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

[charming23]

Thanks for the well wishes. I am felling worse today but that always happens when I get a cold.

I am calling it for today as I have no desire to go anywhere. My mom did go to a doctor's appointment (she is getting her eyes checked out to see when she can have her cateract removed) but I do not count medical in the budget, unless it is over the counter meds.

February Budget-
Groceries/Household- $300/$85.59 left
Car/Gas- $50/$27.42 left
Eating Out- $50/$14.10 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$28.07 left

Total-$500/$150.24 left

Goal of 14 No buy days

Week One
2/1- $0- Snow Day
2/2- $0- Snow Day
2/3- $0- Snow Day
2/4- $49.82 Grocery and $12.74 Misc
2/5- $17.40 Lunch, $12.94 Jeans, and $8.43 groceries
2/6- $0
2/7- $0

Week Two
2/8- $6.30 Walgreen's and $5.58 Drugmart
2/9- $71.96 Grocery and $4.49 lunch
2/10- $37.38 Grocery, $14.01 lunch, and $46.25 Fashion Bug
2/11- $0- My Birthday
2/12- $0
2/13- $22.58 Gas and $11.51 Grocery
2/14- $23.43 Grocery/meds

Week Three
2/15- $0
2/16
2/17
2/18
2/19
2/20
2/21

8/14 No Buy Days

Coupon and Store Savings- $110.12

 

[Jennia]

Feb 1: $15 at Walgreens
Feb 2: $0
Feb 3: $15 on gas and parking in Seattle
Feb 4: $0
Feb 5: $0
Feb 6: $0
Feb 7: $29, Gymboree and Joann's
Feb 8: $0
Feb 9: $0
Feb 10: $0
Feb 11: $2, snack for dd
Feb 12: $0
Feb 13: $0
Feb 14: $0

I know I'll be spending money today since I need to pick up some groceries.

 

[princessbride6205]

Just tracking this month, will figure out what I can budget and where I can save for March. Exceptions will be a nice Valentine's date night and if I buy myself a birthday gift (overdue from October! Long story...).

2/1 - $6.50 parking
2/2 - $6.50 parking, $1 breakfast, $13 DD & DH dinner out
2/3 - $6.50 parking
2/4 - $6.50 parking, $20 DH out with friends
2/5 - $9 family breakfast, $15 family dinner, $103 groceries
2/6 - $6 newspapers/grocery
2/7 - $6.50 parking, $5 clothing, $10 grocery
2/8 - $8 parking (boo-hiss, bad traffic made me miss the early bird price)
2/9 - $6.50 parking, $14 Girl Scout Cookies, $26 family dinner
2/10 - $6.50 parking, $30 clothing alterations
2/11 - $15 parking (me & DH)
2/12 - $0
2/13 - $140 clothing, $2 coffees, $2 newspaper, $28 lunch, $32 gas
2/14 - $6.50 parking
2/15 - $6.50 parking

Dining out: $114
Transport: $113.50
Groceries: $135
Other: $175

(Groceries include toiletries, OTC meds, etc.)

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

lol I try to spend as much in one days as well. Congrats on so many No Spend Days.
I'm jealous...you got gas for $2.85. It's #3.17 here. But, I get it in Mass for $3.05. And I'm thinking that's good.
Have you tried getting the generic Zyrtec from Costcos. My DD and I both take it and it's 350 pills for $16.00. That is by far the best deal I've found.

BTW My candy sales went well. I bartered with some friends that are Reps for Avon, Lia Sophia, and Tastfully Simple. I will also be doing their Easter candy. Wish I knew someone that sold Tupperware too.
And my Dniece is doing amazing. Thanks for asking.

 

[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 $119.00 /$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. $42.00.00/$125.00
(also raised this to allow for DD's performance flowers)
Money Made $73.00 Also ordered several things I bartered for on top of $$

No spend days goal is 8/12
(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.
02/13$24.00 Walmart Valentine's and Anniversary cards.(at the price), 1 small box of chocolates for DD. Only bought them just to have the heart box. I can't bring myself to buy specialty chocolates. I had already purchased her V'day things after Christmas 75% off and thoughout the last month 1/2 and held on to them. It doesn't hurt as much that way. Also go milk and produce.
02/14 -0- Happy Valentines Day!! Also our Anniversary. We don't buy gifts for each other. Just cards.
02/15 -0-Going to dinner tonight for our Anniversary with GC's we got as gifts from DInLaws.

