have been noticing two things:

1. I'm more reluctant to spend money on just any old thing. I find myself really considering whether I actually need it. Of course, since we always need food to survive, I think that groceries are never a waste, and I am probably over-stocking at the moment (my pantry is overflowing!) but it will all be used.

2. I find myself better able to focus on, and organize, other areas of my life. I feel like I'm developing a whole new approach to things, which is both wonderful and a bit scary...LOL.

Amazing how getting control of the budget (even in baby steps) helps with other things, isn't it?

I agree with everything you wrote in that post! The 2nd point though, about everything else coming together, is a little slow in coming for me.

Weird, but nice to have so many no-buy days.

01/02 : 0$
02/02 : 0$
03/02 : 35$ (gas)
04/02 : 0$
05/02 : 0$
06/02 : 0$
07/02 : 0$
08/02 : 111$ (gas + groceries)
09/02 : 0$
10/02 : 0$

I've been noticing your $0 Days! You have been doing very well this month!

I have honestly cut my spending by at least 50-75+/- % comparing bank/credit card statements from August-December compared to last month and so far this month since joining here and having to post details. Love Love this board

That's great! I find the same to be true for me also. Writing down what I spend (whether I choose to post it here or not) keeps me very aware of how much I am spending. The result of that awareness is spending less than I would otherwise!

I won a $25 gift card to a lovely garden store, so that was nice--entering local contests is becoming a new hobby.

Pacing myself with the no-buy, but really struggling with the "should we buy a new house or stay put" thing. Looking at one tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes. The houses we like sell like hotcakes b/c they are in the two best school districts, despite the economy. I don't like to feel rushed with this type of thing. Wish I had a crystal ball...

I think I'm only good at saving money, not spending it. Oh well.

Congratulations on the gift card!

Good luck on the house decision. It's probably the economy that is causing the houses to sell so quickly. People probably are figuring that this is the only time they will be able to get into those districts, since the interest rates are so low lately.

Thanks so much! I have EVERY penny accounted for, for 2011, with a healthy amount of savings, which I don't have and will hopefully pay off 3/4 of my medical debt this year. It's quite different than my normal, ok you have the money, buy it ideas. You ALWAYS inspire me! There is allowance for unforeseen circumstances, by juggling saving amounts, but hopefully that won't be a necessity! I am NOT gazelle however. Wish I were though!

Thanks! I am doing a pretty good job being gazelle for the moment. I plan to stay as gazelle as possible until I meet a handful of financial goals. Then I'll loosen up a bit - not a lot! - for a couple of months before going gazelle again.

I have been having a lot of work issues and I am seriously stressed . I feel a little better today. I'm usually a very upbeat person, so this is unusual for me. I've decided to keep pursuing a new job- I want my work life to be as positive as my personal life.

I treated myself and bought Olay moisturizer and body wash today. I've been buying the cheap stuff for awhile, and I had a good coupon. It felt like the right time to be nice to myself.

That is a tough place to be in. I hope the job search is successful for you and the new job is a better fit for you.

I think treating yourself to something reasonable in these circumstances is understandable. At least you didn't take a spontaneous WDW trip.

2/10 - 0 (got Cash from the ATM but didn't spend it so I figure it counts as "No Buy")
2/11 -
2/12
2/13
2/14 - SURGERY

I don't count taking cash from the ATM as a spend either. I don't count it as spending until I actually spend it.

I hope all goes well tomorrow with your surgery!

2/11 Groceries $12; Eating out $13 (took my sister to lunch - I am working on her allowing me take her two girls to WDW in August and I just upped the offer to include the whole family so now the ball is in her court.)

That is very generous of you! Sounds like it will be a fun trip!

My dd in Japan got engaged today. My mom had donated my grandmas diamond, and dd's fiance sent me a picture of a setting she liked and a check to go have the diamond put into a beautiful setting. We ended up having the ring custom made to look just like the picture, and he planned a whole day for her doing all her favorite things in Japan. Then he surprised her at the end of the day with the ring. She is very happy,and he is a wonderful young man. Love is wonderful, isnt it?

That is fantastic! Congratulations! What a great story about the ring and the whole day of her favorite things. He really does sound like a keeper!

Thanks Sunnie and everyone for your well wishes! No, she is coming home in June and starting law school in the fall. She got 2 full rides, and it looks like she is choosing the University of Indiana at Bloomington. So the wedding will be smallish, because they are going to be broke students (he has a year of grad school to do ).

They live in less than 400 square feet in Japan, so her 2 bedroom apartment at law school is going to feel like a mini mansion to her!