 

[SunnieRN]

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!
Feb 13: Working $0!
Feb 14: DMV $11, filed my taxes $22, but, I got a reimbursement check from my glasses purchase, so deposited $120.00! The other $40 I used to take everyone out for breakfast for Valentines day! Happy Valentines Day to everyone! Thank you for the continued inspiration!
Feb 15: $0!

$0 Days: 9!! Getting close!

 

[Virgderon]

IMALOVNDISNEY, I'm so glad to hear that your niece is better. That was terribly frightening. Happy anniversary!

DH gave me money for bowling tonight out of his walking around money, because this has been such a spendy month for me. So that's helpful, but Walgreens had some really good sales on stuff we always use, so I did spend money today.

Running Total: Spent $692
$1225 budget... 533 left
$0 Days: 4
Goal is 8 or more!
coupon/sale savings : 73

Groceries budget- $250-25-14-45-31-7= 128 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)
Feb. 13: 70 (20 breakfast, 50 haircut, color, tip)
Feb. 14 : 0
Feb. 15: 30 ( Walgreens - cleaning supplies, 7 pop)

 

[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 – $40.48 gas for my van/$168.17 left for month; $26.57 Costco groceries/$135.93 left for month; $10.00 DH’s prescription; he also bought some beer (DD already pulled the sixpack down and broke one…) and some stuff for my new tutoring assignments but that came out from a different account so I won’t count it.

2/14 – $0
(DH got me something at Bath & Body Works but I don't know how much it was and so I'm assuming it came from a different source.)

Although it's a no-buy day, it's also a no-earn day. I was supposed to start some new tutoring gigs today but that's on hold now because of some snafu with the classroom I was supposed to use. ARGH! I had already arranged for DD to go to her old daycare - canceled that for today and tomorrow, now I'll start Wednesday - and DS is going to Extended Care, which I'll leave as is. He was looking forward to it and it happens to be over 60 degrees out! Going to the park with DD soon, in fact! (Update: she fell asleep on the way, and there was still snow on the ground anyhow, so we came right home.)

2/15 – Groceries $7.89/$128.04 left for the month - saved $11.01 in coupons/discounts! Also paid some bills.

2/16 – hope for no-buy day #4

2/17 – hope for no-buy day #5

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 #6

2/24 - hoping for no-buy day #7

2/25 - ?

2/26 - DS bowling league

2/27 - ?

2/28 - ?





Coupon/Discount savings so far: $305.14!! (If ONLY I could bank that…sigh…)


No-buy days: 3/8

 

[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

Feb 13

Feb 14 $63 groceries, $4 lunch

Feb 15 $22 a set of vintage photos I really liked, $26 took the boys ice skating...it was a horrible experience (we skate a lot, this was just one bad time) hate that, especially when it wasn't cheap, $40 Home Depot-some fixer upper stuff for the house, $100 cleaning lady, $14 groceries

5/12 no buy days

 

[ronnmel]

No Buy Days : 11/12
Gas : 66$ (let's try 100$)
Groceries : 80$ (250$ max)
Eating out (and snacks) : 29$ (100$ max)
Non-necessities : 24$ (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$
14/02 : 0$
15/02 : 12$ (scarf, mittens + snack)

 

[msmama]

I'm going to go for 14 No Buys - half the month.

I'm also going to track spending this month:
Groceries: 422/300 - 122 over
Car: 34/80 - 46 left
Dining out/Entertainment: 83/100 - 17 left
Gifts/Valentines: 147/100 - 47 over

2/1 - 5 -met friend for coffee
2/2 - 0
2/3 - 0
2/4 - 97+9 - Target and Taco Bell
2/5 - 55+66+8 - Sale meat at Grocery store, Flowers for BFF and Quiznos
2/6 - 0
2/7 - 0 (if I call it now then I can't spend, right?)
2/8 - 0
2/9 - 50+60 (baby present and Tangled preorder and dinner out with soon to give birth friend)
2/10 - 0 (got Cash from the ATM but didn't spend it so I figure it counts as "No Buy")
2/11 - 30+7 (birthday present for Mom)
2/12 - 139 (Totally unnecessary groceries at Target. But I couldn't pass up the sale prices of their "bulk" items.)
2/13 - 0
2/14 - 2 (Missed a No Buy by 2 freaking dollars. Library fine and a bit over a GC at Starbucks).
2/15 - 0
2/16 - SURGERY
2/17
2/18
2/19
2/20
2/21
2/22
2/23
2/24
2/25
2/26
2/27
2/28

8/14 No Buy Days!

 

[SunnieRN]

Msmama, prayers that your surgery goes well tomorrow!!

You all are fantastic at the 'no buys' and budgeting, I do great for awhile and then flake out. I am determined to last this one out!!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

You are such a sweetheart! I really had a good time at breakfast, but after trying to be frugal for a month, it was hard to spend a few days of grocery money on breakfast out. I think I might be getting a little frugal!

Your quiet dinner with rewards sounds like a wonderful idea! All spring and summer you will get rewarded for eating at home tonight!

Again, hope everyones Valentines Day was great! This was the first time ever I didn't mind going to DMV, since sic fi dine inn lost my ID and I needed to replace it. It made me think of our trip in line!

Awww, thanks! I hope I can find something I like for a reasonable price. I haven't decided if I want a hammock or a table and chairs. The table and chairs are more practical....

Wait...the restaurant LOST your ID?! How does something like that even happen? I would be very upset about that. Your attitude is better than mine. I would have been thinking about how I should not NEED to be running that errand the whole time I was waiting!

Just tracking this month, will figure out what I can budget and where I can save for March. Exceptions will be a nice Valentine's date night and if I buy myself a birthday gift (overdue from October! Long story...).

2/1 - $6.50 parking
2/2 - $6.50 parking, $1 breakfast, $13 DD & DH dinner out
2/3 - $6.50 parking
2/4 - $6.50 parking, $20 DH out with friends
2/5 - $9 family breakfast, $15 family dinner, $103 groceries
2/6 - $6 newspapers/grocery
2/7 - $6.50 parking, $5 clothing, $10 grocery
2/8 - $8 parking (boo-hiss, bad traffic made me miss the early bird price)
2/9 - $6.50 parking, $14 Girl Scout Cookies, $26 family dinner
2/10 - $6.50 parking, $30 clothing alterations
2/11 - $15 parking (me & DH)
2/12 - $0
2/13 - $140 clothing, $2 coffees, $2 newspaper, $28 lunch, $32 gas
2/14 - $6.50 parking
2/15 - $6.50 parking

Dining out: $114
Transport: $113.50
Groceries: $135
Other: $175

(Groceries include toiletries, OTC meds, etc.)

If I were in your position, I would track the parking expenses, but I would exempt them from the $0 Buy thing since they seem to be a regular expense. Does your parking lot/garage offer a monthly rate?

lol I try to spend as much in one days as well. Congrats on so many No Spend Days.
I'm jealous...you got gas for $2.85. It's #3.17 here. But, I get it in Mass for $3.05. And I'm thinking that's good.
Have you tried getting the generic Zyrtec from Costcos. My DD and I both take it and it's 350 pills for $16.00. That is by far the best deal I've found.

BTW My candy sales went well. I bartered with some friends that are Reps for Avon, Lia Sophia, and Tastfully Simple. I will also be doing their Easter candy. Wish I knew someone that sold Tupperware too.
And my Dniece is doing amazing. Thanks for asking.

Thank you!

Gas is $2.99 in many parts of town. I happened across a relatively cheap station yesterday. I saw gas for $2.77! last week, but it was after dark and I try to avoid getting gas at night. Also, I only needed about 1/4 of a tank at that time.

I did not realize Costco sells it for that cheap! That is an amazing deal! Now my turn to be jealous. We do not have Costco here. I am going to visit my parents in April and they do have a Costco and are members. Maybe I can go to Costco with them and buy it there.

Msmama, prayers that your surgery goes well tomorrow!!

You all are fantastic at the 'no buys' and budgeting, I do great for awhile and then flake out. I am determined to last this one out!!

I usually flake out too, but I am also determined!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

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!
14: $109.20 Walgreens, CVS, Exxon ($2.85/g), Rouses, RiteAid, iTunes, Work
15: $0!