They have a lot going for them!

The smallest apartment I've lived in was about 450 square feet. That was plenty small enough.

Thanks for all the birthday messages. I had a wonderful day. It was too cold to go down to the zoo/rainforest, so instead we went out to lunch (used a coupon) and shopped a little using my tax refund. I got some stuff I had been putting off buying in order to rebuild our savings.

Happy Birthday! It sounds like you made the best of it even though you didn't do your original plans.

This month is a total flop. But a good flop.

We have been sticking on budget for the most part.

Sometimes life just gets in the way though.

I had to go out and buy a new downfilled coat. My current one is getting on in age, is not long enough and the zipper keeps popping open or jamming. I work 4 hours a day outside so I need to be dressed properly. I bought one - cost me $280.00 which was definitely not budgeted for. I am going, to another store tomorrow, to see if I can find some comparble for a cheaper price. Hope so!

Plus we are taking a bus trip next weeked to go to a relative's surprise 50th Birthday. So, there goes $250.00 on bus fare. We don't have to pay for a hotel as we will stay with relatives (they just don't know it yet since their son is the one organizing everything). However, we will have to spend some money eating out and plus giving some money towards the birthday gift.

Plus DD and I went and got our hair cut and streaked. It was long overdue - cost us $130.00.

We recently found out a friend is moving away sooner than planned. He actually left a few weeks ago but will be back in town this week and a few of us are taking him out for supper. Oh dear - more money.

Then, dd's school is having a family night fundraiser which cost us $55.00. There will also be raffle tickets for sale.

Then we found out our oil bill (pre-payment July to June) have doubled from now to June.

Good thing we tightened our belts on everything else this month.

I wonder how March will be. Just found out of a planned 75th Birthday party for a dear family member which is being held at a restaurant. There are other birthdays in Feb & Mar but those have been planned for.

Oh well, a penny here a penny there - it all adds up.

That is a lot to deal with for one month. At least you have been sticking to the budget for the most part. It's so easy to throw it all out the window once one part of it gets out of whack. I sometimes will rationalize spending when my budget is already blown for the month. Might as well do it up right!

I decided that I needed a new suit for job interviews so that I could go into them with full confidence. I went to Ross and found a Calvin Klein suit . It had a $178 price tag on it, and I paid $50. I also got shoes and a nice black skirt so that I would have a little variety. I never spend this much on myself so I feel a little light headed, but hopefully it will be worth it.

Feb. 12 : 93 ( 88 Ross for clothes, 5 gas - the stupid pump ran out and I did not have patience to go to another one)

Good job on the bargain hunting! Full confidence at a job interview is a good thing.

I have never had a gas pump run out on me in the middle of pumping. Does it just shut off as if your tank is full?

WOAH! Look at those zeros...and your end "scores". Well done! Keep up the good work!

Thank you!

No new house yet. We found a house that we love and want to make an offer on, but we want to get a tenant for our current house first (the less time I can spend making two mortgage payments the better). In order to spiffy up our current house, we packed TONS and TONS of stuff up. Our hope and plan is to close on the new house April 1st so we shouldn't be too long without most of our stuff.

Good luck with all of that!

I know I'm late in the game, but I'd like to join for the last 2 weeks in February. I found last year when I did these no buy months I did way better with my variable spending.

Welcome! Better late than never!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Doing okay with the No Buys, but I'm blowing the budget. Although I consider it bad beginnning of he month budgeting on my part instead of spending too much.

Somehow I biffed up the formatting of this in my multi-quote post.

I agree with a PP who said this is the best quote of the month! It can be SO TRUE!

1: $20.89 gas ($2.86/gallon)
2: $0!
3: $0!
4: $0!
5: $138.70 Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, SaveALot, Rouses, Winn-Dixie, Wendy's
6: $0!
7: $0!
8: $0!
9: $0!
10: $0!
11: $0!
12: $0!
13: $0!

$0 Days: 11
Spending: $159.59/$475= 34%
Days Passed: 13/28: 46%

Goal: To keep spending to within $475 for food, gas, and miscellaneous. I do not track bills; I only track "point of sale" transactions.

Alas, my 8 day $0 Day streak is going to come to an end tomorrow. I am down to about a 1/4 of a tank of gas, so I need to stop and get that tomorrow. While I'm at it, I want to take advantage of some sales at the grocery store. I also have a few coupons that are expiring very soon, so I have a lit of about 5 stores to visit tomorrow. Each store has only 1-3 items on the list! They are all pretty much in a row on one street, so it's not like I'm driving all over town.