$0 Days: 12
Spending: $268.79/$475= 57%
Days Passed: 15/28: 54%

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

I might have to run to Walmart tomorrow. I'm hoping to avoid that activity.

 

[SunnieRN]

Awww, thanks! I hope I can find something I like for a reasonable price. I haven't decided if I want a hammock or a table and chairs. The table and chairs are more practical....

Wait...the restaurant LOST your ID?! How does something like that even happen? I would be very upset about that. Your attitude is better than mine. I would have been thinking about how I should not NEED to be running that errand the whole time I was waiting!

I usually flake out too, but I am also determined!

Yeppers, they lost my ID. The waiter had an attitude about it, as did the manager when I asked to talk to him. The attitude is what bothered me. They asked me why I would give them my ID when I gave them my debit/credit card. I told them, 'look at the back of my card', it says 'see ID'.

They couldn't find it, I left my name and cell phone number, never heard a word. As to how they could lose it, I haven idea? I would think if someone else would have gotten it they would have turned it in, but nothing.

I checked 6 hours later at guest services, nothing. Luckily we drove, but what would have happened if we were flying?

I told concierge at AKV, in case I needed to use my debit card again. They said that if anyone on property had an issue accepting it to have them call concierge. Everyone took it with my key to the kingdom card and DVC card though. They also gave me a $100 credit to the room due to 'inconvenience', which I thought was very sweet and generous. What a pain in the keister though! PS, I didn't get to spend the room credit as my daughter had already charged a LOT to the room, so I let her have the credit!

Have fun shopping for furniture and consider looking on Craigs List.

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $1027.41
$0 Days:5/10

Groceries ($252-$9/day)- $165.49
Eating Out ($196-$7/day)- $108.07
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), $30 (2/14) = $131

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- $31 (Zoo-Eating Out, bought a refillable mug for $10 that will be good til the end of the year, now we just have to remember to bring it), $19 (Meijer-Groceries), $6.77 (Super Target-Groceries)
14- $3.81 (Joe Caputo-Groceries), $16.58 (KFC-Eating Out and Hubby's Valentine's Day present...he loves Hot wings and last week he wanted them, but he couldn't justify getting them when we have so much food in the house. He works 3rd shift so I lined them up on a pan to make them spell out I "heart" U. I can't wait til he sees it. He loves his hotwings and hasn't had them for a long time)
15- $0
16- No Buy?
17-
18-
19- Musical Downtown
WEEK 4 BEGIN:
20-


Budget: $1656....62%
Month: 15/28: 54%
No Buy: 5/10: 50%

My savings from coupons and sales: $496.31

 

[SunnieRN]

A.Mickey, I like your idea toward groceries and eating out, having a daily limit. Seems like a great way to set a limit. I am usually shooting in the dark as my daughter and I both shop. I am a vegetarian, they are not, but I buy a lot of items for all of us. Maybe I will try the same approach. Thanks!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Does anyone else have a problem like this?

Today was payday and my check (direct deposit) is showing up in my bank account, but it's listed as "pending". I can't actually use it until it has fully cleared. This happens just about every paycheck. Sometimes it takes a couple days before the check fully clears. It's irritating because I wait until payday, but then have to wait even more days to actually use the money that is just sitting there "pending".

 

[Debbie]

Does anyone else have a problem like this?

Today was payday and my check (direct deposit) is showing up in my bank account, but it's listed as "pending". I can't actually use it until it has fully cleared. This happens just about every paycheck. Sometimes it takes a couple days before the check fully clears. It's irritating because I wait until payday, but then have to wait even more days to actually use the money that is just sitting there "pending".

That is just wrong! At my (paycheck) bank, it goes in at midnight, and I have access to it right away. At my secondary bank, DH's check goes in, and, if it is "pending", we still have access-maybe due to overdraft protection??? I just know it says something like balance (say $900), usable balance ($1900)....so we do have the access.

On my way to school, and will update my non $0 days later today.

 

[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-$0
14-$0
15-$1.74 movie rental, $10.00 gas, $4.50 berries on sale
16-
17-
18-
19-
20-
21-
22-
23-
24-
25-
26-
27-
28-

8/12
__________________